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US stocks surge as Trump announces meeting with China to talk trade – live US stocks surge as Trump announces meeting with China to talk trade – live
(32 minutes later)
Okay, well, the blog called this one wrong: House Democrats are indeed subpoenaing Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman to testify for their impeachment inquiry, despite the pair’s arrest on campaign-finance charges.
House Dems subpoena Giuliani associates Fruman and Parnas for documents by October 16, undeterred by their arrests today over an alleged campaign finance scheme https://t.co/sElwwjXTJd
Democrats are looking for more information about how Parnas and Fruman connected Rudy Giuliani to Ukrainian prosecutors, whom the president’s personal lawyer pressured to investigate false corruption claims against Joe Biden.
Joe Biden has put out a statement slamming Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria and mocking the president’s criticism of America’s Kurdish allies for not participating in the 1944 D-Day invasion.
Biden said: “Donald Trump sold out the Syrian Democratic Forces – the courageous Kurds and Arabs who fought with us to smash Isis’s caliphate – and he betrayed a key local ally in the fight against terrorism. But that’s not all – he betrayed our brave troops, who sacrificed alongside them. He betrayed our word as a nation – raising doubts among our allies around the world about America’s security commitments. And he betrayed our security by green lighting a Turkish incursion that will create chaos and destruction, setting conditions for Isis to regrow.
“His sad attempt to excuse the betrayal – saying that the Kurds didn’t fight with us at Normandy 75 years ago in World War II – adds insult to very real injury. By that standard, only Canada, a handful of European allies, and others could ever hope for America to come to their defense – and even they might have doubts after Trump’s performance. Especially when Trump said he wasn’t worried about Isis regrouping and fleeing Syria because they would only go to Europe ...
“This is not about keeping forces in northern Syria indefinitely. That was never the plan. It’s about consolidating our hard-fought gains against Isis, and preventing it from regenerating – which it is already trying to do. Managing this complex environment requires smart and sustained diplomacy, which President Trump has demonstrated he has neither the patience nor the wisdom to conduct. Every day, President Trump’s incompetent policies make us less safe.”
Jay Sekulow, an attorney for the president, denied that the president had any connection to Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman as the two Republican donors faced campaign-finance charges.Jay Sekulow, an attorney for the president, denied that the president had any connection to Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman as the two Republican donors faced campaign-finance charges.
Sekulow in a brief comment says case involving Giuliani associates not connected to Trump: “Read the indictment. Neither the candidate nor the campaign have anything to do with the scheme these guys were involved inSekulow in a brief comment says case involving Giuliani associates not connected to Trump: “Read the indictment. Neither the candidate nor the campaign have anything to do with the scheme these guys were involved in
But Parnas and Fruman donated to a pro-Trump super PAC and have been working with Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, in recent months.But Parnas and Fruman donated to a pro-Trump super PAC and have been working with Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, in recent months.
Counterpoint from one John Dowd, former Trump lawyer (via @kyledcheney) https://t.co/CGuD90HK3Y pic.twitter.com/et6Fl1uiepCounterpoint from one John Dowd, former Trump lawyer (via @kyledcheney) https://t.co/CGuD90HK3Y pic.twitter.com/et6Fl1uiep
Fruman, Parnas, Trump and Giuliani. Via the @MiamiHerald https://t.co/Fg2FWnKhPB pic.twitter.com/nUjxrtdan9
And Trump has previously been photographed with Parnas and Fruman, who reportedly met with the president last year.And Trump has previously been photographed with Parnas and Fruman, who reportedly met with the president last year.
Fruman, Parnas, Trump and Giuliani. Via the @MiamiHerald https://t.co/Fg2FWnKhPB pic.twitter.com/nUjxrtdan9Fruman, Parnas, Trump and Giuliani. Via the @MiamiHerald https://t.co/Fg2FWnKhPB pic.twitter.com/nUjxrtdan9
Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York, the office that filed the campaign finance charges against Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, are holding a press conference at 2 p.m. EST to discuss the indictment.Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York, the office that filed the campaign finance charges against Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, are holding a press conference at 2 p.m. EST to discuss the indictment.
