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Michael Bloomberg reportedly preparing for presidential run – live Michael Bloomberg reportedly preparing for presidential run – live
(30 minutes later)
Billionaire former New York mayor expected to file paperwork designating himself as a Democratic candidate next weekBillionaire former New York mayor expected to file paperwork designating himself as a Democratic candidate next week
In a series of tweets, John Kasich said won’t running for president. The Republican former governor of Ohio said, “At this point, I continue to believe that, for me, there’s no clear path to prevail that I can see.”
“I’m not going to push my supporters, my friends, my family to do something that I don’t think will result in success at this point,” he said.
Donald Trump responds to $2m fine: ‘No wonder why we are all leaving!’
The president, and now ex-New Yorker was ordered by a judge to pay $2m in damages for illegally diverting funds from his charity to his 2016 presidential election campaign.
Still, per his statement, Trump will be complying. In a statement, he said he’s “happy to donate $2 million” to “worthy charities”.
This is exactly what Justice Saliann Scarpulla ordered the Trump family to do as part of a settlement with the New York state attorney general’s office after “persistent” violations” of law and “repeated and willful self-dealing”.
Bernie on Bloomberg: ‘The billionaire class is scared’Bernie on Bloomberg: ‘The billionaire class is scared’
Like fellow progressive 2020 candidate Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders has responded to news the Michael Bloomberg may be entering the 2020 race with a bring-it-on attitude.Like fellow progressive 2020 candidate Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders has responded to news the Michael Bloomberg may be entering the 2020 race with a bring-it-on attitude.
Sanders’ campaign manager Faiz Shakir also said, in a statement: “More billionaires seeking more political power surely isn’t the change America needs.”Sanders’ campaign manager Faiz Shakir also said, in a statement: “More billionaires seeking more political power surely isn’t the change America needs.”
It’s still unclear whether the former New York mayor and billionaire businessman will enter the 2020 primaries. He’s expected to file paperwork this week to enter the primary in Alabama, which has an early deadline.It’s still unclear whether the former New York mayor and billionaire businessman will enter the 2020 primaries. He’s expected to file paperwork this week to enter the primary in Alabama, which has an early deadline.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Warren has upped her trolling. Her tax calculator for billionaires now features quick links for Bloomberg as well as Bill Gates and Leon Cooperman.Meanwhile, Elizabeth Warren has upped her trolling. Her tax calculator for billionaires now features quick links for Bloomberg as well as Bill Gates and Leon Cooperman.
The Guardian’s Tom McCarthy (my live-blogging buddy today) has some more in-depth analysis from the testimony of State Department official George Kent. Kent, who was responsible for Ukraine policy, provides new details on the reactions inside the State Department to Rudy Giuliani’s meddling:The Guardian’s Tom McCarthy (my live-blogging buddy today) has some more in-depth analysis from the testimony of State Department official George Kent. Kent, who was responsible for Ukraine policy, provides new details on the reactions inside the State Department to Rudy Giuliani’s meddling:
Elizabeth Warren welcomes Michael Bloomberg to the 2020 race, with the utmost sincerity:Elizabeth Warren welcomes Michael Bloomberg to the 2020 race, with the utmost sincerity:
George Kent, the senior State Department official responsible for Ukraine policy testified that Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani “had been carrying on a campaign for several months full of lies and incorrect information,” and his “assertions and allegations against former” Ukraine ambassador Marie Yovanovitch “were without basis, untrue, period”.George Kent, the senior State Department official responsible for Ukraine policy testified that Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani “had been carrying on a campaign for several months full of lies and incorrect information,” and his “assertions and allegations against former” Ukraine ambassador Marie Yovanovitch “were without basis, untrue, period”.
According to the testimony released today, Kent unsuccessfully pressed the State Department to issue a “clear statement of support for Ambassador Yovanovitch” after a series of “falsehoods” and “tweets by members of the Presidential family.”According to the testimony released today, Kent unsuccessfully pressed the State Department to issue a “clear statement of support for Ambassador Yovanovitch” after a series of “falsehoods” and “tweets by members of the Presidential family.”
