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Donald Trump says US military presence in Syria 'only for the oil' – live Donald Trump says US military presence in Syria 'only for the oil' – live
(32 minutes later)
Bill Taylor and George Kent testify in first day of public impeachment inquiry – follow for live updatesBill Taylor and George Kent testify in first day of public impeachment inquiry – follow for live updates
Responding to a request by a group of Republican senators including Dick Durban of Illinois, acting inspector general Glenn Fine said he wouldn’t open an investigation that duplicates work being done by members of Congress leading the impeachment inquiry.
“We seek not to duplicate or interfere with the efforts of other oversight entities, even if there is not a criminal proceeding, before initiating our own investigation,” Fine said in a letter to Durbin.
After the impeachment inquiry closes, “we would again consider investigating such DoD matters that have not been sufficiently addressed”, Fine said.
Ginsberg missed oral arguments today due to a stomach bug, the high court announced.
“She is indisposed due to illness, but she will participate in the consideration and decision of the cases on the basis of the briefs and the transcripts or recordings of the oral arguments,” Chief Justice John Roberts said.
At 86, Ginsberg is the court’s oldest member. She leads the liberal wing of the court. In January, she missed oral arguments for the first time since taking office, as she was recovering from surgery.
The Supreme Court was hearing arguments today regarding two cases: Comcast Corporation v. National Association of African American-Owned Media and Ritzen Group, Inc. v. Jackson Masonry, LLC.
Ginsberg will still be able to weigh in on those cases, though she missed the chance to question attorneys today.
The president just said during his press conference with Turkey’s Erdogan that he can’t recall the reported phone call with European Union ambassador Gordon Sondland on July 26 that caused such a splash at the impeachment inquiry because it portrayed Trump as prioritizing efforts by Ukraine to investigate his political rivals over any other aspect of US-Ukraine relations.The president just said during his press conference with Turkey’s Erdogan that he can’t recall the reported phone call with European Union ambassador Gordon Sondland on July 26 that caused such a splash at the impeachment inquiry because it portrayed Trump as prioritizing efforts by Ukraine to investigate his political rivals over any other aspect of US-Ukraine relations.
Earlier today, witness and acting US ambassador to Ukraine, Bill Taylor, said one of his aides had heard Sondland talking to Trump on the phone on July 26, and could also overhear the president on the other end conversing loudly.Earlier today, witness and acting US ambassador to Ukraine, Bill Taylor, said one of his aides had heard Sondland talking to Trump on the phone on July 26, and could also overhear the president on the other end conversing loudly.
Taylor told the hearing: “Following the phone call with President Trump, the member of my staff asked Ambassador Sondland what President Trump thought about Ukraine. Ambassador Sondland responded that Trump cares more about the investigations of Biden, which [Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy] Giuliani was pressing for.”Taylor told the hearing: “Following the phone call with President Trump, the member of my staff asked Ambassador Sondland what President Trump thought about Ukraine. Ambassador Sondland responded that Trump cares more about the investigations of Biden, which [Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy] Giuliani was pressing for.”
All of this has apparently slipped Trump’s mind.All of this has apparently slipped Trump’s mind.
Here’s the full story.Here’s the full story.
The handshakeThe handshake
Trump and Erdogan have wrapped up their unsettling press conference at the White House with a hearty handshake that leaves many watching deeply uneasy.Trump and Erdogan have wrapped up their unsettling press conference at the White House with a hearty handshake that leaves many watching deeply uneasy.
Trump-Erdogan presser calls on “friendly reporter”Trump-Erdogan presser calls on “friendly reporter”
Trump on Syria: “There for the oil”Trump on Syria: “There for the oil”
Donald Trump has insisted that the US military presence in Syria is “only for the oil”, contradicting his own officials who have insisted that the remaining forces were there to fight Isis, Guardian US world affairs editor Julian Borger writes.Donald Trump has insisted that the US military presence in Syria is “only for the oil”, contradicting his own officials who have insisted that the remaining forces were there to fight Isis, Guardian US world affairs editor Julian Borger writes.
Trump made his remarks while hosting Recep Tayyip Erdogan, just over a month after the Turkish president launched an offensive into northeastern Syria, which has been formally condemned as destabilising by state department officials.Trump made his remarks while hosting Recep Tayyip Erdogan, just over a month after the Turkish president launched an offensive into northeastern Syria, which has been formally condemned as destabilising by state department officials.
