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| House votes to formalize impeachment process against Trump – as it happened | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Here’s a recap of today: | |
| Congress voted to set rules for the public phase of the impeachment inquiry and formalize procedures. | |
| NSC official Tim Morrison testified before congress, affirming that Trump sought a quid pro quo, while insisting that there was nothing illegal about it. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers said they were vindicated by his testimony. | |
| A majority of Americans — 61% — say Trump violates democratic institutions and forms. | |
| Representative Katie Hill condemned the “double standard” that had forced her to resign while men who have been accused of sexual misconduct (including Trump) remain in power. | |
| Trump changed his primary residence to Florida | |
| Donald Trump has registered as a resident of Florida, the New York Times reports. | |
| In late September, Mr. Trump changed his primary residence from Manhattan to Palm Beach, Fla., according to documents filed with the Palm Beach County Circuit Court. Melania Trump, the first lady, also changed her residence to Palm Beach in an identical document. | |
| Each of the Trumps filed a “declaration of domicile” saying that the Mar-a-Lago Club, Mr. Trump’s resort in Palm Beach, will be their permanent residence. | |
| “If I maintain another place or places of abode in some other state or states, I hereby declare that my above-described residence and abode in the State of Florida constitutes my predominant and principal home, and I intend to continue it permanently as such,” reads the document that Mr. Trump filed. | |
| It’s unclear why the Trumps made this change. It could be for tax purposes, or because the president’s relationship with his hometown of New York has been deeply strained. | |
| 2020 Candidates divided on key issue: Candy corn | 2020 Candidates divided on key issue: Candy corn |
| Unpopular opinion: Candy corn is actually underrated. pic.twitter.com/xmHgr4CYHb | Unpopular opinion: Candy corn is actually underrated. pic.twitter.com/xmHgr4CYHb |
| The 2020 Democratic presidential challengers agree on quite a lot. Broadly, they all want to improve Americans’ access to healthcare, develop policies to combat climate change and strengthen gun control laws. | The 2020 Democratic presidential challengers agree on quite a lot. Broadly, they all want to improve Americans’ access to healthcare, develop policies to combat climate change and strengthen gun control laws. |
| But are they pro- or anti-candy corn, the most controversial of Halloween treats? | |
| According to a New York Times poll, the candidates – much like the Guardian’s West Coast bureau – are deeply divided. | |
| Amongst the candy corn haters are Kamala Harris, Andrew Yang and Michael Bennet. (Also, me). I’m also counting Beto O’Rourke, who said the worse Halloween candy is “anything without chocolate”. Everyone knows that candy corn is made of sugar and existential dread. | Amongst the candy corn haters are Kamala Harris, Andrew Yang and Michael Bennet. (Also, me). I’m also counting Beto O’Rourke, who said the worse Halloween candy is “anything without chocolate”. Everyone knows that candy corn is made of sugar and existential dread. |
| Amongst the candy corn lovers — John Delaney. | |
| Republican candidates Joe Walsh and Tom Steyer are also reportedly candy corn lovers. | Republican candidates Joe Walsh and Tom Steyer are also reportedly candy corn lovers. |
| Front runners Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden stayed out of the fray, with Biden’s campaign refusing to even name a worst candy. Bernie Sanders didn’t respond to the Times. | Front runners Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden stayed out of the fray, with Biden’s campaign refusing to even name a worst candy. Bernie Sanders didn’t respond to the Times. |
| Democrats conducting the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump are emphasizing that NSC official Tim Morrison’s testimony today confirmed that Trump sought a quid pro quo from the Ukranian president. | Democrats conducting the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump are emphasizing that NSC official Tim Morrison’s testimony today confirmed that Trump sought a quid pro quo from the Ukranian president. |
| Morrison served as a Republican staff member in Congress for 17 years. He was also proud to have helped the Trump Administration. But the facts are the facts. And the facts that Morrison confirmed are devastating to @realDonaldTrump and his GOP enablers.No one is above the law. https://t.co/QVdPJSTZoX | Morrison served as a Republican staff member in Congress for 17 years. He was also proud to have helped the Trump Administration. But the facts are the facts. And the facts that Morrison confirmed are devastating to @realDonaldTrump and his GOP enablers.No one is above the law. https://t.co/QVdPJSTZoX |
| Republican defenders of Trump are focusing instead on Morrison’s view that there was nothing illegal about the quid pro quo. | Republican defenders of Trump are focusing instead on Morrison’s view that there was nothing illegal about the quid pro quo. |
| Morrison’s testimony today is devastating to the false Democrat narrative that anything illegal or improper happened on the July 25 Trump-Zelensky call. It’s also devastating to the credibility of certain other witnesses who have asserted there was anything illegal or improper. | Morrison’s testimony today is devastating to the false Democrat narrative that anything illegal or improper happened on the July 25 Trump-Zelensky call. It’s also devastating to the credibility of certain other witnesses who have asserted there was anything illegal or improper. |
