This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2019/nov/13/trump-news-today-live-impeachment-hearings-bill-taylor-george-kent-ukraine-democrats-latest-updates
The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 19 | Version 20 |
|---|---|
| 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 updates | Bill Taylor and George Kent testify in first day of public impeachment inquiry – follow for live updates |
| A historic opening prayer at the House | |
| Some non-impeachment news courtesy of The Guardian’s Nina Lakhani: | |
| Isleta Pueblo Chief Judge Verna Teller has become the first Native American to deliver the opening prayer on the floor of the House of Representatives - 240 years after the tradition began. | |
| “Oh Creator and Great Mother. Having asked and received your permission to invoke your blessings today to all directions: East, North, West, South and the Center. We thank you for the life you give to all your children: the two-legged ones, the four-legged, those who live in the waters, and those who watch over us from the skies above. Sacred Pollen, sacred Earth Mother, sacred Water that manifest your desires, oh Creator and Great Mother, we thank them for the nourishment they give us equally with no regard to race, color or creed. Creator and Great Mother bless those standing before you, who carry a sacred trust to all of us who inhabit Turtle Island, our homeland, and I pray today that you will give them the wisdom and the courage to carry out their sacred trust with the same equality that we receive from the Sun and Rain. | |
| Hurrd kem. (Thank you)” | |
| Chief Judge Teller from New Mexico was invited by Congresswoman Deb Haaland, who is a member of the Laguna Pueblo people, as part of events to mark Native American heritage month. | |
| “[This] is a time to reflect on the contributions that our Native communities have made to this country and the tragedies that they endured. Having Verna Teller on the House Floor does both – it reminds us that in the 200-plus years of our country’s history, the first people of this continent were excluded, but also that through resilience and perseverance we are still here and working to make our country a better place,” said Congresswoman Deb Haalan. | |
| In 2018, New Mexico Rep Haaland and Sharis Davids, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation who represents Kansas, became the first Native American woman elected to Congress. | |
| The current house chaplain is Father Patrick Conroy, the first Jesuit and second Catholic to hold the position of spiritual advisor to US lawmakers. | |
| The Guardian’s Washington correspondent David Smith: | The Guardian’s Washington correspondent David Smith: |
| The White House and its allies sought to dismiss the hearing as dull and irrelevant. Press secretary Stephanie Grisham and Trump’s son, Eric, both dismissed it as “boring”, with Eric adding “#Snoozefest” in a tweet. | The White House and its allies sought to dismiss the hearing as dull and irrelevant. Press secretary Stephanie Grisham and Trump’s son, Eric, both dismissed it as “boring”, with Eric adding “#Snoozefest” in a tweet. |
| The president himself seemed to have found the historic day soporific, judging by his low energy, croaky voiced performance at a joint press conference with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan which started an hour late. | The president himself seemed to have found the historic day soporific, judging by his low energy, croaky voiced performance at a joint press conference with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan which started an hour late. |
| He was accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, five Republican senators and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, wearing a broad smile as he took his seat. | He was accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, five Republican senators and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, wearing a broad smile as he took his seat. |
| Trump, a former reality TV star who follows cable news very closely, claimed he had not watched a minute of the session that poses an existential threat to his presidency. That would be a blow to Republican congressmen who strained to impress him with their questions and speeches. | Trump, a former reality TV star who follows cable news very closely, claimed he had not watched a minute of the session that poses an existential threat to his presidency. That would be a blow to Republican congressmen who strained to impress him with their questions and speeches. |
| “Are you talking about the witch hunt?” Trump asked a reporter in the White House east room who sought his first impression. “Is that what you mean? Is that what you’re talking about? I hear it’s a joke. I haven’t watched, I haven’t watched for one minute because I’ve been with the president, which is much more important as far as I’m concerned.” | “Are you talking about the witch hunt?” Trump asked a reporter in the White House east room who sought his first impression. “Is that what you mean? Is that what you’re talking about? I hear it’s a joke. I haven’t watched, I haven’t watched for one minute because I’ve been with the president, which is much more important as far as I’m concerned.” |
| He added: “This is a sham and shouldn’t be allowed. It was a situation that was caused by people that shouldn’t have allowed it to happen. I want to find out who was the whistleblower because the whistleblower gave a lot of very incorrect information including my call with the president of Ukraine, which was a perfect call and highly appropriate.” | He added: “This is a sham and shouldn’t be allowed. It was a situation that was caused by people that shouldn’t have allowed it to happen. I want to find out who was the whistleblower because the whistleblower gave a lot of very incorrect information including my call with the president of Ukraine, which was a perfect call and highly appropriate.” |
| Trump will release details of an earlier call he had with Zelinskiy on Thursday, he continued. | Trump will release details of an earlier call he had with Zelinskiy on Thursday, he continued. |
| He said he regretted the country was being put through the hearings and that Erdogan’s time was being wasted. “I’d much rather focus on peace in the Middle East and I hear that it’s a hoax and it’s being played as a hoax. That’s what I hear but you’ll have to tell me.” | He said he regretted the country was being put through the hearings and that Erdogan’s time was being wasted. “I’d much rather focus on peace in the Middle East and I hear that it’s a hoax and it’s being played as a hoax. That’s what I hear but you’ll have to tell me.” |
| Perhaps determined to avoid a tough confrontation, Trump gave his two questions to the One America News Network and Fox News, both notorious for backing him. The latter focused on witness Bill Taylor’s disclosure that a staffer overheard Trump saying “the investigations” mattered more to him than Ukraine’s fate. | Perhaps determined to avoid a tough confrontation, Trump gave his two questions to the One America News Network and Fox News, both notorious for backing him. The latter focused on witness Bill Taylor’s disclosure that a staffer overheard Trump saying “the investigations” mattered more to him than Ukraine’s fate. |
| The president replied: “I know nothing about that. First time I’ve heard it… In any event, it’s more secondhand information, but I’ve never heard it.” | The president replied: “I know nothing about that. First time I’ve heard it… In any event, it’s more secondhand information, but I’ve never heard it.” |
| Pressed on whether he recalled the conversation in question, he added: “Not at all, not even a little bit.” | Pressed on whether he recalled the conversation in question, he added: “Not at all, not even a little bit.” |
| On a day that his supporters attempted to portray as anticlimactic, Trump himself lacked the fire and fury he has displayed on previous occasions. He ignored a barrage of shouted questions as he left the east room, the scene of Richard Nixon’s raw, emotional farewell following his 1974 resignation. | On a day that his supporters attempted to portray as anticlimactic, Trump himself lacked the fire and fury he has displayed on previous occasions. He ignored a barrage of shouted questions as he left the east room, the scene of Richard Nixon’s raw, emotional farewell following his 1974 resignation. |
| 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. | 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. | “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. | 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. | 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. | “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. | 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. | 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. | 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 handshake | The 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. |