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Trump impeachment inquiry: EU envoy to break from president over Ukraine scandal – live Trump impeachment inquiry: EU envoy to break from president over Ukraine scandal – live
(32 minutes later)
Mick Mulvaney, the acting White House chief of staff, announced that the next G-7 summit would be held at one of Trump’s clubs in Doral, Florida, in June.
Mick Mulvaney announces that the G7 will take place June 10-12 at Trump National in Doral pic.twitter.com/pSlmzMwFWj
The announcement will certainly raise concerns that Trump is attempting to personally profit off the office of the presidency.
The acting White House chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, has now taken the podium at the press briefing.
The former congressman opened his comments by mourning the loss of representative Elijah Cummings, saying his former colleague was a “classy guy” and would be missed.
Vice president Mike Pence has now been meeting with the Turkish president for about four hours in Ankara, even though the pair’s press conference was supposed to start more than an hour ago.
Food is being brought in for the reporters gathered there, indicating that the meeting could go on for a while longer.
The expanded bilat, which is the current meeting, has stretched over 2 hours. (It started at 5:12p) https://t.co/51cJmZmhCk
Carolyn Maloney to chair House Oversight CommitteeCarolyn Maloney to chair House Oversight Committee
In wake of US Congressman Elijah Cummings’ death, US Representative Carolyn Maloney will take over as acting chair of the House Oversight Committee. Maloney, a Democrat from New York City, was the second most senior member on the committee. The committee plays a key role in the House’s impeachment inquiry.In wake of US Congressman Elijah Cummings’ death, US Representative Carolyn Maloney will take over as acting chair of the House Oversight Committee. Maloney, a Democrat from New York City, was the second most senior member on the committee. The committee plays a key role in the House’s impeachment inquiry.
Expressing her sadness over Cummings’ passing, Maloney said in a statement that he was a “dear friend and mentor. ... His legacy – his fight for fairness, justice and equality – should be an inspiration to us all.”Expressing her sadness over Cummings’ passing, Maloney said in a statement that he was a “dear friend and mentor. ... His legacy – his fight for fairness, justice and equality – should be an inspiration to us all.”
The White House announced that Trump’s acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, will appear at a previously unannounced press briefing in about half an hour.The White House announced that Trump’s acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, will appear at a previously unannounced press briefing in about half an hour.
Press Briefing with White House Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney at 12:30 p.m. (Mulvaney faces a Friday deadline to produce materials to the House impeachment committees.)Press Briefing with White House Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney at 12:30 p.m. (Mulvaney faces a Friday deadline to produce materials to the House impeachment committees.)
The briefing will occur as Trump travels to Texas for a campaign rally and Pence continues his talks with the Turkish president in Ankara.The briefing will occur as Trump travels to Texas for a campaign rally and Pence continues his talks with the Turkish president in Ankara.
Rick Perry says Trump directed him to GiulianiRick Perry says Trump directed him to Giuliani
Energy Secretary Rick Perry, who was a top liaison between the Trump administration and Ukraine officials, says that Donald Trump directed him to his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, to discuss Ukraine matters.Energy Secretary Rick Perry, who was a top liaison between the Trump administration and Ukraine officials, says that Donald Trump directed him to his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, to discuss Ukraine matters.
Perry has been dodging questions about the impeachment inquiry and told the Journal he has no plans of leaving the administration.Perry has been dodging questions about the impeachment inquiry and told the Journal he has no plans of leaving the administration.
Here’s more from the Wall Street Journal’s story:Here’s more from the Wall Street Journal’s story:
Energy Secretary Rick Perry said he sought out Rudy Giuliani this spring at President Trump’s direction to address Mr. Trump’s concerns about alleged Ukrainian corruption, a sign of how closely the president’s personal lawyer worked with the administration on Ukraine policy.Energy Secretary Rick Perry said he sought out Rudy Giuliani this spring at President Trump’s direction to address Mr. Trump’s concerns about alleged Ukrainian corruption, a sign of how closely the president’s personal lawyer worked with the administration on Ukraine policy.