Yovanovitch, who was herself deposed in the House democrats impeachment inquiry, said she ambassador Yovanovitch says she was told to tweet praise of the president to save her job.Yovanovitch, who was herself deposed in the House democrats impeachment inquiry, said she ambassador Yovanovitch says she was told to tweet praise of the president to save her job.
Bloomberg is preparing to enter the Democratic presidential primary, the New York Times reports. He’s expected to file paperwork designating himself as a candidate in Alabama this week.Bloomberg is preparing to enter the Democratic presidential primary, the New York Times reports. He’s expected to file paperwork designating himself as a candidate in Alabama this week.
From the Times:From the Times:
The billionaire businessman with centrist politics has — like some other billionaire businessmen — expressed skepticism at the policies of progressive front-runners Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.The billionaire businessman with centrist politics has — like some other billionaire businessmen — expressed skepticism at the policies of progressive front-runners Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.
Here’s a summary of where things stand:Here’s a summary of where things stand:
A judge in New York orders Donald Trump to pay $2 million for misusing his charitable foundation.A judge in New York orders Donald Trump to pay $2 million for misusing his charitable foundation.
In testimony newly released Thursday, longtime foreign service officer George Kent said Trump wanted the Ukrainian president to say three words – “investigation”, “Biden” and “Clinton” – to hold up Ukraine’s end of a bargain whose terms were unclear to Kent.In testimony newly released Thursday, longtime foreign service officer George Kent said Trump wanted the Ukrainian president to say three words – “investigation”, “Biden” and “Clinton” – to hold up Ukraine’s end of a bargain whose terms were unclear to Kent.
A senior aide on the campaign of billionaire Tom Steyer in Iowa has been offering money for endorsements, the AP reported.A senior aide on the campaign of billionaire Tom Steyer in Iowa has been offering money for endorsements, the AP reported.
Intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff told Republicans they have until Saturday to suggest impeachment witnesses.Intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff told Republicans they have until Saturday to suggest impeachment witnesses.
Schiff laid out “inquiry parameters” that read to some like draft articles of impeachment.Schiff laid out “inquiry parameters” that read to some like draft articles of impeachment.
No 1: “Did the President request that a foreign leader and government initiate investigations to benefit the President’s personal political interests in the United States, including an investigation related to the President’s political rival and potential opponent in the 2020 U.S. presidential election?”No 1: “Did the President request that a foreign leader and government initiate investigations to benefit the President’s personal political interests in the United States, including an investigation related to the President’s political rival and potential opponent in the 2020 U.S. presidential election?”
Former national security adviser John Bolton did not show up for a scheduled deposition before the committees.Former national security adviser John Bolton did not show up for a scheduled deposition before the committees.
Trump repeatedly attacked reports that attorney general William Barr refused his request to go on television and say there was nothing illegal about a July call between Trump and Ukraine.Trump repeatedly attacked reports that attorney general William Barr refused his request to go on television and say there was nothing illegal about a July call between Trump and Ukraine.
Donald Trump has been talking with his TV producer pals about life after the presidency and there might be an Apprentice: White House.Donald Trump has been talking with his TV producer pals about life after the presidency and there might be an Apprentice: White House.
Pence aide Jennifer Williams, who testified earlier today, told impeachment investigators that she found a 25 July call between Trump and the Ukrainian president to be “unusual because it was political in nature,” according to a CNN report citing two sources familiar with the testimony.Pence aide Jennifer Williams, who testified earlier today, told impeachment investigators that she found a 25 July call between Trump and the Ukrainian president to be “unusual because it was political in nature,” according to a CNN report citing two sources familiar with the testimony.
