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| Cracks appear in Republican effort to shield Trump as scandals mount – live | Cracks appear in Republican effort to shield Trump as scandals mount – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Nancy Pelosi has reportedly released a “fact sheet” for her Democratic caucus, which compiles what the House speaker considers to be the most pertinent accusations against Trump in the impeachment inquiry. | |
| The Washington Post reports: | |
| The citations are divided into three categories: ‘the shakedown,’ ‘the pressure campaign’ and ‘the cover up.’ | |
| As evidence of a ‘shakedown,’ the fact sheet cites quotes from the rough transcript from Trump’s July call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which it says ‘paints a damning picture of Trump abusing his office by pressing a foreign government to interfere in our 2020 elections.’ | |
| Trump, the document contends, ‘has betrayed his oath of office, betrayed our national security and betrayed the integrity of our elections for his own personal political gain.’ | |
| The release of the fact sheet comes as vulnerable House Democrats who support the inquiry wrestle with how best to explain the investigation to their wary constituents. | |
| Representative Cheri Bustos, the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, recently wrote a memo urging her colleagues to keep their “language simple, direct and values-based” when discussing impeachment. She also urged House Democrats to emphasize that “no one is above the law.” | |
| Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro has announced that he will end his presidential bid if he cannot raise another $800,000 by the end of the month. | |
| I’m extremely proud of the historic and bold campaign we have built together. But this is a critical moment— if my campaign can’t raise $800,000 by October 31st, my campaign will be silenced for good. Help us keep up the fight. DONATE now: https://t.co/CZKqZ7uYHM pic.twitter.com/opXiNoDn3I | |
| One of Castro’s competitors, Cory Booker, set and achieved a similar goal last month. Announcing that he needed another $1.7 million before the third quarter concluded, the New Jersey senator managed to attract more than $2 million in the last 10 days of September. | |
| However, Castro may be in an even more precarious position now than Booker was then. The former San Antonio mayor and housing and urban development secretary has not yet qualified for the next debate and still needs to hit 3 percent or more in at least four polls to make the cut. | |
| Despite his disastrous press briefing last week, it appears that Mick Mulvaney still has the support of the Trump White House, with some staffers even applauding him during a meeting today. | Despite his disastrous press briefing last week, it appears that Mick Mulvaney still has the support of the Trump White House, with some staffers even applauding him during a meeting today. |
| After a difficult week, Mulvaney got support from a number of staff in the WH senior staff meeting today, per attendee, with a round of applause. | After a difficult week, Mulvaney got support from a number of staff in the WH senior staff meeting today, per attendee, with a round of applause. |
| The acting White House chief of staff’s admission (and later denial) of a quid pro quo in the delaying of military aid to Ukraine had raised speculation that he could soon be forced out of his role. | The acting White House chief of staff’s admission (and later denial) of a quid pro quo in the delaying of military aid to Ukraine had raised speculation that he could soon be forced out of his role. |
| House Republicans intend to force a vote tonight on a resolution censuring Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, for exaggerating the White House memo on Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president. | House Republicans intend to force a vote tonight on a resolution censuring Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, for exaggerating the White House memo on Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president. |
| Republicans will force a vote tonight on a resolution condemning Schiff for mischaracterizing Trump’s July phone call with Ukraine’s Zelensky, @elwasson reports. https://t.co/h1BqJRQCWT | Republicans will force a vote tonight on a resolution condemning Schiff for mischaracterizing Trump’s July phone call with Ukraine’s Zelensky, @elwasson reports. https://t.co/h1BqJRQCWT |
| During a hearing late last month with the acting director of national intelligence, Schiff parodied the memo to argue that the president sounded like a “Mafia boss.” Republicans accused him of intentionally misconstruing Trump’s words. | During a hearing late last month with the acting director of national intelligence, Schiff parodied the memo to argue that the president sounded like a “Mafia boss.” Republicans accused him of intentionally misconstruing Trump’s words. |
