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Trump impeachment inquiry: witness 'alarmed' at move to oust US ambassador to Ukraine – live Trump impeachment inquiry: witness 'alarmed' at move to oust US ambassador to Ukraine – live
(32 minutes later)
Bill Taylor, acting US ambassador to Ukraine, and George Kent, deputy assistant secretary for Europe and Eurasian Affairs, testify todayBill Taylor, acting US ambassador to Ukraine, and George Kent, deputy assistant secretary for Europe and Eurasian Affairs, testify today
The White House claimed Trump is not watching the first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry. However, the president just retweeted 10 messages from Republican accounts pushing back against the inquiry, including this one with a clip from the hearing.
Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, opened his questioning of Bill Taylor by following up on the diplomat’s new testimony that his staffer overheard Trump asking about “investigations” in Ukraine.
Taylor confirmed his staffer told him that Trump was speaking loudly on the phone to Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU. The staffer overheard Trump ask about “investigations,” which Taylor understood to mean Ukrainian probes into the 2016 election and Joe Biden.
According to Taylor, Sondland then told the staffer that Trump cared more about an investigation into Biden than other US-Ukrainian policies.
Here is Bill Taylor’s full account of his staffer overhearing Trump asking about “investigations” in Ukraine, which the longtime diplomat just shared with the House intelligence committee:
“Last Friday, a member of my staff told me of events that occurred on July 26. While Ambassador Volker and I visited the front, this member of my staff accompanied Ambassador Sondland. Ambassador Sondland met with [a senior adviser to the Ukrainian president, Mr. Yermak]. Following that meeting, in the presence of my staff at a restaurant, Ambassador Sondland called President Trump and told him of his meetings in Kyiv.
“The member of my staff could hear President Trump on the phone, asking Ambassador Sondland about ‘the investigations.’ Ambassador Sondland told President Trump that the Ukrainians were ready to move forward.
“Following the call with President Trump, the member of my staff asked Ambassador Sondland what President Trump thought about Ukraine. Ambassador Sondland responded that President Trump cares more about the investigations of Biden, which Giuliani was pressing for.
“At the time I gave my deposition on October 22, I was not aware of this information. I am including it here for completeness. As the Committee knows, I reported this information through counsel to the State Department’s Legal Adviser, as well as to counsel for both the Majority and the Minority on the Committee. It is my understanding that the Committee is following up on this matter.”
Echoing his closed-door testimony, Bill Taylor said in his opening statement that he was told “everything” Ukraine sought, including a White House visit and the frozen military aid, was tied to a public announcement of investigations into Joe Biden and the 2016 election.
The acting US ambassador to Ukraine said of a conversation he had in early September, “Ambassador Sondland also told me that he now recognized that he had made a mistake by earlier telling Ukrainian officials that only a White House meeting with President Zelenskyy was dependent on a public announcement of investigations—in fact, Ambassador Sondland said, ‘everything’ was dependent on such an announcement, including security assistance.
“He said that President Trump wanted President Zelenskyy ‘in a public box’ by making a public statement about ordering such investigations.”
The opening statements from Democratic chair, Adam Schiff, and the senior Republican on the committee, Devin Nunes, reflected the broader messaging battle that has surrounded the impeachment proceedings since they were announced in late September, with Democrats accusing Trump of corruption and Republicans accusing Democrats of running an unfair process.
Schiff said the public impeachment hearings would explore whether Trump sought to exploit Ukraine’s vulnerability, condition White House acts on Ukraine’s willingness to help his reelection, and “whether such an abuse of his power is compatible with the presidency.”
“The matter is as simple and as terrible as that,” Schiff said. “Our answer to these questions will affect not only the future of this presidency but the future of the presidency itself.
“Is this what Americans should now expect from their president? If this is not impeachable conduct, what is?”
In response, Nunes declared the proceedings “a carefully orchestrated media smear campaign” and a “horrifically one-sided process.”
