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| Live updates: White House lawyer to defy House subpoena; Trump sees ‘no reason’ to summon witnesses on Ukraine call | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A White House lawyer central to the Ukraine controversy planned to defy a subpoena from House investigators, and three other officials summoned for closed-door depositions on Monday appeared unlikely to appear as well. | |
| The refusals to cooperate are coming on a morning in which Trump tweeted that he sees “no reason” for lawmakers to summon witnesses regarding his call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which he again contended was “perfect.” | |
| House Democrats are encountering renewed stonewalling from the White House as they attempt to move deeper into the ranks of officials with knowledge of Trump’s efforts to press Ukraine to investigate former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden at a time when U.S. military aid was being withheld from that country. | House Democrats are encountering renewed stonewalling from the White House as they attempt to move deeper into the ranks of officials with knowledge of Trump’s efforts to press Ukraine to investigate former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden at a time when U.S. military aid was being withheld from that country. |
| Trump, meanwhile, plans to welcome the Washington Nationals to the White House on Monday before heading to Kentucky for a campaign rally. | Trump, meanwhile, plans to welcome the Washington Nationals to the White House on Monday before heading to Kentucky for a campaign rally. |
| ●Allies of acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney to try to stonewall Democrats’ impeachment inquiry, officials say. | ●Allies of acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney to try to stonewall Democrats’ impeachment inquiry, officials say. |
| ●Whistleblower willing to answer questions from House GOP, attorney says. | ●Whistleblower willing to answer questions from House GOP, attorney says. |
| ●Trump leaves door open to shutting down government before Thanksgiving. | ●Trump leaves door open to shutting down government before Thanksgiving. |
| Who’s involved in the impeachment inquiry | Key documents related to the inquiry | LISTEN: Post podcasts on impeachment | Who’s involved in the impeachment inquiry | Key documents related to the inquiry | LISTEN: Post podcasts on impeachment |
| 9:15 a.m.: White House lawyer to defy House impeachment investigators | |
| A White House lawyer central to the Ukraine controversy plans to defy a subpoena from House investigators at Trump’s direction, according to two people familiar with his plans. | |
| House Democrats wanted to question John Eisenberg, the deputy counsel on the National Security Council, about what transpired after Trump’s July 25 call with Zelensky, which set off internal debate over Trump’s actions. | |
| The people familiar with Eisenberg’s plans spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters. | |
| Eisenberg proposed moving a transcript of the call to a highly classified server and restricting access to it, according to two people familiar with Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman’s testimony who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private discussions. | |
| Three other witnesses summoned for scheduled depositions on Monday are also unlikely to appear. | |
| 8:55 a.m.: McCarthy complains of scheduled closed-door depositions | 8:55 a.m.: McCarthy complains of scheduled closed-door depositions |
| House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) went on Twitter on Monday morning to complain that Democrats continue to schedule closed-door depositions following the passage last week of a resolution setting the parameters for public hearings. | House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) went on Twitter on Monday morning to complain that Democrats continue to schedule closed-door depositions following the passage last week of a resolution setting the parameters for public hearings. |
| “Democrats voted for an impeachment inquiry that they claimed would provide transparency and due process,” McCarthy tweeted. “They are right back at it — behind closed doors in the basement of the Capitol — with four more scheduled depositions hidden from the public.” | “Democrats voted for an impeachment inquiry that they claimed would provide transparency and due process,” McCarthy tweeted. “They are right back at it — behind closed doors in the basement of the Capitol — with four more scheduled depositions hidden from the public.” |
| Democratic leaders have signaled that open hearings could begin as early as next week. | Democratic leaders have signaled that open hearings could begin as early as next week. |
| 8 a.m.: Trump claims higher GOP job approval than public polling shows | 8 a.m.: Trump claims higher GOP job approval than public polling shows |
| Amid a flurry of tweets about the impeachment inquiry, Trump asserted that his job approval among Republicans stands at 95 percent — a figure significantly higher than in recent public polling. | Amid a flurry of tweets about the impeachment inquiry, Trump asserted that his job approval among Republicans stands at 95 percent — a figure significantly higher than in recent public polling. |
| Neither the White House nor the Trump campaign immediately responded to questions about what poll he was citing. | Neither the White House nor the Trump campaign immediately responded to questions about what poll he was citing. |
