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| Marie Yovanovitch says Trump's smears against her have had 'chilling effect' on state department – live | Marie Yovanovitch says Trump's smears against her have had 'chilling effect' on state department – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| President tweets attacks against the ousted US ambassador to Ukraine as she testifies to the House impeachment inquiry – follow live | President tweets attacks against the ousted US ambassador to Ukraine as she testifies to the House impeachment inquiry – follow live |
| The execution of Rodney Reed has been stayed by court of appeals, just days before it was set to be carried out on 20 November. | |
| The Texas man, who is African American, was convicted by an all-white jury in 1998 of the murder of 19-year-old Stacey Stites. He claims he was wrongly convicted and his family has spent years trying to get the case overturned. | |
| His execution is now stayed “pending further order” of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. | |
| Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is the latest legislator to speak out against the epidemic of vaping among young people in the US. On Friday she tweeted she is urging the FDA to support stronger actions to prevent kids from getting addicted. | Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is the latest legislator to speak out against the epidemic of vaping among young people in the US. On Friday she tweeted she is urging the FDA to support stronger actions to prevent kids from getting addicted. |
| “The dramatic increase in the use of e-cigarettes by our young people is threatening the progress we have made to reduce overall tobacco use”, she said. “Teachers have talked with me about the growing epidemic of vaping in high schools and middle schools in Maine”. | “The dramatic increase in the use of e-cigarettes by our young people is threatening the progress we have made to reduce overall tobacco use”, she said. “Teachers have talked with me about the growing epidemic of vaping in high schools and middle schools in Maine”. |
| California and 22 other states will sue the Environmental Protection Agency over the Trump administration’s efforts to block tougher tailpipe emissions standards, the Hill reports. | California and 22 other states will sue the Environmental Protection Agency over the Trump administration’s efforts to block tougher tailpipe emissions standards, the Hill reports. |
| In September, Trump announced he would revoke the waiver California has relied on to force automakers to produce more environmentally-friendly cars for decades. | In September, Trump announced he would revoke the waiver California has relied on to force automakers to produce more environmentally-friendly cars for decades. |
| California attorney general Xavier Becerra said he and others would challenge the change, joining together in a lawsuit to argue argue that EPA lacks the authority to revoke the waiver, calling it “unprecedented in the multi-decade history of waiver requests”. | California attorney general Xavier Becerra said he and others would challenge the change, joining together in a lawsuit to argue argue that EPA lacks the authority to revoke the waiver, calling it “unprecedented in the multi-decade history of waiver requests”. |
| “We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: California will not back down when it comes to protecting our people, our health, and our environment from preventable pollution”, Becerra said. “California’s Clean Car Standards are achievable. They not only work, many other states around the country have chosen to adopt them. The Trump Administration, on the other hand, has chosen to side with polluters”. | “We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: California will not back down when it comes to protecting our people, our health, and our environment from preventable pollution”, Becerra said. “California’s Clean Car Standards are achievable. They not only work, many other states around the country have chosen to adopt them. The Trump Administration, on the other hand, has chosen to side with polluters”. |
| Hello, Kari Paul on the West Coast taking over the blog for the next few hours. Stay tuned for more news. | Hello, Kari Paul on the West Coast taking over the blog for the next few hours. Stay tuned for more news. |
| That’s it from me after a very historic day (and week) in Washington. My west coast colleague Kari Paul will take over the blog for the next few hours. | That’s it from me after a very historic day (and week) in Washington. My west coast colleague Kari Paul will take over the blog for the next few hours. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| Maria Yovanovitch, the former US ambassador to Ukraine, testified at the second public impeachment hearing. The longtime diplomat’s account of being ousted from her post amid a smear campaign prompted a disparaging tweet from Trump, which Democrats said amounted to witness intimidation. (The president and his allies denied that charge.) | Maria Yovanovitch, the former US ambassador to Ukraine, testified at the second public impeachment hearing. The longtime diplomat’s account of being ousted from her post amid a smear campaign prompted a disparaging tweet from Trump, which Democrats said amounted to witness intimidation. (The president and his allies denied that charge.) |
| Yovanovitch told the House intelligence committee that the smear campaign against her, as well as state department leaders’ failure to defend her, has had a “chilling effect” on the diplomatic community. | Yovanovitch told the House intelligence committee that the smear campaign against her, as well as state department leaders’ failure to defend her, has had a “chilling effect” on the diplomatic community. |
