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| House votes to formalize impeachment process against Trump – live | House votes to formalize impeachment process against Trump – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Earlier today we flagged reporting indicating that Tim Morrison, the national security council official testifying currently before the impeachment committees, would back up ambassador Bill Taylor’s account of ambassador Gordon Sondland trying to strike a deal with Ukraine exchanging military aid for an announcement of investigations into Joe Biden and 2016 election tampering. | |
| Morrison did explicitly corroborate Taylor’s account, according to Morrison’s opening statement, posted online by CBS News: “I can confirm that the substance of his statement, as it relates to conversations he and I had, is accurate,” Morrison testified. | |
| But Morrison does not emerge as a particularly threatening witness for Trump; instead, his testimony threads multiple needles that seem designed to defend Trump in the Ukrainian affair. | |
| Morrison suggests that military aid to Ukraine was withheld owing in part to Trump’s concern about corruption in Ukraine and about Europe not contributing enough. And Morrison suggests that the possibility of a quid pro quo involving military aid with Ukraine was diminished by his perception that Ukraine did not know military aid had been suspended until late August. | |
| Morrison’s perception in this regard does not seem accurate. The New York Times has reported that the Ukrainians were aware of the suspension of aid in early August. In any case, Sondland was explicitly dangling aid to try to extract investigations in early September, in a bilateral meeting in Warsaw, according to Morrison’s own testimony. | |
| Then Morrison floats quite a contention to exculpate the president – that maybe this was all Sondland’s idea? The official said: “I hoped that Ambassador Sondland’s strategy was exclusively his own and would not be considered by leaders in the Administration and Congress, who understood the strategic importance of Ukraine to our national security.” | |
| Sondland has said through a lawyer that he never mentioned “Biden” in conversations with Ukrainian officials, but instead spoke of Burisma, the gas company that formerly employed Hunter Biden. He has not responded to the notion that the quid pro quo strategy was “exclusively his own.” | |
| Morrison also testified that public summaries of a 25 July call between Trump and the Ukrainian president, which Morrison listened in on, were accurate. He says he went to NSC lawyers after the call, but he says he was not concerned that what Trump said was illegal: instead, Morrison says, he was worried about a “polarized” political reaction, possible confusion in Congress and “how it would affect the Ukrainian perceptions of the U.S.-Ukraine relationship”. | |
| (Morrison was worried that reporting about a call that Ukrainians were on would affect their perceptions of the US-Ukraine relationship? Weren’t those perceptions rather shaped by... being on the call?) | |
| Anyway, Morrison concludes, “I want to be clear, I was not concerned that anything illegal was discussed.” | |
| A publicity stunt by the National Republican Congressional Committee went terribly wrong when Capitol Police mistook boxes from the group as suspicious packages. | |
| Apparently no one at the NRCC took a second to think whether sending congressional offices suspicious looking packages was a sound idea, which sounds about right. | |
| House Republicans’ campaign arm sent “moving boxes” to vulnerable Democrats who voted for the impeachment resolution, creating some very understandable confusion and brief alarm on Capitol Hill. Luckily, the situation appears to have been quickly cleared up. | |
| While speaking to conservative British commentator Nigel Farage earlier today, Trump offered some disparaging comments about three of the frontrunners in the Democratic presidential primary. | |
| Trump dismissed the notion that he would pressure Ukraine to announce an investigation into Joe Biden — even though the evidence is mounting that he did — because he claimed he does not view the former vice president as a threat. | |
| Trump said: “Also, would I use Ukraine to beat sleepy Joe Biden? Sleepy Joe, I call him one percent Joe too. One percent, the guy never came out of these things with one percent and he’s heading down rapidly now. I mean, I don’t view him as a very difficult, difficult guy to beat.” | |
| Asked for his prediction on who would win the Democratic nomination, Trump said: “It would look like Elizabeth Warren is picking up steam. She’s picking up a little steam. I thought she was gonzo. ... So, it could be her, it could be Bernie Sanders, I guess. Maybe, I dunno. Bernie looks like he’s shot, but it could be one of them.” | |
| Federal prosecutors in New York are reportedly hesitant about the possibility of charging Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, for violating foreign lobbying laws. | Federal prosecutors in New York are reportedly hesitant about the possibility of charging Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, for violating foreign lobbying laws. |
| CNN reports: | CNN reports: |