Mr. Perry, in an exclusive interview with The Wall Street Journal, said he contacted Mr. Giuliani in an effort to ease a path to a meeting between Mr. Trump and his new Ukrainian counterpart. He said Mr. Giuliani described to him during their phone call several concerns about Ukraine’s alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. election, concerns that haven’t been substantiated.Mr. Perry, in an exclusive interview with The Wall Street Journal, said he contacted Mr. Giuliani in an effort to ease a path to a meeting between Mr. Trump and his new Ukrainian counterpart. He said Mr. Giuliani described to him during their phone call several concerns about Ukraine’s alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. election, concerns that haven’t been substantiated.
Nancy Pelosi has just concluded her weekly press conference, where the House speaker accused her Republican colleagues of distorting the meeting that senior lawmakers had with Trump yesterday.Nancy Pelosi has just concluded her weekly press conference, where the House speaker accused her Republican colleagues of distorting the meeting that senior lawmakers had with Trump yesterday.
Pelosi said she sometimes wished that such meetings could be recorded because her recollection of these sit-downs is always so drastically different than that of her Republican colleagues. (Most journalists would probably embrace the idea of recording meetings between Trump and congressional leadership.)Pelosi said she sometimes wished that such meetings could be recorded because her recollection of these sit-downs is always so drastically different than that of her Republican colleagues. (Most journalists would probably embrace the idea of recording meetings between Trump and congressional leadership.)
Nancy Pelosi on the instant classic photo the president tweeted of their meeting: "At that moment, I was probably saying, 'All roads lead to Putin.' " https://t.co/xY3eTlEDc5Nancy Pelosi on the instant classic photo the president tweeted of their meeting: "At that moment, I was probably saying, 'All roads lead to Putin.' " https://t.co/xY3eTlEDc5
Asked about the widely shared photo of her standing and pointing a finger at Trump during the meeting, Pelosi initially said she believed she was excusing herself when the picture was taken. She then corrected herself, saying she believed that at that specific moment, she was saying, “All roads lead to Putin.”Asked about the widely shared photo of her standing and pointing a finger at Trump during the meeting, Pelosi initially said she believed she was excusing herself when the picture was taken. She then corrected herself, saying she believed that at that specific moment, she was saying, “All roads lead to Putin.”
The House speaker did not specifically weigh in on the president’s alleged taunts and name-calling in the meeting, but she did criticize him and his team for lacking a plan on how to combat a potential resurgence of ISIS after the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria.The House speaker did not specifically weigh in on the president’s alleged taunts and name-calling in the meeting, but she did criticize him and his team for lacking a plan on how to combat a potential resurgence of ISIS after the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria.
‘Steely yet compassionate, principled yet open to new perspectives’‘Steely yet compassionate, principled yet open to new perspectives’
Former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama just released a statement on the death of US Congressman Elijah Cummings.Former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama just released a statement on the death of US Congressman Elijah Cummings.
“True to the giants of progress he followed into public service, Chairman Cummings stood tallest and most resolute when our country needed him most,” read the statement.“True to the giants of progress he followed into public service, Chairman Cummings stood tallest and most resolute when our country needed him most,” read the statement.
NEW: Former Pres. Barack Obama on passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings: "May his example inspire more Americans to pick up the baton and carry it forward in a manner worthy of his service." https://t.co/kYpkXcbIvV pic.twitter.com/4F7KrnCIeWNEW: Former Pres. Barack Obama on passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings: "May his example inspire more Americans to pick up the baton and carry it forward in a manner worthy of his service." https://t.co/kYpkXcbIvV pic.twitter.com/4F7KrnCIeW
Pelosi on Elijah Cummings: He lived the American dreamPelosi on Elijah Cummings: He lived the American dream
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is in the middle of her weekly press conference. She started it off by remembering US Congressman Elijah Cummings. She announced that the House will name a bill lowering the cost of prescription drugs, a cause Cummings was passionate about, after the late Congressman in his honor.Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is in the middle of her weekly press conference. She started it off by remembering US Congressman Elijah Cummings. She announced that the House will name a bill lowering the cost of prescription drugs, a cause Cummings was passionate about, after the late Congressman in his honor.