Sitting alongside Erdogan, Trump contradicted his own officials and the Republican leadership on a range of issues, most importantly on the US military mission in Syria.Sitting alongside Erdogan, Trump contradicted his own officials and the Republican leadership on a range of issues, most importantly on the US military mission in Syria.
Following Trump’s earlier insistence that his administration was solely interested in “keeping” Syrian oil, the US military deployed mechanised military units to oil fields in the east of the country.Following Trump’s earlier insistence that his administration was solely interested in “keeping” Syrian oil, the US military deployed mechanised military units to oil fields in the east of the country.
However, seizing or benefiting from oil on a foreign territory, without permission from the sovereign authority, would be a violation of international law. Several US officials had sought to interpret the president’s remarks as the US meant to meaning that the denying Isis access to the oil.However, seizing or benefiting from oil on a foreign territory, without permission from the sovereign authority, would be a violation of international law. Several US officials had sought to interpret the president’s remarks as the US meant to meaning that the denying Isis access to the oil.
The US special envoy on Syria, James Jeffrey, said on Monday: “US forces in northeastern Syria are there under an authorisation to fight terrorism specifically to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS. That is their overall mission.”The US special envoy on Syria, James Jeffrey, said on Monday: “US forces in northeastern Syria are there under an authorisation to fight terrorism specifically to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS. That is their overall mission.”
Julian’s story is here and it will be updated shortly as a result of the presser.Julian’s story is here and it will be updated shortly as a result of the presser.
Donald Trump and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan are holding a press conference in the White House now.Donald Trump and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan are holding a press conference in the White House now.
That’s it from me on this historic day. My Guardian colleagues will take over the blog for the next few hours.That’s it from me on this historic day. My Guardian colleagues will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands after the first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry:Here’s where the day stands after the first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry:
Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, testified that one of his aides overheard a conversation between Trump and Gordon Sondland where the president asked the US ambassador to the EU about “the investigations” in Ukraine. According to Taylor, Sondland told the aide that Trump cared more about investigations into Joe Biden and his son than other US-Ukrainian policies.Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, testified that one of his aides overheard a conversation between Trump and Gordon Sondland where the president asked the US ambassador to the EU about “the investigations” in Ukraine. According to Taylor, Sondland told the aide that Trump cared more about investigations into Joe Biden and his son than other US-Ukrainian policies.
David Holmes, the aide who reportedly overheard the conversation between Trump and Sondland, has been asked to appear for a closed-door deposition with impeachment investigators on Friday.David Holmes, the aide who reportedly overheard the conversation between Trump and Sondland, has been asked to appear for a closed-door deposition with impeachment investigators on Friday.
Republican allies of Trump tried to paint the testimony of Taylor and George Kent as the result of hearsay, noting that neither official had spoken with the president. (But Trump has tried to block his closest aides from testifying in the inquiry.)Republican allies of Trump tried to paint the testimony of Taylor and George Kent as the result of hearsay, noting that neither official had spoken with the president. (But Trump has tried to block his closest aides from testifying in the inquiry.)
On a non-impeachment note: Deval Patrick has reportedly decided to launch a 2020 bid. However, the former Democratic governor of Massachusetts faces long odds given his late entry and need to fundraise.On a non-impeachment note: Deval Patrick has reportedly decided to launch a 2020 bid. However, the former Democratic governor of Massachusetts faces long odds given his late entry and need to fundraise.
The blog will have much more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have much more coming up, so stay tuned.
The motion from Republican representative Mike Conaway to subpoena the whistleblower whose complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry was defeated on a party-line vote.The motion from Republican representative Mike Conaway to subpoena the whistleblower whose complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry was defeated on a party-line vote.
With that, the first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry has concluded. The next hearing is scheduled for Friday morning, when former US ambassador to Ukraine Maria Yovanovitch will testify publicly.With that, the first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry has concluded. The next hearing is scheduled for Friday morning, when former US ambassador to Ukraine Maria Yovanovitch will testify publicly.
