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| Mick Mulvaney drops impeachment lawsuit but will not comply with House subpoena – live | Mick Mulvaney drops impeachment lawsuit but will not comply with House subpoena – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The acting White House chief of staff had asked a judge to rule on whether he was obliged to appear before the House intelligence committee | The acting White House chief of staff had asked a judge to rule on whether he was obliged to appear before the House intelligence committee |
| Mark Sanford’s announcement that he would suspend his campaign to challenge Trump in the Republican presidential primary comes just two months after the former South Carolina governor launched his bid. | |
| The Charleston Post and Courier has more: | |
| Mark Sanford, the former South Carolina governor and congressman who intended to challenge Trump in the Republican presidential primary, is suspending his campaign. | |
| Calling his decision a “casualty of the impeachment process,” Sanford said there is “no appetite on the right for a nuanced conversation on the fiscal deficit.” | |
| Nikki Haley, Trump’s former UN ambassador, defended the president’s honesty and criticized the impeachment inquiry during a “Today” show interview about her newly released book. | Nikki Haley, Trump’s former UN ambassador, defended the president’s honesty and criticized the impeachment inquiry during a “Today” show interview about her newly released book. |
| “In every instance that I dealt with him, he was truthful, he listened and he was great to work with,” Haley said. “I never had any concerns on whether he could handle the job ever.” In fact, Trump has told thousands of falsehoods and misstatements since taking office. | “In every instance that I dealt with him, he was truthful, he listened and he was great to work with,” Haley said. “I never had any concerns on whether he could handle the job ever.” In fact, Trump has told thousands of falsehoods and misstatements since taking office. |
| Haley also argued against the House impeachment inquiry, asserting Democrats should allow the 2020 election to settle the matter. | Haley also argued against the House impeachment inquiry, asserting Democrats should allow the 2020 election to settle the matter. |
| “The other side of this is we are less than a year away from the election,” Haley said. “Instead, let the people decide. Let them hear the testimony, that’s fine, but let them decide.” | “The other side of this is we are less than a year away from the election,” Haley said. “Instead, let the people decide. Let them hear the testimony, that’s fine, but let them decide.” |
| And Haley stood by her claim that former secretary of state Rex Tillerson tried to undermine Trump’s decisions while running the state department, which Tillerson has vigorously denied. | And Haley stood by her claim that former secretary of state Rex Tillerson tried to undermine Trump’s decisions while running the state department, which Tillerson has vigorously denied. |
| Michael Bloomberg has officially filed to appear on Arkansas’ Democratic presidential primary ballot, the latest sign he is preparing to launch a White House bid. | Michael Bloomberg has officially filed to appear on Arkansas’ Democratic presidential primary ballot, the latest sign he is preparing to launch a White House bid. |
| The billionaire and former New York mayor has also filed paperwork to appear on the ballot in Alabama, another Super Tuesday state. Bloomberg’s advisers have said he intends to skip campaigning in the four states that vote first (Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina). | The billionaire and former New York mayor has also filed paperwork to appear on the ballot in Alabama, another Super Tuesday state. Bloomberg’s advisers have said he intends to skip campaigning in the four states that vote first (Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina). |
| However, those backing other candidates in the Democratic primary argue it is too late to launch a bid, considering other contenders have been campaigning for months. | However, those backing other candidates in the Democratic primary argue it is too late to launch a bid, considering other contenders have been campaigning for months. |
| Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney has abandoned his effort to seek a judge’s ruling on whether to comply with a congressional subpoena in the impeachment inquiry. | Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney has abandoned his effort to seek a judge’s ruling on whether to comply with a congressional subpoena in the impeachment inquiry. |
| Mulvaney had initially sought to join the lawsuit filed by Charles Kuppermen, the former deputy to John Bolton at the national security council. But Kupperman’s lawyer argued Mulvaney’s central role at the White House conflicted with his request to join the lawsuit. | Mulvaney had initially sought to join the lawsuit filed by Charles Kuppermen, the former deputy to John Bolton at the national security council. But Kupperman’s lawyer argued Mulvaney’s central role at the White House conflicted with his request to join the lawsuit. |
| The acting chief of staff weighed filing his own lawsuit, but Mulvaney’s lawyers have now said he will follow Trump’s guidance and not comply with the subpoena. | The acting chief of staff weighed filing his own lawsuit, but Mulvaney’s lawyers have now said he will follow Trump’s guidance and not comply with the subpoena. |
| “Mr. Mulvaney does not intend to pursue litigation regarding the deposition subpoena issued to him by the U.S. House of Representatives. Rather, he will rely on the direction of the President, as supported by an opinion of the Office of Legal Counsel of the U.S. Department of Justice, in not appearing for the relevant deposition,” Mulvaney’s lawyers said in a court filing. | “Mr. Mulvaney does not intend to pursue litigation regarding the deposition subpoena issued to him by the U.S. House of Representatives. Rather, he will rely on the direction of the President, as supported by an opinion of the Office of Legal Counsel of the U.S. Department of Justice, in not appearing for the relevant deposition,” Mulvaney’s lawyers said in a court filing. |