| David Holmes, the Ukraine embassy staffer who reportedly overheard Trump asking Gordon Sondland about “the investigations” in Ukraine, arrived for his closed-door testimony in the impeachment inquiry. | David Holmes, the Ukraine embassy staffer who reportedly overheard Trump asking Gordon Sondland about “the investigations” in Ukraine, arrived for his closed-door testimony in the impeachment inquiry. |
| Federal prosecutors are reportedly investigating whether Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, sought to profit off his connections to Ukrainian energy projects. | Federal prosecutors are reportedly investigating whether Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, sought to profit off his connections to Ukrainian energy projects. |
| In non-impeachment news: Roger Stone, a former adviser to Trump’s 2016 campaign, was found guilty on all seven counts in his criminal trial. | In non-impeachment news: Roger Stone, a former adviser to Trump’s 2016 campaign, was found guilty on all seven counts in his criminal trial. |
| Kari will have much more coming up, so stay tuned. | Kari will have much more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| Representative Mark Meadows, one of Trump’s closest congressional allies, pushed back against Democratic accusations that the president engaged in witness intimidation by smearing the reputation of Maria Yovanovitch. | Representative Mark Meadows, one of Trump’s closest congressional allies, pushed back against Democratic accusations that the president engaged in witness intimidation by smearing the reputation of Maria Yovanovitch. |
| The North Carolina Republican, who spoke to reporters after the hearing even though he is not a member of the House intelligence committee, called Trump’s attack on the former US ambassador to Ukraine “a characterization of her resume.” | The North Carolina Republican, who spoke to reporters after the hearing even though he is not a member of the House intelligence committee, called Trump’s attack on the former US ambassador to Ukraine “a characterization of her resume.” |
| It’s important to remember that Yovanovitch has been consistently praised by her fellow diplomats and has 33 years of experience in foreign service. | It’s important to remember that Yovanovitch has been consistently praised by her fellow diplomats and has 33 years of experience in foreign service. |
| Addressing reporters after the conclusion of the impeachment hearing with Maria Yovanovitch, Adam Schiff applauded the longtime diplomat as an “incredible public servant.” | Addressing reporters after the conclusion of the impeachment hearing with Maria Yovanovitch, Adam Schiff applauded the longtime diplomat as an “incredible public servant.” |
| The committee chairman also argued Yovanovitch’s testimony proved the former US ambassador to Ukraine was pushed out in part because of her efforts to root out Ukrainian corruption, despite claims from Trump allies like Rudy Giuliani. | The committee chairman also argued Yovanovitch’s testimony proved the former US ambassador to Ukraine was pushed out in part because of her efforts to root out Ukrainian corruption, despite claims from Trump allies like Rudy Giuliani. |
| Asked about Trump’s tweets smearing Yovanovitch’s reputation, Schiff said they fit a “pattern” of the president attempting to obstruct investigations into his administration. | Asked about Trump’s tweets smearing Yovanovitch’s reputation, Schiff said they fit a “pattern” of the president attempting to obstruct investigations into his administration. |
| “This is a part of a pattern to intimidate witnesses,” Schiff told reporters. “It’s also a part of pattern of obstruction.” | “This is a part of a pattern to intimidate witnesses,” Schiff told reporters. “It’s also a part of pattern of obstruction.” |
| Some people who watched Maria Yovanovitch’s testimony from the public seating section of the hearing room actually stood to applaud the longtime diplomat as she exited. | Some people who watched Maria Yovanovitch’s testimony from the public seating section of the hearing room actually stood to applaud the longtime diplomat as she exited. |
| After more than six hours, the House intelligence committee’s second public hearing in the impeachment inquiry has concluded. | After more than six hours, the House intelligence committee’s second public hearing in the impeachment inquiry has concluded. |
| Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, used his closing statement to mark the end of “today’s show trial.” The California Republican added, “This is embarrassing.” | Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, used his closing statement to mark the end of “today’s show trial.” The California Republican added, “This is embarrassing.” |
| Chairman Adam Schiff applauded the career of today’s witness, Maria Yovanovitch, in his closing statement. The California Democrat also argued that the ouster of Yovanovitch, the former US ambassador to Ukraine, marked only the beginning of Trump allies’ corrupt acts in Ukraine. | Chairman Adam Schiff applauded the career of today’s witness, Maria Yovanovitch, in his closing statement. The California Democrat also argued that the ouster of Yovanovitch, the former US ambassador to Ukraine, marked only the beginning of Trump allies’ corrupt acts in Ukraine. |
| Republicans on the committee attempted to object to Schiff’s comments as he was gaveling the hearing to an end, but some of those gathered in the hearing room drowned out their complaints with apparent applause for Yovanovitch. | Republicans on the committee attempted to object to Schiff’s comments as he was gaveling the hearing to an end, but some of those gathered in the hearing room drowned out their complaints with apparent applause for Yovanovitch. |
