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Impeachment inquiry: subpoenas issued for Trump officials who refused to testify – live Impeachment inquiry: subpoenas issued for Trump officials who refused to testify – live
(30 minutes later)
Senator Lindsey Graham boasted that 50 of his Republican colleagues have now signed on as co-sponsors of a resolution criticizing House Democrats’ handling of the impeachment inquiry.
Updated to show 50 Co-Sponsors--1.Graham2.McConnell3.Grassley4.Thune5.Blunt6.Shelby7.Inhofe8.Roberts9.Crapo10.Cornyn11.Burr12.Barrasso13.Wicker14.Risch15.Boozman16. Moran17. Toomey1/3
It appears that only three Senate Republicans have not yet put their names on the resolution: Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Romney by name in recent weeks after the senator voiced concerns about the president’s communications with Ukraine.
In the weeks before Trump released the delayed military aid to Ukraine, a number of Republican lawmakers and administration officials reportedly urged him to do so.
CNN reports:
In a phone call on September 11, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman made one last pitch to the President, telling him that with the end of the fiscal year fast approaching, if he didn’t act soon there wouldn’t be time to get the money out the door, according to six sources familiar with the call.
Trump put up his usual defenses with Portman, claiming the US was getting a poor deal in Ukraine and that European allies weren’t doing their fair share to help the embattled former Soviet republic, the sources said.
But in a move that surprised officials from Washington to Kiev, after months of holding up the money the President finally relented. That evening after his call with Portman, Trump released the funds. ...
Portman’s call was part of a broader congressional campaign to push Trump to lift the hold on the aid. Vice President Mike Pence -- who was in the room with Trump when he spoke to Portman -- had just returned from a meeting in Poland with Ukraine’s new president and was urging Trump to release the money.
While speaking to reporters before leaving for South Carolina, Trump criticized the diplomat who testified in the impeachment inquiry earlier this week and defended his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani.
The president said Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine who said he was told that Ukrainian military assistance was being held up in exchange for public announcements of investigations into Joe Biden and the 2016 election, was a “never-Trumper.”
When a reporter pointed out that Taylor had been selected by secretary of state Mike Pompeo, Trump replied: “Everybody makes mistakes.”
President Trump on Ambassador Bill Taylor: "Here’s the problem. He’s a never-Trumper and his lawyer is a never-Trumper." pic.twitter.com/luLCcfEx75
Trump also defended Giuliani, who was reportedly involved in efforts to pressure Ukraine to open the investigations, as “one of the greatest crimefighters and corruption-fighters.”
The president added: “He looks for corruption everywhere he goes.”
Meanwhile, Trump has arrived in South Carolina, where he will deliver remarks on criminal justice reform at the historically black Benedict College this afternoon.Meanwhile, Trump has arrived in South Carolina, where he will deliver remarks on criminal justice reform at the historically black Benedict College this afternoon.
The president was greeted on the tarmac by some of the state’s Republican lawmakers and a group of supporters, but protests against his speech were occurring elsewhere in the city of Columbia.The president was greeted on the tarmac by some of the state’s Republican lawmakers and a group of supporters, but protests against his speech were occurring elsewhere in the city of Columbia.
Protesters march through the streets of Columbia, SC ahead of the president’s criminal justice speech here at Benedict College. pic.twitter.com/NpiouNNljSProtesters march through the streets of Columbia, SC ahead of the president’s criminal justice speech here at Benedict College. pic.twitter.com/NpiouNNljS
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that Michael Duffey, one of the OMB officials who has now been subpoenaed by the House committees leading the impeachment inquiry, played a key role in holding up military aid to Ukraine.The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that Michael Duffey, one of the OMB officials who has now been subpoenaed by the House committees leading the impeachment inquiry, played a key role in holding up military aid to Ukraine.
The Journal reported:The Journal reported:
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.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.Mr. Duffey also began overseeing the process for approving and releasing funds, called apportionment, for other foreign aid and defense accounts, according to a public document indicating the change.
The House committees also issued a subpoena to Ulrich Brechbuhl, a state department official who serves as a top aide to Mike Pompeo.The House committees also issued a subpoena to Ulrich Brechbuhl, a state department official who serves as a top aide to Mike Pompeo.
The depositions of the three officials are set for early November, confirming that the impeachment inquiry’s interviews will continue into next month.The depositions of the three officials are set for early November, confirming that the impeachment inquiry’s interviews will continue into next month.
Some House Democrats reportedly hope to start public hearings on impeachment in mid-November, but others are skeptical of that timeline as the committees continue to seek interviews with more witnesses.Some House Democrats reportedly hope to start public hearings on impeachment in mid-November, but others are skeptical of that timeline as the committees continue to seek interviews with more witnesses.
Subpoenas have been issued to acting Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, OMB’s Associate Director of National Security Programs Michael Duffey and State Counselor Ulrich Brechbuhl. The subpoenas call for Duffey to appear Nov 5 and Vought and Brechbuhl Nov 6Subpoenas have been issued to acting Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, OMB’s Associate Director of National Security Programs Michael Duffey and State Counselor Ulrich Brechbuhl. The subpoenas call for Duffey to appear Nov 5 and Vought and Brechbuhl Nov 6
The House committees leading the impeachment inquiry against Trump have subpoenaed two senior White House budget officials who have refused to testify.The House committees leading the impeachment inquiry against Trump have subpoenaed two senior White House budget officials who have refused to testify.
BREAKING: Impeachment investigators have subpoenaed two White House officials working the Trump’s budget office who had refused requests to testify. >> pic.twitter.com/jfeNOxTP4iBREAKING: Impeachment investigators have subpoenaed two White House officials working the Trump’s budget office who had refused requests to testify. >> pic.twitter.com/jfeNOxTP4i
Russ Vought, the acting director of the office of management and budget, announced in a tweet earlier this week that employees of the agency would not be complying with deposition requests.Russ Vought, the acting director of the office of management and budget, announced in a tweet earlier this week that employees of the agency would not be complying with deposition requests.
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. #shamprocessI 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
Michael Duffey, the OMB’s associate director of national security programs who was reportedly involved in holding up military aid to Ukraine, was originally scheduled to testify in the impeachment inquiry on Wednesday.Michael Duffey, the OMB’s associate director of national security programs who was reportedly involved in holding up military aid to Ukraine, was originally scheduled to testify in the impeachment inquiry on Wednesday.
Given that they are currently employed in the Trump administration, it seems unlikely that the officials will comply with the subpoenas.Given that they are currently employed in the Trump administration, it seems unlikely that the officials will comply with the subpoenas.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, is reportedly in talks to sit for a deposition in House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry. Reports have indicated that Bolton raised concerns about Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal layer, getting involved in US-Ukrainian relations.John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, is reportedly in talks to sit for a deposition in House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry. Reports have indicated that Bolton raised concerns about Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal layer, getting involved in US-Ukrainian relations.
The funeral of the late congressman Elijah Cummings is currently taking place in Baltimore, where Barack Obama just finished delivering a eulogy.The funeral of the late congressman Elijah Cummings is currently taking place in Baltimore, where Barack Obama just finished delivering a eulogy.
Democrats accused the Trump administration of using the Justice Department as a political weapon following reports that the DOJ is opening a criminal investigation into the Russia probe.Democrats accused the Trump administration of using the Justice Department as a political weapon following reports that the DOJ is opening a criminal investigation into the Russia probe.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Former president Bill Clinton just finished speaking at Elijah Cummings’ funeral, and Barack Obama is now delivering his eulogy to the late congressman.Former president Bill Clinton just finished speaking at Elijah Cummings’ funeral, and Barack Obama is now delivering his eulogy to the late congressman.
Clinton said Cummings’ legacy would be “how ardently he honored his oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”Clinton said Cummings’ legacy would be “how ardently he honored his oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Cummings served as the chairman of the House oversight committee and played a key role in Democrats’ impeachment inquiry against Trump.Cummings served as the chairman of the House oversight committee and played a key role in Democrats’ impeachment inquiry against Trump.
Former Pres. Bill Clinton: "He had this amazing array of interests, but we all know now that–at least until certain things happened–his legacy is how ardently he honored his oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." https://t.co/YYvjYpghA7 pic.twitter.com/3yc30Amdq3Former Pres. Bill Clinton: "He had this amazing array of interests, but we all know now that–at least until certain things happened–his legacy is how ardently he honored his oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." https://t.co/YYvjYpghA7 pic.twitter.com/3yc30Amdq3
A number of political commentators expressed surprise – and in some cases, glee – at the news that John Bolton is in talks to sit for a deposition in House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.A number of political commentators expressed surprise – and in some cases, glee – at the news that John Bolton is in talks to sit for a deposition in House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.
Trump’s former national security adviser reportedly expressed concerns about the role of Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, in outreach to Ukrainian officials.Trump’s former national security adviser reportedly expressed concerns about the role of Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, in outreach to Ukrainian officials.
Hell yeah let’s do this https://t.co/Nw7g5ke95jHell yeah let’s do this https://t.co/Nw7g5ke95j
Welp, we always said John Bolton never met a regime change he didn’t like https://t.co/9elzMZrceLWelp, we always said John Bolton never met a regime change he didn’t like https://t.co/9elzMZrceL
john bolton, welcome to the resistance**but really this is nuts https://t.co/MaS7oG5vZyjohn bolton, welcome to the resistance**but really this is nuts https://t.co/MaS7oG5vZy
The Trump Organization is reportedly considering a sale of its Washington hotel, which has been at the center of a host of ethical concerns since the president took office.The Trump Organization is reportedly considering a sale of its Washington hotel, which has been at the center of a host of ethical concerns since the president took office.
The Wall Street Journal reports:The Wall Street Journal reports:
The Trump Organization is exploring a sale of the rights to the company’s opulent Washington, D.C., hotel, a move it says is motivated partly by criticism that the Trumps are flouting ethics laws by profiting from the property.The Trump Organization is exploring a sale of the rights to the company’s opulent Washington, D.C., hotel, a move it says is motivated partly by criticism that the Trumps are flouting ethics laws by profiting from the property.
President Trump’s family business has hired the real-estate firm JLL to market the Trump International Hotel, Eric Trump, an executive vice president at the Trump Organization, told The Wall Street Journal. ...President Trump’s family business has hired the real-estate firm JLL to market the Trump International Hotel, Eric Trump, an executive vice president at the Trump Organization, told The Wall Street Journal. ...
The company is hoping to fetch more than $500 million for the lease rights, or a price of about $2 million a room key, say people familiar with the matter. That would make the sale one of the highest-priced hotel deals ever by this popular industry valuation metric.The company is hoping to fetch more than $500 million for the lease rights, or a price of about $2 million a room key, say people familiar with the matter. That would make the sale one of the highest-priced hotel deals ever by this popular industry valuation metric.
However, the sale itself could raise new concerns about conflicts of interest, particularly if foreign investors move to purchase the hotel in an effort to gain influence with the White House.However, the sale itself could raise new concerns about conflicts of interest, particularly if foreign investors move to purchase the hotel in an effort to gain influence with the White House.
Speaking to reporters on the South Lawn before departing for South Carolina, Trump defended his use of the word “lynching” to describe House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.Speaking to reporters on the South Lawn before departing for South Carolina, Trump defended his use of the word “lynching” to describe House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.
The president was harshly criticized for using the tern earlier this week, as many accused him of making light of the decades of racist violence that left thousands of African Americans dead.The president was harshly criticized for using the tern earlier this week, as many accused him of making light of the decades of racist violence that left thousands of African Americans dead.
However, when asked whether he would apologize for his use of the term, Trump replied that Democrats had used the term in the past.However, when asked whether he would apologize for his use of the term, Trump replied that Democrats had used the term in the past.
NEW: I asked Pres Trump-Some Democrats say you comparing the impeachment inquiry to a lynching was painful & offensive. Will you apologize? He said it’s a word Democrats have used many times. Mr Trump makes his 1st visit today to an HBCU, Benedict College in SC.NEW: I asked Pres Trump-Some Democrats say you comparing the impeachment inquiry to a lynching was painful & offensive. Will you apologize? He said it’s a word Democrats have used many times. Mr Trump makes his 1st visit today to an HBCU, Benedict College in SC.
Joe Biden was forced to apologize earlier this week after a 1998 clip resurfaced of the then-senator calling Bill Clinton’s impeachment a “partisan lynching.”Joe Biden was forced to apologize earlier this week after a 1998 clip resurfaced of the then-senator calling Bill Clinton’s impeachment a “partisan lynching.”
This wasn’t the right word to use and I’m sorry about that. Trump on the other hand chose his words deliberately today in his use of the word lynching and continues to stoke racial divides in this country daily. https://t.co/mHfFC8HluZThis wasn’t the right word to use and I’m sorry about that. Trump on the other hand chose his words deliberately today in his use of the word lynching and continues to stoke racial divides in this country daily. https://t.co/mHfFC8HluZ
A Democratic congresswoman, Katie Hill of California, is threatening to sue the Daily Mail after the outlet printed nude photos of the freshman lawmaker.A Democratic congresswoman, Katie Hill of California, is threatening to sue the Daily Mail after the outlet printed nude photos of the freshman lawmaker.
The Guardian’s Tom McCarthy reports:The Guardian’s Tom McCarthy reports:
Lawyers for Katie Hill, 32, a Democratic, first-term representative from a suburban Los Angeles district, sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Mail demanding that ‘you remove these photos from publication at once’.Lawyers for Katie Hill, 32, a Democratic, first-term representative from a suburban Los Angeles district, sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Mail demanding that ‘you remove these photos from publication at once’.
The lawsuit, which was first reported by Politico, also suggested that the Daily Mail had defamed Hill by stating that she has a Nazi-inspired tattoo on her body, which Hill denied.The lawsuit, which was first reported by Politico, also suggested that the Daily Mail had defamed Hill by stating that she has a Nazi-inspired tattoo on her body, which Hill denied.
The bipartisan House ethics committee opened an investigation of Hill this week for possibly having engaged in a relationship with a staff member in violation of House rules.The bipartisan House ethics committee opened an investigation of Hill this week for possibly having engaged in a relationship with a staff member in violation of House rules.
Hill has said that she had an ‘inappropriate’ relationship with a staffer.Hill has said that she had an ‘inappropriate’ relationship with a staffer.
China has responded to Mike Pence’s speech yesterday on the future of the US-Chinese relationship, in which the vice president criticized Beijing’s response to the protests in Hong Kong.China has responded to Mike Pence’s speech yesterday on the future of the US-Chinese relationship, in which the vice president criticized Beijing’s response to the protests in Hong Kong.
Bloomberg News reports:Bloomberg News reports:
Hua Chunying, a spokeswoman for China’s foreign ministry, blasted Pence’s ‘arrogance’ and said no force would stop the country’s progress. She accused him of seeking ‘to disrupt China’s unity or internal stability’ and called Hong Kong, Taiwan and the far west region of Xinjiang ‘internal affairs.’Hua Chunying, a spokeswoman for China’s foreign ministry, blasted Pence’s ‘arrogance’ and said no force would stop the country’s progress. She accused him of seeking ‘to disrupt China’s unity or internal stability’ and called Hong Kong, Taiwan and the far west region of Xinjiang ‘internal affairs.’
‘The U.S. has already abandoned and cast aside its morality and credibility,’ Hua said. ‘We hope these Americans can look at themselves in the mirror to fix their own problems and get their own house in order.’‘The U.S. has already abandoned and cast aside its morality and credibility,’ Hua said. ‘We hope these Americans can look at themselves in the mirror to fix their own problems and get their own house in order.’
Pence’s speech came at a crucial moment in the US-Chinese relationship as the two countries continue to engage in trade talks.Pence’s speech came at a crucial moment in the US-Chinese relationship as the two countries continue to engage in trade talks.
Trump announced earlier this month that the US and China had agreed on a “phase one” trade deal, but Beijing is reportedly requesting more negotiations before signing the agreement.Trump announced earlier this month that the US and China had agreed on a “phase one” trade deal, but Beijing is reportedly requesting more negotiations before signing the agreement.
Kellyanne Conway, a senior adviser to Trump, criticized the process of House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry while speaking to reporters at the White House.Kellyanne Conway, a senior adviser to Trump, criticized the process of House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry while speaking to reporters at the White House.
Conway said: “In a constitutional democracy, respectfully, do not get to substance until you go through process ... do you want to skip or subvert the process?”Conway said: “In a constitutional democracy, respectfully, do not get to substance until you go through process ... do you want to skip or subvert the process?”
This echoes an argument from many of Trump’s congressional allies who have accused House Democrats of being secretive in their handling of the inquiry, while generally avoiding comment on the quid pro quo allegations against the president.This echoes an argument from many of Trump’s congressional allies who have accused House Democrats of being secretive in their handling of the inquiry, while generally avoiding comment on the quid pro quo allegations against the president.
Conway also denied she had threatened a Washington Examiner reporter when she raised the possibility of digging into the journalist’s personal life.Conway also denied she had threatened a Washington Examiner reporter when she raised the possibility of digging into the journalist’s personal life.
Conway said: “It’s not a threat. I never threatened her ... If I threaten someone, you’ll know it.”Conway said: “It’s not a threat. I never threatened her ... If I threaten someone, you’ll know it.”
.@KellyannePolls: "If I threaten someone, you'll know it." pic.twitter.com/xmOnvdlY1t.@KellyannePolls: "If I threaten someone, you'll know it." pic.twitter.com/xmOnvdlY1t
Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee, criticized the attorney general over reports that the Justice Department is launching a criminal investigation of the Russia probe.Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee, criticized the attorney general over reports that the Justice Department is launching a criminal investigation of the Russia probe.
Senate Intel is wrapping up a three-year bipartisan investigation, and we've found nothing remotely justifying this. Mr. Barr's "investigation" has already jeopardized key international intelligence partnerships. He needs to come before Congress and explain himself. https://t.co/hl9qM86QrMSenate Intel is wrapping up a three-year bipartisan investigation, and we've found nothing remotely justifying this. Mr. Barr's "investigation" has already jeopardized key international intelligence partnerships. He needs to come before Congress and explain himself. https://t.co/hl9qM86QrM
Warner also called for Barr to testify before Congress on the matter, but it seems unlikely that his panel will sign off on that, given Republicans’ control of the Senate.Warner also called for Barr to testify before Congress on the matter, but it seems unlikely that his panel will sign off on that, given Republicans’ control of the Senate.
However, the Democratic-controlled House may be inclined to demand that Barr publicly explain the investigation.However, the Democratic-controlled House may be inclined to demand that Barr publicly explain the investigation.