But Williams did not shed light on what Pence might have known about the Ukraine plot, CNN reports:But Williams did not shed light on what Pence might have known about the Ukraine plot, CNN reports:
Yes, that gentleman who accompanied Pence aide Jennifer Williams to her deposition earlier was in fact exceptionally tall, the internet reveals:Yes, that gentleman who accompanied Pence aide Jennifer Williams to her deposition earlier was in fact exceptionally tall, the internet reveals:
Kent’s testimony nails down the broad planks of Trump’s plot in Ukraine familiar from previous testimony: Giuliani and diplomats, especially Sondland and Volker, were chasing Ukraine to announce investigations into Biden, the discovery of which shocked career diplomats as much as did the announcement that “the acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, at the direction of the President had put a hold on all security assistance to the Ukraine.”Kent’s testimony nails down the broad planks of Trump’s plot in Ukraine familiar from previous testimony: Giuliani and diplomats, especially Sondland and Volker, were chasing Ukraine to announce investigations into Biden, the discovery of which shocked career diplomats as much as did the announcement that “the acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, at the direction of the President had put a hold on all security assistance to the Ukraine.”
Notably, Kent turned on his boss, secretary of state Mike Pompeo, after Pompeo sent what Kent thought was an inaccurate letter accusing Congress of attempting to bully, intimidate, and threaten career foreign service officers.Notably, Kent turned on his boss, secretary of state Mike Pompeo, after Pompeo sent what Kent thought was an inaccurate letter accusing Congress of attempting to bully, intimidate, and threaten career foreign service officers.
“And I was one of two career foreign service officers which had received letters from the committees, and I had not felt bullied, threatened, and intimidated,” Kent said. He notified top state department lawyers and the director of the foreign service that what Pompeo said was wrong.“And I was one of two career foreign service officers which had received letters from the committees, and I had not felt bullied, threatened, and intimidated,” Kent said. He notified top state department lawyers and the director of the foreign service that what Pompeo said was wrong.
Finally, Kent documented the Trump plot unfolding in Ukraine at the time, with a 16 August memo. “I wrote a note to the file saying that I had concerns that there was an effort to initiate politically motivated prosecutions that were injurious to the rule of law, both Ukraine and the U.S,” Kent said.Finally, Kent documented the Trump plot unfolding in Ukraine at the time, with a 16 August memo. “I wrote a note to the file saying that I had concerns that there was an effort to initiate politically motivated prosecutions that were injurious to the rule of law, both Ukraine and the U.S,” Kent said.
Here are top lines from the Kent testimony, as selected by the committees:Here are top lines from the Kent testimony, as selected by the committees:
Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch was recalled because Rudy Giuliani, Lev Parnas, Igor Fruman, and others “started reaching out actively to undermine Ambassador Yovanovitch.”Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch was recalled because Rudy Giuliani, Lev Parnas, Igor Fruman, and others “started reaching out actively to undermine Ambassador Yovanovitch.”
Yuriy Lutsenko made a private trip to New York to meet with Rudy Giuliani in order to “throw mud” at State Department officials, including Mr. Kent and Ambassador Yovanovitch.Yuriy Lutsenko made a private trip to New York to meet with Rudy Giuliani in order to “throw mud” at State Department officials, including Mr. Kent and Ambassador Yovanovitch.
Mr. Giuliani was “almost unmissable” as the “campaign of slander” against Ambassador Yovanovitch and others unfolded in Ukraine and the United States.Mr. Giuliani was “almost unmissable” as the “campaign of slander” against Ambassador Yovanovitch and others unfolded in Ukraine and the United States.
The State Department reached “the breaking point of our disillusionment with Yuriy Lutsenko,” the Ukrainian prosecutor general, when they discovered he was “essentially colluding with a corrupt official” to undermine a legitimate investigation into fake passports.The State Department reached “the breaking point of our disillusionment with Yuriy Lutsenko,” the Ukrainian prosecutor general, when they discovered he was “essentially colluding with a corrupt official” to undermine a legitimate investigation into fake passports.
Mr. Kent unsuccessfully pressed the State Department to issue a “clear statement of support for Ambassador Yovanovitch” after a series of “falsehoods” and “Tweets by members of the Presidential family.”Mr. Kent unsuccessfully pressed the State Department to issue a “clear statement of support for Ambassador Yovanovitch” after a series of “falsehoods” and “Tweets by members of the Presidential family.”