SDNY will have a presser at 2p regarding the indictment of Lev Parnas, Igor Fruman, David Correia, and Andrey Kukushnin.SDNY will have a presser at 2p regarding the indictment of Lev Parnas, Igor Fruman, David Correia, and Andrey Kukushnin.
These are the mugshots of Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who were arrested at Dulles Airport just outside Washington last night.These are the mugshots of Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who were arrested at Dulles Airport just outside Washington last night.
Mugshots -- Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman after their arrest on campaign finance charges https://t.co/5G7j2iFUDk pic.twitter.com/MRlAzPr0wRMugshots -- Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman after their arrest on campaign finance charges https://t.co/5G7j2iFUDk pic.twitter.com/MRlAzPr0wR
Parnas was scheduled to be deposed by House Democrats for their impeachment inquiry today, but many predicted he would not show up.Parnas was scheduled to be deposed by House Democrats for their impeachment inquiry today, but many predicted he would not show up.
He and Fruman were expected to be served with subpoenas to appear before Congress, but that likely seems on hold now following their arrest.He and Fruman were expected to be served with subpoenas to appear before Congress, but that likely seems on hold now following their arrest.
Okay, so here’s what we know so far about the charges against Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman: the two foreign-born Republican donors, who gave $325,000 to a pro-Trump Super Pac, are accused of attempting to circumvent campaign finance laws to exert political influence.Okay, so here’s what we know so far about the charges against Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman: the two foreign-born Republican donors, who gave $325,000 to a pro-Trump Super Pac, are accused of attempting to circumvent campaign finance laws to exert political influence.
Prosecutors say that Parnas and Fruman promised to raise money for a congressman, whom has been identified by some news outlets as former Republican representative Pete Sessions, if he pushed for the ouster of the US ambassador to Ukraine.Prosecutors say that Parnas and Fruman promised to raise money for a congressman, whom has been identified by some news outlets as former Republican representative Pete Sessions, if he pushed for the ouster of the US ambassador to Ukraine.
YESTERDAY: @lachlan reported that former Rep. Pete Sessions got $3m from this pro-Trump super PAC after he wrote a letter calling for the sacking of the Ukraine Amb. that Parnas, Fruman and Rudy wanted out. https://t.co/UkOBYS82tw https://t.co/3eghhgdmPOYESTERDAY: @lachlan reported that former Rep. Pete Sessions got $3m from this pro-Trump super PAC after he wrote a letter calling for the sacking of the Ukraine Amb. that Parnas, Fruman and Rudy wanted out. https://t.co/UkOBYS82tw https://t.co/3eghhgdmPO
That ambassador, Marie Yovanovitch, was recalled by Trump this spring after some of the president’s external allies, including Rudy Giuliani, complained that she was obstructing efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden.That ambassador, Marie Yovanovitch, was recalled by Trump this spring after some of the president’s external allies, including Rudy Giuliani, complained that she was obstructing efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden.
Parnas and Fruman were also the ones who connected Giuliani to a Ukrainian prosecutor, whom the president’s personal lawyer similarly advised to probe false corruption claims against Biden.Parnas and Fruman were also the ones who connected Giuliani to a Ukrainian prosecutor, whom the president’s personal lawyer similarly advised to probe false corruption claims against Biden.
So we’ve got two guys allegedly running a sham fundraising operation to influence Ukrainian politics as they work with Trump’s senior adviser, who is also trying to meddle in Ukraine’s affairs to harm the political fortunes of the president’s potential election opponent.So we’ve got two guys allegedly running a sham fundraising operation to influence Ukrainian politics as they work with Trump’s senior adviser, who is also trying to meddle in Ukraine’s affairs to harm the political fortunes of the president’s potential election opponent.
It is, in short, a mess – and it’s a mess that House Democrats will likely be keen to get to the bottom of.It is, in short, a mess – and it’s a mess that House Democrats will likely be keen to get to the bottom of.
Hillary Clinton, who has voiced support for the impeachment inquiry and recently referred to Trump as a “corrupt human tornado,” tweeted this about the latest allegations against the president and his associates.Hillary Clinton, who has voiced support for the impeachment inquiry and recently referred to Trump as a “corrupt human tornado,” tweeted this about the latest allegations against the president and his associates.