| Reporters have obtained a schedule of the first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry, which will be gaveled in at 10 a.m. E.T. tomorrow. | Reporters have obtained a schedule of the first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry, which will be gaveled in at 10 a.m. E.T. tomorrow. |
| The chairman of the House intelligence committee, Adam Schiff, and the ranking member, Devin Nunes, will be allowed extended questioning before other members are given the chance to speak. | The chairman of the House intelligence committee, Adam Schiff, and the ranking member, Devin Nunes, will be allowed extended questioning before other members are given the chance to speak. |
| The schedule also interestingly notes that Democratic members will use screens to display portions of transcripts, social media posts and text messages. | The schedule also interestingly notes that Democratic members will use screens to display portions of transcripts, social media posts and text messages. |
| Former president Jimmy Carter is now recovering from a surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, the Carter Center said in a statement. | Former president Jimmy Carter is now recovering from a surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, the Carter Center said in a statement. |
| The center said that there were “no complications from the surgery,” and another update is not expected until after the former president is released from Emory University Hospital. | The center said that there were “no complications from the surgery,” and another update is not expected until after the former president is released from Emory University Hospital. |
| The center announced last night that Carter, 95, had been admitted to the hospital to “relieve pressure on his brain, caused by bleeding due to his recent falls.” Carter has fallen twice in recent weeks. | The center announced last night that Carter, 95, had been admitted to the hospital to “relieve pressure on his brain, caused by bleeding due to his recent falls.” Carter has fallen twice in recent weeks. |
| Adam Schiff told the House intelligence committee in his memo on the public impeachment hearings that additional witnesses would be announced later this week. | Adam Schiff told the House intelligence committee in his memo on the public impeachment hearings that additional witnesses would be announced later this week. |
| On the subject of whether Republicans’ witness requests would be granted, the chairman said, “The Committee is evaluating the Minority’s requested witnesses and will give due consideration to witnesses within the scope of the impeachment inquiry.” | On the subject of whether Republicans’ witness requests would be granted, the chairman said, “The Committee is evaluating the Minority’s requested witnesses and will give due consideration to witnesses within the scope of the impeachment inquiry.” |
| However, Schiff warned there could be severe consequences if any member attempts to name the whistleblower whose complaint kicked off the Ukraine controversy. | However, Schiff warned there could be severe consequences if any member attempts to name the whistleblower whose complaint kicked off the Ukraine controversy. |
| “The Committee has a long, proud, and bipartisan history of protecting whistleblowers—including from efforts to threaten, intimidate, retaliate against, or undermine the confidentiality of whistleblowers,” Schiff’s memo reads. | “The Committee has a long, proud, and bipartisan history of protecting whistleblowers—including from efforts to threaten, intimidate, retaliate against, or undermine the confidentiality of whistleblowers,” Schiff’s memo reads. |
| “[T]he Code of Official Conduct for Members of Congress requires that every Member ‘shall behave at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House.’ The Committee on Ethics has historically viewed this provision as ‘encompassing violations of law and abuses of one’s official position.’” | “[T]he Code of Official Conduct for Members of Congress requires that every Member ‘shall behave at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House.’ The Committee on Ethics has historically viewed this provision as ‘encompassing violations of law and abuses of one’s official position.’” |
| Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, has released a memo outlining procedures for the public impeachment hearings that begin tomorrow. | Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, has released a memo outlining procedures for the public impeachment hearings that begin tomorrow. |
| “The House’s inquiry into whether grounds exist for President Trump’s impeachment has been, and will continue to be, a sober and rigorous undertaking,” Schiff’s memo reads. “The hearings will be conducted in a manner that ensures that all participants are treated fairly and with respect, mindful of the solemn and historic task before us. ... | “The House’s inquiry into whether grounds exist for President Trump’s impeachment has been, and will continue to be, a sober and rigorous undertaking,” Schiff’s memo reads. “The hearings will be conducted in a manner that ensures that all participants are treated fairly and with respect, mindful of the solemn and historic task before us. ... |
| “These procedures are consistent with those governing prior impeachment proceedings and mirror those used under Republican and Democratic House leadership for decades.” | “These procedures are consistent with those governing prior impeachment proceedings and mirror those used under Republican and Democratic House leadership for decades.” |
