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House releases transcripts from key witnesses in Trump impeachment inquiry – live House releases transcripts from key witnesses in Trump impeachment inquiry – live
(32 minutes later)
Committees release depositions with Marie Yovanovitch and Michael McKinley and say Volker and Sondland transcripts will followCommittees release depositions with Marie Yovanovitch and Michael McKinley and say Volker and Sondland transcripts will follow
From the South Lawn, Trump honored the Washington Nationals on the “first of many” World Series championships. He called their victory a “comeback story for the ages.”
He heaped praise on Nats manager David Martínez, who he said “didn’t make any mistakes” and might be “more famous than me”.
“America fell in love with the Nats baseball,” he said. “That’s all they wanted to talk about. That and impeachment. I like Nats baseball much more.”
A few members of the team did not attend, at least one in objection of the president’s politics. But Trump also had some supporters on the team. Catcher Kurt Suzuki was brought to the mic by Trump sporting a “Make America Great Again” hat.
The sweet sounds of Baby Shark are serenading guests on the South Lawn as the crowd awaits Trump to honor the Washington Nationals, who won the 2019 World Series champions.
Most – but not all – of the players opted to go to the White House.
Kamala Harris has qualified for the Democratic debate in December in Los Angeles over the weekend. She will join frontrunner Joe Biden as well as Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg. The support and polling threshold to qualify for the December debate is higher than the one in Atlanta this month, which will feature 9 candidates on stage.
Donald Trump has a lot on his plate: an escalating abuse-of-power scandal, looming impeachment, a possible resurgence of Isis, an emboldened Iran, etc. But he’s got a forthcoming book on his mind, and it’s not the one he’s hawking on behalf of his son.Donald Trump has a lot on his plate: an escalating abuse-of-power scandal, looming impeachment, a possible resurgence of Isis, an emboldened Iran, etc. But he’s got a forthcoming book on his mind, and it’s not the one he’s hawking on behalf of his son.
It’s A Warning, the book by an anonymous Trump official who wrote a 2018 New York Times op-ed in which he expressed alarm about the president’s competence.It’s A Warning, the book by an anonymous Trump official who wrote a 2018 New York Times op-ed in which he expressed alarm about the president’s competence.
CNN reported that Trump’s department of justice has sent a letter to the book’s publisher warning that the author could be in violation of a nondisclosure agreement.CNN reported that Trump’s department of justice has sent a letter to the book’s publisher warning that the author could be in violation of a nondisclosure agreement.
“If the author is, in fact, a current or former ‘senior official’ in the Trump Administration, publication of the book may violate that official’s legal obligations under one or more nondisclosure agreements, including nondisclosure agreements that are routinely required with respect to information obtained in the course of one’s official responsibilities or as a condition for access to classified information,” assistant attorney general Joseph Hunt wrote in the letter, according to a copy of the letter obtained by CNN.“If the author is, in fact, a current or former ‘senior official’ in the Trump Administration, publication of the book may violate that official’s legal obligations under one or more nondisclosure agreements, including nondisclosure agreements that are routinely required with respect to information obtained in the course of one’s official responsibilities or as a condition for access to classified information,” assistant attorney general Joseph Hunt wrote in the letter, according to a copy of the letter obtained by CNN.
The author’s literary agency has rejected the justice department’s argument, and said the book would be released on 19 November as scheduled.The author’s literary agency has rejected the justice department’s argument, and said the book would be released on 19 November as scheduled.
“Our author knows that the President is determined to unmask whistleblowers who may be in his midst. That’s one of the reasons A WARNING was written,” the literacy agency Javelin said in a statement. “But we support the publisher in its resolve that the administration’s effort to intimidate and expose the senior official who has seen misconduct at the highest levels will not prevent this book from moving forward.”“Our author knows that the President is determined to unmask whistleblowers who may be in his midst. That’s one of the reasons A WARNING was written,” the literacy agency Javelin said in a statement. “But we support the publisher in its resolve that the administration’s effort to intimidate and expose the senior official who has seen misconduct at the highest levels will not prevent this book from moving forward.”