It's becoming a challenge to keep up with the high crimes and misdemeanors.It's becoming a challenge to keep up with the high crimes and misdemeanors.
A Politico reporter helped to lay out the significance of the charges facing Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who assisted Rudy Giuliani’s efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden.A Politico reporter helped to lay out the significance of the charges facing Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who assisted Rudy Giuliani’s efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden.
If prosecutors are correct, this means two people who worked on legal matters for Trump were simultaneously running a straw donor scheme on behalf of foreign interests.If prosecutors are correct, this means two people who worked on legal matters for Trump were simultaneously running a straw donor scheme on behalf of foreign interests.
John Dowd, a former lawyer for Trump who is now representing Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, said the two Republican donors have assisted Rudy Giuliani in his work for the president.John Dowd, a former lawyer for Trump who is now representing Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, said the two Republican donors have assisted Rudy Giuliani in his work for the president.
The pair, who have been accused of attempting to circumvent campaign finance laws to exert political influence, also connected Giuliani to a Ukrainian prosecutor whom he pressured to investigate Joe Biden.The pair, who have been accused of attempting to circumvent campaign finance laws to exert political influence, also connected Giuliani to a Ukrainian prosecutor whom he pressured to investigate Joe Biden.
So the guys Rudy turned to to root out corruption were…. corrupt.So the guys Rudy turned to to root out corruption were…. corrupt.
The blog is also still following updates on the arrest of Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, two Republican donors who were involved with Rudy Giuliani’s efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden.The blog is also still following updates on the arrest of Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, two Republican donors who were involved with Rudy Giuliani’s efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden.
According to NBC News, the lawmaker identified only as “Congressman-1” in the indictment, who allegedly was promised funds from Parnas and Fruman if he pushed for the ouster of the US ambassador to Ukraine, was former Republican representative Pete Sessions.According to NBC News, the lawmaker identified only as “Congressman-1” in the indictment, who allegedly was promised funds from Parnas and Fruman if he pushed for the ouster of the US ambassador to Ukraine, was former Republican representative Pete Sessions.
This is also clear upon review of the records of political contributions included in the indictment https://t.co/vtGNGB8PRkThis is also clear upon review of the records of political contributions included in the indictment https://t.co/vtGNGB8PRk
Meanwhile, Trump announced over Twitter that he would meet tomorrow with the Chinese vice premier to engage in trade talks.Meanwhile, Trump announced over Twitter that he would meet tomorrow with the Chinese vice premier to engage in trade talks.
Big day of negotiations with China. They want to make a deal, but do I? I meet with the Vice Premier tomorrow at The White House.Big day of negotiations with China. They want to make a deal, but do I? I meet with the Vice Premier tomorrow at The White House.
The vice premier, Liu He, is leading China’s negotiating team as the two countries attempt to wind down the tit-for-tat sanctions that have escalated in recent months.The vice premier, Liu He, is leading China’s negotiating team as the two countries attempt to wind down the tit-for-tat sanctions that have escalated in recent months.
Trump has shown little willingness to end his trade war, but US stocks still surged following his announcement that he would sit down with Liu.Trump has shown little willingness to end his trade war, but US stocks still surged following his announcement that he would sit down with Liu.
The Wall Street Journal is now also reporting that the White House shifted responsibility of overseeing aid to Ukraine to a political appointee after budget staffers raised legal concerns about stalling the funds.The Wall Street Journal is now also reporting that the White House shifted responsibility of overseeing aid to Ukraine to a political appointee after budget staffers raised legal concerns about stalling the funds.
The Journal reports:The Journal reports:
The president has the authority to delay the release of money in certain instances, according to the Congressional Research Service, a nonpartisan research agency, including if there has been an unexpected change in circumstances for the program. But without being provided explanation or justification about why the administration was delaying the aid, some career officials at the Office of Management and Budget became worried they didn’t have the legal authority to hold up the funds, according to the people familiar. ...The president has the authority to delay the release of money in certain instances, according to the Congressional Research Service, a nonpartisan research agency, including if there has been an unexpected change in circumstances for the program. But without being provided explanation or justification about why the administration was delaying the aid, some career officials at the Office of Management and Budget became worried they didn’t have the legal authority to hold up the funds, according to the people familiar. ...
