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| Trump-Ukraine scandal: Taylor transcript details direct quid pro quo via irregular channels – live | Trump-Ukraine scandal: Taylor transcript details direct quid pro quo via irregular channels – live |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| House has released the transcript of US diplomat Bill Taylor’s testimony, which describes the existence of a parallel foreign policy approach to Ukraine | House has released the transcript of US diplomat Bill Taylor’s testimony, which describes the existence of a parallel foreign policy approach to Ukraine |
| Elizabeth Warren is the Democratic frontrunner in Iowa, according to a new Quinnipiac poll, with Joe Biden in fourth place in the second poll in less than a week. | |
| Warren was at 20% in the poll, released on Wednesday, with Buttigieg second on 19% and Sanders in third place with 17%. The poll had an error margin of 4.5%. | |
| Biden was the choice of just 15% of respondents – unwelcome news for the former vice-president after a New York Times/Siena College poll also found him in fourth place on November 1. That survey also found Warren in the lead. | |
| Amy Klobuchar was at 5%, which qualifies her for the December Democrat debate, while Tulsi Gabbard got 4%, meaning she makes the stage in November. | |
| Turkey’s president Tayyip Erdogan will visit the White House next week, Donald Trump has announced. | Turkey’s president Tayyip Erdogan will visit the White House next week, Donald Trump has announced. |
| Erdogan, who has been widely condemned by the international community after launching a bloody assault on Kurdish forces in Syria, will travel to Washington on Wednesday, November 13. | Erdogan, who has been widely condemned by the international community after launching a bloody assault on Kurdish forces in Syria, will travel to Washington on Wednesday, November 13. |
| By a quirk of fate – or otherwise – the high profile visit will coincide with the first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry. | By a quirk of fate – or otherwise – the high profile visit will coincide with the first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry. |
| Turkey’s assault on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria – which came after Trump abruptly pulled out US forces – has been roundly criticized, including by a number of Republicans. | Turkey’s assault on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria – which came after Trump abruptly pulled out US forces – has been roundly criticized, including by a number of Republicans. |
| The Kurds had been crucial allies to the US in the fight against Isis. In October the House of Representatives, including a majority of Republicans, voted overwhelmingly to condemn Trump for the troop withdrawal. | The Kurds had been crucial allies to the US in the fight against Isis. In October the House of Representatives, including a majority of Republicans, voted overwhelmingly to condemn Trump for the troop withdrawal. |
| •There was a direct quid pro between the release of US military aid to Ukraine and a Ukrainian investigation into Joe and Hunter Biden, according to a transcript of the testimony by Bill Taylor, the US’s top diplomat in Ukraine. | •There was a direct quid pro between the release of US military aid to Ukraine and a Ukrainian investigation into Joe and Hunter Biden, according to a transcript of the testimony by Bill Taylor, the US’s top diplomat in Ukraine. |
| •Taylor told the House he had a “clear understanding security assistance money would not come until the President [of Ukraine] committed to pursue the investigation”. His account matches that of others who have testified in the impeachment inquiry. | •Taylor told the House he had a “clear understanding security assistance money would not come until the President [of Ukraine] committed to pursue the investigation”. His account matches that of others who have testified in the impeachment inquiry. |
| •Taylor’s testimony also supported accounts of a backchannel of communication between the White House and Ukraine. Taylor alleged that Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump’s lawyer, was keen for Volodymyr Zelenskiy to “say out loud” he would investigate the Bidens. | |
| •Adam Schiff, chair of the House intelligence committee, said Taylor’s testimony “reveals how, through a shadow foreign policy channel, Trump withheld military assistance and a White House meeting from Ukraine until Ukrainian officials agreed to announce investigations to help Trump politically”. | •Adam Schiff, chair of the House intelligence committee, said Taylor’s testimony “reveals how, through a shadow foreign policy channel, Trump withheld military assistance and a White House meeting from Ukraine until Ukrainian officials agreed to announce investigations to help Trump politically”. |
| Bill Taylor sent reams of information, including text messages, WhatsApp messages, and handwritten notes, to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in an attempt to draw attention to the withholding of US assistance to Ukraine, Taylor testified. | Bill Taylor sent reams of information, including text messages, WhatsApp messages, and handwritten notes, to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in an attempt to draw attention to the withholding of US assistance to Ukraine, Taylor testified. |
| According to three House committees conducting the impeachment inquiry, the State Department then refused to hand that over to investigators. | According to three House committees conducting the impeachment inquiry, the State Department then refused to hand that over to investigators. |
| Taylor said that he sent a cable to Pompeo – at the suggestion of since-fired national security advisor John Bolton – about “security assistance” to Ukraine. | Taylor said that he sent a cable to Pompeo – at the suggestion of since-fired national security advisor John Bolton – about “security assistance” to Ukraine. |
| Included in that cable, Taylor said, were texts he exchanged with US ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland and US special representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker: texts where Taylor asked whether the US paying military aid to Ukraine was dependent on Ukraine investigating the Bidens. Taylor said the cable also included WhatsApp messages and handwritten, “careful notes”. | Included in that cable, Taylor said, were texts he exchanged with US ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland and US special representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker: texts where Taylor asked whether the US paying military aid to Ukraine was dependent on Ukraine investigating the Bidens. Taylor said the cable also included WhatsApp messages and handwritten, “careful notes”. |
| In a document of excerpts of Taylor’s testimony, the House committees on Intelligence, Oversight and Reform, and Foreign Affairs noted: | In a document of excerpts of Taylor’s testimony, the House committees on Intelligence, Oversight and Reform, and Foreign Affairs noted: |
| “The State Department refused to produce to the Committees documents that Ambassador Taylor provided to the Department.” | “The State Department refused to produce to the Committees documents that Ambassador Taylor provided to the Department.” |
| This is the take from Adam Schiff, the chair of the House Intelligence Committee: | This is the take from Adam Schiff, the chair of the House Intelligence Committee: |
| No word from the White House yet. | No word from the White House yet. |
| In his testimony before the House, Bill Taylor said the idea “to get [Ukraine] President Zelensky to say out loud he’s going to investigate Burisma and 2016 election” came from Rudy Giuliani, acting on behalf of Donald Trump. | In his testimony before the House, Bill Taylor said the idea “to get [Ukraine] President Zelensky to say out loud he’s going to investigate Burisma and 2016 election” came from Rudy Giuliani, acting on behalf of Donald Trump. |
| (Thanks to Politico reporter Kyle Cheney for the screengrab): | (Thanks to Politico reporter Kyle Cheney for the screengrab): |
| Here is a key exchange from the released transcript, where Bill Taylor, the US’s top diplomat in Ukraine, describes how US military assistance funding was linked to a Ukrainian investigation of the Bidens. | Here is a key exchange from the released transcript, where Bill Taylor, the US’s top diplomat in Ukraine, describes how US military assistance funding was linked to a Ukrainian investigation of the Bidens. |
| Asked about whether the unfreezing of military aid to Ukraine depended on an investigation, Taylor said: | Asked about whether the unfreezing of military aid to Ukraine depended on an investigation, Taylor said: |
| “That was my clear understanding, security assistance money would not come until the President [of Ukraine] committed to pursue the investigation.” | “That was my clear understanding, security assistance money would not come until the President [of Ukraine] committed to pursue the investigation.” |
| Here’s the extract from the transcript. (Taylor is answering, House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff is the questioner): | Here’s the extract from the transcript. (Taylor is answering, House Intelligence Committee chair Adam Schiff is the questioner): |
| The House has released the transcript of US diplomat Bill Taylor’s testimony in the impeachment inquiry. | The House has released the transcript of US diplomat Bill Taylor’s testimony in the impeachment inquiry. |
| The transcript describes the existence of a parallel foreign policy approach to Ukraine, and supports the testimony of others that there was a direct quid pro quo in Trump’s demand that Ukraine investigate the Bidens. | The transcript describes the existence of a parallel foreign policy approach to Ukraine, and supports the testimony of others that there was a direct quid pro quo in Trump’s demand that Ukraine investigate the Bidens. |
| The transcript can be read in full here. | The transcript can be read in full here. |
| Key excerpts from the transcript can be read here. | Key excerpts from the transcript can be read here. |
| During Taylor’s hearing, he told the House there was a clear connection between the Trump administration releasing funding to Ukraine, and Ukraine investigating Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. | During Taylor’s hearing, he told the House there was a clear connection between the Trump administration releasing funding to Ukraine, and Ukraine investigating Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. |
| “That was my clear understanding, security assistance money would not come until the president [of Ukraine] committed to pursue the investigation,” Taylor said. | “That was my clear understanding, security assistance money would not come until the president [of Ukraine] committed to pursue the investigation,” Taylor said. |
| In a statement Rep Adam Schiff, Rep Eliot Engel and Rep Carolyn Maloney, the chairs of investigating committees, said: | In a statement Rep Adam Schiff, Rep Eliot Engel and Rep Carolyn Maloney, the chairs of investigating committees, said: |
| “The testimony of Ambassador Taylor—a West Point graduate, Vietnam veteran, and nonpartisan diplomat — shows how President Trump withheld military aid to Ukraine and conditioned its release, as well as a vital White House meeting, on the President of Ukraine publicly announcing investigations into debunked conspiracy theories involving the Bidens and the 2016 election.” | “The testimony of Ambassador Taylor—a West Point graduate, Vietnam veteran, and nonpartisan diplomat — shows how President Trump withheld military aid to Ukraine and conditioned its release, as well as a vital White House meeting, on the President of Ukraine publicly announcing investigations into debunked conspiracy theories involving the Bidens and the 2016 election.” |
| A federal judge has struck down a Trump administration rule that would have allowed health care providers to refuse to take part in procedures on religious grounds. | A federal judge has struck down a Trump administration rule that would have allowed health care providers to refuse to take part in procedures on religious grounds. |
| The rule, which had not yet gone into effect, would have let clinicians object to providing abortions and other services that conflict with their moral and religious beliefs. | The rule, which had not yet gone into effect, would have let clinicians object to providing abortions and other services that conflict with their moral and religious beliefs. |
| The decision came after 19 states, the District of Columbia, three local governments, health organizations and others sued the US Department of Health and Human Services. | The decision came after 19 states, the District of Columbia, three local governments, health organizations and others sued the US Department of Health and Human Services. |
| •Public impeachment hearings will begin next week, Adam Schiff announced. Bill Taylor, the US’s top diplomat in Ukraine, and George Kent, deputy assistant secretary of state, will testify on Wednesday. Marie Yovanovitch will appear on Friday. | •Public impeachment hearings will begin next week, Adam Schiff announced. Bill Taylor, the US’s top diplomat in Ukraine, and George Kent, deputy assistant secretary of state, will testify on Wednesday. Marie Yovanovitch will appear on Friday. |
| •The trial of Roger Stone, Donald Trump’s longtime advisor, is underway in DC. Stone is accused of obstructing justice, witness tampering, and lying under oath. The charges stem from Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. | •The trial of Roger Stone, Donald Trump’s longtime advisor, is underway in DC. Stone is accused of obstructing justice, witness tampering, and lying under oath. The charges stem from Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. |
| •Elizabeth Warren received a boost when Rep Ayanna Pressley, a high-profile member of “The Squad” endorsed her for president. In a video message, Pressley said Warren’s plans are “about power, who has it, who refuses to let it go, and who deserves more of it”. | •Elizabeth Warren received a boost when Rep Ayanna Pressley, a high-profile member of “The Squad” endorsed her for president. In a video message, Pressley said Warren’s plans are “about power, who has it, who refuses to let it go, and who deserves more of it”. |
| •Donald Trump’s EU envoy “fabricated” parts of his testimony in the impeachment inquiry, according to a lawyer for Fiona Hill, a former White House expert on Russia. Hill’s lawyer said Gordon Sondland invented a number of coffee meetings. Sondland changed other parts of his testimony on Tuesday. | •Donald Trump’s EU envoy “fabricated” parts of his testimony in the impeachment inquiry, according to a lawyer for Fiona Hill, a former White House expert on Russia. Hill’s lawyer said Gordon Sondland invented a number of coffee meetings. Sondland changed other parts of his testimony on Tuesday. |
| The prosecution is presenting opening arguments the Roger Stone trial in Washington DC – laying out a clear timeline regarding Stone’s actions, the publication of emails aiming to hurt the campaign of Hillary Clinton, and Stone’s alleged lying under oath to a congressional committee. | The prosecution is presenting opening arguments the Roger Stone trial in Washington DC – laying out a clear timeline regarding Stone’s actions, the publication of emails aiming to hurt the campaign of Hillary Clinton, and Stone’s alleged lying under oath to a congressional committee. |
| “We are here today because one man obstructed Congress’s investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election,” prosecutor Aaron Zelinsky told the jury. Zelinsky also said that Steve Bannon would be called to appear in court. | “We are here today because one man obstructed Congress’s investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election,” prosecutor Aaron Zelinsky told the jury. Zelinsky also said that Steve Bannon would be called to appear in court. |
| “Roger Stone started bragging that he was in touch with WikiLeaks,” Zelinsky said. | “Roger Stone started bragging that he was in touch with WikiLeaks,” Zelinsky said. |
| “Donald Trump was running for president of the United States against Hillary Clinton and the defendant thought those emails would help his friend, Trump, and hurt Clinton.” | “Donald Trump was running for president of the United States against Hillary Clinton and the defendant thought those emails would help his friend, Trump, and hurt Clinton.” |