Three major US newspapers highlighted the new testimony from Bill Taylor in their homepage headlines about the first public impeachment hearing.Three major US newspapers highlighted the new testimony from Bill Taylor in their homepage headlines about the first public impeachment hearing.
New York Times: “Impeachment Testimony: ‘Trump Cares More About the Investigations of Biden.’”New York Times: “Impeachment Testimony: ‘Trump Cares More About the Investigations of Biden.’”
Washington Post: “New testimony ties Trump more directly to Ukraine pressure.”Washington Post: “New testimony ties Trump more directly to Ukraine pressure.”
Wall Street Journal: “Envoy Reveals New Call in Impeachment Testimony as GOP Defends Trump.”Wall Street Journal: “Envoy Reveals New Call in Impeachment Testimony as GOP Defends Trump.”
Taylor testified that one of his aides overheard Trump asking about “the investigations” in Ukraine and that Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU, said the president cared more about the probes into Joe Biden and his son than other US-Ukrainian policies.Taylor testified that one of his aides overheard Trump asking about “the investigations” in Ukraine and that Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU, said the president cared more about the probes into Joe Biden and his son than other US-Ukrainian policies.
Bill Taylor and George Kent have now concluded their testimony in the first public hearing of the impeachment inquiry after about five and a half hours.
Republicans on the committee and Trump’s allies tried to paint the hearing as a “boring” waster of time. However, the homepages of major news outlets would beg to differ.
Asked about what interests they believed Rudy Giuliani was promoting in Ukraine, George Kent said of the president’s personal lawyer: “I believe he was looking to dig up political dirt against a potential rival.”
Reports have indicated Giuliani spent months trying to pressure Ukrainian officials to launch an investigation into Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.
Republican representative Jim Jordan once again called on the whistleblower whose complaint initiated the impeachment inquiry to testify publicly.
Adam Schiff has said he remains committed to protecting the anonymity of the whistleblower, and he has already rejected Republicans’ request to have the unnamed official testify.
But Democratic representative Peter Welch offered an alternative to Jordan: “I’ll be glad to have the person who started it all come in and testify. President Trump is welcome to take a seat right there.”
The suggestion prompted chuckles from the Democrats in the room, but Republicans were more reserved in their response.
The blog is briefly interrupting its coverage of the first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry to provide a key update on the 2020 race: former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick has reportedly decided to enter the Democratic presidential primary.
CNN reports:
Although Patrick faces many hurdles in the primary race, his entry indicates that some prominent Democrats remain unsure about their 2020 options.
We are (slowly) nearing the end of the first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry. Republican representative Will Hurd has concluded his questioning, and six more Democrats on the committee will be allowed five minutes each.
Correction: A previous version of this post included a tweet identifying Hurd as the last Republican questioner, but he was not.
Asked by Democratic representative Eric Swalwell, Bill Taylor and George Kent denied they are “never Trumpers,” as the president has alleged.
Kent, a longtime state department official, emphasized he has worked under five presidents -- three Republicans and two Democrats -- and has consistently served as a nonpartisan public servant. Taylor was also first nominated as US ambassador to Ukraine by former Republican president George W. Bush.
In response to comments made by acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, Taylor emphasized it is “wrong” to hold up security assistance for “no good policy reason.”
Many of the Democratic presidential candidates have been remarking on today’s impeachment hearings. Here’s what they’ve had to say:
Republican representative Chris Stewart opened his questioning of Bill Taylor and George Kent by welcoming Americans to “year four of the impeachment of President Trump.”
This echoes a common line of argument among Republicans: that Democrats have been determined to impeach Trump since day one and are searching for any reason to justify his removal from office.
However, in reality, many House Democrats only came around to supporting an impeachment inquiry in the immediate weeks before Nancy Pelosi formally launched the investigation at the end of September.
Trump’s press secretary is trumpeting efforts by Republicans on the House intelligence committee to paint Bill Taylor and George Kent’s testimony as the result of hearsay, emphasizing that neither ever spoke with the president.
However, a number of commentators responded to Grisham’s argument by noting that the White House has tried to block the testimony of officials who regularly speak to Trump.
Representative Mike Turner’s combative questioning of Bill Taylor and George Kent represented quite a reversal from a September hearing with the acting director of national intelligence, during which the Republican congressman expressed concern about Trump’s Ukraine call.