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White House defends Trump calling impeachment inquiry a 'lynching' – live Diplomat's Ukraine testimony 'incredibly damaging' to Trump, says House Democrat – live
(32 minutes later)
Meanwhile, representative Mark Meadows, a Republican member of the House oversight committee and a close ally of Trump’s, joked that Bill Taylor’s interview could go on for much longer.
Asked how much longer today’s Taylor deposition will go, @RepMarkMeadows tells us: “y’all have plans for the weekend?”
The acting US ambassador to Ukraine started his testimony for House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry about three hours ago.
The opening statement from Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, to the three House committees leading the impeachment inquiry solicited “sighs and gasps,” according to a Politico reporter.
New: Per source in the room, Bill Taylor’s opening statement was 15 pages long and prompted “a lot of sighs and gasps.”
The opening statements from Maria Yovanovitch, the former US ambassador to Ukraine, and Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU, were quickly leaked to the press, so it’s likely the same will occur with Taylor’s statement.
A Republican senator, Susan Collins of Maine, condemned Trump’s use of the term “lynching” to describe House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.A Republican senator, Susan Collins of Maine, condemned Trump’s use of the term “lynching” to describe House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.
“Lynching” brings back images of a terrible time in our nation’s history, and the President never should have made that comparison.“Lynching” brings back images of a terrible time in our nation’s history, and the President never should have made that comparison.
Collins’ tweet appears to be one of the most forceful criticisms yet from Republicans, as other GOP lawmakers have simply said that they did not “agree” with Trump’s usage of the term.Collins’ tweet appears to be one of the most forceful criticisms yet from Republicans, as other GOP lawmakers have simply said that they did not “agree” with Trump’s usage of the term.
Representative Ted Lieu, a Democratic member of the House foreign affairs committee, just emerged from the closed-door interview with Bill Taylor and said the acting US ambassador to Ukraine’s testimony was “incredibly damaging to the president.”Representative Ted Lieu, a Democratic member of the House foreign affairs committee, just emerged from the closed-door interview with Bill Taylor and said the acting US ambassador to Ukraine’s testimony was “incredibly damaging to the president.”
LIEU just emerged and described Taylor’s testimony as “incredibly damaging to the president.” Wouldn’t provide specifics. He said questioning of the witness has begun.LIEU just emerged and described Taylor’s testimony as “incredibly damaging to the president.” Wouldn’t provide specifics. He said questioning of the witness has begun.
CNN reported earlier today that Taylor intended to use his testimony to fill in some of the gaps surrounding his 9 September text message, in which he said it was “crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign.”CNN reported earlier today that Taylor intended to use his testimony to fill in some of the gaps surrounding his 9 September text message, in which he said it was “crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign.”
Michael Steele, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee who has repeatedly criticized Trump in the past, denounced the president’s use of the term “lynching” to describe House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.Michael Steele, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee who has repeatedly criticized Trump in the past, denounced the president’s use of the term “lynching” to describe House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.
Steele also chastised Lindsey Graham after the South Carolina senator echoed Trump’s use of the term and said the impeachment probe is “a lynching in every sense.”Steele also chastised Lindsey Graham after the South Carolina senator echoed Trump’s use of the term and said the impeachment probe is “a lynching in every sense.”
@realDonaldTrump and @LindseyGrahamSC this is a lynching. Trump this is not happening to you and it’s pathetic that you act like you’re such a victim; but it did happen to 147 black people in your state Lindsey. “A lynching in every sense”? You should know better. pic.twitter.com/RQNQaOaLsd@realDonaldTrump and @LindseyGrahamSC this is a lynching. Trump this is not happening to you and it’s pathetic that you act like you’re such a victim; but it did happen to 147 black people in your state Lindsey. “A lynching in every sense”? You should know better. pic.twitter.com/RQNQaOaLsd
However, Graham does not appear to be changing his stance at all, insisting that the inquiry is a “political lynching” and refusing to comment on the racist implications of Trump’s comment.However, Graham does not appear to be changing his stance at all, insisting that the inquiry is a “political lynching” and refusing to comment on the racist implications of Trump’s comment.
“If [the word] lynching bothers you, I’m sorry... it’s literally a political lynching,” Sen. Graham tells reporters. I asked him to reflect on the racial dynamics of the word and he sharply dismissed the question.“If [the word] lynching bothers you, I’m sorry... it’s literally a political lynching,” Sen. Graham tells reporters. I asked him to reflect on the racial dynamics of the word and he sharply dismissed the question.
Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democratic member of the House intelligence committee, said in a tweet that Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU, asked Trump at one point: “What do you want from Ukraine?”Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democratic member of the House intelligence committee, said in a tweet that Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU, asked Trump at one point: “What do you want from Ukraine?”
