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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)
At least four national security officials raised concerns over the Trump administrations’ efforts to pressure Ukraine with a White House lawyer, the Washington Post reports:
The nature and timing of the previously undisclosed discussions with National Security Council legal adviser John Eisenberg indicate that officials were delivering warnings through official White House channels earlier than previously understood — including before the call that precipitated a whistleblower complaint and the impeachment inquiry of the president.
At the time, the officials were unnerved by the removal in May of the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine; subsequent efforts by Trump’s lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani to promote Ukraine-related conspiracies; as well as signals in meetings at the White House that Trump wanted the new government in Kiev to deliver material that might be politically damaging to Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
Republican lawmakers pledge to return donations from arrested Guiliani associates
House republican leader Kevin McCarthy and Florida governor Ron DeSantis have both pledged to return thousands in campaign donations made by Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who were arrested and charged with campaign finance violations.
McCarthy, who received $2,700 directly from the Parnas and Furman and plans to donate the money to charity, according to Vice news. DeSantis, who was given $50,000 last year by the two Florida businessmen will return the money, according to the Miami Herald.
Attorney general William Barr met privately with Rupert Murdoch at the media giant’s New York home, according to the New York Times.
Murdoch’s Fox News channel has drawn the president’s ire after the outlet published a poll saying that the majority of Americans favor impeachment. But Murdoch is a frequent confidant of Trump.
It is unclear what Barr and Murdoch discussed during their meeting, the Times reported.
Republican senate leader Lindsay Graham reportedly described the “YPG Kurds” as a “threat” during an August phone call with a man he believed to be Turkey’s defense minister, Politico reports.
“Thank you so much for calling me, Mr. Minister,” Graham said. “I want to make this a win-win, if we can.”
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.” ...
Kevin Bishop, a spokesman for Graham, confirmed the call’s authenticity to POLITICO. “We have been successful in stopping many efforts to prank Senator Graham and the office, but this one slipped through the cracks,” he said. “They got him.”
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.
Chuck Schumer, the leading democrat in the senate said that Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Guiliani needs to testify before congress.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.“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.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.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.