Congressman Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence committee who is leading the impeachment inquiry, said he expects the witnesses this afternoon to not show for their deposition, which he said the lawmakers will interpret as further obstruction of justice by the White House.Congressman Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence committee who is leading the impeachment inquiry, said he expects the witnesses this afternoon to not show for their deposition, which he said the lawmakers will interpret as further obstruction of justice by the White House.
“These witnesses are significant and the White House understands they’re significant,” Schiff said during a press conference after releasing the transcripts.“These witnesses are significant and the White House understands they’re significant,” Schiff said during a press conference after releasing the transcripts.
He added: “We may infer that their testimony would be further incriminating the president.”He added: “We may infer that their testimony would be further incriminating the president.”
Schiff said the committees will release the transcripts of Kurt Volker, the president’s former special envoy to Ukraine, and Gordon Sondland, the US Ambassador to the European Union, on Tuesday.Schiff said the committees will release the transcripts of Kurt Volker, the president’s former special envoy to Ukraine, and Gordon Sondland, the US Ambassador to the European Union, on Tuesday.
Our world affairs editor Julian Borger is combing through the transcripts, tweeting his observations as they come.Our world affairs editor Julian Borger is combing through the transcripts, tweeting his observations as they come.
The committees investigating impeachment against Donald Trump over his efforts to pressure Ukraine to extract damaging information on his political rivals has entered a “new public phase” with the release of transcripts for two key witnesses.The committees investigating impeachment against Donald Trump over his efforts to pressure Ukraine to extract damaging information on his political rivals has entered a “new public phase” with the release of transcripts for two key witnesses.
The deposition transcript with former US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch from 11 October 2019 can be read here.The deposition transcript with former US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch from 11 October 2019 can be read here.
The deposition transcript of former senior adviser to the secretary of state, Ambassador Michael McKinley, from 16 October 2019 can be read here.The deposition transcript of former senior adviser to the secretary of state, Ambassador Michael McKinley, from 16 October 2019 can be read here.
“The transcripts of interviews with Ambassadors Yovanovitch and McKinley demonstrate clearly how President Trump approved the removal of a highly respected and effective diplomat based on public falsehoods and smears against Ambassador Yovanovitch’s character and her work in support of long-held US foreign policy anticorruption goals,” said the chairs of the three panels leading the investigations.“The transcripts of interviews with Ambassadors Yovanovitch and McKinley demonstrate clearly how President Trump approved the removal of a highly respected and effective diplomat based on public falsehoods and smears against Ambassador Yovanovitch’s character and her work in support of long-held US foreign policy anticorruption goals,” said the chairs of the three panels leading the investigations.
“Ambassadors Yovanovitch and McKinley’s testimony also demonstrates the contamination of US foreign policy by an irregular back channel that sought to advance the President’s personal and political interests, and the serious concerns that this activity elicited across our government.”“Ambassadors Yovanovitch and McKinley’s testimony also demonstrates the contamination of US foreign policy by an irregular back channel that sought to advance the President’s personal and political interests, and the serious concerns that this activity elicited across our government.”
What’s the matter with Kansas, you ask?What’s the matter with Kansas, you ask?
That’s the question our world affairs editor Julian Borger, asked in a recent report cataloging the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo’s, many overtures to his adopted home state, where speculation – and evidence – is mounting that he’s plotting a Senate run.That’s the question our world affairs editor Julian Borger, asked in a recent report cataloging the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo’s, many overtures to his adopted home state, where speculation – and evidence – is mounting that he’s plotting a Senate run.
The outreach includes pins stamped with the word “swagger”, an appearance with the president’s daughter and dozens of interviews with local press, some of which have turned quite testy.The outreach includes pins stamped with the word “swagger”, an appearance with the president’s daughter and dozens of interviews with local press, some of which have turned quite testy.
Trump’s personal attorney Jay Sekulow has vowed to take the case dealing with the president’s tax returns to the supreme court.Trump’s personal attorney Jay Sekulow has vowed to take the case dealing with the president’s tax returns to the supreme court.
