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Rick Perry subpoenaed by House committees in impeachment inquiry – live news Rick Perry subpoenaed by House committees in impeachment inquiry – live news
(32 minutes later)
Chuck Schumer, the leading democrat in the senate said that Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Guiliani needs to testify before congress.
“He has an obligation to testify under oath so he can be asked questions so this can come to light,” Schumer said at a press conference, referencing the arrest of two of Guiliani’s associates on campaign finance violations. “Giuliani has been involved up to his neck in this entire mess,” the senator said.
Lindsay Graham, the republican senate leader also wants Guiliani to testify — but for entirely different reasons.
Earlier this week, Graham said he wants to invite Guiliani to speak before the senate judiciary committee about allegations against Joe Biden and his family.
Did Kurds fight in WWII? There’s evidence that they did.Did Kurds fight in WWII? There’s evidence that they did.
Yesterday, Donald Trump defended his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria, abandoning US-allied Kurds, by noting that they “didn’t help us in the second world war, they didn’t help us with Normandy”.Yesterday, Donald Trump defended his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria, abandoning US-allied Kurds, by noting that they “didn’t help us in the second world war, they didn’t help us with Normandy”.
According to a New York Times report, there’s evidence that stateless Kurds did fight alongside Allied forces in World War II:According to a New York Times report, there’s evidence that stateless Kurds did fight alongside Allied forces in World War II:
It is unclear whether any Kurds were at the Normandy landings, but there is evidence that some of them fought on the side of the Allied forces during World War II.It is unclear whether any Kurds were at the Normandy landings, but there is evidence that some of them fought on the side of the Allied forces during World War II.
Some background: The Kurds, despite being the fourth-largest ethnic group in the Middle East, are a stateless and often marginalized people whose homeland stretches across Turkey, Syria, Iran, Iraq and Armenia. After World War I, the Allies’ negotiations with representatives of the defeated Ottoman Empire initially involved provisions for an autonomous Kurdistan. But that was abandoned by the ratification of the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923. Multiple attempts at greater autonomy or nationhood since then have been suppressed or quashed.Some background: The Kurds, despite being the fourth-largest ethnic group in the Middle East, are a stateless and often marginalized people whose homeland stretches across Turkey, Syria, Iran, Iraq and Armenia. After World War I, the Allies’ negotiations with representatives of the defeated Ottoman Empire initially involved provisions for an autonomous Kurdistan. But that was abandoned by the ratification of the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923. Multiple attempts at greater autonomy or nationhood since then have been suppressed or quashed.
Some of the Kurds who had been pushed out of the Ottoman Empire and Turkey landed in the Soviet Union, said Mutlu Civiroglu, a Kurdish affairs analyst in Washington. So when World War II began, many fought with the Soviets on the side of the Allies. But they were difficult to track because they did not fight under a Kurdish flag.Some of the Kurds who had been pushed out of the Ottoman Empire and Turkey landed in the Soviet Union, said Mutlu Civiroglu, a Kurdish affairs analyst in Washington. So when World War II began, many fought with the Soviets on the side of the Allies. But they were difficult to track because they did not fight under a Kurdish flag.
“They didn’t have a country,” Mr. Civiroglu said. “They didn’t have a navy. They didn’t have anything on their own. But individually, many people came forward.”“They didn’t have a country,” Mr. Civiroglu said. “They didn’t have a navy. They didn’t have anything on their own. But individually, many people came forward.”
Gowdy will join Trump’s legal team ‘sometime after January’Gowdy will join Trump’s legal team ‘sometime after January’
Donald Trump told reporters that Trey Gowdy wouldn’t be joining his legal team until “sometime after January”.Donald Trump told reporters that Trey Gowdy wouldn’t be joining his legal team until “sometime after January”.
“Trey Gowdy is a terrific guy,” Trump said, “I think there’s a problem with he can’t start for another couple of months because of lobbying rules and regulations.”“Trey Gowdy is a terrific guy,” Trump said, “I think there’s a problem with he can’t start for another couple of months because of lobbying rules and regulations.”
Gowdy, a former Republican congressman, chaired the House Select Committee on Benghazi from 2014 to 2016, has in the past stauchly advocated for Congress’ oversight powers. In a resurfaced clip from 2012, Gowdy said “The notion that you can withhold information and documents from Congress no matter whether you are the party in power or not in power is wrong. Respect for the rule of law must mean something, irrespective of the vicissitudes of political cycles.”Gowdy, a former Republican congressman, chaired the House Select Committee on Benghazi from 2014 to 2016, has in the past stauchly advocated for Congress’ oversight powers. In a resurfaced clip from 2012, Gowdy said “The notion that you can withhold information and documents from Congress no matter whether you are the party in power or not in power is wrong. Respect for the rule of law must mean something, irrespective of the vicissitudes of political cycles.”