While career civil servants put an initial hold on the aid, Michael Duffey, associate director of national security programs in OMB, was given the authority for continuing to keep the aid on hold after the career staff began raising their concerns to political officials at OMB, according to the people familiar with the matter. Mr. Duffey also began overseeing the process for approving and releasing funds, called apportionment, for other foreign aid and defense accounts, according to a public document indicating the change. ...While career civil servants put an initial hold on the aid, Michael Duffey, associate director of national security programs in OMB, was given the authority for continuing to keep the aid on hold after the career staff began raising their concerns to political officials at OMB, according to the people familiar with the matter. Mr. Duffey also began overseeing the process for approving and releasing funds, called apportionment, for other foreign aid and defense accounts, according to a public document indicating the change. ...
The Democratic leaders of the House Budget and Appropriations committees, which are also probing the delay in the aid to Ukraine, called the involvement of a political official in the apportionment process ‘seemingly unprecedented’ in a letter requesting documents from OMB. Those committees have received some documents from OMB that they requested.The Democratic leaders of the House Budget and Appropriations committees, which are also probing the delay in the aid to Ukraine, called the involvement of a political official in the apportionment process ‘seemingly unprecedented’ in a letter requesting documents from OMB. Those committees have received some documents from OMB that they requested.
According to the indictment of Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, Parnas promised to raise funds for a US congressman whom they pressured to get Marie Yovanovitch, then serving as the US ambassador to Ukraine, recalled.According to the indictment of Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, Parnas promised to raise funds for a US congressman whom they pressured to get Marie Yovanovitch, then serving as the US ambassador to Ukraine, recalled.
In 2018, "Parnas met with Congressman-1 and sought Congressman-1's assistance in causing the U.S. government to remove or recall the then-U.S. ambassadors to Ukraine." pic.twitter.com/70yQT28DvgIn 2018, "Parnas met with Congressman-1 and sought Congressman-1's assistance in causing the U.S. government to remove or recall the then-U.S. ambassadors to Ukraine." pic.twitter.com/70yQT28Dvg
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Trump recalled Yovanovitch in May after some of his external advisers, including Rudy Giulaini, claimed she was obstructing efforts to convince Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden:The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Trump recalled Yovanovitch in May after some of his external advisers, including Rudy Giulaini, claimed she was obstructing efforts to convince Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden:
The recall of Marie Yovanovitch in the spring has become a key point of interest in the House impeachment inquiry. A whistleblower complaint by a CIA officer alleges the president solicited foreign interference in the 2020 elections by pressing Ukraine’s president in a July 25 call to pursue investigations, including into the activities of Mr. Biden, a Democrat who is running for president.The recall of Marie Yovanovitch in the spring has become a key point of interest in the House impeachment inquiry. A whistleblower complaint by a CIA officer alleges the president solicited foreign interference in the 2020 elections by pressing Ukraine’s president in a July 25 call to pursue investigations, including into the activities of Mr. Biden, a Democrat who is running for president.
The complaint cites Ms. Yovanovitch’s ouster as one of a series of events that paved the way for what the whistleblower alleges was an abuse of power by the president. ...The complaint cites Ms. Yovanovitch’s ouster as one of a series of events that paved the way for what the whistleblower alleges was an abuse of power by the president. ...
In an interview, Mr. Giuliani told The Wall Street Journal that in the lead-up to Ms. Yovanovitch’s removal, he reminded the president of complaints percolating among Trump supporters that she had displayed an anti-Trump bias in private conversations. In Mr. Giuliani’s view, she also had been an obstacle to efforts to push Ukraine to investigate Mr. Biden and his son Hunter.In an interview, Mr. Giuliani told The Wall Street Journal that in the lead-up to Ms. Yovanovitch’s removal, he reminded the president of complaints percolating among Trump supporters that she had displayed an anti-Trump bias in private conversations. In Mr. Giuliani’s view, she also had been an obstacle to efforts to push Ukraine to investigate Mr. Biden and his son Hunter.