| As The Guardian’s Tom McCarthy reported: | As The Guardian’s Tom McCarthy reported: |
| Morrison, a former senior congressional aide, seemed to seek to exculpate Trump by suggesting the quid pro quo was all Sondland’s idea. | Morrison, a former senior congressional aide, seemed to seek to exculpate Trump by suggesting the quid pro quo was all Sondland’s idea. |
| “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,” Morrison 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,” Morrison said. |
| A lawyer for Sondland did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Lawyers for Sondland have said that he never mentioned the Bidens to the Ukrainians and suggested he was unaware of the Burisma-Biden tie. | A lawyer for Sondland did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Lawyers for Sondland have said that he never mentioned the Bidens to the Ukrainians and suggested he was unaware of the Burisma-Biden tie. |
| NSC official corroborates key testimony in Trump impeachment inquiry | NSC official corroborates key testimony in Trump impeachment inquiry |
| Trump is rewarding senators who’re showing him support as he faces impeachment — with fundraising money. The president’s reelection campaign sent an appeal urging donors to contribute to three senators who support an anti-impeachment resolution. | Trump is rewarding senators who’re showing him support as he faces impeachment — with fundraising money. The president’s reelection campaign sent an appeal urging donors to contribute to three senators who support an anti-impeachment resolution. |
| According to a Politico report: | According to a Politico report: |
| Trump is tapping his vast fundraising network for a handful of loyal senators facing tough reelection bids in 2020. Each of them has signed onto a Republican-backed resolution condemning the inquiry as “unprecedented and undemocratic.” | Trump is tapping his vast fundraising network for a handful of loyal senators facing tough reelection bids in 2020. Each of them has signed onto a Republican-backed resolution condemning the inquiry as “unprecedented and undemocratic.” |
| Conspicuously absent from the group is Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a politically vulnerable Republican who’s refused to support the resolution and avoided taking a stance on impeachment. With his new push, Trump is exerting leverage over a group he badly needs in his corner with an impeachment trial likely coming soon to the Senate — but that also needs him. | Conspicuously absent from the group is Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a politically vulnerable Republican who’s refused to support the resolution and avoided taking a stance on impeachment. With his new push, Trump is exerting leverage over a group he badly needs in his corner with an impeachment trial likely coming soon to the Senate — but that also needs him. |
| Republican senators on the ballot next year are lagging in fundraising, stoking uncertainty about the GOP’s hold on the chamber, and could use the fundraising might of the president. Trump’s political operation has raked in over $300 million this year. | Republican senators on the ballot next year are lagging in fundraising, stoking uncertainty about the GOP’s hold on the chamber, and could use the fundraising might of the president. Trump’s political operation has raked in over $300 million this year. |
| On Wednesday, the Trump reelection campaign sent a fundraising appeal to its massive email list urging donors to provide a contribution that would be divided between the president and Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis. Each of the senators are supporting the anti-impeachment resolution despite being endangered in 2020. | On Wednesday, the Trump reelection campaign sent a fundraising appeal to its massive email list urging donors to provide a contribution that would be divided between the president and Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis. Each of the senators are supporting the anti-impeachment resolution despite being endangered in 2020. |
| Trump nominated Stephen Beigun, the US special envoy to North Korea, to the second-in-command position at the State Department. | Trump nominated Stephen Beigun, the US special envoy to North Korea, to the second-in-command position at the State Department. |
| Beigun would take over from John Sullivan at the State Department, who has been nominated to serve as the next ambassador to Russia. | Beigun would take over from John Sullivan at the State Department, who has been nominated to serve as the next ambassador to Russia. |
| The nomination comes amidst speculation over the future of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and turmoil at the State Department, which is entangled in the impeachment case against Trump. | The nomination comes amidst speculation over the future of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and turmoil at the State Department, which is entangled in the impeachment case against Trump. |
| The Trump administration is considering adding more countries to the travel ban list, according to CNN, which cites unnamed officials. | The Trump administration is considering adding more countries to the travel ban list, according to CNN, which cites unnamed officials. |
| An inter-agency discussion about imposing travel restrictions on countries that are not compliant with electronic documents and information sharing -- a key focus of the administration -- is underway, according to a senior administration official. Fewer than five countries are under consideration, the official said. | An inter-agency discussion about imposing travel restrictions on countries that are not compliant with electronic documents and information sharing -- a key focus of the administration -- is underway, according to a senior administration official. Fewer than five countries are under consideration, the official said. |