| Now the House GOP caucus will attempt to force a vote on censuring Schiff, which will almost certainly fall along party lines. However, there is at least one enthusiastic proponent of the resolution who is tweeting about it. | Now the House GOP caucus will attempt to force a vote on censuring Schiff, which will almost certainly fall along party lines. However, there is at least one enthusiastic proponent of the resolution who is tweeting about it. |
| Censure (at least) Corrupt Adam Schiff! After what he got caught doing, any pol who does not so vote cannot be honest....are you listening Dems? | Censure (at least) Corrupt Adam Schiff! After what he got caught doing, any pol who does not so vote cannot be honest....are you listening Dems? |
| Russ Vought, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, said that no one from his agency would be testifying in House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry. | Russ Vought, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, said that no one from his agency would be testifying in House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry. |
| I saw some Fake News over the weekend to correct. As the WH letter made clear two weeks ago, OMB officials - myself and Mike Duffey - will not be complying with deposition requests this week. #shamprocess | I saw some Fake News over the weekend to correct. As the WH letter made clear two weeks ago, OMB officials - myself and Mike Duffey - will not be complying with deposition requests this week. #shamprocess |
| Mike Duffey, OMB’s associate director of national security programs, was scheduled to be deposed by House Democrats on Wednesday but apparently will not appear. | Mike Duffey, OMB’s associate director of national security programs, was scheduled to be deposed by House Democrats on Wednesday but apparently will not appear. |
| The lawmakers hoped Duffey would shed some more light on the delaying of military aid to Ukraine, given that his signature was on the letters reapportioning the funding. | The lawmakers hoped Duffey would shed some more light on the delaying of military aid to Ukraine, given that his signature was on the letters reapportioning the funding. |
| The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month on Duffey’s role in the controversy: | The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month on Duffey’s role in the controversy: |
| 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. |
| A new poll of Iowa voters found that Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg has surged into the top tier of candidates in the first caucus state. | A new poll of Iowa voters found that Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg has surged into the top tier of candidates in the first caucus state. |
| According to the Suffolk University/USA TODAY poll, the Indiana mayor is attracting the support of 13 percent of Democratic caucusgoers, compared to Joe Biden’s 18 percent and Elizabeth Warren’s 17 percent. | According to the Suffolk University/USA TODAY poll, the Indiana mayor is attracting the support of 13 percent of Democratic caucusgoers, compared to Joe Biden’s 18 percent and Elizabeth Warren’s 17 percent. |
| Bernie Sanders is in fourth place with 9 percent, and no other candidate attracts more than 3 percent of the vote. | Bernie Sanders is in fourth place with 9 percent, and no other candidate attracts more than 3 percent of the vote. |
| David Paleologos, the director of the Suffolk Political Research Center, said the results indicated that Iowa was “unquestionably up for grabs.” The number of undecided voters has increased 8 points since June, and nearly two-thirds of respondents with a preferred candidate said they may change their minds before February. | David Paleologos, the director of the Suffolk Political Research Center, said the results indicated that Iowa was “unquestionably up for grabs.” The number of undecided voters has increased 8 points since June, and nearly two-thirds of respondents with a preferred candidate said they may change their minds before February. |
| Two of the most senior officials in the Trump administration struggled to explain Mick Mulvaney’s quid pro admission in Sunday interviews. | Two of the most senior officials in the Trump administration struggled to explain Mick Mulvaney’s quid pro admission in Sunday interviews. |
| Mulvaney himself claimed that he had not admitted that Trump had withheld military aid from Ukraine to pressure officials there to open an investigation into the Democrats, instead insisting that reporters had twisted the acting White House chief of staff’s words. | Mulvaney himself claimed that he had not admitted that Trump had withheld military aid from Ukraine to pressure officials there to open an investigation into the Democrats, instead insisting that reporters had twisted the acting White House chief of staff’s words. |