Reality check: The Ambassador called you and asked broadly, “what do you want from Ukraine?” With a guilty conscience, you repeated, “no quid pro quo.” Problem: He didn’t ask you if there was a quid pro quo. You just happened to know there was one. https://t.co/Tf9WWjS3JLReality check: The Ambassador called you and asked broadly, “what do you want from Ukraine?” With a guilty conscience, you repeated, “no quid pro quo.” Problem: He didn’t ask you if there was a quid pro quo. You just happened to know there was one. https://t.co/Tf9WWjS3JL
Sondland testified in House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry last week and may have shared this detail with the investigating lawmakers behind closed doors, but the transcript of his appearance has not been publicly released.Sondland testified in House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry last week and may have shared this detail with the investigating lawmakers behind closed doors, but the transcript of his appearance has not been publicly released.
After Bill Taylor said in a text message last month that he thought it was “crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign,” Sondland replied: “Bill, I believe you are incorrect about President Trump’s intentions. The President has been crystal clear no quid pro quo’s of any kind.”After Bill Taylor said in a text message last month that he thought it was “crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign,” Sondland replied: “Bill, I believe you are incorrect about President Trump’s intentions. The President has been crystal clear no quid pro quo’s of any kind.”
However, reports later emerged that Sondland only sent his “no quid pro quo” message after speaking to Trump.However, reports later emerged that Sondland only sent his “no quid pro quo” message after speaking to Trump.
The King Center, which honors the life of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, just tweeted out these facts about lynching after Trump used the term to describe the impeachment inquiry.The King Center, which honors the life of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, just tweeted out these facts about lynching after Trump used the term to describe the impeachment inquiry.
“More than 4400 African American men, women, and children were hanged, burned alive, shot, drowned, and beaten to death by white mobs between 1877 and 1950.” ~@MemPeaceJustice https://t.co/qGmK6VFwCw#LynchingMemorial #Lynching @realDonaldTrump @POTUS“More than 4400 African American men, women, and children were hanged, burned alive, shot, drowned, and beaten to death by white mobs between 1877 and 1950.” ~@MemPeaceJustice https://t.co/qGmK6VFwCw#LynchingMemorial #Lynching @realDonaldTrump @POTUS
A White House spokesperson defended Trump’s use of the word “lynching” to describe the impeachment inquiry by arguing that the president was not making a historical comparison.A White House spokesperson defended Trump’s use of the word “lynching” to describe the impeachment inquiry by arguing that the president was not making a historical comparison.
.@hogangidley45 on lynching tweet: "the president has used many words, all types of language, to talk about the way the media has treated him" and "the president wasn't trying to compare himself to the horrific history in this country at all".@hogangidley45 on lynching tweet: "the president has used many words, all types of language, to talk about the way the media has treated him" and "the president wasn't trying to compare himself to the horrific history in this country at all"
This explanation seems highly questionable, given that the word “lynching” has almost exclusively been applied to the thousands of people (most of them African American) who were murdered in the late 19th and early 20th century.This explanation seems highly questionable, given that the word “lynching” has almost exclusively been applied to the thousands of people (most of them African American) who were murdered in the late 19th and early 20th century.
It seems virtually impossible that Trump is unaware of this history, particularly given that the Senate passed a bill last year to make lynching a hate crime. The president has not yet signed the legislation.It seems virtually impossible that Trump is unaware of this history, particularly given that the Senate passed a bill last year to make lynching a hate crime. The president has not yet signed the legislation.
notably, there was a unanimous Senate voice vote last year which defined lynching as part of a bill that would have officially made it a hate crime (which the president has not signed): https://t.co/o4bpXMWI44 pic.twitter.com/vAY0e43k9Inotably, there was a unanimous Senate voice vote last year which defined lynching as part of a bill that would have officially made it a hate crime (which the president has not signed): https://t.co/o4bpXMWI44 pic.twitter.com/vAY0e43k9I
Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine who is currently speaking to House members for Democrats’ impeachment inquiry against Trump, was reportedly subpoenaed for his testimony.Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine who is currently speaking to House members for Democrats’ impeachment inquiry against Trump, was reportedly subpoenaed for his testimony.
In light of an attempt by the State Dept to direct Ambassador Taylor not to appear for his scheduled deposition + efforts by the State Dept to also limit any testimony that does occur, the House Intel Cmte issued a subpoena to compel his testimony this morning per officialIn light of an attempt by the State Dept to direct Ambassador Taylor not to appear for his scheduled deposition + efforts by the State Dept to also limit any testimony that does occur, the House Intel Cmte issued a subpoena to compel his testimony this morning per official
Other officials who have spoken to the three House committees leading the inquiry have similarly been subpoenaed – including Taylor’s predecessor, Maria Yovanovitch.Other officials who have spoken to the three House committees leading the inquiry have similarly been subpoenaed – including Taylor’s predecessor, Maria Yovanovitch.
