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Trump and Ukraine: at least four national security officials reportedly flagged concerns – live Trump and Ukraine: at least four national security officials reportedly flagged concerns – live
(32 minutes later)
Meanwhile, the Guardian’s chief political correspondent David Smith is in Minneapolis, where Trump is holding a campaign rally.
Eric Trump: “Minneapolis! Are you guys tired of winning yet?” pic.twitter.com/Ucd0jzGfuy
Pete Buttigieg has just taken the stage at the LGBT forum to a standing ovation. But before he got the first question, he was immediately interrupted by protesters, who appeared to be shouting “trans lives matter” and “black trans lives matter”.
At the #EqualityTownHall, Pete Buttigieg's segment is interrupted with a #TransLivesMatter protest. @Andersoncooper smoothly credits the importance of their protest. pic.twitter.com/70LNZdF1yK
The South Bend mayor acknowledged the demonstrators, saying, “My experience as a white cisgender gay man” is not the same as black trans women, and that people should speak out against the “epidemic of violence against black trans women in this country”.
Anderson Cooper asked the mayor a personal question about coming out. Buttigieg said, “It was like was a civil war. I knew I was different long before I was able to say I was gay.”
Joe Biden, speaking at the LGBT forum, just started a sentence, “When I came out...” sparking laughter in the audience. CNN’s Anderson Cooper responded, “Now that would be news.”
“I got something to tell you!” Biden joked.
Some other Biden moments:
Shannon Scott, a proud veteran and trans woman and member of @HRC’s Board of Governors, asks @JoeBiden about what he will do to support transgender military service members.#EqualityTownHall #PowerOfOurPride pic.twitter.com/NVoLOLsZgl
Asked about Saudi Arabia, Biden gets in Cooper’s face and says, “They have very little redeeming social value.”
When asked about HIV health disparities, Biden said:
We have to make sure there is no ability for hospitals or healthcare providers to discriminate... It’s really important we begin to educate people about what’s going on.”
He went on a tangent about stereotypes about gay people, ending on this:
“San Francisco! Gay bathhouses! Round the clock sex!” - Biden, somehow
Here’s Cory Booker backstage at the forum talking about violence against incarcerated LGBTQ people:
Cory Booker talks about violence against LGBTQ migrants in detention at #EqualityTownHall pic.twitter.com/dJnWAk1oeJ
Hello - Sam Levin here in Los Angeles, taking over the blog for the rest of the day. I’m at the LGBT 2020 forum at the Novo in downtown LA, where Cory Booker is first up.Hello - Sam Levin here in Los Angeles, taking over the blog for the rest of the day. I’m at the LGBT 2020 forum at the Novo in downtown LA, where Cory Booker is first up.
The New Jersey senator said he supported California’s move this week to make HIV prevention medication available to patients without a doctor’s prescription.The New Jersey senator said he supported California’s move this week to make HIV prevention medication available to patients without a doctor’s prescription.
“We’re going to fight to make sure health insurance companies actually cover this,” he said, adding, “We need to do more sex education in this country that is science-based.”“We’re going to fight to make sure health insurance companies actually cover this,” he said, adding, “We need to do more sex education in this country that is science-based.”
Booker also said he was sick of seeing politicians declare their support of LGBT people only after they discover they have an LGBT family member.Booker also said he was sick of seeing politicians declare their support of LGBT people only after they discover they have an LGBT family member.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "spoke to this...[he] says I cannot pass a law to make someone love me, but I can stop them from lynching me," says @CoryBooker on his fight for inclusion. "You can't lead the people if you don't love the people. All the people." #EqualityTownHall pic.twitter.com/hrhVWokjk8Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "spoke to this...[he] says I cannot pass a law to make someone love me, but I can stop them from lynching me," says @CoryBooker on his fight for inclusion. "You can't lead the people if you don't love the people. All the people." #EqualityTownHall pic.twitter.com/hrhVWokjk8
Several 2020 candidates released LGBTQ policy plans today in advance of the forum, hosted by CNN and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC):Several 2020 candidates released LGBTQ policy plans today in advance of the forum, hosted by CNN and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC):
LGBTQ+ activists and organizers have made enormous strides toward equality—but that hard-won progress is already under attack. We need a president who is ready to fight back. I've got a plan to secure LGBTQ+ rights and equality. https://t.co/j8pelUdSmSLGBTQ+ activists and organizers have made enormous strides toward equality—but that hard-won progress is already under attack. We need a president who is ready to fight back. I've got a plan to secure LGBTQ+ rights and equality. https://t.co/j8pelUdSmS
Today, I introduced a plan to ensure everyone in the LGBTQ+ community is able to live proudly and openly, without fear of discrimination. We can restore equality and dignity in the White House. https://t.co/tS2YM46az7Today, I introduced a plan to ensure everyone in the LGBTQ+ community is able to live proudly and openly, without fear of discrimination. We can restore equality and dignity in the White House. https://t.co/tS2YM46az7
With his candidacy, @PeteButtigieg is shining a light on the LGBTQ+ community, and as president he would work to ensure people like Rob and Leif feel safe and seen: https://t.co/QqTeDy6er2 pic.twitter.com/HPrDJoh3sWWith his candidacy, @PeteButtigieg is shining a light on the LGBTQ+ community, and as president he would work to ensure people like Rob and Leif feel safe and seen: https://t.co/QqTeDy6er2 pic.twitter.com/HPrDJoh3sW
Donald Trump’s former Russia adviser Fiona Hill will testify to Congress that the president’s personal lawyer, Rudy Guiliani, and EU ambassador Gordon Sondland circumvented the National Security Council, according to NBC reporters.Donald Trump’s former Russia adviser Fiona Hill will testify to Congress that the president’s personal lawyer, Rudy Guiliani, and EU ambassador Gordon Sondland circumvented the National Security Council, according to NBC reporters.
Hill’s planned testimony has stoked fear among people close to Trump, per a former senior White House official. Also a key test for whether House can get testimony from *former* officials despite threat White House may assert executive privilege.W/ @carolelee @kwelkernbc https://t.co/TvkXOPx4UeHill’s planned testimony has stoked fear among people close to Trump, per a former senior White House official. Also a key test for whether House can get testimony from *former* officials despite threat White House may assert executive privilege.W/ @carolelee @kwelkernbc https://t.co/TvkXOPx4Ue
The officials reportedly raised concerns both before and immediately after Donald Trump’s July call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy. It’s unclear whether any of the same officials later spoke with the whistleblower who filed the complaint now central to the Democrat’s impeachment inquiry.The officials reportedly raised concerns both before and immediately after Donald Trump’s July call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy. It’s unclear whether any of the same officials later spoke with the whistleblower who filed the complaint now central to the Democrat’s impeachment inquiry.
One official who had listened on the call immediately went to White House lawyer Eisenberg, and at least two others did so by the end of the day, according to the Post.One official who had listened on the call immediately went to White House lawyer Eisenberg, and at least two others did so by the end of the day, according to the Post.
It’s unclear whether or how Eisenberg acted on the complaints, or if he informed White House counsel Pat Cipollone of what he had heard.It’s unclear whether or how Eisenberg acted on the complaints, or if he informed White House counsel Pat Cipollone of what he had heard.
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: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.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.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 associatesRepublican 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.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.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.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.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.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.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.”“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.” ...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.”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.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.
“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.
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:
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 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.”
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”.
“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.”
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.
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.
Rudy 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
.⁦@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.”
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.
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.
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/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.
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 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.
“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.