| In a Washington Post-ABC News poll published Friday, 74 percent of Republicans voiced approval of Trump’s job performance, a record low in Post-ABC polls. His previous low was in April, when 78 percent voiced approval. | In a Washington Post-ABC News poll published Friday, 74 percent of Republicans voiced approval of Trump’s job performance, a record low in Post-ABC polls. His previous low was in April, when 78 percent voiced approval. |
| In another of his Monday morning tweets, Trump quoted Fox News commentator Dan Bongino calling the impeachment inquiry a “farce” and adding that “no Republican should forget that.” | In another of his Monday morning tweets, Trump quoted Fox News commentator Dan Bongino calling the impeachment inquiry a “farce” and adding that “no Republican should forget that.” |
| 7:50 a.m.: Trump says written answers from whistleblower ‘not acceptable’ | 7:50 a.m.: Trump says written answers from whistleblower ‘not acceptable’ |
| Trump renewed his call Monday for the whistleblower whose complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry to testify publicly and brushed aside an offer by his attorneys to answer written questions under oath directly from Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee. | Trump renewed his call Monday for the whistleblower whose complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry to testify publicly and brushed aside an offer by his attorneys to answer written questions under oath directly from Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee. |
| “He must be brought forward to testify. Written answers not acceptable!” Trump tweeted regarding the anonymous U.S. intelligence official. | “He must be brought forward to testify. Written answers not acceptable!” Trump tweeted regarding the anonymous U.S. intelligence official. |
| During the investigation of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III into Russian election interference, Trump declined to be interviewed and submitted answers to questions in writing. | During the investigation of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III into Russian election interference, Trump declined to be interviewed and submitted answers to questions in writing. |
| The whistleblower’s attorneys previously notified both the House and Senate intelligence committees that their client was willing to respond to questions in writing and under oath “in a bipartisan manner.” | The whistleblower’s attorneys previously notified both the House and Senate intelligence committees that their client was willing to respond to questions in writing and under oath “in a bipartisan manner.” |
| By offering a direct channel to Republicans, the whistleblower’s team had sought to quell grumbling by GOP leadership — and Trump — that the impeachment process has been secretive and unfair. | By offering a direct channel to Republicans, the whistleblower’s team had sought to quell grumbling by GOP leadership — and Trump — that the impeachment process has been secretive and unfair. |
| In his Monday tweets, Trump also took renewed aim at House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.), calling him a “corrupt politician.” | In his Monday tweets, Trump also took renewed aim at House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.), calling him a “corrupt politician.” |
| 7:15 a.m.: Trump says there is ‘no reason’ to summon witnesses regarding his call | 7:15 a.m.: Trump says there is ‘no reason’ to summon witnesses regarding his call |
| Trump said Monday that there is “no reason” for House investigators to summon witnesses to testify about his July 25 call with Zelensky. | Trump said Monday that there is “no reason” for House investigators to summon witnesses to testify about his July 25 call with Zelensky. |
| “What I said on the phone call with the Ukrainian President is ‘perfectly’ stated,” Trump said in a morning tweet. “There is no reason to call witnesses to analyze my words and meaning. This is just another Democrat Hoax that I have had to live with from the day I got elected (and before!). Disgraceful!” | “What I said on the phone call with the Ukrainian President is ‘perfectly’ stated,” Trump said in a morning tweet. “There is no reason to call witnesses to analyze my words and meaning. This is just another Democrat Hoax that I have had to live with from the day I got elected (and before!). Disgraceful!” |
| Earlier, he referred to Sunday night’s airing of “The Mark Levin Show” on Fox News. | Earlier, he referred to Sunday night’s airing of “The Mark Levin Show” on Fox News. |
| “Mark Levin, a great lawyer and scholar, said last night on his @marklevinshow, that all you have to do is read the transcript of the call, you do not need Never Trumpers or other witnesses to say what it means or says,” Trump tweeted. “It is plainly and very well stated for all to see. Witch Hunt” | “Mark Levin, a great lawyer and scholar, said last night on his @marklevinshow, that all you have to do is read the transcript of the call, you do not need Never Trumpers or other witnesses to say what it means or says,” Trump tweeted. “It is plainly and very well stated for all to see. Witch Hunt” |