| Republicans have criticized the procedures outlined in the resolution passed by the House late last month, but speaker Nancy Pelosi has said the measure offered “more privileges to the president and his argument than were given in the past.” | Republicans have criticized the procedures outlined in the resolution passed by the House late last month, but speaker Nancy Pelosi has said the measure offered “more privileges to the president and his argument than were given in the past.” |
| The Supreme Court has ruled that a lawsuit against the gun manufacturer Remington Arms, which was brought by families affected by the 2012 mass shooting in Newtown, can move forward. | The Supreme Court has ruled that a lawsuit against the gun manufacturer Remington Arms, which was brought by families affected by the 2012 mass shooting in Newtown, can move forward. |
| The decision is a defeat for Remington, the company that produced the semi-automatic rifle used in the attack. | The decision is a defeat for Remington, the company that produced the semi-automatic rifle used in the attack. |
| The AP has more: | The AP has more: |
| People have already started to gather outside the Supreme Court in anticipation of the hearing on Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. | People have already started to gather outside the Supreme Court in anticipation of the hearing on Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. |
| Trump was defending his decision earlier this morning, claiming on Twitter that some DACA recipients were “very tough, hardened criminals.” However, a CNN anchor pointed out that was not the case. | Trump was defending his decision earlier this morning, claiming on Twitter that some DACA recipients were “very tough, hardened criminals.” However, a CNN anchor pointed out that was not the case. |
| Trump’s team of advisers have reportedly been increasingly at odds as they argue about how to best push back against House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry. | Trump’s team of advisers have reportedly been increasingly at odds as they argue about how to best push back against House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry. |
| The Washington Post reports: | The Washington Post reports: |
| This infighting could complicate the White House’s response strategy to the public hearings in the impeachment inquiry, which begin tomorrow. | This infighting could complicate the White House’s response strategy to the public hearings in the impeachment inquiry, which begin tomorrow. |
| Good morning, live blog readers! | Good morning, live blog readers! |
| Washington is now just one day away from a major event that could determine the future of Donald Trump’s presidency: the start of public hearings in the House impeachment inquiry. | Washington is now just one day away from a major event that could determine the future of Donald Trump’s presidency: the start of public hearings in the House impeachment inquiry. |
| Democrats have continuously argued the president and his allies pressured Ukrainian officials to announce investigations into Joe Biden and the 2016 election as the country’s military aid was held up. | Democrats have continuously argued the president and his allies pressured Ukrainian officials to announce investigations into Joe Biden and the 2016 election as the country’s military aid was held up. |
| Now, Republicans are unifying around the counterargument they will use to push back against Democrats’ accusations. According to a memo obtained by Axios, Republican lawmakers will make these four points during the hearings: | Now, Republicans are unifying around the counterargument they will use to push back against Democrats’ accusations. According to a memo obtained by Axios, Republican lawmakers will make these four points during the hearings: |
| As Axios points out, the memo does not touch on the fact that several senior officials within the Trump administration have now testified to the existence of a months-long pressure campaign on Ukraine. | As Axios points out, the memo does not touch on the fact that several senior officials within the Trump administration have now testified to the existence of a months-long pressure campaign on Ukraine. |
| The hearings will give the American public the first chance to hear those details directly from the witnesses themselves, so the question now seems: will Republican voters continue to listen to the lawmakers (and the president) they elected, or will they believe the longtime civil servants testifying to that pressure campaign? The answer will determine public opinion of the impeachment inquiry moving forward. | The hearings will give the American public the first chance to hear those details directly from the witnesses themselves, so the question now seems: will Republican voters continue to listen to the lawmakers (and the president) they elected, or will they believe the longtime civil servants testifying to that pressure campaign? The answer will determine public opinion of the impeachment inquiry moving forward. |
| Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on: | Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on: |
| The Supreme Court will hold a hearing on whether the president’s decision to wind down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy was lawful. | The Supreme Court will hold a hearing on whether the president’s decision to wind down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy was lawful. |
| Trump is still in Manhattan, where he will speak to the Economic Club of New York at 12 p.m. E.T. and then attend a fundraiser. | Trump is still in Manhattan, where he will speak to the Economic Club of New York at 12 p.m. E.T. and then attend a fundraiser. |
| The president’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, will continue his book tour at Washington’s Trump International Hotel at 6 p.m. E.T. | The president’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, will continue his book tour at Washington’s Trump International Hotel at 6 p.m. E.T. |
| That’s all still coming up, so stay tuned. | That’s all still coming up, so stay tuned. |