| New York federal prosecutors examining Rudy Giuliani’s Ukranian business dealings are mindful of both the approaching 2020 presidential election and of the difficulty of prosecuting foreign lobbying violations as they move forward in their investigation, according to people familiar with the matter. | New York federal prosecutors examining Rudy Giuliani’s Ukranian business dealings are mindful of both the approaching 2020 presidential election and of the difficulty of prosecuting foreign lobbying violations as they move forward in their investigation, according to people familiar with the matter. |
| These people say charges against President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer aren’t certain or imminent, but that Giuliani has come into prosecutors’ crosshairs as a central focus during the months-long inquiry. | These people say charges against President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer aren’t certain or imminent, but that Giuliani has come into prosecutors’ crosshairs as a central focus during the months-long inquiry. |
| In recent days, Giuliani has been in advanced discussions to hire Daniel L. Stein, a white-collar criminal defense attorney who is a veteran of the Manhattan US Attorney’s office, to represent him in the investigation, sources say. | In recent days, Giuliani has been in advanced discussions to hire Daniel L. Stein, a white-collar criminal defense attorney who is a veteran of the Manhattan US Attorney’s office, to represent him in the investigation, sources say. |
| Giuliani is also on the cover of this week’s Time magazine. Speaking to reporters about his relationship with Trump, the former New York mayor expressed confidence that the president would stand by him. Giuliani said: “He’s 100% in my corner and loyal to me as I am to him.” | Giuliani is also on the cover of this week’s Time magazine. Speaking to reporters about his relationship with Trump, the former New York mayor expressed confidence that the president would stand by him. Giuliani said: “He’s 100% in my corner and loyal to me as I am to him.” |
| A stunning trajectory in two TIME covers, 18 years apart.December 2001: TIME Person of the Year, "Tower of Strength," "Mayor of the World"October 2019: "My Rudy," whose actions as Donald Trump's attack dog-in-chief may lead to the historic impeachment of a president pic.twitter.com/MqTtLaBmCy | A stunning trajectory in two TIME covers, 18 years apart.December 2001: TIME Person of the Year, "Tower of Strength," "Mayor of the World"October 2019: "My Rudy," whose actions as Donald Trump's attack dog-in-chief may lead to the historic impeachment of a president pic.twitter.com/MqTtLaBmCy |
| Joe Biden has issued a statement on the House’s passage of the impeachment resolution, expressing support for lawmakers performing their “constitutional duty.” | Joe Biden has issued a statement on the House’s passage of the impeachment resolution, expressing support for lawmakers performing their “constitutional duty.” |
| Congress must do its duty to ensure that Donald Trump's assault on the Constitution does not seep beyond his presidency, with a lasting and devastating impact on our democracy. pic.twitter.com/6zBWnwEpxI | Congress must do its duty to ensure that Donald Trump's assault on the Constitution does not seep beyond his presidency, with a lasting and devastating impact on our democracy. pic.twitter.com/6zBWnwEpxI |
| The statement accuses Trump of having “weaponized the institutions of our government for political purposes, subverting our national security for his own political gain.” | The statement accuses Trump of having “weaponized the institutions of our government for political purposes, subverting our national security for his own political gain.” |
| Biden’s statement continues: “Donald Trump is testing the institutions of our democracy every day. But they are holding. Today, the House did its constitutional duty to proceed with a solemn investigation of unprecedented wrongdoing. | Biden’s statement continues: “Donald Trump is testing the institutions of our democracy every day. But they are holding. Today, the House did its constitutional duty to proceed with a solemn investigation of unprecedented wrongdoing. |
| “Members of Congress take an oath of loyalty to the Constitution when they are sworn in, not an oath to their party or to the president. Congress must do its duty to ensure that Donald Trump’s assault on the Constitution does not seep beyond his presidency, with a lasting and devastating impact on our democracy.” | “Members of Congress take an oath of loyalty to the Constitution when they are sworn in, not an oath to their party or to the president. Congress must do its duty to ensure that Donald Trump’s assault on the Constitution does not seep beyond his presidency, with a lasting and devastating impact on our democracy.” |
| Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the national security council official who told impeachment investigators about his concerns after hearing Trump’s Ukraine call, is reportedly willing to testify publicly. | Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the national security council official who told impeachment investigators about his concerns after hearing Trump’s Ukraine call, is reportedly willing to testify publicly. |
| ABC News reports: | ABC News reports: |