Since retiring from Congress earlier this year, he has been a contributor to Fox News.Since retiring from Congress earlier this year, he has been a contributor to Fox News.
A judge has ordered Lev Parnas and Igor Furman, the two associates of Rudy Giuliani who were arrested on charges of conspiracy, making false statements and falsifying records, to post $1m each and surrender their passports before they can be released from jail.A judge has ordered Lev Parnas and Igor Furman, the two associates of Rudy Giuliani who were arrested on charges of conspiracy, making false statements and falsifying records, to post $1m each and surrender their passports before they can be released from jail.
Once they are released, they will be confined to their homes and will have to wear GPS monitors, though they will be allowed to travel between Florida, where they live New York, where they’re charged.Once they are released, they will be confined to their homes and will have to wear GPS monitors, though they will be allowed to travel between Florida, where they live New York, where they’re charged.
Judge Michael Nachmanoff also said the pair would not be allowed to discuss the case with each other.Judge Michael Nachmanoff also said the pair would not be allowed to discuss the case with each other.
Rudy Giuliani associates charged with campaign finance violationsRudy Giuliani associates charged with campaign finance violations
That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, is taking over the blog for the next few hours.That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, is taking over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
House committees have subpoenaed Rick Perry, Trump’s energy secretary, for documents related to their impeachment inquiry.House committees have subpoenaed Rick Perry, Trump’s energy secretary, for documents related to their impeachment inquiry.
Two foreign-born Republican donors, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, were indicted on campaign-finance charges. The pair helped connect Rudy Giuliani to Ukrainian prosecutors, whom the president’s personal lawyer pressured to investigate Joe Biden.Two foreign-born Republican donors, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, were indicted on campaign-finance charges. The pair helped connect Rudy Giuliani to Ukrainian prosecutors, whom the president’s personal lawyer pressured to investigate Joe Biden.
Federal prosecutors said in a short press conference that they arrested Parnas and Fruman at Dulles International Airport, as they were trying to escape the country on one-way tickets out of the US.Federal prosecutors said in a short press conference that they arrested Parnas and Fruman at Dulles International Airport, as they were trying to escape the country on one-way tickets out of the US.
Giuliani reportedly had lunch with Parnas and Fruman just hours before they were arrested trying to flee.Giuliani reportedly had lunch with Parnas and Fruman just hours before they were arrested trying to flee.
Trump said he would meet with the Chinese vice premier tomorrow to discuss trade negotiations, an announcement that caused US stocks to jump.Trump said he would meet with the Chinese vice premier tomorrow to discuss trade negotiations, an announcement that caused US stocks to jump.
Maanvi will have more on the news of the day, so stay tuned.Maanvi will have more on the news of the day, so stay tuned.
And with that, Trump has departed for his campaign rally in Minnesota, a state he narrowly lost to Hillary Clinton in 2016 and hopes to carry in 2020.And with that, Trump has departed for his campaign rally in Minnesota, a state he narrowly lost to Hillary Clinton in 2016 and hopes to carry in 2020.
.⁦@realDonaldTrump⁩ leaves the White House for a trip to Minnesota, a state he told reporters he thinks he can win in 2020 pic.twitter.com/CVnhZAz79y.⁦@realDonaldTrump⁩ leaves the White House for a trip to Minnesota, a state he told reporters he thinks he can win in 2020 pic.twitter.com/CVnhZAz79y
Trump offered this very reassuring answer when asked by reporters whether he thought Rudy Giuliani, his personal lawyer, would be indicted: “I hope not.”Trump offered this very reassuring answer when asked by reporters whether he thought Rudy Giuliani, his personal lawyer, would be indicted: “I hope not.”
The president also explained that Trey Gowdy, the former Republican congressman joining his team to combat the impeachment efforts, would not be able to start for several months due to lobbying restrictions.The president also explained that Trey Gowdy, the former Republican congressman joining his team to combat the impeachment efforts, would not be able to start for several months due to lobbying restrictions.
And Trump did not specifically say he would block Marie Yovanovitch from testifying tomorrow, but he certainly seemed open to the idea.And Trump did not specifically say he would block Marie Yovanovitch from testifying tomorrow, but he certainly seemed open to the idea.
Pres. Trump, when asked whether he intends to block Marie Louise Yovanovitch, the former United States Ambassador to Ukraine from testifying, said: I don’t think you can have all these people testifying.(He didn’t say he was blocking her specifically but it seems very likely.)Pres. Trump, when asked whether he intends to block Marie Louise Yovanovitch, the former United States Ambassador to Ukraine from testifying, said: I don’t think you can have all these people testifying.(He didn’t say he was blocking her specifically but it seems very likely.)
