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| Impeachment inquiry: Democrats say diplomat's testimony is a 'sea change' – live | Impeachment inquiry: Democrats say diplomat's testimony is a 'sea change' – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Insisting “there was no quid pro quo”, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement: “Today was just more triple hearsay and selective leaks from the Democrats’ politically-motivated, closed-door, secretive hearings.” | |
| She also said the inquiry was “a coordinated smear campaign”. | |
| .@PressSec releases a statement on the Taylor testimony: pic.twitter.com/TWsQsy1i8G | |
| US envoy says Trump used military aid to push Ukraine to investigate Biden | |
| “Trump is so desperate not to love to Joe Biden that he threatened to withhold vital military assistance,” said Biden’s campaign manager Kate Bedingfield in a statement. | |
| “The president has betrayed his office,” the statement reads. | |
| Joe Biden’s campaign weighs in on Bill Taylor’s testimony. pic.twitter.com/6cgJGVGU1n | |
| Trump to Netanyahu: ‘You are great!’ | Trump to Netanyahu: ‘You are great!’ |
| Trump wished Netanyahu a happy birthday, calling him “one of my closest allies,” in a letter sent on Monday, after the Israeli prime minister announced his failure to form a coalition government. | Trump wished Netanyahu a happy birthday, calling him “one of my closest allies,” in a letter sent on Monday, after the Israeli prime minister announced his failure to form a coalition government. |
| “You are great!” Trump added, in a handwritten note next to his signature. | “You are great!” Trump added, in a handwritten note next to his signature. |
| According to Axios, Netanyahu’s office released the letter to show that he still had strong ties with Trump, who remains popular in Israel. | According to Axios, Netanyahu’s office released the letter to show that he still had strong ties with Trump, who remains popular in Israel. |
| Benjamin Netanyahu tells Israeli president he cannot form government | Benjamin Netanyahu tells Israeli president he cannot form government |
| Special envoy to Syria James Jeffrey said he wasn’t consulted on the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw troops. In a testimony before the Senate foreign relations committee, he said “I personally was not consulted before the decision.” | Special envoy to Syria James Jeffrey said he wasn’t consulted on the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw troops. In a testimony before the Senate foreign relations committee, he said “I personally was not consulted before the decision.” |
| He defended the administration, saying that Barak Obama and George W. Bush both acted in Iraq without consulting him while he worked as an ambassador and a chargé d’affaires, respectively. | He defended the administration, saying that Barak Obama and George W. Bush both acted in Iraq without consulting him while he worked as an ambassador and a chargé d’affaires, respectively. |
| “In my current job, I feel that my views, through Secretary Pompeo have been brought repeatedly and frequently and, I think in many cases, effectively,” he said. | “In my current job, I feel that my views, through Secretary Pompeo have been brought repeatedly and frequently and, I think in many cases, effectively,” he said. |
| But lawmakers were incredulous. | But lawmakers were incredulous. |
| “Professionally are you indifferent to not being consulted about the matter that is in your lifelong expertise?” asked Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia. “Whether you mind it or not, I mind not being consulted.” | “Professionally are you indifferent to not being consulted about the matter that is in your lifelong expertise?” asked Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia. “Whether you mind it or not, I mind not being consulted.” |
| Turkey and Russia agree deal over buffer zone in northern Syria | Turkey and Russia agree deal over buffer zone in northern Syria |
| Bill Taylor’s testimony — which contradicts claims by the president, his chief of staff and his and his associates — “is a sea change” said Democratic representative Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts. “I think it could accelerate matters,” he said. | Bill Taylor’s testimony — which contradicts claims by the president, his chief of staff and his and his associates — “is a sea change” said Democratic representative Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts. “I think it could accelerate matters,” he said. |
| Democratic representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida said: “I do not know how you would listen to today’s testimony from Ambassador Taylor and come to any other (conclusion) except that the president abused his power and withheld foreign aid” | Democratic representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida said: “I do not know how you would listen to today’s testimony from Ambassador Taylor and come to any other (conclusion) except that the president abused his power and withheld foreign aid” |
| Meanwhile, other Democrats, including those running for president, have reiterated their support for a speedy impeachment. | Meanwhile, other Democrats, including those running for president, have reiterated their support for a speedy impeachment. |
| I'll say it again: This is corruption, plain and simple. Donald Trump must be impeached. https://t.co/ZZH4J3DY0t | I'll say it again: This is corruption, plain and simple. Donald Trump must be impeached. https://t.co/ZZH4J3DY0t |