| The goal, the official said, is to “bring governments into compliance by using the power of access to the United States.” The travel restrictions would be tailored to the countries, if they’re added, and not impose a ban on them altogether, the official noted. | The goal, the official said, is to “bring governments into compliance by using the power of access to the United States.” The travel restrictions would be tailored to the countries, if they’re added, and not impose a ban on them altogether, the official noted. |
| The Guardian has not independently verified this reporting. | The Guardian has not independently verified this reporting. |
| An AP-NORC poll found that 61% of Americans think Donald Trump doesn’t respect democratic institutions and norms. This includes 26% of Republicans. | An AP-NORC poll found that 61% of Americans think Donald Trump doesn’t respect democratic institutions and norms. This includes 26% of Republicans. |
| But the majority of Republicans — 85% — approve of Trump’s performance as president. Only 7% of Democrats agree. His approval overall stands at about 42%, according to the poll of 1,075 adults conducted Oct. 24-28. | But the majority of Republicans — 85% — approve of Trump’s performance as president. Only 7% of Democrats agree. His approval overall stands at about 42%, according to the poll of 1,075 adults conducted Oct. 24-28. |
| A district court judge will hear oral arguments on December 10 on whether or not Charles Kupperman, the former deputy national security adviser who defied a congressional subpoena and did not turn up at this scheduled deposition this week, will be forced to testify. | A district court judge will hear oral arguments on December 10 on whether or not Charles Kupperman, the former deputy national security adviser who defied a congressional subpoena and did not turn up at this scheduled deposition this week, will be forced to testify. |
| Kupperman, who served as deputy national security adviser until last month, was listening in the infamous July phone call between Donald Trump and the Ukrainian president. The White House blocked him from testifying in the impeachment inquiry, claiming executive privilege. | Kupperman, who served as deputy national security adviser until last month, was listening in the infamous July phone call between Donald Trump and the Ukrainian president. The White House blocked him from testifying in the impeachment inquiry, claiming executive privilege. |
| No decision in the Kupperman case for at least a month, NBC's Pete Williams reports.Judge Richard Leon today set schedule for lawyers to file their written briefs:Defendant's motion to dismiss: 11/14Plaintiff's response: 11/27Defendant's reply: 12/ 4Oral arguments: 12/10 | No decision in the Kupperman case for at least a month, NBC's Pete Williams reports.Judge Richard Leon today set schedule for lawyers to file their written briefs:Defendant's motion to dismiss: 11/14Plaintiff's response: 11/27Defendant's reply: 12/ 4Oral arguments: 12/10 |
| Another judge is ruling on whether former White House counsel Don McGahn must appear before Congress. | Another judge is ruling on whether former White House counsel Don McGahn must appear before Congress. |
| 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: |
| The House passed its impeachment resolution, clearing the way for public hearings and the release of transcripts from closed-door depositions. However, senior House Democrats did not provide a concrete timeline on when they would take those steps. | The House passed its impeachment resolution, clearing the way for public hearings and the release of transcripts from closed-door depositions. However, senior House Democrats did not provide a concrete timeline on when they would take those steps. |
| House Republicans pointed to the nearly party-line vote on the resolution — all but two Democrats supported it, while every Republican opposed it — as evidence that the investigation is allegedly too partisan. | House Republicans pointed to the nearly party-line vote on the resolution — all but two Democrats supported it, while every Republican opposed it — as evidence that the investigation is allegedly too partisan. |
| Tim Morrison, Trump’s top official on Russia, testified in the impeachment inquiry. The national security council official, who intends to soon leave the administration, affirmed Bill Taylor’s account of a quid pro quo while claiming that he saw nothing illegal about Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president. | Tim Morrison, Trump’s top official on Russia, testified in the impeachment inquiry. The national security council official, who intends to soon leave the administration, affirmed Bill Taylor’s account of a quid pro quo while claiming that he saw nothing illegal about Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president. |
| A federal judge appeared skeptical of the White House’s argument that executive privilege exempted former administration officials from having to comply with congressional subpoenas in a case that could have major implications for the impeachment inquiry. | A federal judge appeared skeptical of the White House’s argument that executive privilege exempted former administration officials from having to comply with congressional subpoenas in a case that could have major implications for the impeachment inquiry. |