| Vindman, the first current White House official to cooperate with House impeachment investigators and appear on Capitol Hill for a closed-door deposition, is willing to testify publicly in the next phase of the inquiry, according to a source familiar with his thinking. ... | Vindman, the first current White House official to cooperate with House impeachment investigators and appear on Capitol Hill for a closed-door deposition, is willing to testify publicly in the next phase of the inquiry, according to a source familiar with his thinking. ... |
| Vindman, the first witness to appear on Capitol Hill with firsthand knowledge of the call, has not yet been formally contacted by House impeachment investigators about testifying in public, the source said. | Vindman, the first witness to appear on Capitol Hill with firsthand knowledge of the call, has not yet been formally contacted by House impeachment investigators about testifying in public, the source said. |
| Bill Taylor has reportedly also expressed openness to testifying publicly. With today’s passage of the impeachment resolution clearing the way toward public hearings, Americans may soon get to hear directly from Trump administration officials about the alleged quid pro quo the president has repeatedly denied. | Bill Taylor has reportedly also expressed openness to testifying publicly. With today’s passage of the impeachment resolution clearing the way toward public hearings, Americans may soon get to hear directly from Trump administration officials about the alleged quid pro quo the president has repeatedly denied. |
| Speaking to conservative British commentator Nigel Farage, Trump slammed the vote approving the impeachment resolution as a “desperate” move by House Democrats. | Speaking to conservative British commentator Nigel Farage, Trump slammed the vote approving the impeachment resolution as a “desperate” move by House Democrats. |
| .@realDonaldTrump is speaking with @Nigel_Farage in an interview today and giving his first reaction to impeachment process vote. "The Democrats are desperate. They have nothing...they'll try to win the election this way because they cant win it the fair way." | .@realDonaldTrump is speaking with @Nigel_Farage in an interview today and giving his first reaction to impeachment process vote. "The Democrats are desperate. They have nothing...they'll try to win the election this way because they cant win it the fair way." |
| In her final floor speech as a congresswoman, Katie Hill accused Trump of abusing his power — including his power over women. | In her final floor speech as a congresswoman, Katie Hill accused Trump of abusing his power — including his power over women. |
| Katie Hill: "Today, as my final act, I voted to move forward with the impeachment of Donald Trump on behalf of the women of the United States of America. We will not stand down. We will not be broken...We will rise." https://t.co/DoCWQlvt2i pic.twitter.com/4WWAY8Rt8t | Katie Hill: "Today, as my final act, I voted to move forward with the impeachment of Donald Trump on behalf of the women of the United States of America. We will not stand down. We will not be broken...We will rise." https://t.co/DoCWQlvt2i pic.twitter.com/4WWAY8Rt8t |
| The freshman representative, who is resigning following the publication of nude photos of her and allegations that she had a relationship with one of her staffers, vowed that women would not be scared into silence. | The freshman representative, who is resigning following the publication of nude photos of her and allegations that she had a relationship with one of her staffers, vowed that women would not be scared into silence. |
| Hill said: “We will not stand down. We will not be broken. We will not be silenced. We will rise, and we will make tomorrow better than today.” | Hill said: “We will not stand down. We will not be broken. We will not be silenced. We will rise, and we will make tomorrow better than today.” |
| In her final floor speech as a congresswoman, Katie Hill said that the publication of nude photos of her had made her go to “the darkest places that a mind can go.” | In her final floor speech as a congresswoman, Katie Hill said that the publication of nude photos of her had made her go to “the darkest places that a mind can go.” |
| The California Democrat lambasted the “dirtiest gutter politics that I’ve ever seen,” which had forced her to step down. | The California Democrat lambasted the “dirtiest gutter politics that I’ve ever seen,” which had forced her to step down. |
| Outgoing Rep. Katie Hill: "The mistakes I made and the people I've hurt that led to this moment will haunt me for the rest of my life and I have to come to terms with that. Ever since those images first came out, I've barely left my bed." https://t.co/7YcEFnFAdz pic.twitter.com/gia8xyb4gc | Outgoing Rep. Katie Hill: "The mistakes I made and the people I've hurt that led to this moment will haunt me for the rest of my life and I have to come to terms with that. Ever since those images first came out, I've barely left my bed." https://t.co/7YcEFnFAdz pic.twitter.com/gia8xyb4gc |
| Hill has acknowledged she had a relationship with a campaign staffer, but she condemned the “double standard” that had pressured her to leave Congress even as “we have men who have been credibly accused of intentional acts of sexual violence and remain in boardrooms, on the Supreme Court, in this very body, and worst of all, in the Oval Office.” | |
| The freshman representative detailed the dozens of sexual assault allegations against Trump and expressed pride that her final vote as a congresswoman was in support of the impeachment inquiry. | The freshman representative detailed the dozens of sexual assault allegations against Trump and expressed pride that her final vote as a congresswoman was in support of the impeachment inquiry. |
| Hill concluded: “Thank you, and I will yield the balance of my time — for now but not forever.” | Hill concluded: “Thank you, and I will yield the balance of my time — for now but not forever.” |
| Representative Katie Hill is now delivering her final floor speech as a congresswoman. The California Democrat announced her resignation on Sunday following the publication of nude photos of her and allegations that she engaged in a relationship with one of her staffers. | Representative Katie Hill is now delivering her final floor speech as a congresswoman. The California Democrat announced her resignation on Sunday following the publication of nude photos of her and allegations that she engaged in a relationship with one of her staffers. |
| The freshman congresswoman said she was still grappling with her decision to leave sooner than expected. “I thought I could make a difference here,” Hill said. | The freshman congresswoman said she was still grappling with her decision to leave sooner than expected. “I thought I could make a difference here,” Hill said. |
| The California Democrat repeatedly apologized to her supporters, her volunteers and her colleagues. “I am so, so sorry,” Hill said. “And to every little girl who looked up to me, I hope that one day you can forgive me.” | The California Democrat repeatedly apologized to her supporters, her volunteers and her colleagues. “I am so, so sorry,” Hill said. “And to every little girl who looked up to me, I hope that one day you can forgive me.” |
| Trump has just wrapped up an interview with Nigel Farage, a conservative radio host and vocal supporter of Brexit. | Trump has just wrapped up an interview with Nigel Farage, a conservative radio host and vocal supporter of Brexit. |
| In it, the US president warned that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn would be “so bad” for the UK and said the country has “tremendous potential.” | In it, the US president warned that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn would be “so bad” for the UK and said the country has “tremendous potential.” |
| Trump tells UK conservative radio that Jeremy Corbyn would be "so bad for your country and would "take you into such bad places." In interview with Nigel Farage, he says the United Kingdom has "tremendous potential." | Trump tells UK conservative radio that Jeremy Corbyn would be "so bad for your country and would "take you into such bad places." In interview with Nigel Farage, he says the United Kingdom has "tremendous potential." |
| Trump’s comments come just two days after MPs voted to hold a general election on Dec. 12, allowing the British public to once again weigh in on the UK’s separation from the EU. | Trump’s comments come just two days after MPs voted to hold a general election on Dec. 12, allowing the British public to once again weigh in on the UK’s separation from the EU. |
| The blog is going to briefly interrupt impeachment coverage to share the story of how Rudy Giuliani locked himself out of his iPhone shortly after being named Trump’s cybersecurity adviser. | The blog is going to briefly interrupt impeachment coverage to share the story of how Rudy Giuliani locked himself out of his iPhone shortly after being named Trump’s cybersecurity adviser. |
| NBC News reports: | NBC News reports: |
| Less than a month after he was named President Donald Trump’s cybersecurity adviser in 2017, Rudy Giuliani walked into an Apple store in downtown San Francisco. | Less than a month after he was named President Donald Trump’s cybersecurity adviser in 2017, Rudy Giuliani walked into an Apple store in downtown San Francisco. |
| He wasn’t looking for a new gadget. Giuliani was looking for help. | He wasn’t looking for a new gadget. Giuliani was looking for help. |
| He was locked out of his iPhone because he had forgotten the passcode and entered the wrong one at least 10 times, according to two people familiar with the matter and a photo of an internal Apple store memo obtained by NBC News. | He was locked out of his iPhone because he had forgotten the passcode and entered the wrong one at least 10 times, according to two people familiar with the matter and a photo of an internal Apple store memo obtained by NBC News. |
| ‘Very sloppy,’ said one of the people, a former Apple store employee who was there on the day that Giuliani stopped by in February 2017. | ‘Very sloppy,’ said one of the people, a former Apple store employee who was there on the day that Giuliani stopped by in February 2017. |
| ‘Trump had just named him as an informal adviser on cybersecurity and here, he couldn’t even master the fundamentals of securing your own device.’ | ‘Trump had just named him as an informal adviser on cybersecurity and here, he couldn’t even master the fundamentals of securing your own device.’ |
| This report follows another from NBC News last week that Giuliani repeatedly butt-dialed a reporter in recent weeks and was overheard trashing Joe Biden and discussing his need for cash. | This report follows another from NBC News last week that Giuliani repeatedly butt-dialed a reporter in recent weeks and was overheard trashing Joe Biden and discussing his need for cash. |