| That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours. | That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, testified in House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry that he was told Trump was holding up military aid to Ukraine until the country’s president publicly announced investigations into Joe Biden and the 2016 election – contradicting Trump’s repeated denials of a quid pro quo. | Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, testified in House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry that he was told Trump was holding up military aid to Ukraine until the country’s president publicly announced investigations into Joe Biden and the 2016 election – contradicting Trump’s repeated denials of a quid pro quo. |
| Trump sparked outrage by comparing the impeachment inquiry to a “lynching.” | Trump sparked outrage by comparing the impeachment inquiry to a “lynching.” |
| The anonymous author of a 2018 New York Times op-ed who claimed to be part of an internal White House “resistance” to Trump is now writing a book while maintaining anonymity. | The anonymous author of a 2018 New York Times op-ed who claimed to be part of an internal White House “resistance” to Trump is now writing a book while maintaining anonymity. |
| Russia has won joint control of formerly Kurdish territory in Syria, marking a crucial victory for Vladimir Putin after the withdrawal of US troops. | Russia has won joint control of formerly Kurdish territory in Syria, marking a crucial victory for Vladimir Putin after the withdrawal of US troops. |
| The UK parliament rejected Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s proposal to fast-track Brexit, virtually guaranteeing that Britain will not leave the EU by its set deadline at the end of the month. (Follow the Guardian’s UK politics live blog for more.) | The UK parliament rejected Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s proposal to fast-track Brexit, virtually guaranteeing that Britain will not leave the EU by its set deadline at the end of the month. (Follow the Guardian’s UK politics live blog for more.) |
| 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. |
| Bill Taylor also said in his opening statement to the House committees investigating impeachment that a National Security Council official, Tim Morrison, had offered a less than glowing assessment of Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president. | Bill Taylor also said in his opening statement to the House committees investigating impeachment that a National Security Council official, Tim Morrison, had offered a less than glowing assessment of Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president. |
| The acting US ambassador to Ukraine said: “Mr. Morrison told me that the call ‘could have been better’ and that President Trump had suggested that President Zelenskyy or his staff meet with Mr. Giuliani and Attorney General William Barr. I did not see any official readout of the call until it was publicly released on September 25.” | The acting US ambassador to Ukraine said: “Mr. Morrison told me that the call ‘could have been better’ and that President Trump had suggested that President Zelenskyy or his staff meet with Mr. Giuliani and Attorney General William Barr. I did not see any official readout of the call until it was publicly released on September 25.” |
| Morrison’s opinion is a far cry from Trump’s repeated assertions that his call with the Ukrainian president was “perfect” and included nothing improper. | Morrison’s opinion is a far cry from Trump’s repeated assertions that his call with the Ukrainian president was “perfect” and included nothing improper. |
| A Washington Post reporter summarized the opening statement of Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, in this way: | A Washington Post reporter summarized the opening statement of Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, in this way: |
| Shorter Bill Taylor: President Trump insisted, over and over there was not a "quid pro quo." But there was a quid. Followed by a pro. And then, finally, a quo. | Shorter Bill Taylor: President Trump insisted, over and over there was not a "quid pro quo." But there was a quid. Followed by a pro. And then, finally, a quo. |
| According to the opening statement of Bill Taylor, Gordon Sondland said that “everything,” including the release of military aid to Ukraine, was tied to the country’s president publicly announcing investigations into Joe Biden and the 2016 election. | According to the opening statement of Bill Taylor, Gordon Sondland said that “everything,” including the release of military aid to Ukraine, was tied to the country’s president publicly announcing investigations into Joe Biden and the 2016 election. |
| Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, said to the House committees investigating impeachment: “Ambassador Sondland also told me that he now recognized that he had made a mistake by earlier telling the Ukrainian officials to whom he spoke that a White House meeting with President Zelenskyy was dependent on a public announcement of investigations – in fact, Ambassador Sondland said, ‘everything’ was dependent on such an announcement, including security assistance. | Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, said to the House committees investigating impeachment: “Ambassador Sondland also told me that he now recognized that he had made a mistake by earlier telling the Ukrainian officials to whom he spoke that a White House meeting with President Zelenskyy was dependent on a public announcement of investigations – in fact, Ambassador Sondland said, ‘everything’ was dependent on such an announcement, including security assistance. |