Ambassador Gordon Sondland suggested that Ambassador Yovanovitch “do a video or tweet declaring full support for the foreign policy of President Trump.”Ambassador Gordon Sondland suggested that Ambassador Yovanovitch “do a video or tweet declaring full support for the foreign policy of President Trump.”
The United States “had our Ambassador just removed through actions by corrupt Ukrainians in Ukraine as well as private American citizens back here.”The United States “had our Ambassador just removed through actions by corrupt Ukrainians in Ukraine as well as private American citizens back here.”
Rudy Giuliani “had been carrying on a campaign for several months full of lies and incorrect information,” and his “assertions and allegations against former Ambassador Yovanovitch were without basis, untrue, period.”Rudy Giuliani “had been carrying on a campaign for several months full of lies and incorrect information,” and his “assertions and allegations against former Ambassador Yovanovitch were without basis, untrue, period.”
After Rudy Giuliani attacked Ambassador Taylor, Under Secretary of State David Hale warned him to “keep my head down and lower my profile in Ukraine.”After Rudy Giuliani attacked Ambassador Taylor, Under Secretary of State David Hale warned him to “keep my head down and lower my profile in Ukraine.”
Ambassador Kurt Volker, Ambassador Sondland, and Energy Secretary Rick Perry asserted that they “had the mandate to take the lead on coordinating efforts to engage the new Ukrainian leadership.”Ambassador Kurt Volker, Ambassador Sondland, and Energy Secretary Rick Perry asserted that they “had the mandate to take the lead on coordinating efforts to engage the new Ukrainian leadership.”
Ambassador Volker had a private discussion with President Zelensky “to underscore the importance of the messaging that Zelensky needed to provide to President Trump about his willingness to be cooperative.”Ambassador Volker had a private discussion with President Zelensky “to underscore the importance of the messaging that Zelensky needed to provide to President Trump about his willingness to be cooperative.”
Ambassador Volker said “he planned to start reaching out to” Rudy Giuliani because “it was clear that the former mayor had influence on the President in terms of the way the President thought of Ukraine.”Ambassador Volker said “he planned to start reaching out to” Rudy Giuliani because “it was clear that the former mayor had influence on the President in terms of the way the President thought of Ukraine.”
Ambassador Volker was “thinking tactically” about interacting with Rudy Giuliani, but Mr. Kent was “concerned strategically.”Ambassador Volker was “thinking tactically” about interacting with Rudy Giuliani, but Mr. Kent was “concerned strategically.”
There was “great confusion” during a call on July 18, 2019, when an OMB official announced that “the acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, at the direction of the President had put a hold on all security assistance to the Ukraine.”There was “great confusion” during a call on July 18, 2019, when an OMB official announced that “the acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, at the direction of the President had put a hold on all security assistance to the Ukraine.”
After the call between Presidents Trump and Zelensky on July 25, 2019, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was “uncomfortable” and said “he could not share the majority of what was discussed because of the very sensitive nature of what was discussed.”After the call between Presidents Trump and Zelensky on July 25, 2019, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was “uncomfortable” and said “he could not share the majority of what was discussed because of the very sensitive nature of what was discussed.”
In August 2019, Mr. Kent had “growing concerns that individuals were pushing communications with Ukrainians that had not been discussed and endorsed in the formal policy process.”In August 2019, Mr. Kent had “growing concerns that individuals were pushing communications with Ukrainians that had not been discussed and endorsed in the formal policy process.”
With respect to President Trump’s request that Ukraine investigate former Vice President Biden, Mr. Kent stated: “I do not believe the U.S. should ask other countries to engage in politically associated investigations and prosecutions.”With respect to President Trump’s request that Ukraine investigate former Vice President Biden, Mr. Kent stated: “I do not believe the U.S. should ask other countries to engage in politically associated investigations and prosecutions.”
Asking Ukraine to investigate someone for political reasons “goes against everything that we are trying to promote in post-Soviet states for the last 28 years, which is the promotion of the rule of law.”Asking Ukraine to investigate someone for political reasons “goes against everything that we are trying to promote in post-Soviet states for the last 28 years, which is the promotion of the rule of law.”