| Zelinsky is arguing that Stone, after repeatedly saying he was speaking to Wikileaks, later sought to “cover up” his efforts. | Zelinsky is arguing that Stone, after repeatedly saying he was speaking to Wikileaks, later sought to “cover up” his efforts. |
| “Roger Stone repeatedly lied under oath to a congressional committee and then tampered with a witness to cover up his tracks.” | “Roger Stone repeatedly lied under oath to a congressional committee and then tampered with a witness to cover up his tracks.” |
| Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley has broken with The Squad... to endorse Elizabeth Warren for president. | Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley has broken with The Squad... to endorse Elizabeth Warren for president. |
| Pressley’s close House allies Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have all endorsed Bernie Sanders, but Pressley announced she would back Warren in a Twitter video this afternoon. | Pressley’s close House allies Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have all endorsed Bernie Sanders, but Pressley announced she would back Warren in a Twitter video this afternoon. |
| Pressley, like Warren, represents Massachusetts, and is now set to join Warren on the campaign trail on Thursday. | Pressley, like Warren, represents Massachusetts, and is now set to join Warren on the campaign trail on Thursday. |
| “You’ve all heard about the senator’s plans but here’s the thing: The plans are about power, who has it, who refuses to let it go, and who deserves more of it. For Elizabeth and for me power belongs in the hands of the people,” Pressley said. | “You’ve all heard about the senator’s plans but here’s the thing: The plans are about power, who has it, who refuses to let it go, and who deserves more of it. For Elizabeth and for me power belongs in the hands of the people,” Pressley said. |
| “That’s why she’s fighting for fundamental change that restores power to those who’ve been left behind, and centers those who’ve never had access to it in the first place.” | “That’s why she’s fighting for fundamental change that restores power to those who’ve been left behind, and centers those who’ve never had access to it in the first place.” |
| Reuters is reporting that a meeting between Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping to sign an interim trade deal could be delayed until December “as discussions continue over terms and venue.”US stock markets have hit record highs on suggestions that a trade deal is imminent, something Trump has been boasting about this week. They are now slipping back into the red. | Reuters is reporting that a meeting between Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping to sign an interim trade deal could be delayed until December “as discussions continue over terms and venue.”US stock markets have hit record highs on suggestions that a trade deal is imminent, something Trump has been boasting about this week. They are now slipping back into the red. |
| Donald Trump will travel to New York City next week, to kick off the city’s Veterans Day Parade. | Donald Trump will travel to New York City next week, to kick off the city’s Veterans Day Parade. |
| According to the White House, Trump will offer a tribute to veterans at the opening ceremony of Monday’s 100th annual parade. | According to the White House, Trump will offer a tribute to veterans at the opening ceremony of Monday’s 100th annual parade. |
| Trump has been roundly booed in larger cities recently – see the Washington Nationals-Houston Astros game – and he is far from popular in NYC. | Trump has been roundly booed in larger cities recently – see the Washington Nationals-Houston Astros game – and he is far from popular in NYC. |
| The president might see the Veterans Day ceremony as safer territory. But who knows. | The president might see the Veterans Day ceremony as safer territory. But who knows. |
| According to the White House, Trump will offer remarks then lay a wreath at the Eternal Light memorial in Madison Square Park. | According to the White House, Trump will offer remarks then lay a wreath at the Eternal Light memorial in Madison Square Park. |
| The trial of Roger Stone, a longtime advisor to Donald Trump, began this morning in Washington DC – a trial resulting from charges in Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. | The trial of Roger Stone, a longtime advisor to Donald Trump, began this morning in Washington DC – a trial resulting from charges in Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. |
| Stone has pleaded not guilty to charges of obstructing justice and witness tampering. He is also accused of lying to the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee about the Trump campaign’s efforts to obtain emails hacked by Russia, which were published by the Wikileaks website. | Stone has pleaded not guilty to charges of obstructing justice and witness tampering. He is also accused of lying to the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee about the Trump campaign’s efforts to obtain emails hacked by Russia, which were published by the Wikileaks website. |
| The Guardian’s David Smith – @SmithInAmerica – will be reporting and tweeting from court throughout the day. | The Guardian’s David Smith – @SmithInAmerica – will be reporting and tweeting from court throughout the day. |