“It’s nothing more than an impeachment process in search of a crime,” he said.
Three Republicans interrupted the proceedings just as the witnesses, Bill Taylor and George Kent, began testifying with demands that the anonymous whistleblower whose complaint launched the impeachment inquiry be called to testify. Schiff rebuffed the demands, but there are likely to be more later.
The White House claimed Trump is not tuning in to the first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry, even though his public schedule is clear until noon.
“He’s in the Oval in meetings. Not watching. He’s working,” said White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham.
However, Trump just retweeted a White House video with the caption, “New hoax. Same swamp.”
More new information from Bill Taylor: the acting US ambassador to Ukraine said a number of senior administration officials, including CIA director Gina Haspel, tried to convince Trump to lift the freeze on Ukraine’s military aid.More new information from Bill Taylor: the acting US ambassador to Ukraine said a number of senior administration officials, including CIA director Gina Haspel, tried to convince Trump to lift the freeze on Ukraine’s military aid.
According to Bill Taylor’s prepared remarks, one of his staffers overheard a phone call between Trump and Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU, in which the president asked about “the investigations.”According to Bill Taylor’s prepared remarks, one of his staffers overheard a phone call between Trump and Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU, in which the president asked about “the investigations.”
Taylor informed impeachment investigators Sondland told the staffer that Trump cared more about an investigation into Joe Biden and his son than other US-Ukrainian policies.Taylor informed impeachment investigators Sondland told the staffer that Trump cared more about an investigation into Joe Biden and his son than other US-Ukrainian policies.
Taylor noted he was not aware of the conversation when he originally testified behind closed doors and was thus adding it to his opening statement now.Taylor noted he was not aware of the conversation when he originally testified behind closed doors and was thus adding it to his opening statement now.
Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, is delivering his opening statement and similarly emphasizing his long career working for both Republican and Democratic presidents.Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, is delivering his opening statement and similarly emphasizing his long career working for both Republican and Democratic presidents.
Taylor also recounted recent US-Ukrainian history and described the “encouraging, confusing and ultimately alarming circumstances” he encountered when he arrived in Kyiv.Taylor also recounted recent US-Ukrainian history and described the “encouraging, confusing and ultimately alarming circumstances” he encountered when he arrived in Kyiv.
It seems likely that Trump will be displeased with the testimony of the longtime diplomat and Vietnam War veteran, given the president’s preference for officials who look they came from “central casting.”It seems likely that Trump will be displeased with the testimony of the longtime diplomat and Vietnam War veteran, given the president’s preference for officials who look they came from “central casting.”
George Kent acknowledged that, in 2015, he raised concerns about the appearance of a conflict of interest in Hunter Biden’s work for the Ukrainian company Burisma.George Kent acknowledged that, in 2015, he raised concerns about the appearance of a conflict of interest in Hunter Biden’s work for the Ukrainian company Burisma.
However, the longtime diplomat pushed back against Republicans’ suggestion that there may have been corruption involved in Biden’s work with the company.However, the longtime diplomat pushed back against Republicans’ suggestion that there may have been corruption involved in Biden’s work with the company.
“In February 2015, I raised my concern that Hunter Biden’s status as board member could create the perception of a conflict of interest,” Kent said. “Let me be clear; however, I did not witness any efforts by any U.S. official to shield Burisma from scrutiny.”“In February 2015, I raised my concern that Hunter Biden’s status as board member could create the perception of a conflict of interest,” Kent said. “Let me be clear; however, I did not witness any efforts by any U.S. official to shield Burisma from scrutiny.”
In his opening statement, George Kent emphasized his role as a “non-partisan career Foreign Service officer” and his family’s long history of public service.In his opening statement, George Kent emphasized his role as a “non-partisan career Foreign Service officer” and his family’s long history of public service.