Senator Tim Scott, the only African American Republican serving in the Senate, offered this muted criticism of Trump’s use of the term “lynching” to describe the impeachment inquiry.Senator Tim Scott, the only African American Republican serving in the Senate, offered this muted criticism of Trump’s use of the term “lynching” to describe the impeachment inquiry.
Sen TIM SCOTT on Pres Trump comparing the impeachment inquiry to a lynching: “There’s no question that the impeachment process is the closet thing to a political death row trial, so I get his absolute rejection of the process. I wouldn’t use the word lynching.”Sen TIM SCOTT on Pres Trump comparing the impeachment inquiry to a lynching: “There’s no question that the impeachment process is the closet thing to a political death row trial, so I get his absolute rejection of the process. I wouldn’t use the word lynching.”
In some news far from Washington, former president Jimmy Carter, 95, has been hospitalized for the second time this month due to a fall in his Georgia home.
The AP reports:
Carter Center spokeswoman Deanne Congileo described the fracture as minor. Her statement said that the 95-year-old was in good spirits at the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center after falling on Monday evening, and that he was looking forward to recovering at home.
This is the third time Carter has fallen in recent months. He first fell in the spring and required hip replacement surgery. Carter fell again this month and despite receiving 14 stitches, traveled the next day to Nashville, Tennessee to rally volunteers and help build a Habitat for Humanity home.
Carter is the oldest living former president in U.S. history. He and 92-year-old Rosalynn recently became the longest married first couple, surpassing George and Barbara Bush, with more than 73 years of marriage.
At least one of Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill, House minority leader Kevin McCarthy, said he did not agree with the president’s use of the term “lynching” to describe the impeachment inquiry.
The California Republican said: “That’s not the language I would use. ... I don’t agree with that language, pretty simple.”
.@GOPLeader McCarthy asked about @realDonaldTrump's "lynching" tweet. "That's not the language I would use." pic.twitter.com/irkWvxRD5E
Meanwhile, several House Democrats warned that Trump was simply trying to spark indignation to distract from the testimony of Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine who said it was “crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign.”
Don’t take your eye off the ball family. A major witness is testifying today and he’s using a predictable play to try to distract & divide. We see right through him. https://t.co/nLoxQOMd6I
One of Trump’s closest congressional allies, senator Lindsey Graham, echoed the president’s use of the term “lynching” to describe the impeachment inquiry.
Lindsey Graham tells reporters the impeachment process is “a lynching in every sense,” backing up Trump’s tweet this morning
Graham has been very critical of Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria, and the South Carolina senator said in a recent interview that he would be open to considering evidence in connection to the president’s possible removal from office.
However, it appears that (for now at least) Graham is standing by Trump in slamming the impeachment inquiry in the most controversial terms possible.
Despite widespread outrage to Trump’s “lynching” tweet, at least one of his congressional allies did not raise much concern about the president invoking centuries of violence against African Americans to criticize the impeachment inquiry.
Asked if President Trump's tweet comparing the impeachment inquiry to "a lynching" is appropriate, Rep. Jim Jordan told @mkraju, “The president is frustrated.”
As the acting US ambassador to Ukraine testifies behind closed doors on Capitol Hill, more House Democrats expressed outrage at Trump for comparing the impeachment inquiry to a “lynching.”
From an Illinois congressman:
You think this impeachment is a LYNCHING? What the hell is wrong with you? Do you know how many people who look like me have been lynched, since the inception of this country, by people who look like you. Delete this tweet. https://t.co/oTMhWo4awR
A Texas congresswoman called it a “disgrace”:
Rep Veronica Escobar said Trump’s lynching tweet “was shocking” and says he doesn’t understand history and says it’s incredibly disrespectful to the country. It was awful, she added.
The chairwoman of the congressional black caucus argued that the tweet fits a pattern of Trump using the most vile language possible when he feels cornered:
CBC Chairwoman Karen Bass told me of this “lynching” tweet that she believes it is consistent with Trump’s pattern of throwing out “racial bombs” to give “red meat” to his base when his back his against the wall. https://t.co/iVhOTHq0yp
A CNN reporter similarly suggested that the tweet was Trump’s way of trying to distract from the many controversies he is facing at home and abroad right now:
Trump knows what a lynching is & what it means in this country. And the fastest way to create a cycle of controversy is to invoke the county’s deepest & darkest racial wounds for his own ends.It should be called out, but let’s stay focused on the facts. https://t.co/wHM5NiPELC
In his closed-door testimony, Bill Taylor reportedly intends to describe the events leading up to his text messages about a potential quid pro quo in the delaying of military aid to Ukraine, but he is not looking to issue his own statement.