| Representative Katie Hill delivered her final floor speech, in which she apologized to her supporters and condemned the “double standard” that had forced her to resign while men who have been accused of sexual misconduct (including Trump) remain in positions of power. (Hill announced her resignation Sunday following the publication of nude photos of her and allegations that she had a relationship with one of her staffers.) | Representative Katie Hill delivered her final floor speech, in which she apologized to her supporters and condemned the “double standard” that had forced her to resign while men who have been accused of sexual misconduct (including Trump) remain in positions of power. (Hill announced her resignation Sunday following the publication of nude photos of her and allegations that she had a relationship with one of her staffers.) |
| Maanvi will have plenty more on the news of the day, so stay tuned. | Maanvi will have plenty more on the news of the day, so stay tuned. |
| House Republicans appeared pleased with what Tim Morrison told impeachment investigators in his closed-door deposition, saying they look forward to the transcript of the interview being made public. | House Republicans appeared pleased with what Tim Morrison told impeachment investigators in his closed-door deposition, saying they look forward to the transcript of the interview being made public. |
| GOP Rep Jordan on Morrison’s deposition: Today’s deposition was really positive. I look forward to this transcript becoming public pic.twitter.com/h0WCTfGG1K | GOP Rep Jordan on Morrison’s deposition: Today’s deposition was really positive. I look forward to this transcript becoming public pic.twitter.com/h0WCTfGG1K |
| According to Morrison’s opening statement, the national security council official affirmed Bill Taylor’s account of a quid pro quo but said he did not think there was anything illegal about Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president. | According to Morrison’s opening statement, the national security council official affirmed Bill Taylor’s account of a quid pro quo but said he did not think there was anything illegal about Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president. |
| The president’s allies celebrated Morrison’s testimony as a victory for Trump, an assessment that the Democratic chairman of the House foreign affairs committee called “absurd.” | The president’s allies celebrated Morrison’s testimony as a victory for Trump, an assessment that the Democratic chairman of the House foreign affairs committee called “absurd.” |
| Responding to Rep. Mark Meadows who argued that Morrison testimony today undercut the Democrats’ narrative, House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel called such an argument “ridiculous.”He didn’t get into more details as aides prevented him from answering questions | Responding to Rep. Mark Meadows who argued that Morrison testimony today undercut the Democrats’ narrative, House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel called such an argument “ridiculous.”He didn’t get into more details as aides prevented him from answering questions |
| Tim Morrison has concluded his testimony in the impeachment inquiry after spending about eight hours talking to House investigators. | Tim Morrison has concluded his testimony in the impeachment inquiry after spending about eight hours talking to House investigators. |
| According to his opening statement, the national security council official affirmed Bill Taylor’s account of a quid pro quo while insisting he did not see anything illegal about Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president. | According to his opening statement, the national security council official affirmed Bill Taylor’s account of a quid pro quo while insisting he did not see anything illegal about Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president. |
| Morrison, who is soon leaving his NSC post, claimed he flagged the call for White House lawyers simply because he was worried about a “polarized” political reaction to Trump’s comments. | Morrison, who is soon leaving his NSC post, claimed he flagged the call for White House lawyers simply because he was worried about a “polarized” political reaction to Trump’s comments. |
| A federal judge in Washington appeared skeptical today of arguments from the White House that executive privilege exempts former Trump administration officials from having to comply with congressional subpoenas. | A federal judge in Washington appeared skeptical today of arguments from the White House that executive privilege exempts former Trump administration officials from having to comply with congressional subpoenas. |
| “We don’t live in a world where your status as a former executive branch official somehow shields you or prevents you from giving information,” judge Ketanji Brown Jackson said. | “We don’t live in a world where your status as a former executive branch official somehow shields you or prevents you from giving information,” judge Ketanji Brown Jackson said. |
| The specific case Jackson is ruling on concerns whether Trump’s former White House counsel, Don McGahn, must appear before House members for an interview. But the case could have sweeping implications on the impeachment inquiry, given that the White House has used similar arguments to block administration officials from speaking to House investigators. | The specific case Jackson is ruling on concerns whether Trump’s former White House counsel, Don McGahn, must appear before House members for an interview. But the case could have sweeping implications on the impeachment inquiry, given that the White House has used similar arguments to block administration officials from speaking to House investigators. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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.” | 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.” | 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 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?) | (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.” | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |