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Trump impeachment inquiry: parties divided as more hearings loom – live Nancy Pelosi accuses Trump of bribery after first public impeachment hearing – live
(32 minutes later)
Democrats say Bill Taylor and George Kent’s testimonies tied Trump to efforts to pressure Ukraine while Republicans say they proved nothing Speaker of the House speaks after public testimony and says: ‘I am saying what the president admitted to it’s bribery’
Here’s where the day stands:
A shooter opened fire on a high school in southern California, reportedly killing at least one person. The tragedy comes as the White House has failed to put forth its promised proposals to curb gun violence.
Nancy Pelosi accused Trump of bribery in the wake of yesterday’s public impeachment hearing, saying the president dangled military assistance to Ukraine to pressure officials into investigating Joe Biden.
A second staffer at the US embassy in Kyiv reportedly overheard Trump asking Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU, about “the investigations” in Ukraine.
The blog will have much more coming up, so stay tuned.
Lloyd Blankfein, the senior chairman of Goldman Sachs who served as the investment bank’s CEO until last year, criticized Elizabeth Warren after the Democratic presidential candidate released an ad slamming billionaires.Lloyd Blankfein, the senior chairman of Goldman Sachs who served as the investment bank’s CEO until last year, criticized Elizabeth Warren after the Democratic presidential candidate released an ad slamming billionaires.
The ad features four billionaires who have criticized Warren’s proposals, including her plan to impose a wealth tax. The video specifically mentions the money Blankfein made during the Great Recession.The ad features four billionaires who have criticized Warren’s proposals, including her plan to impose a wealth tax. The video specifically mentions the money Blankfein made during the Great Recession.
“Vilification of people as a member of a group may be good for her campaign, not the country,” Blankfein said in response to the ad. “Maybe tribalism is just in her DNA,” he added, apparently referencing Warren’s past claims of Native American ancestry.“Vilification of people as a member of a group may be good for her campaign, not the country,” Blankfein said in response to the ad. “Maybe tribalism is just in her DNA,” he added, apparently referencing Warren’s past claims of Native American ancestry.
The campaign manager of Trump’s reelection bid said the president raised more than $3 million in the 24 hours after the start of the first public impeachment hearing.The campaign manager of Trump’s reelection bid said the president raised more than $3 million in the 24 hours after the start of the first public impeachment hearing.
Trupm’s reelection campaign sent out fundraising requests to supporters yesterday, seeking to capitalize on the widely publicized hearing.Trupm’s reelection campaign sent out fundraising requests to supporters yesterday, seeking to capitalize on the widely publicized hearing.
The president’s campaign has previously bragged about raising money off the inquiry, but Democrats have also seen fundraising bumps from the investigation.The president’s campaign has previously bragged about raising money off the inquiry, but Democrats have also seen fundraising bumps from the investigation.
A second staffer from the US embassy in Ukraine reportedly overheard Trump’s July phone call with Gordon Sondland, in which the president asked the US ambassador to the EU about “the investigations” in Ukraine.A second staffer from the US embassy in Ukraine reportedly overheard Trump’s July phone call with Gordon Sondland, in which the president asked the US ambassador to the EU about “the investigations” in Ukraine.
The AP reports:The AP reports:
According to a number of reports, the first staffer Taylor identified as overhearing the call is David Holmes, who is scheduled to speak to impeachment investigators behind closed doors tomorrow.According to a number of reports, the first staffer Taylor identified as overhearing the call is David Holmes, who is scheduled to speak to impeachment investigators behind closed doors tomorrow.
Trump promised after the August mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton that his administration would propose policies to curb gun violence.Trump promised after the August mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton that his administration would propose policies to curb gun violence.
However, the president has yet to release any gun-control proposals, and he has reportedly abandoned the plan in recent weeks.However, the president has yet to release any gun-control proposals, and he has reportedly abandoned the plan in recent weeks.
The Washington Post reported earlier this month:The Washington Post reported earlier this month:
A nearby hospital said it had received two patients in critical condition from the shooting at a high school near Los Angeles, with three more victims en route.A nearby hospital said it had received two patients in critical condition from the shooting at a high school near Los Angeles, with three more victims en route.
The White House said Trump is monitoring updates from the shooting. “The President is monitoring the ongoing reports of a school shooting in Santa Clarita, CA,” the White House said in a statement. “The White House encourages all those in the area to follow the advice of local law enforcement and first responders.”The White House said Trump is monitoring updates from the shooting. “The President is monitoring the ongoing reports of a school shooting in Santa Clarita, CA,” the White House said in a statement. “The White House encourages all those in the area to follow the advice of local law enforcement and first responders.”
The shooting took place in California’s 25th congressional district, which is currently lacking a House representative following the resignation of Katie Hill.The shooting took place in California’s 25th congressional district, which is currently lacking a House representative following the resignation of Katie Hill.
At least three victims have been reported from a shooting at a high school near Los Angeles, and the attacker has reportedly not yet been arrested.At least three victims have been reported from a shooting at a high school near Los Angeles, and the attacker has reportedly not yet been arrested.
NBC Los Angeles reports:NBC Los Angeles reports:
Nancy Pelosi said the alleged actions of Trump in the Ukraine controversy are more alarming than those of former president Richard Nixon, who resigned over the Watergate scandal.Nancy Pelosi said the alleged actions of Trump in the Ukraine controversy are more alarming than those of former president Richard Nixon, who resigned over the Watergate scandal.
“The cover-up makes what Nixon did look almost small,” the House speaker said of the president’s actions. “Almost small.”“The cover-up makes what Nixon did look almost small,” the House speaker said of the president’s actions. “Almost small.”
Nixon attempted to cover up the fact that five men connected to his reelection campaign broke into the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee. Democrats are accusing the Trump White House of trying to conceal the details of the president’s Ukraine call by unnecessarily placing it in a highly secure server.Nixon attempted to cover up the fact that five men connected to his reelection campaign broke into the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee. Democrats are accusing the Trump White House of trying to conceal the details of the president’s Ukraine call by unnecessarily placing it in a highly secure server.
Nancy Pelosi accused Trump of attempting to bribe Ukraine to harm the electoral fortunes of one of his political rivals, Joe Biden.Nancy Pelosi accused Trump of attempting to bribe Ukraine to harm the electoral fortunes of one of his political rivals, Joe Biden.
In recent days, Democrats have moved away from the language of “quid pro quo” and toward the term “bribery” to describe the alleged efforts by the president’s team to pressure Ukraine to announce an investigation into Biden and the 2016 election.In recent days, Democrats have moved away from the language of “quid pro quo” and toward the term “bribery” to describe the alleged efforts by the president’s team to pressure Ukraine to announce an investigation into Biden and the 2016 election.
“I am saying what the president has admitted to and said it’s perfect, I say it’s perfectly wrong,” Pelosi asserted. “It’s bribery.”“I am saying what the president has admitted to and said it’s perfect, I say it’s perfectly wrong,” Pelosi asserted. “It’s bribery.”
Asked to define the bribery in this instance, the House speaker said, “The bribe is to grant or withhold military assistance in return for a public statement of a fake investigation into the elections. That’s bribery.”Asked to define the bribery in this instance, the House speaker said, “The bribe is to grant or withhold military assistance in return for a public statement of a fake investigation into the elections. That’s bribery.”
House speaker Nancy Pelosi is now addressing reporters at her weekly press conference and offering some thoughts on the first public hearing in the impeachment hearing.House speaker Nancy Pelosi is now addressing reporters at her weekly press conference and offering some thoughts on the first public hearing in the impeachment hearing.
The California Democrats said the hearing marked a “very somber, prayerful day.” “The devastating testimony corroborated evidence of bribery,” Pelosi said.The California Democrats said the hearing marked a “very somber, prayerful day.” “The devastating testimony corroborated evidence of bribery,” Pelosi said.
“We go forward sadly, prayerfully, with a heavy heart because it’s not what we came here to do,” Pelosi said. “But we must.”“We go forward sadly, prayerfully, with a heavy heart because it’s not what we came here to do,” Pelosi said. “But we must.”
Don McGahn, Trump’s former White House counsel who has refused to testify in congressional investigations, was spotted on Capitol Hill this morning.Don McGahn, Trump’s former White House counsel who has refused to testify in congressional investigations, was spotted on Capitol Hill this morning.
The White House has argued McGahn and other former officials cannot be compelled to testify because of executive privilege, but a federal judge expressed skepticism of that argument late last month.The White House has argued McGahn and other former officials cannot be compelled to testify because of executive privilege, but a federal judge expressed skepticism of that argument late last month.
A number of senior House Democrats are calling for the resignation of Stephen Miller, a top adviser to Trump, after the uncovering of 2015 and 2016 emails in which Miller peddled material drawn from white nationalists to a writer at the far-right website Breitbart.A number of senior House Democrats are calling for the resignation of Stephen Miller, a top adviser to Trump, after the uncovering of 2015 and 2016 emails in which Miller peddled material drawn from white nationalists to a writer at the far-right website Breitbart.
The leaders of the congressional progressive caucus, the congressional black caucus, the congressional Hispanic caucus and the congressional Asian Pacific American caucus issued a joint statement demanding that Miller resign.The leaders of the congressional progressive caucus, the congressional black caucus, the congressional Hispanic caucus and the congressional Asian Pacific American caucus issued a joint statement demanding that Miller resign.
“We feel like it is up to us to point out the obvious — someone who writes, talks, and governs like a white nationalist is in fact a white nationalist,” the statement says.“We feel like it is up to us to point out the obvious — someone who writes, talks, and governs like a white nationalist is in fact a white nationalist,” the statement says.
“Stephen Miller is a white nationalist and he has no business serving in the White House. ... As leaders in the Democratic Caucus, representing diverse constituencies who have been targeted by Stephen Miller’s hateful beliefs, we call for his resignation without delay.”“Stephen Miller is a white nationalist and he has no business serving in the White House. ... As leaders in the Democratic Caucus, representing diverse constituencies who have been targeted by Stephen Miller’s hateful beliefs, we call for his resignation without delay.”
Louise Linton, who is married to treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin, has just shared an Instagram post criticizing the Trump administration’s stance on big-game hunting.Louise Linton, who is married to treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin, has just shared an Instagram post criticizing the Trump administration’s stance on big-game hunting.
Linton was reacting to the story of a lion trophy from Tanzania that was approved for import to the United States. “Americans should not be permitted to kill exotic animals for fun!!” Linton wrote in her Instagram caption.Linton was reacting to the story of a lion trophy from Tanzania that was approved for import to the United States. “Americans should not be permitted to kill exotic animals for fun!!” Linton wrote in her Instagram caption.
She went on to encourage her followers to contact their members of Congress about the Conserving Ecosystems by Ceasing the Importation of Large Animal Trophies (CECIL) Act, which would ban such imports.She went on to encourage her followers to contact their members of Congress about the Conserving Ecosystems by Ceasing the Importation of Large Animal Trophies (CECIL) Act, which would ban such imports.
The Trump administration has previously said it would make decisions on big-game trophies on a “case-by-case” basis after the president split with his interior department on the issue.The Trump administration has previously said it would make decisions on big-game trophies on a “case-by-case” basis after the president split with his interior department on the issue.
One lingering question over Deval Patrick’s expected campaign announcement was how he would find experienced staffers to advise his White House bid, given that his opponents have already grabbed many of the most well-known names in Democratic politics.One lingering question over Deval Patrick’s expected campaign announcement was how he would find experienced staffers to advise his White House bid, given that his opponents have already grabbed many of the most well-known names in Democratic politics.
Patrick has at least partially answered that question by employing the former traveling press secretary to Beto O’Rourke, who ended his bid earlier this month, as his campaign manager.Patrick has at least partially answered that question by employing the former traveling press secretary to Beto O’Rourke, who ended his bid earlier this month, as his campaign manager.
It’s become a popular take in Washington that “real” Americans do not care about the impeachment inquiry. However, front pages across the country today are carrying headlines about the inquiry’s first public hearing.It’s become a popular take in Washington that “real” Americans do not care about the impeachment inquiry. However, front pages across the country today are carrying headlines about the inquiry’s first public hearing.
One of Deval Patrick’s fellow Massachusetts Democrats, Elizabeth Warren, said earlier this week that the former governor’s expected entry into the race would not complicate her own White House bid.One of Deval Patrick’s fellow Massachusetts Democrats, Elizabeth Warren, said earlier this week that the former governor’s expected entry into the race would not complicate her own White House bid.
“I’m out there talking to people every single day about an America that works great for those at the top, but just isn’t working for most everybody else,” Warren told the NPR affiliate WBUR.“I’m out there talking to people every single day about an America that works great for those at the top, but just isn’t working for most everybody else,” Warren told the NPR affiliate WBUR.
“And whenever I do that, there are lots of folks who start to nod. And it’s not just Democrats. It’s Democrats, independents and Republicans who get it.”“And whenever I do that, there are lots of folks who start to nod. And it’s not just Democrats. It’s Democrats, independents and Republicans who get it.”
Patrick is hoping Democratic primary voters are dissatisfied with their options, but it’s possible that feeling may be exclusive to pundits and well-funded donors.Patrick is hoping Democratic primary voters are dissatisfied with their options, but it’s possible that feeling may be exclusive to pundits and well-funded donors.
As expected, former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick announced this morning that he would enter the 2020 Democratic presidential primary.As expected, former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick announced this morning that he would enter the 2020 Democratic presidential primary.
In a video announcing his late entry, Patrick said, “I admire and respect the candidates in the Democratic field. ... But if the character of the candidates is an issue in every election, this time it’s about the character of the country.”In a video announcing his late entry, Patrick said, “I admire and respect the candidates in the Democratic field. ... But if the character of the candidates is an issue in every election, this time it’s about the character of the country.”
Patrick will face a number of hurdles in trying to seize the Democratic nomination. For one thing, his opponents have had months to build support that he will now have to try to chip away at. And he does not have the personal fortune of billionaire Michael Bloomberg, another late-entry candidate, to bankroll his campaign.Patrick will face a number of hurdles in trying to seize the Democratic nomination. For one thing, his opponents have had months to build support that he will now have to try to chip away at. And he does not have the personal fortune of billionaire Michael Bloomberg, another late-entry candidate, to bankroll his campaign.
Patrick’s resume also has some spots that he will likely be pressed on. After leaving the governor’s mansion, he spent time working for Bain Capital, the private investment firm founded by former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.Patrick’s resume also has some spots that he will likely be pressed on. After leaving the governor’s mansion, he spent time working for Bain Capital, the private investment firm founded by former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
But perhaps the most baffling question about Patrick’s candidacy is one of strategy. Patrick, who served as the first black governor of Massachusetts, is expected to focus his efforts on the early voting state of South Carolina, which has a large African-American electorate. But that was almost the exact same strategy initially pursued by senator Kamala Harris, and her campaign is now closing offices amid declining polling and fundraising numbers.But perhaps the most baffling question about Patrick’s candidacy is one of strategy. Patrick, who served as the first black governor of Massachusetts, is expected to focus his efforts on the early voting state of South Carolina, which has a large African-American electorate. But that was almost the exact same strategy initially pursued by senator Kamala Harris, and her campaign is now closing offices amid declining polling and fundraising numbers.
Given Patrick’s lower name recognition now that he has been out of office for several years, the question becomes: why would he succeed where she failed?Given Patrick’s lower name recognition now that he has been out of office for several years, the question becomes: why would he succeed where she failed?
Trump was weighing in on the first public impeachment hearing this morning, applauding one of his congressional allies for pressing Bill Taylor and George Kent on what the “impeachable” element was in the president’s communications with Ukraine.Trump was weighing in on the first public impeachment hearing this morning, applauding one of his congressional allies for pressing Bill Taylor and George Kent on what the “impeachable” element was in the president’s communications with Ukraine.
However, Taylor and Kent repeatedly emphasized that they were not there to make a case for impeachment. They said they considered themselves “fact witnesses” and were there to testify to the events they saw, while the ultimate question of impeachment would be left up to lawmakers.However, Taylor and Kent repeatedly emphasized that they were not there to make a case for impeachment. They said they considered themselves “fact witnesses” and were there to testify to the events they saw, while the ultimate question of impeachment would be left up to lawmakers.
Despite that, Republicans on the House intelligence committee were eager to paint the two longtime public servants as Democratic pawns who were only there to unfairly smear the president.Despite that, Republicans on the House intelligence committee were eager to paint the two longtime public servants as Democratic pawns who were only there to unfairly smear the president.
Good morning, live blog readers!Good morning, live blog readers!
We are right in between the first and second public hearings of the House impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump, and Democrats and Republicans are already telling two very different stories about what happened yesterday.We are right in between the first and second public hearings of the House impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump, and Democrats and Republicans are already telling two very different stories about what happened yesterday.
To Democrats, the testimony of Bill Taylor and George Kent more directly tied the president to efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate one of his political rivals, Joe Biden.To Democrats, the testimony of Bill Taylor and George Kent more directly tied the president to efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate one of his political rivals, Joe Biden.
To Republicans, the hearing was a waste of time and taxpayer dollars to hear from two diplomats who never spoke to Trump and did not hear his call with the Ukrainian president. One of Trump’s advisers, Kellyanne Conway, was making the rounds on television this morning to make the argument that Taylor and Kent were like “a bunch of gossip girls”.To Republicans, the hearing was a waste of time and taxpayer dollars to hear from two diplomats who never spoke to Trump and did not hear his call with the Ukrainian president. One of Trump’s advisers, Kellyanne Conway, was making the rounds on television this morning to make the argument that Taylor and Kent were like “a bunch of gossip girls”.
Democrats and Republicans will likely dig their heels in more as additional hearings are held, but tomorrow’s testimony from former US ambassador to Ukraine Maria Yovanovitch could help shape the opinion of the American public, which matters far more.Democrats and Republicans will likely dig their heels in more as additional hearings are held, but tomorrow’s testimony from former US ambassador to Ukraine Maria Yovanovitch could help shape the opinion of the American public, which matters far more.
Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on:Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on:
Trump will meet with Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg at 2pm ET before traveling to Louisiana for a campaign rally.Trump will meet with Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg at 2pm ET before traveling to Louisiana for a campaign rally.
Jury deliberations will begin in the trial of Roger Stone, a former Trump associate.Jury deliberations will begin in the trial of Roger Stone, a former Trump associate.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi will hold a press conference at 10.45am ET.House speaker Nancy Pelosi will hold a press conference at 10.45am ET.
That’s all still coming up, so stay tuned.That’s all still coming up, so stay tuned.