“Today I appear before you once again, under subpoena, as a fact witness ready to answer all of your questions about the events and developments examined in this inquiry to the best of my ability and recollection subject to limits placed on me by the law and this process,” Kent said.“Today I appear before you once again, under subpoena, as a fact witness ready to answer all of your questions about the events and developments examined in this inquiry to the best of my ability and recollection subject to limits placed on me by the law and this process,” Kent said.
According to his prepared remarks, Kent will tell impeachment investigators that he was “alarmed” by efforts to oust former US ambassador to Ukraine Maria Yovanovitch and that the campaign for public announcements of Ukrainian investigations into Joe Biden and the 2016 election was “infecting US engagement with Ukraine”.According to his prepared remarks, Kent will tell impeachment investigators that he was “alarmed” by efforts to oust former US ambassador to Ukraine Maria Yovanovitch and that the campaign for public announcements of Ukrainian investigations into Joe Biden and the 2016 election was “infecting US engagement with Ukraine”.
George Kent, who oversees the state department’s Ukraine policy and previously testified to Trump allies’ efforts to oust the former US ambassador to Ukraine, is now delivering his opening statement.George Kent, who oversees the state department’s Ukraine policy and previously testified to Trump allies’ efforts to oust the former US ambassador to Ukraine, is now delivering his opening statement.
Before Kent began speaking, a few Republican members of the House intelligence committee pressed chairman Adam Schiff on calling the whistleblower whose complaint initiated the impeachment inquiry to testify.Before Kent began speaking, a few Republican members of the House intelligence committee pressed chairman Adam Schiff on calling the whistleblower whose complaint initiated the impeachment inquiry to testify.
Schiff replied that he would remain committed to protecting the whistleblower’s anonymity and turned things over to Kent.Schiff replied that he would remain committed to protecting the whistleblower’s anonymity and turned things over to Kent.
Bill Taylor and George Kent have been sworn in and will soon deliver their opening statements before taking questions in the first public impeachment hearing.Bill Taylor and George Kent have been sworn in and will soon deliver their opening statements before taking questions in the first public impeachment hearing.
But Republicans have already started to interrupt the proceedings by raising points of order about Adam Schiff’s decision to approve only some of the minority’s witness requests.But Republicans have already started to interrupt the proceedings by raising points of order about Adam Schiff’s decision to approve only some of the minority’s witness requests.
Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, is using his opening statement to slam his Democratic colleagues for allegedly running a “horrifically one-sided process.”Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, is using his opening statement to slam his Democratic colleagues for allegedly running a “horrifically one-sided process.”
Nunes lambasted Democrats’ “scorched-earth war” against Trump and accused them of pursuing a “carefully orchestrated media smear campaign.”Nunes lambasted Democrats’ “scorched-earth war” against Trump and accused them of pursuing a “carefully orchestrated media smear campaign.”
Nunes also criticized Adam Schiff for denying Republicans’ request to interview Hunter Biden, even though the committee chairman did approve three of the minority’s witness requests. Schiff said Biden, as well as the whistleblower whose complaint initiated the impeachment inquiry, were outside the scope of the investigation.Nunes also criticized Adam Schiff for denying Republicans’ request to interview Hunter Biden, even though the committee chairman did approve three of the minority’s witness requests. Schiff said Biden, as well as the whistleblower whose complaint initiated the impeachment inquiry, were outside the scope of the investigation.
Schiff used his opening statement to preemptively push back against Trump allies’ argument that there was no pressure campaign on Ukraine because the country’s military aid was eventually released.Schiff used his opening statement to preemptively push back against Trump allies’ argument that there was no pressure campaign on Ukraine because the country’s military aid was eventually released.
“A scheme to condition official acts or taxpayer funding to obtain a personal political benefit does not become less odious because it is discovered before it is fully consummated,” Schiff said.“A scheme to condition official acts or taxpayer funding to obtain a personal political benefit does not become less odious because it is discovered before it is fully consummated,” Schiff said.
The committee chairman also noted the aid was so delayed that it will require another act of Congress to ensure its dispersal.The committee chairman also noted the aid was so delayed that it will require another act of Congress to ensure its dispersal.
Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House intelligence committee, is making his opening statement and using it to outline Democrats’ argument that Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate a political rival as he held up the country’s military aid.Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House intelligence committee, is making his opening statement and using it to outline Democrats’ argument that Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate a political rival as he held up the country’s military aid.
“The facts in the present inquiry are not seriously contested,” Schiff said. “Beginning in January of this year, the president’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, pressed Ukrainian authorities to investigate Burisma, the country’s largest natural gas producer, and the Bidens, since Vice President Joe Biden was seen as a strong potential challenger to Trump.”“The facts in the present inquiry are not seriously contested,” Schiff said. “Beginning in January of this year, the president’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, pressed Ukrainian authorities to investigate Burisma, the country’s largest natural gas producer, and the Bidens, since Vice President Joe Biden was seen as a strong potential challenger to Trump.”
Schiff also criticized Trump for refusing to cooperate with the impeachment investigation. “These actions will force Congress to consider, as it did with President Nixon, whether Trump’s obstruction of the constitutional duties of Congress constitute additional grounds for impeachment,” Schiff said.Schiff also criticized Trump for refusing to cooperate with the impeachment investigation. “These actions will force Congress to consider, as it did with President Nixon, whether Trump’s obstruction of the constitutional duties of Congress constitute additional grounds for impeachment,” Schiff said.
Hello from Room 1100 of the House Longworth building, where members of the House Intelligence committee are now seated for the first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry against Donald J Trump.Hello from Room 1100 of the House Longworth building, where members of the House Intelligence committee are now seated for the first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry against Donald J Trump.
The Republicans have decorated the ornate hearing room, one of the grandest in the Capitol, with three large placards that include an out-of-context quote by Democratic congressman Al Green, a longtime proponent of impeachment, a tweet by the anonymous Whistleblower’s lawyer and 93 – which the sign says is the number of days since chairman Adam Schiff learned the identity of the whistleblower who touched off this inquiry.The Republicans have decorated the ornate hearing room, one of the grandest in the Capitol, with three large placards that include an out-of-context quote by Democratic congressman Al Green, a longtime proponent of impeachment, a tweet by the anonymous Whistleblower’s lawyer and 93 – which the sign says is the number of days since chairman Adam Schiff learned the identity of the whistleblower who touched off this inquiry.
There are roughly 150 seats for the press and the public. Yours truly is squeezed to the left, with a clear view of the dais. A scrum of photographers encircled the desk where George Kent and Bill Taylor will testify, clicking with abandon.There are roughly 150 seats for the press and the public. Yours truly is squeezed to the left, with a clear view of the dais. A scrum of photographers encircled the desk where George Kent and Bill Taylor will testify, clicking with abandon.
A few lawmakers, mostly Trump’s allies, have wandered into the front row to sit in on the hearing, including Mark Meadows, Lee Zeldin and Louie Gohmert.A few lawmakers, mostly Trump’s allies, have wandered into the front row to sit in on the hearing, including Mark Meadows, Lee Zeldin and Louie Gohmert.
Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, has gaveled in the first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry.Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, has gaveled in the first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry.
Schiff and the committee’s ranking member, Devin Nunes, will make opening statements before allowing today’s witnesses, George Kent and Bill Taylor, to make their own statements.Schiff and the committee’s ranking member, Devin Nunes, will make opening statements before allowing today’s witnesses, George Kent and Bill Taylor, to make their own statements.
Well, this should make for good television: George Conway, who is married to senior White House adivser Kellyanne Conway, will be on MSNBC commenting on the public impeachment hearing.Well, this should make for good television: George Conway, who is married to senior White House adivser Kellyanne Conway, will be on MSNBC commenting on the public impeachment hearing.
George Conway has previously been incredibly critical of Trump’s presidency and has called for his impeachment.George Conway has previously been incredibly critical of Trump’s presidency and has called for his impeachment.