| “He said that President Trump wanted President Zelenskyy ‘in a public box’ by making a public statement about ordering such investigations.” | “He said that President Trump wanted President Zelenskyy ‘in a public box’ by making a public statement about ordering such investigations.” |
| Bill Taylor said in his opening statement to the House committees investigating impeachment that he was preparing to resign in August over the delaying of military aid to Ukraine. | Bill Taylor said in his opening statement to the House committees investigating impeachment that he was preparing to resign in August over the delaying of military aid to Ukraine. |
| The acting US ambassador to Ukraine said that he had a conversation on August 22 with Tim Morrison of the National Security Council. Morrison indicated during the phone call that Trump was opposed to authorizing any military aid to Ukraine. | The acting US ambassador to Ukraine said that he had a conversation on August 22 with Tim Morrison of the National Security Council. Morrison indicated during the phone call that Trump was opposed to authorizing any military aid to Ukraine. |
| Taylor said: “As I had told Secretary [Mike] Pompeo in May, if the policy of strong support for Ukraine were to change, I would have to resign. Based on my call with Mr. Morrison, I was preparing to do so.” | Taylor said: “As I had told Secretary [Mike] Pompeo in May, if the policy of strong support for Ukraine were to change, I would have to resign. Based on my call with Mr. Morrison, I was preparing to do so.” |
| In his opening statement to the House committees investigating impeachment, Bill Taylor said he was told by an official at the National Security Council that Trump had insisted the Ukrainian president himself publicly announce a probe into Joe Biden and his son. | In his opening statement to the House committees investigating impeachment, Bill Taylor said he was told by an official at the National Security Council that Trump had insisted the Ukrainian president himself publicly announce a probe into Joe Biden and his son. |
| The acting US ambassador to Ukraine said: “President Trump did insist that President Zelensky go to a microphone and say he is opening investigations of Biden and 2016 election interference, and that President Zelensky should want to do this himself.” | The acting US ambassador to Ukraine said: “President Trump did insist that President Zelensky go to a microphone and say he is opening investigations of Biden and 2016 election interference, and that President Zelensky should want to do this himself.” |
| However, Taylor said that Trump had told Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU, he was not seeking a “quid pro quo,” even as military aid to Ukraine hung in the balance. | However, Taylor said that Trump had told Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU, he was not seeking a “quid pro quo,” even as military aid to Ukraine hung in the balance. |
| At the risk of stating the obvious: if Trump demanded that the Ukrainian president make public announcements of investigations into Democrats before he would authorize the release of military aid, then his actions were the very definition of a quid pro quo. | At the risk of stating the obvious: if Trump demanded that the Ukrainian president make public announcements of investigations into Democrats before he would authorize the release of military aid, then his actions were the very definition of a quid pro quo. |
| Bill Taylor said in his opening statement to the House committees investigating impeachment that he was concerned before accepting the role of acting US ambassador to Ukraine about Rudy Giuliani’s role in the country. | Bill Taylor said in his opening statement to the House committees investigating impeachment that he was concerned before accepting the role of acting US ambassador to Ukraine about Rudy Giuliani’s role in the country. |
| The longtime diplomat said: “I worried about what I had heard concerning the role of Rudolph Giuliani, who made several high-profile statements about Ukraine and U.S. policy toward the country. | The longtime diplomat said: “I worried about what I had heard concerning the role of Rudolph Giuliani, who made several high-profile statements about Ukraine and U.S. policy toward the country. |
| “So during my meeting with Secretary [Mike] Pompeo on May 28, I made clear to him and the others present that if U.S. policy toward Ukraine changed, he would not want me posted there and I could not stay.” | “So during my meeting with Secretary [Mike] Pompeo on May 28, I made clear to him and the others present that if U.S. policy toward Ukraine changed, he would not want me posted there and I could not stay.” |
| After accepting the role, Taylor said he realized that Giuliani – along with Kurt Volker, Gordon Sondland and Rick Perry – controlled “an irregular, informal channel of U.S. policy-making with respect to Ukraine.” | After accepting the role, Taylor said he realized that Giuliani – along with Kurt Volker, Gordon Sondland and Rick Perry – controlled “an irregular, informal channel of U.S. policy-making with respect to Ukraine.” |