| Trump, without evidence, has branded several of the witnesses who have testified as “Never Trumpers,” a term used to describe Republicans who were opposed to his presidency from the start. In a tweet last month, he described them as “human scum.” | Trump, without evidence, has branded several of the witnesses who have testified as “Never Trumpers,” a term used to describe Republicans who were opposed to his presidency from the start. In a tweet last month, he described them as “human scum.” |
| 7 a.m.: Four White House witnesses unlikely to appear for depositions | 7 a.m.: Four White House witnesses unlikely to appear for depositions |
| It appears unlikely that any of the four White House officials summoned by House investigators will show up Monday for planned closed-door depositions on Capitol Hill. | It appears unlikely that any of the four White House officials summoned by House investigators will show up Monday for planned closed-door depositions on Capitol Hill. |
| Democrats are seeking testimony from: | Democrats are seeking testimony from: |
| ●Robert Blair, assistant to the president and senior adviser to acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney. He listened in on the call between Trump and Zelensky. | ●Robert Blair, assistant to the president and senior adviser to acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney. He listened in on the call between Trump and Zelensky. |
| ●Brian McCormack, associate director for natural resources at the Office of Management and Budget. Until recently, McCormack served as chief of staff to Energy Secretary Rick Perry, who has said he had urged Trump to talk to Zelensky about energy issues. | ●Brian McCormack, associate director for natural resources at the Office of Management and Budget. Until recently, McCormack served as chief of staff to Energy Secretary Rick Perry, who has said he had urged Trump to talk to Zelensky about energy issues. |
| ● John Eisenberg, the White House’s legal adviser on national security issues. Last week, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who is detailed to the National Security Council, testified that Eisenberg instructed him to not discuss his concerns about the phone call with anyone outside the White House. | ● John Eisenberg, the White House’s legal adviser on national security issues. Last week, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who is detailed to the National Security Council, testified that Eisenberg instructed him to not discuss his concerns about the phone call with anyone outside the White House. |
| ●Michael Ellis, another White House lawyer who advises the NSC. | ●Michael Ellis, another White House lawyer who advises the NSC. |
| 6:30 a.m.: Trump heading to Kentucky for campaign rally | 6:30 a.m.: Trump heading to Kentucky for campaign rally |
| As House investigators resume their work on Monday, Trump is scheduled to welcome the Washington Nationals to the White House to honor them for their World Series win before heading out of town to stage another “Keep America Great Rally,” this one in Lexington, Ky. | As House investigators resume their work on Monday, Trump is scheduled to welcome the Washington Nationals to the White House to honor them for their World Series win before heading out of town to stage another “Keep America Great Rally,” this one in Lexington, Ky. |
| Trump campaign rallies have become a venue for the president to air grievances about the impeachment inquiry. | Trump campaign rallies have become a venue for the president to air grievances about the impeachment inquiry. |
| He is traveling to Kentucky in the hope of giving that state’s Republican governor Matt Bevin a boost hours before the polls open for the gubernatorial election. Bevin is in a tight race with Democrat Andy Beshear, the state’s attorney general and son of a former governor. Trump carried the state by 30 percentage points over Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016. | He is traveling to Kentucky in the hope of giving that state’s Republican governor Matt Bevin a boost hours before the polls open for the gubernatorial election. Bevin is in a tight race with Democrat Andy Beshear, the state’s attorney general and son of a former governor. Trump carried the state by 30 percentage points over Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016. |
| The Nationals won the World Series last week. | The Nationals won the World Series last week. |
| 6 a.m.: Trump highlights assessments of conservative pundits | 6 a.m.: Trump highlights assessments of conservative pundits |
| In a series of late-night tweets and retweets that extended into early Monday morning, Trump shared assessments of the impeachment inquiry by several conservative pundits, including Fox News’s Jeanine Pirro. | In a series of late-night tweets and retweets that extended into early Monday morning, Trump shared assessments of the impeachment inquiry by several conservative pundits, including Fox News’s Jeanine Pirro. |
| “The Democrats are tearing this country apart,” Pirro, the host of “Justice with Judge Jeanine,” said in a tweet retweeted by Trump. “They are wusses, wimps and weasels. They don’t have the chutzpah to face Donald Trump in November, I don’t blame them. Because he’ll blow those wusses, wimps and weasels right out of the swampy water they call home.” | “The Democrats are tearing this country apart,” Pirro, the host of “Justice with Judge Jeanine,” said in a tweet retweeted by Trump. “They are wusses, wimps and weasels. They don’t have the chutzpah to face Donald Trump in November, I don’t blame them. Because he’ll blow those wusses, wimps and weasels right out of the swampy water they call home.” |