Writer E Jean Carroll sued Donald Trump on Monday, accusing the president of defamation after she came forward this summer to allege that he raped her more than two decades ago in the dressing room of an upscale New York City department store.Writer E Jean Carroll sued Donald Trump on Monday, accusing the president of defamation after she came forward this summer to allege that he raped her more than two decades ago in the dressing room of an upscale New York City department store.
Carroll, a longtime advice columnist, described the alleged assault in her book What Do We Need Men For?, an excerpt of which was published in New York magazine in June.Carroll, a longtime advice columnist, described the alleged assault in her book What Do We Need Men For?, an excerpt of which was published in New York magazine in June.
According to her account, which Trump has adamantly denied, Carroll said she ran into Trump, whom she had met a few years previously, at Bergdorf Goodman in late 1995 or early 1996. After chatting about lingerie, they shopped together before he attacked her in a dressing room.According to her account, which Trump has adamantly denied, Carroll said she ran into Trump, whom she had met a few years previously, at Bergdorf Goodman in late 1995 or early 1996. After chatting about lingerie, they shopped together before he attacked her in a dressing room.
She said Trump pulled down her tights and penetrated her before she was able to push him off of her and leave. Carroll does not describe the incident as “rape” though her description of the incident meets the legal definition.She said Trump pulled down her tights and penetrated her before she was able to push him off of her and leave. Carroll does not describe the incident as “rape” though her description of the incident meets the legal definition.
A US appeals court ruled on Monday that Donald Trump’s accounting firm must turn over eight years of the president’s personal and corporate tax returns to New York prosecutors.A US appeals court ruled on Monday that Donald Trump’s accounting firm must turn over eight years of the president’s personal and corporate tax returns to New York prosecutors.
The ruling is the latest setback for the president, who has fought vigorously to block his accounting firm, Mazars USA, from releasing his tax returns to the Manhattan district attorney’s office. Trump is expected to appeal the ruling, a move that is likely to send the case to the US supreme court.The ruling is the latest setback for the president, who has fought vigorously to block his accounting firm, Mazars USA, from releasing his tax returns to the Manhattan district attorney’s office. Trump is expected to appeal the ruling, a move that is likely to send the case to the US supreme court.
“Because we conclude that the president is unlikely to succeed on the merits of his immunity claim, we agree with the district court that he is not entitled to injunctive relief,” the ruling states.“Because we conclude that the president is unlikely to succeed on the merits of his immunity claim, we agree with the district court that he is not entitled to injunctive relief,” the ruling states.
As expected, two witnesses subpoenaed to testify before the House intelligence committee on Capitol Hill today have refused to appear, according to CNN.As expected, two witnesses subpoenaed to testify before the House intelligence committee on Capitol Hill today have refused to appear, according to CNN.
The other two witnesses called to testify this afternoon are also expected not to appear today.The other two witnesses called to testify this afternoon are also expected not to appear today.
Meanwhile, Fiona Hill, the top Russia expert in the White House who testified last month is back on the Hill today, presumably to check review a transcript of her testimony before Democrats release it publicly.Meanwhile, Fiona Hill, the top Russia expert in the White House who testified last month is back on the Hill today, presumably to check review a transcript of her testimony before Democrats release it publicly.
Donald Trump is distancing himself from “ a man named Michael Esposito.”Donald Trump is distancing himself from “ a man named Michael Esposito.”
Who, you might be asking, is Michael Esposito?Who, you might be asking, is Michael Esposito?
According to the Washington Post, Esposito is a lobbyist whose dubious ties to the president has turned his family business into an international success. But Trump’s son and son-in-law say they have never heard of Esposito.According to the Washington Post, Esposito is a lobbyist whose dubious ties to the president has turned his family business into an international success. But Trump’s son and son-in-law say they have never heard of Esposito.
The story was published online 1 November but published on the front page of today’s Washington Post. The tweet furthers speculation that, as suspected, Trump has not stopped reading the paper despite demanding that all White House agencies cancel their subscriptions to the Post and the New York Times.The story was published online 1 November but published on the front page of today’s Washington Post. The tweet furthers speculation that, as suspected, Trump has not stopped reading the paper despite demanding that all White House agencies cancel their subscriptions to the Post and the New York Times.