| Taylor said: “Although this irregular channel was well-connected in Washington, it operated mostly outside of official State Department channels.” | Taylor said: “Although this irregular channel was well-connected in Washington, it operated mostly outside of official State Department channels.” |
| The Washington Post has published a copy of Bill Taylor’s opening statement to the House committees investigating impeachment. | The Washington Post has published a copy of Bill Taylor’s opening statement to the House committees investigating impeachment. |
| In the 15-page statement, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine and longtime civil servant describes how he became “increasingly concerned” that the US-Ukraine relationship was being “fundamentally undermined” by withholding military aid for “domestic political reasons.” | In the 15-page statement, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine and longtime civil servant describes how he became “increasingly concerned” that the US-Ukraine relationship was being “fundamentally undermined” by withholding military aid for “domestic political reasons.” |
| Taylor added that he stood by his Sept. 9 text message to Gordon Sondland and Kurt Volker, in which he said it would be “crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign.” | Taylor added that he stood by his Sept. 9 text message to Gordon Sondland and Kurt Volker, in which he said it would be “crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign.” |
| It remains unknown whether the senior Trump administration official who is writing a book about being part of an internal “resistance” is still employed by the White House. | It remains unknown whether the senior Trump administration official who is writing a book about being part of an internal “resistance” is still employed by the White House. |
| This is certainly unprecedented, but one key question is unanswered: is this person STILL in the Administration? A White House official declined to comment on the news of the book, or to speculate on the identity of Anonymous. https://t.co/LUPRFkE785 | This is certainly unprecedented, but one key question is unanswered: is this person STILL in the Administration? A White House official declined to comment on the news of the book, or to speculate on the identity of Anonymous. https://t.co/LUPRFkE785 |
| According to CNN, the literary agency representing the author declined to comment on whether the person still worked in the administration. | According to CNN, the literary agency representing the author declined to comment on whether the person still worked in the administration. |
| Here’s another piece of news that the president will surely hate: The anonymous author of a 2018 New York Times op-ed that described a “resistance” inside the government to help control Trump is now writing a book. | Here’s another piece of news that the president will surely hate: The anonymous author of a 2018 New York Times op-ed that described a “resistance” inside the government to help control Trump is now writing a book. |
| The Washington Post reports: | The Washington Post reports: |
| The book, titled, ‘A WARNING,’ is being promoted as ‘an unprecedented behind-the-scenes portrait of the Trump presidency’ that expands upon the Times column, which ricocheted around the world and stoked the president’s rage because of its devastating portrayal of Trump in office. | The book, titled, ‘A WARNING,’ is being promoted as ‘an unprecedented behind-the-scenes portrait of the Trump presidency’ that expands upon the Times column, which ricocheted around the world and stoked the president’s rage because of its devastating portrayal of Trump in office. |
| The column described Trump’s leadership style as ‘impetuous, adversarial, petty and ineffective,’ and noted that ‘his impulsiveness results in half-baked, ill-informed and occasionally reckless decisions that have to be walked back.’ ... | The column described Trump’s leadership style as ‘impetuous, adversarial, petty and ineffective,’ and noted that ‘his impulsiveness results in half-baked, ill-informed and occasionally reckless decisions that have to be walked back.’ ... |
| The forthcoming book will list the author as ‘Anonymous.’ Although the person does not reveal their identity in the book, they will discuss the reasons for their anonymity, according to people involved in the project. | The forthcoming book will list the author as ‘Anonymous.’ Although the person does not reveal their identity in the book, they will discuss the reasons for their anonymity, according to people involved in the project. |
| Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, reportedly directly contradicted the testimony of Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU, in his opening statement to the House committees investigating impeachment. | Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, reportedly directly contradicted the testimony of Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU, in his opening statement to the House committees investigating impeachment. |
| Wow -- > Bill Taylor’s testimony totally contradicts Amb. Sondland’s claim that he recalls “no discussions” with anyone at the State Department or White House about Biden or his son. Taylor says Sondland heard about Biden directly from Trump:https://t.co/mkmJWgSbjz pic.twitter.com/7xXzBJAd5E | Wow -- > Bill Taylor’s testimony totally contradicts Amb. Sondland’s claim that he recalls “no discussions” with anyone at the State Department or White House about Biden or his son. Taylor says Sondland heard about Biden directly from Trump:https://t.co/mkmJWgSbjz pic.twitter.com/7xXzBJAd5E |