Pelosi remembers the late Rep. Elijah Cummings: "He lived the American dream and he wanted it for everyone else. He spoke with unsurpassed clarity and moral integrity when he spoke on the floor." https://t.co/bYrSEHy1Sm pic.twitter.com/vbxu5gGiN0Pelosi remembers the late Rep. Elijah Cummings: "He lived the American dream and he wanted it for everyone else. He spoke with unsurpassed clarity and moral integrity when he spoke on the floor." https://t.co/bYrSEHy1Sm pic.twitter.com/vbxu5gGiN0
Meanwhile, lawmakers continue to offer condolences and memories in light of Democratic representative Elijah Cummings’ unexpected death.Meanwhile, lawmakers continue to offer condolences and memories in light of Democratic representative Elijah Cummings’ unexpected death.
The flag at the White House has been lowered to half-staff, and Nancy Pelosi is expected to soon address the loss in her weekly press conference.The flag at the White House has been lowered to half-staff, and Nancy Pelosi is expected to soon address the loss in her weekly press conference.
It was my honor to work closely with Rep. Elijah Cummings over the years. His integrity and moral vision for his community and the country were extraordinary. He will be sorely missed. Jane and I are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend. Our thoughts are with his family.It was my honor to work closely with Rep. Elijah Cummings over the years. His integrity and moral vision for his community and the country were extraordinary. He will be sorely missed. Jane and I are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend. Our thoughts are with his family.
Today our country lost a true leader. Congressman Elijah Cummings was a friend, a passionate fighter for justice, and a powerful voice of moral conscience in our government who served his country for decades with dignity and integrity. I’m blessed to have known him. #RIPElijahToday our country lost a true leader. Congressman Elijah Cummings was a friend, a passionate fighter for justice, and a powerful voice of moral conscience in our government who served his country for decades with dignity and integrity. I’m blessed to have known him. #RIPElijah
Our nation has lost a mighty fighter for democracy, accountability, equity and justice with the tragic loss of Congressman Elijah Cummings. He never forgot that his was borrowed power, which he wielded in defense of the vulnerable and on behalf of the American people. #RIPElijahOur nation has lost a mighty fighter for democracy, accountability, equity and justice with the tragic loss of Congressman Elijah Cummings. He never forgot that his was borrowed power, which he wielded in defense of the vulnerable and on behalf of the American people. #RIPElijah
Press in Ankara were just briefly allowed in to the meeting between the vice president, Mike Pence, and the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
A US official told the reporters that they could not shout questions at the leaders, due to demands from Erdogan’s team.
Here is ⁦@SecPompeo⁩ and ⁦@VP⁩ and erdogan. A US official tell us pence asked ⁦@trpresidency⁩ twice to allow media in. We were allowed in — no questions allowed — for about 45 seconds. pic.twitter.com/eZESiI1iwe
Earlier this morning, when Pence and Erdogan first met, the tension between the two leaders was palpable.
There was visible tension between U.S. Vice President Pence and Turkish President Erdogan when they met in Turkey today to discuss the situation in northern Syria pic.twitter.com/6wN436SxTP
Pence and the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, are in Turkey to discuss the situation in Syria, where violence against America’s Kurdish allies has escalated since Turkish forces launched a military operation.
Despite the violence and harsh criticism from his own party, Trump has stood by his decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria.
More from Sondland’s testimony
Back to Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the European Union who’s giving a closed-door testimony to Congress right now.
In addition to telling the House committees that are overseeing the impeachment inquiry that he is “disappointed” that Donald Trump directed his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, to be involved in Ukraine affairs, Sondland will tell Congress that he did not understand Giuliani’s agenda.
“I did not understand, until much later, that Mr. Giuliani’s agenda might have also included an effort to prompt the Ukrainians to investigate Vice President Biden or his son or to involve Ukrainians, directly or indirectly, in the president’s 2020 re-election campaign,” he will say, per the New York Times.
Joe Biden on Elijah Cummings: A true public servant
Former vice president Joe Biden just released a statement on the death of US Congressman Elijah Cummings, joining the flood of memories and condolences that are coming in the late Congressman’s honor.
“His example showed us how to stand firmly for our rights and for what is right, how to never back down, without turning to personal disparagement and recrimination,” Biden wrote.
Elijah Cummings was a true public servant, his life defined by the love of his community and a fierce commitment to ensuring truth wins over power. The whole Biden family sends our condolences to his wife, Maya, his children, and the entire city of Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/jYbvQwZI1a
Here’s a peek at Vice President Mike Pence meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan – looks cheery!