As we mentioned earlier, the 2020 election is less than a year away. But the Democratic primary remains unsettled and polling suggests a very tight race no matter the nominee.As we mentioned earlier, the 2020 election is less than a year away. But the Democratic primary remains unsettled and polling suggests a very tight race no matter the nominee.
Which raises the question: Is it time for a Clinton revival?Which raises the question: Is it time for a Clinton revival?
The idea of Hillary Clinton returning as the Democratic White Knight in 2020 to slay the dragon in the White House has evoked some still-raw emotions from supporters, detractors and everyone in between. Yet the 2016 Democratic nominee seems to be having more fun than she ever had as a candidate fanning the flames of another run.The idea of Hillary Clinton returning as the Democratic White Knight in 2020 to slay the dragon in the White House has evoked some still-raw emotions from supporters, detractors and everyone in between. Yet the 2016 Democratic nominee seems to be having more fun than she ever had as a candidate fanning the flames of another run.
My colleague David Smith looks at how Clinton might be positioning herself for an improbable run for the White House.My colleague David Smith looks at how Clinton might be positioning herself for an improbable run for the White House.
Speaking in New York at a screening of The Great Hack about the Cambridge Analytica scandal this weekend, Clinton said Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg “should pay a price” for what he is doing to democracy.Speaking in New York at a screening of The Great Hack about the Cambridge Analytica scandal this weekend, Clinton said Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg “should pay a price” for what he is doing to democracy.
The 2016 Democratic nominee expressed doubts about whether free and fair elections were even possible in the wake of Facebook’s decision to not factcheck political advertising.The 2016 Democratic nominee expressed doubts about whether free and fair elections were even possible in the wake of Facebook’s decision to not factcheck political advertising.
Can there be any sentence more likely to turn off blog readers than “an alarming poll from the New York Times”? Possibly not, but here goes…Can there be any sentence more likely to turn off blog readers than “an alarming poll from the New York Times”? Possibly not, but here goes…
A year out from election day 2020, Nate Cohn of the New York Times has published the results of new polls in key swing states: Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Florida, Arizona and North Carolina. And if you are not a supporter of Donald Trump, and in particular if you are a supporter of Senator Elizabeth Warren, the picture does not look particularly rosy. Here’s a screengrab:A year out from election day 2020, Nate Cohn of the New York Times has published the results of new polls in key swing states: Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Florida, Arizona and North Carolina. And if you are not a supporter of Donald Trump, and in particular if you are a supporter of Senator Elizabeth Warren, the picture does not look particularly rosy. Here’s a screengrab:
Of course, the picture is a little brighter if you back Joe Biden – the moderate’s moderate, the Centrist Dad’s Centrist Dad – or Bernie Sanders, the great progressive hope of 2016 who is trailing Warren in Democratic polls this year.Of course, the picture is a little brighter if you back Joe Biden – the moderate’s moderate, the Centrist Dad’s Centrist Dad – or Bernie Sanders, the great progressive hope of 2016 who is trailing Warren in Democratic polls this year.
Here’s how Cohn sums it up:Here’s how Cohn sums it up:
Hmmm.Hmmm.
Polling out at the weekend from The Washington Post and ABC News put Biden in the lead nationally among Democratic primary voters, from Warren, Sanders and Pete Buttigieg. The mayor of South Bend is second in Iowa, though, and has said he thinks the nomination fight is now between him and Warren.Polling out at the weekend from The Washington Post and ABC News put Biden in the lead nationally among Democratic primary voters, from Warren, Sanders and Pete Buttigieg. The mayor of South Bend is second in Iowa, though, and has said he thinks the nomination fight is now between him and Warren.
On the subject of Mayor Pete and Iowa, Cohn of the Times says the following:On the subject of Mayor Pete and Iowa, Cohn of the Times says the following:
Sobering news also from Texas, meanwhile, home state of Beto O’Rourke who withdrew from the Democratic race on Friday and a dream target for Democrats, if not necessarily a realistic one. Ross Ramsey of the Texas Tribune writes that according to a poll conducted by the paper and the University of Texas:Sobering news also from Texas, meanwhile, home state of Beto O’Rourke who withdrew from the Democratic race on Friday and a dream target for Democrats, if not necessarily a realistic one. Ross Ramsey of the Texas Tribune writes that according to a poll conducted by the paper and the University of Texas:
Further hmmm.Further hmmm.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of politics from the nation’s capital. We are now officially less than one year away from election day 2020 and less than 100 days until the Iowa caucuses. Let that sink in.Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of politics from the nation’s capital. We are now officially less than one year away from election day 2020 and less than 100 days until the Iowa caucuses. Let that sink in.