| Several House Democrats involved in the investigation are already calling for Sondland to be called back to testify and answer for the discrepancies between the two men’s accounts. | Several House Democrats involved in the investigation are already calling for Sondland to be called back to testify and answer for the discrepancies between the two men’s accounts. |
| Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch said there were “inconsistencies” in testimony and “factual assertions.” “I would be extremely surprised and dumbfounded if Chairman Schiff didn’t ask for him to come back,” Lynch told me, referring to Sondland. https://t.co/Si2gXP6neO | Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch said there were “inconsistencies” in testimony and “factual assertions.” “I would be extremely surprised and dumbfounded if Chairman Schiff didn’t ask for him to come back,” Lynch told me, referring to Sondland. https://t.co/Si2gXP6neO |
| Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, said in his opening statement to the House committees investigating impeachment that he was told military aid to Ukraine was contingent upon public announcements of investigations into Democrats, according to the Washington Post. | Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, said in his opening statement to the House committees investigating impeachment that he was told military aid to Ukraine was contingent upon public announcements of investigations into Democrats, according to the Washington Post. |
| The Post reports: | The Post reports: |
| Upon arriving in Kyiv last spring he became alarmed by secondary diplomatic channels involving U.S. officials that he called ‘weird,’ Taylor said, according to a copy of his lengthy opening statement obtained by The Washington Post. | Upon arriving in Kyiv last spring he became alarmed by secondary diplomatic channels involving U.S. officials that he called ‘weird,’ Taylor said, according to a copy of his lengthy opening statement obtained by The Washington Post. |
| Taylor walked lawmakers through a series of conversations he had with other U.S. diplomats who were trying to obtain what one called the ‘deliverable’ of Ukrainian help investigating Trump’s political rivals. | Taylor walked lawmakers through a series of conversations he had with other U.S. diplomats who were trying to obtain what one called the ‘deliverable’ of Ukrainian help investigating Trump’s political rivals. |
| Taylor said he spoke to Ambassador Gordon Sondland, the U.S. envoy to the European Union. | Taylor said he spoke to Ambassador Gordon Sondland, the U.S. envoy to the European Union. |
| ‘During that phone call, Amb. Sondland told me that President Trump had told him that he wants President [Volodymyr] Zelensky to state publicly that Ukraine will investigate Burisma and alleged Ukrainian interference in the 2016 election,’ Taylor said in the statement. | ‘During that phone call, Amb. Sondland told me that President Trump had told him that he wants President [Volodymyr] Zelensky to state publicly that Ukraine will investigate Burisma and alleged Ukrainian interference in the 2016 election,’ Taylor said in the statement. |
| Former Vice President Joe Biden’s son Hunter had been a board member of Burisma, a large Ukrainian gas company. | Former Vice President Joe Biden’s son Hunter had been a board member of Burisma, a large Ukrainian gas company. |
| Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, denied ever telling Trump that his Ukraine call was “perfect,” as the president has claimed. Asked whether Trump was lying, the Kentucky Republican replied: “You’d have to ask him.” | Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, denied ever telling Trump that his Ukraine call was “perfect,” as the president has claimed. Asked whether Trump was lying, the Kentucky Republican replied: “You’d have to ask him.” |
| A couple weeks ago, @realDonaldTrump said that @senatemajldr told him that his call w/President Zelensky was “perfect” and “innocent”. But when I asked McConnell about that just now, he said he never spoke to the President about it. So was Trump lying? “You’d have to ask him.” | A couple weeks ago, @realDonaldTrump said that @senatemajldr told him that his call w/President Zelensky was “perfect” and “innocent”. But when I asked McConnell about that just now, he said he never spoke to the President about it. So was Trump lying? “You’d have to ask him.” |
| McConnell also offered some muted criticism of Trump’s use of the word “lynching” to describe House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry, calling it “an unfortunate choice of words.” | McConnell also offered some muted criticism of Trump’s use of the word “lynching” to describe House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry, calling it “an unfortunate choice of words.” |
| Senate Majority Leader McConnell on President Trump's comparison of the impeachment effort against him to "a lynching":“Given the history in our country, I would not compare this to a lynching. That was an unfortunate choice of words.” pic.twitter.com/3zEDZzwv9y | Senate Majority Leader McConnell on President Trump's comparison of the impeachment effort against him to "a lynching":“Given the history in our country, I would not compare this to a lynching. That was an unfortunate choice of words.” pic.twitter.com/3zEDZzwv9y |