| However, Fox News host Chris Wallace pointed out that Mulvaney had, of course, made the quid pro quo admission standing in front of dozens of reporters. “I believe that anyone listening to what you said in that briefing could come to only one conclusion,” Wallace said. “No, you totally said that.” | However, Fox News host Chris Wallace pointed out that Mulvaney had, of course, made the quid pro quo admission standing in front of dozens of reporters. “I believe that anyone listening to what you said in that briefing could come to only one conclusion,” Wallace said. “No, you totally said that.” |
| JUST IN: "I'm not going to get into hypotheticals," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says when asked if it's appropriate to condition Ukraine aid on political investigation after Mick Mulvaney's comments.@GStephanopoulos: "Except it's not a hypothetical" https://t.co/U9kwy49CzI pic.twitter.com/UAdwHwdzYe | JUST IN: "I'm not going to get into hypotheticals," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says when asked if it's appropriate to condition Ukraine aid on political investigation after Mick Mulvaney's comments.@GStephanopoulos: "Except it's not a hypothetical" https://t.co/U9kwy49CzI pic.twitter.com/UAdwHwdzYe |
| Meanwhile, secretary of state Mike Pompeo claimed that he never saw the kind of quid pro quo that Mulvaney described in his press briefing last week. | Meanwhile, secretary of state Mike Pompeo claimed that he never saw the kind of quid pro quo that Mulvaney described in his press briefing last week. |
| Pompeo told ABC News: “The conversation was always around what were the strategic implications. Would that money get to the right place or would there be corruption in Ukraine and the money wouldn’t flow to the mission that it was intended for?” | Pompeo told ABC News: “The conversation was always around what were the strategic implications. Would that money get to the right place or would there be corruption in Ukraine and the money wouldn’t flow to the mission that it was intended for?” |
| It’s been four days since Mulvaney made the quid pro quo comments, and Trump officials are still playing clean-up for him, which doesn’t bode well for the acting chief of staff’s job security. | It’s been four days since Mulvaney made the quid pro quo comments, and Trump officials are still playing clean-up for him, which doesn’t bode well for the acting chief of staff’s job security. |
| Trump continued to defend his Florida resort as the “best place” to host the June G7 summit, even after the president reversed course on holding the event there amid accusations of self-dealing. | Trump continued to defend his Florida resort as the “best place” to host the June G7 summit, even after the president reversed course on holding the event there amid accusations of self-dealing. |
| Doral in Miami would have been the best place to hold the G-7, and free, but too much heat from the Do Nothing Radical Left Democrats & their Partner, the Fake News Media! I’m surprised that they allow me to give up my $400,000 Plus Presidential Salary! We’ll find someplace else! | Doral in Miami would have been the best place to hold the G-7, and free, but too much heat from the Do Nothing Radical Left Democrats & their Partner, the Fake News Media! I’m surprised that they allow me to give up my $400,000 Plus Presidential Salary! We’ll find someplace else! |
| Of course, the president reportedly canceled plans to hold the summit at Trump National because Republicans had voiced complaints about having to defend the decision as Democrats threatened to add the matter to their impeachment inquiry. | Of course, the president reportedly canceled plans to hold the summit at Trump National because Republicans had voiced complaints about having to defend the decision as Democrats threatened to add the matter to their impeachment inquiry. |
| Facing criticism from a number of Republican allies, Trump is reportedly considering keeping about 200 troops in eastern Syria to combat a potential resurgence of the Islamic State. | Facing criticism from a number of Republican allies, Trump is reportedly considering keeping about 200 troops in eastern Syria to combat a potential resurgence of the Islamic State. |
| The New York Times reports: | The New York Times reports: |
| If Mr. Trump approves the proposal to leave a couple of hundred Special Operations forces in eastern Syria, it would mark the second time in 10 months that he has reversed his order to pull out nearly all American troops from the country. Last December, Mr. Trump directed 2,000 American troops to leave Syria immediately, only to relent later and approve a more gradual withdrawal. | If Mr. Trump approves the proposal to leave a couple of hundred Special Operations forces in eastern Syria, it would mark the second time in 10 months that he has reversed his order to pull out nearly all American troops from the country. Last December, Mr. Trump directed 2,000 American troops to leave Syria immediately, only to relent later and approve a more gradual withdrawal. |
| The decision would also be the potential second major political reversal in a matter of days under pressure from his own party, after he rescinded on Saturday a decision to host next year’s Group of 7 summit at his own resort. | The decision would also be the potential second major political reversal in a matter of days under pressure from his own party, after he rescinded on Saturday a decision to host next year’s Group of 7 summit at his own resort. |
| Senator Lindsey Graham has been one of the fiercest Republican critics of Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria, repeatedly pleading with the president over Twitter to reverse course. | Senator Lindsey Graham has been one of the fiercest Republican critics of Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria, repeatedly pleading with the president over Twitter to reverse course. |
| The South Carolina senator was also vocal in his criticism of Trump’s character in a weekend interview with Axios, calling the president “an equal opportunity abuser.” | The South Carolina senator was also vocal in his criticism of Trump’s character in a weekend interview with Axios, calling the president “an equal opportunity abuser.” |
| Good morning, live blog readers! | Good morning, live blog readers! |
| It took nearly three years and countless controversies, but it appears that some Republicans are growing tired of defending Donald Trump, particularly after he scrapped plans to host the June G7 summit at his Florida resort. | It took nearly three years and countless controversies, but it appears that some Republicans are growing tired of defending Donald Trump, particularly after he scrapped plans to host the June G7 summit at his Florida resort. |
| The Washington Post reported this last night: | The Washington Post reported this last night: |
| In a round of phone calls with conservative allies this weekend, Trump was told Republicans are struggling to defend him on so many fronts, according to an administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters. | In a round of phone calls with conservative allies this weekend, Trump was told Republicans are struggling to defend him on so many fronts, according to an administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters. |
| Democrats, meanwhile, continued to blast Trump for awarding the massive government contract to his own company and said they might add the alleged ‘emoluments’ violation to the articles of impeachment they are preparing. | Democrats, meanwhile, continued to blast Trump for awarding the massive government contract to his own company and said they might add the alleged ‘emoluments’ violation to the articles of impeachment they are preparing. |
| Certain Republicans have been more public with their criticism than others. Senator Mitt Romney told Axios that it was “shocking” and “a mistake” for Trump to call on Ukraine and China to investigate Joe Biden. | Certain Republicans have been more public with their criticism than others. Senator Mitt Romney told Axios that it was “shocking” and “a mistake” for Trump to call on Ukraine and China to investigate Joe Biden. |
| Senator Lindsey Graham also said in an interview that he would be open to evidence, outside of Trump’s conversation with the Ukrainian president, that he should be impeached. | Senator Lindsey Graham also said in an interview that he would be open to evidence, outside of Trump’s conversation with the Ukrainian president, that he should be impeached. |
| These comments should ring alarm bells for Trump, given that he will need to present a united Republican front to combat House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry. With so many members of his party criticizing him on everything from self-dealing to Syria, the president could be in even more jeopardy than he was before. | These comments should ring alarm bells for Trump, given that he will need to present a united Republican front to combat House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry. With so many members of his party criticizing him on everything from self-dealing to Syria, the president could be in even more jeopardy than he was before. |
| Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on: | Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on: |
| Trump will have a cabinet meeting at 11:30 a.m. E.T., followed by lunch with the vice president. | Trump will have a cabinet meeting at 11:30 a.m. E.T., followed by lunch with the vice president. |
| Mike Pence will speak at the opening ceremony of the 2019 International Astronautical Congress in Washington and later travel to Pennsylvania to deliver remarks on the North American trade deal. | Mike Pence will speak at the opening ceremony of the 2019 International Astronautical Congress in Washington and later travel to Pennsylvania to deliver remarks on the North American trade deal. |
| Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang is in Washington to appear at the National Press Club and the Washington Post. | Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang is in Washington to appear at the National Press Club and the Washington Post. |
| That’s all still coming up, so stay tuned. | That’s all still coming up, so stay tuned. |