President @RTErdogan received U.S. Vice President Pence at the Presidential Complex. pic.twitter.com/x5xaKzjiiz
US ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland’s opening statement to Congress has been leaked, just as his closed-door testimony to Congress is slated to start.
Sondland, a wealthy hotel financier and a mega-Trump donor, is planning to break from Donald Trump in his testimony saying that Trump directed diplomats to work with Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal lawyer.
“We were also disappointed by the president’s direction that we involved Mr. Giuliani,” Sondland is prepared to say.
Sondland will say Giuliani told diplomats that a Ukrainian investigation into Burisma, the company that Hunter Biden has ties to, are “topics of importance for the president”.
Sondland said he contacted Giuliani anyway at Trump’s direction, and that Rudy drew a direct link between scheduling a White House visit for Ukraine’s newly elected president and demands that Ukraine prioritize an investigation involving former Biden, and one re: 2016 election pic.twitter.com/cQZab5Dkf7
Sondland’s on the Hill
Gordon Sondland, ambassador to the European Union, has just arrived at the capitol for his close-door testimony that begins at 10am. Sondland will be testifying before the House committees conducting the impeachment inquiry.
Gordon Sondland arrives pic.twitter.com/u1dZg0VzG0
Sondland – who had no diplomacy background before he took his post in June 2018 – is expected to tell Congress that he didn’t know why US aid to Ukraine was held up nor does he know who ordered it.
US Congressman Elijah Cummings was a staunch critic of Donald Trump and a key figure in Trump’s impeachment inquiry as chairman of the House Oversight Committee.
We’ll just leave this to speak for itself:
"Racist Elijah Cummings" "has done a terrible job for the people of his district." "Elijah Cummings has been a brutal bully." "Elijah Cummings spends all of his time trying to hurt innocent people." "Investigate this corrupt mess immediately!"to"My warmest condolences" pic.twitter.com/773m7S1DLB
Capitol Hill mourns Elijah Cummings
Other politicians, Democrats and Republicans, are expressing their sadness over the death of US Congressman Elijah Cummings. “Rest in Power” is currently trending on Twitter due to the overflow of Tweets expressing sadness over Cumming’s death.
America lost a giant with the passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings, a man of principle who championed truth, justice and kindness. He fiercely loved his country and the people he served. Rest In Peace, my friend.
A devastating loss for our country.Chairman Cummings was a giant: a universally respected leader who brought profound insight, commitment, and moral fortitude to Congress.His guidance and vision was an enormous gift. I will forever cherish his example. May he rest in power. https://t.co/D0RsKsM5fh
There was no stronger advocate and no better friend than Elijah Cummings. I am heartbroken for his wonderful family and staff—please pray for them. I will miss him dearly.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has just ordered flags at the US Capitol to be flown at half-mast in honor of Cummings.
Donald Trump just tweeted out his condolences regarding the death of US Congressman Elijah Cummings.
My warmest condolences to the family and many friends of Congressman Elijah Cummings. I got to see first hand the strength, passion and wisdom of this highly respected political leader. His work and voice on so many fronts will be very hard, if not impossible, to replace!
Good Thursday morning! Another busy day on Capitol Hill this morning. Gordon Sondland, US ambassador to the European Union and a key figure in the impeachment investigation, will be testifying this morning before the House committees leading the inquiry.
Sondland allegedly pushed US diplomats to get onboard with pressuring Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy for an investigation into the company that Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s son, had ties to. Today, Sondland is expected to tell Congress that he was unaware that the company was linked to Hunter Biden. Sondland’s testimony will start at 10am.
Here’s what else is happening in the world of politics today:
The country is mourning the sudden death of US congressman Elijah Cummings. Besides being one of the most powerful Congressional members and part of leading the impeachment investigation of Donald Trump, Cummings was known for his devotion to Baltimore, his hometown and part of the district he represented, and civil rights. Many politicians have expressed their heartbreak over the news.
Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are in Turkey today to try, against the odds, to negotiate a cease-fire in Syria. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan allegedly threw away the letter that Trump sent him asking him for peace. The letter has been described by critics as “adolescent” in its language and tone.
Trump is flying over to Texas today where he will be attending a ribbon cutting at a Louis Vuitton factory and hold a rally in Dallas later tonight.