The House is on recess this week but the committees investigating impeachment remain in Washington to move forward with the inquiry over Donald Trump’s handling of military aid to Ukraine.The House is on recess this week but the committees investigating impeachment remain in Washington to move forward with the inquiry over Donald Trump’s handling of military aid to Ukraine.
There are four witnesses – all political appointees – scheduled for depositions today, but it remains unclear if they’ll show up in defiance of White House orders not to cooperate in the Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.There are four witnesses – all political appointees – scheduled for depositions today, but it remains unclear if they’ll show up in defiance of White House orders not to cooperate in the Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.
The witnesses include Robert Blair, an assistant to the president and senior adviser to Trump’s acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, Brian McCormack, the associate director for natural resources at the Office of Management and Budget; and White House attorneys John Eisenberg and Michael Ellis.The witnesses include Robert Blair, an assistant to the president and senior adviser to Trump’s acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, Brian McCormack, the associate director for natural resources at the Office of Management and Budget; and White House attorneys John Eisenberg and Michael Ellis.
Trump has a busy day. At 11.45am he meets with the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, in the Oval Office. Later in the afternoon, he hosts the 2019 World Series Champions, the Washington Nationals, on the South Lawn. Then the president departs for Lexington, Kentucky, where he will speak at a campaign rally ahead of the state’s gubernatorial elections on Tuesday.Trump has a busy day. At 11.45am he meets with the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, in the Oval Office. Later in the afternoon, he hosts the 2019 World Series Champions, the Washington Nationals, on the South Lawn. Then the president departs for Lexington, Kentucky, where he will speak at a campaign rally ahead of the state’s gubernatorial elections on Tuesday.
Trump has also already started to tweet, and judging the time between when he stopped sending missives last night until he started up again this morning – the president isn’t operating on much sleep.Trump has also already started to tweet, and judging the time between when he stopped sending missives last night until he started up again this morning – the president isn’t operating on much sleep.
This morning Trump began by reviving the intrigue around an executive tweet early in his presidency that was the subject of much discussion among Washington insiders: “covfefe”. Here Trump playfully suggests the tweet “may be something with deep meaning”.This morning Trump began by reviving the intrigue around an executive tweet early in his presidency that was the subject of much discussion among Washington insiders: “covfefe”. Here Trump playfully suggests the tweet “may be something with deep meaning”.
Returning to a more familiar subject, Trump fired off a blitz of tweets railing against the Ukraine scandal and the anonymous whistleblower who touched off the investigation.Returning to a more familiar subject, Trump fired off a blitz of tweets railing against the Ukraine scandal and the anonymous whistleblower who touched off the investigation.
Though multiple witnesses have confirmed key elements of the whistleblower complaint regarding a call between Trump and the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy – and not to mention that it also matches the rough transcript of the call released by the White House – Trump has stepped up his attacks on the whistleblower, demanding the identity be revealed. He also again slapped down an offer by the whistleblower’s lawyers to answers written questions from Republican members of Congress, an effort to show the person’s willingness to cooperate.Though multiple witnesses have confirmed key elements of the whistleblower complaint regarding a call between Trump and the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy – and not to mention that it also matches the rough transcript of the call released by the White House – Trump has stepped up his attacks on the whistleblower, demanding the identity be revealed. He also again slapped down an offer by the whistleblower’s lawyers to answers written questions from Republican members of Congress, an effort to show the person’s willingness to cooperate.
And he couldn’t help but to brag about his standing within the Republican party, which was on display last week as the GOP kept a united front against a resolution formally launching the investigation.And he couldn’t help but to brag about his standing within the Republican party, which was on display last week as the GOP kept a united front against a resolution formally launching the investigation.