The president claimed he did not know Lev Parnas or Igor Fruman, the two Republican donors who gave money to a pro-Trump super PAC and have been arrested on campaign-finance charges.The president claimed he did not know Lev Parnas or Igor Fruman, the two Republican donors who gave money to a pro-Trump super PAC and have been arrested on campaign-finance charges.
Trump has previously been photographed with the two men and reportedly met with them as recently as last year.Trump has previously been photographed with the two men and reportedly met with them as recently as last year.
Trump says he does not know the two associates of Giuliani who were arrested, even if there is a picture of them together pic.twitter.com/TGE24LcWsSTrump says he does not know the two associates of Giuliani who were arrested, even if there is a picture of them together pic.twitter.com/TGE24LcWsS
Given that Perry still serves in the Trump administration, he is unlikely to answer the House committees’ subpoena by the Oct. 18 deadline they outlined.Given that Perry still serves in the Trump administration, he is unlikely to answer the House committees’ subpoena by the Oct. 18 deadline they outlined.
Other senior Trump officials who have been subpoenaed, including secretary of state Mike Pompeo, have similarly failed to provide documents related to the impeachment inquiry by their subpoena deadlines.Other senior Trump officials who have been subpoenaed, including secretary of state Mike Pompeo, have similarly failed to provide documents related to the impeachment inquiry by their subpoena deadlines.
The State Department also blocked a former US ambassador to NATO, Gordon Sondland, from testifying before the House committees earlier this week.The State Department also blocked a former US ambassador to NATO, Gordon Sondland, from testifying before the House committees earlier this week.
The House committees gave Rick Perry a deadline of 18 October to turn over documents related to the impeachment inquiry.The House committees gave Rick Perry a deadline of 18 October to turn over documents related to the impeachment inquiry.
The committees’ three Democratic chairman wrote in a letter to the energy secretary: “Recently, public reports have raised questions about any role you may have played in conveying or reinforcing the President’s stark message to the Ukrainian president.The committees’ three Democratic chairman wrote in a letter to the energy secretary: “Recently, public reports have raised questions about any role you may have played in conveying or reinforcing the President’s stark message to the Ukrainian president.
“These reports have also raised significant questions about your efforts to press Ukrainian officials to change the management structure at a Ukrainian state-owned energy company to benefit individuals involved with Rudy Giuliani’s push to get Ukrainian officials to interfere in our 2020 election.”“These reports have also raised significant questions about your efforts to press Ukrainian officials to change the management structure at a Ukrainian state-owned energy company to benefit individuals involved with Rudy Giuliani’s push to get Ukrainian officials to interfere in our 2020 election.”
The letter goes on to note Trump’s claim last week that Perry urged him to call the Ukrainian president and reports that the the energy secretary advised the foreign leader to advance anti-corruption efforts in order to get military aid release to the country.The letter goes on to note Trump’s claim last week that Perry urged him to call the Ukrainian president and reports that the the energy secretary advised the foreign leader to advance anti-corruption efforts in order to get military aid release to the country.
Three House committees leading the impeachment inquiry against Trump have now subpoenaed Rick Perry, the president’s energy secretary.
BREAKING: Democratic House cmte. leaders subpoena Energy Sec. Perry for "key documents" as part of impeachment inquiry. https://t.co/kdrUxk2XiK pic.twitter.com/tZAcbwKFjk
HR McMaster, Trump’s former national security adviser, was unequivocal when asked earlier today whether it would be okay for a president to request election assistance from a foreign power: “Of course no.”
REPORTER: "Do you think it is appropriate for the president of the United States to solicit foreign interference in our political process?"MCMASTER: "Of course no. No, it's absolutely not." Trump's former national security adviser denounces Trump's actions. pic.twitter.com/ZQ7HGMbBPL
Other senior officials with Trump ties, including Republican senators facing difficult re-elections next year, have repeatedly dodged the seemingly straightforward question.
The former US ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, is still scheduled to testify before three House committees investigating impeachment tomorrow, but there are doubts that she will appear.
With the caveat that things can and do often change, Marie Yovanovitch, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, is still expected to testify tomorrow before the three committees in private, source says. There have been continued questions because she is still a State employee
Trump recalled Yovanovitch from Ukraine in the spring, a decision that is now being scrutinized as House Democrats seek to determiner whether the president abused his power to advance his political interests.
Rudy Giuliani reportedly complained to Trump that Yovanovitch was obstructing efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden.
The two foreign-born Republican donors who were arrested today, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, also pushed for Yovanovitch’s ouster.
Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the president’s closest congressional allies, was tricked into having a conversation with two Russian pranksters, mistakenly believing that he was speaking to Turkey’s minister of defense.