After Ambassador Volker raised with a senior aide to President Zelensky that President Trump and Rudy Giuliani were interested in initiating investigations, Mr. Kent said, “that’s wrong, and we shouldn’t be doing that as a matter of U.S. policy.”After Ambassador Volker raised with a senior aide to President Zelensky that President Trump and Rudy Giuliani were interested in initiating investigations, Mr. Kent said, “that’s wrong, and we shouldn’t be doing that as a matter of U.S. policy.”
In August 16, 2019, Mr. Kent memorialized these conversations in a memorandum, in which he expressed “concerns that there was an effort to initiate politically motivated prosecutions that were injurious to the rule of law, both Ukraine and U.S.”In August 16, 2019, Mr. Kent memorialized these conversations in a memorandum, in which he expressed “concerns that there was an effort to initiate politically motivated prosecutions that were injurious to the rule of law, both Ukraine and U.S.”
In September 2019, according to Ambassador Sondland, “POTUS wanted nothing less than President Zelensky to go to microphone and say investigations, Biden, and Clinton.”In September 2019, according to Ambassador Sondland, “POTUS wanted nothing less than President Zelensky to go to microphone and say investigations, Biden, and Clinton.”
Ambassador Sondland was “pushing” for President Zelensky to “send a public signal of announcing a willingness to pursue investigations” in order to “clear the way for both the White House visit as well as the resumption or the clearing of the administrative hold on security assistance,” despite claims by Mr. Morrison and Mr. Sondland that they did not believe the issues were “linked”.Ambassador Sondland was “pushing” for President Zelensky to “send a public signal of announcing a willingness to pursue investigations” in order to “clear the way for both the White House visit as well as the resumption or the clearing of the administrative hold on security assistance,” despite claims by Mr. Morrison and Mr. Sondland that they did not believe the issues were “linked”.
The State Department delayed in issuing internal instructions to collect documents in response to the Committees’ September 9 or September 23 letters, or the September 27 subpoena.The State Department delayed in issuing internal instructions to collect documents in response to the Committees’ September 9 or September 23 letters, or the September 27 subpoena.
On October 1, 2019, Mr. Kent alerted the Director General of the Foreign Service and the Acting Legal Adviser of the State Department that Secretary Pompeo’s letter to the Committees, sent earlier that day, was inaccurate.On October 1, 2019, Mr. Kent alerted the Director General of the Foreign Service and the Acting Legal Adviser of the State Department that Secretary Pompeo’s letter to the Committees, sent earlier that day, was inaccurate.
On October 3, 2019, Mr. Kent raised concerns with State Department officials about their delay in responding to the Committees’ subpoena and inaccuracies in Secretary Pompeo’s October 1, 2019, letter to the Committees.On October 3, 2019, Mr. Kent raised concerns with State Department officials about their delay in responding to the Committees’ subpoena and inaccuracies in Secretary Pompeo’s October 1, 2019, letter to the Committees.
Mr. Kent produced all relevant documents in his possession to the State Department.Mr. Kent produced all relevant documents in his possession to the State Department.
Schiff says Kent corroborates “numerous” other accounts... and he documented it.Schiff says Kent corroborates “numerous” other accounts... and he documented it.
The impeachment committees have released a transcript of the deposition of George P Kent, a deputy assistant secretary of state who was nominally in charge of Ukraine policy under Trump, but who soon found himself sidelined.The impeachment committees have released a transcript of the deposition of George P Kent, a deputy assistant secretary of state who was nominally in charge of Ukraine policy under Trump, but who soon found himself sidelined.
Kent is said to have objected strongly to the attack on ambassador Yovanovitch and to the use of an irregular policy channel led by Rudy Giuliani to lead US policy in the region.Kent is said to have objected strongly to the attack on ambassador Yovanovitch and to the use of an irregular policy channel led by Rudy Giuliani to lead US policy in the region.
The transcript is here. We’re reading it now.The transcript is here. We’re reading it now.