CNN reports:
Taylor, who is testifying before the three House committees leading the Democratic impeachment inquiry, will lay out the reasoning behind his different WhatsApp text messages in his opening statement Tuesday, [a source familiar with his testimony] said. Taylor plans to include a chronology of events, according to the source, dating back to June, when Taylor assumed the post as ambassador, through October. ...
Taylor will not be bringing any new documents to the committee, he will just be referencing those that have already been made public, the source said. ...
Taylor, as the current acting ambassador to Ukraine, is in a difficult and delicate position testifying Tuesday, the source said. Taylor’s view is that he is there to speak to committee and answer their questions, and he’s not looking to issue his own statement publicly. ...
Taylor plans to return to Ukraine on Wednesday, the source said. He wants to keep his job, and thinks it is important work.
Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, has arrived on Capitol Hill to testify in House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry against Trump.
The longtime diplomat wrote in a text last month to Kurt Volker, the former US special envoy to Ukraine, and Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU, that it was “crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign.”
House Democrats hope Taylor can shed light on whether Trump held up military aid to Ukraine specifically to pressure officials there to investigate Joe Biden.
Half of Americans believe that Trump should be impeached and removed from office, according to a CNN/SSRS poll released this morning.
The results showed that 50 percent of Americans would support Trump’s removal, compared to 43 percent of Americans who would oppose it. That level of support marks a 13-point increase since late April, following the release of special counsel Robert Mueller’s redacted report.
In comparison, CNN’s polling never surpassed 30 percent when measuring support of Bill Clinton’s impeachment, a Bloomberg News reporter noted.
It’s still early in the process but one thing is already clear — the politics look nothing like the Clinton impeachment, despite how much that fear has haunted Democrats all year.
Reactions are rolling in to Trump’s description of the impeachment inquiry as a “lynching,” and they are unsurprisingly furious.
From the president of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law:
A lynching?! 4,743 people were lynched in the US between 1882 - 1968, incl. 3,446 African Americans. Lynchings were crimes against humanity and an ugly part of our nation’s history of racial violence and brutalitySickened to see Trump’s gross misappropriation of this term today pic.twitter.com/L8Oi9m8xRk
From an Atlantic staff writer:
Trump has inspired multiple acts of racist violence and his referring to impeachment as a “lynching” is risible. But worse will be his toadies adopting this inversion of past and present, with the nation’s most powerful racist as a *victim* of racist violence, as a talking point. pic.twitter.com/EaXx3bUUUQ
Representative Jim Clyburn, Democrats’ House majority whip and a former chairman of the congressional black caucus, urged Trump to “know the history of that word.”
Clyburn on Trump calling impeachment investigation a “lynching”: “That is one word that no president ought to apply to himself.”“I’m not a just a politician...I’m a product of the South. I know the history of that word.”
Good morning, live blog readers!
It is a big day in House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump. Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine who took over the the post after the ouster of Maria Yovanovitch, is expected to testify at 9:30 a.m. E.T., and he could provide critical information on whether military aid to the country was held up over Trump’s demand for an investigation into the Democrats.
In a September 9 text message to Kurt Volker, the former US special envoy to Ukraine, and Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU, Taylor wrote: “As I said on the phone, I think it’s crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign.”
A number of House Democrats believe that Taylor’s testimony could provide a smoking gun on the question of whether Trump tried to pressure a foreign power to investigate one of his political rivals, Joe Biden.
The president is clearly worried about Taylor’s testimony, if his morning Twitter feed is any indication. Trump lashed out against the investigation in a series of tweets, even referring to the probe as a “lynching.”
So some day, if a Democrat becomes President and the Republicans win the House, even by a tiny margin, they can impeach the President, without due process or fairness or any legal rights. All Republicans must remember what they are witnessing here - a lynching. But we will WIN!
Trump’s use of a term that invokes centuries of racist violence against African Americans will certainly incense many Democrats, and it will may also frustrate some of the congressional Republicans who privately say they are growing tired of defending the president’s most controversial comments and decisions.
Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on:
Trump will have lunch with secretary of state Mike Pompeo at 12:45 p.m. E.T.
Fortune will continue its Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington, where Trump’s former homeland security secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen, will be interviewed at 2:35 p.m. E.T. Nielsen’s expected appearance has set off controversy, given her instrumental role in the migrant family separation crisis.
House Republican leadership will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. E.T.
That’s all still coming up, so stay tuned.