Politico has more:
But it wasn’t the Turkish defense minister at all. Instead, it was Alexey Stolyarov and Vladimir Kuznetsov, Russian pranksters with suspected ties to the country’s intelligence services who go by ‘Lexus and Vovan.’ The duo have become notorious in recent years for their cold calls to unwitting, high-profile Western politicians, including Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, leading some to suspect that they’ve had help from the Kremlin, according to The Guardian. ...
The substance of Graham’s conversation with Stolyarov, who was posing as Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, is newly relevant in light of the South Carolina senator’s push for sanctions on Turkey as punishment for their offensive against the Kurds in northern Syria. Graham labeled the Kurds a ‘threat’ to Turkey in the call, seemingly contradicting what he has said publicly in recent days.
Graham also mentions Trump’s personal interest in a ‘Turkish bank case’ in the call that appears to refer to a U.S. case involving Reza Zarrab, an Iranian-Turkish gold trader and client of Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that Trump had asked then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in 2017 to help persuade the Justice Department to drop the Zarrab case.
Rudy Giuliani seemed skeptical of the possibility that Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman would testify against him to secure leniency in their campaign-finance case.
when I asked Rudy about prospect of the FBI flipping Parnas and Fruman to get to him, he replied “Good luck.”
But Giuliani’s work with Parnas and Fruman, who helped connect him to Ukrainian prosecutors whom he pressured to investigate Joe Biden, has raised the question of what Trump’s personal lawyer knew about the campaign-finance allegations against the two men.
Another poll has found that more than half of Americans support House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry against Trump.
According to the PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll, 52% of American support the inquiry, while 43% oppose it.
But Americans are evenly split on whether Trump should be removed from office. Forty-eight percent of poll respondents said they would support such a move, while 48% said they would not.
Among the critical bloc of independent voters, 54% support the inquiry, but only 45% support removing Trump from office.
The results underscore how polling has shifted in recent weeks. While support for impeachment has increased, there’s been no sign of a major change in public opinion, as some Democrats surely expected.
Trend — The Ukraine issue hasn't had any perceivable impact on Trump's job approval rating, but it seems to have moved significant numbers of voters who disapprove of him from NO to YES on an impeachment inquiry.
Senator Cory Gardner, a Republican of Colorado, repeatedly refused to answer reporters’ hypothetical question about whether it would be acceptable for a president to request election assistance from a foreign power.
Breaking: @SenCoryGardner refuses to answer question whether it is appropriate for the President to ask a foreign leader to investigate a rival. Quite the exchange in Denver #copolitics #kdvr pic.twitter.com/5Y0EYOcKjM
Another Republican senator, Joni Ernst of Iowa, repeatedly refused to answer the same question yesterday.
Question: "Is it appropriate for a president to ask a foreign power to investigate a domestic political rival - yes or no?"Sen. Joni Ernst: "Well, again, I think that we're going to have to go back, just as I said last week, we'll have to wait." pic.twitter.com/j7mYa7R45x
Reporters will likely try to pose this same “yes or no” question to Republican lawmakers in the weeks to come – particularly those, like Gardner and Ernst, who face tough re-elections next year.
Rudy Giuliani reportedly had lunch with Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman the same day that they were arrested on campaign-finance charges.
The Wall Street Journal reports:
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, acting as key conduits of information.
The two had lunch with Mr. Giuliani at the Trump International Hotel in Washington on Wednesday, according to a person who was in the hotel and saw the three together.
Parnas and Fruman were arrested hours later at Dulles International Airport trying to flee the country, prosecutors said.
In their short statement on the arrest of Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, federal prosecutors said the investigation into the actions of the foreign-born Republican donors was “continuing.”
NEW: U.S. attorney details charges against two men with ties to Giuliani for allegedly "using straw donors and foreign money.""The defendants broke the law to gain political influence while avoiding disclosure of who was actually making the donations." https://t.co/Abcdr95Im9 pic.twitter.com/Nqj8GYJOl4
According to CNN, prosecutors were forced to disclose the charges today because of the pair’s attempt to leave the country.
CNN reports:
US prosecutors were not intending to unseal the indictment against the Giuliani associates and two others Thursday, according to three US officials. Their hand was forced by an attempt by Fruman and Parnas to leave the country.
Attorney General William Barr, who visited the Manhattan US Attorney’s office Thursday in what officials said was a routine stop, was briefed on the investigation into Parnas and Fruman in February after he took office, and he supported the prosecution, according to a US Justice Department official.
Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York, the office that filed campaign-finance charges against Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, just held a press conference on the indictment.
They said the pair were arrested for coordinating an “illegal straw-donor scheme,” working “on behalf of a Ukrainian government official” to have the US ambassador to Ukraine recalled.
The prosecutors said Parnas and Fruman were attempting to leave the country when they were arrested at Dulles International Airport just outside of Washington.
US Attorney just now said Parnas and Fruman had one way international tickets.