| Jeff Flake, a former Republican senator who chose not to seek reelection after repeated criticisms from Trump, just sent a tweet expressing gratitude for foreign service officers amid the president’s attacks on Marie Yovanovitch. | Jeff Flake, a former Republican senator who chose not to seek reelection after repeated criticisms from Trump, just sent a tweet expressing gratitude for foreign service officers amid the president’s attacks on Marie Yovanovitch. |
| David Holmes, a staffer at the US embassy in Kyiv, has arrived on Capitol Hill to sit for a closed-door interview with the House intelligence committee after the conclusion of the impeachment hearing with Maria Yovanovitch. | David Holmes, a staffer at the US embassy in Kyiv, has arrived on Capitol Hill to sit for a closed-door interview with the House intelligence committee after the conclusion of the impeachment hearing with Maria Yovanovitch. |
| Holmes is reportedly one of the embassy staffers who overheard Trump asking about “the investigations” in Ukraine during a phone call with Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU. | Holmes is reportedly one of the embassy staffers who overheard Trump asking about “the investigations” in Ukraine during a phone call with Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU. |
| Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, testified on Wednesday that a staffer informed him of that call after the diplomat spoke to impeachment investigators behind closed doors. | Bill Taylor, the acting US ambassador to Ukraine, testified on Wednesday that a staffer informed him of that call after the diplomat spoke to impeachment investigators behind closed doors. |
| Speaking to reporters at the White House after delivering remarks on healthcare, Trump denied that his tweet smearing the reputation of Maria Yovanovitch amounted to witness intimidation. | Speaking to reporters at the White House after delivering remarks on healthcare, Trump denied that his tweet smearing the reputation of Maria Yovanovitch amounted to witness intimidation. |
| “I don’t think so at all,” Trump said of the witness intimidation allegations. “I have the right to speak; I have freedom of speech, just like other people do.” He called the impeachment inquiry “a disgrace” and “an embarrassment to our nation.” | “I don’t think so at all,” Trump said of the witness intimidation allegations. “I have the right to speak; I have freedom of speech, just like other people do.” He called the impeachment inquiry “a disgrace” and “an embarrassment to our nation.” |
| The president claimed Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, was more guilty of witness tampering. “Tampering is when a guy like shifty Schiff doesn’t let us have lawyers,” Trump said, referring to longstanding congressional procedure not to allow agency lawyers to be present for staffers’ depositions. | The president claimed Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, was more guilty of witness tampering. “Tampering is when a guy like shifty Schiff doesn’t let us have lawyers,” Trump said, referring to longstanding congressional procedure not to allow agency lawyers to be present for staffers’ depositions. |
| Representative Jim Jordan will be the last Republican to question Maria Yovanovitch, and then four more of the committee’s Democratic members will be given the chance to speak. | Representative Jim Jordan will be the last Republican to question Maria Yovanovitch, and then four more of the committee’s Democratic members will be given the chance to speak. |
| Chairman Adam Schiff and ranking member Devin Nunes will be allowed to deliver closing statements before the witness will be dismissed. | Chairman Adam Schiff and ranking member Devin Nunes will be allowed to deliver closing statements before the witness will be dismissed. |
| The House intelligence committee managed to keep their five-minute recess in the impeachment hearing to about 10 minutes, so that’s an improvement from Wednesday. | The House intelligence committee managed to keep their five-minute recess in the impeachment hearing to about 10 minutes, so that’s an improvement from Wednesday. |
| Maria Yovanovitch and the committee members have returned, and Republican representative Jim Jordan, one of Trump’s closest allies, has started his five minutes of questioning. | Maria Yovanovitch and the committee members have returned, and Republican representative Jim Jordan, one of Trump’s closest allies, has started his five minutes of questioning. |
| Adam Schiff has called for a five-minute recess in the impeachment hearing, which will turn into a twenty-minute break if Wednesday’s proceedings are any indication. | Adam Schiff has called for a five-minute recess in the impeachment hearing, which will turn into a twenty-minute break if Wednesday’s proceedings are any indication. |
| Despite Trump’s attack on Maria Yovanovitch, Republicans on the House intelligence committee have largely gone out of their way to applaud the decades of public service by the longtime diplomat. | Despite Trump’s attack on Maria Yovanovitch, Republicans on the House intelligence committee have largely gone out of their way to applaud the decades of public service by the longtime diplomat. |
| Trump is currently speaking about healthcare at the White House, but most television networks, including Fox News, are sticking with live coverage of the impeachment hearing. | Trump is currently speaking about healthcare at the White House, but most television networks, including Fox News, are sticking with live coverage of the impeachment hearing. |
| The president was also speaking at the White House as the @realdDonaldTrump Twitter account was simultaneously resharing messages from Republicans defending him against the impeachment inquiry. | The president was also speaking at the White House as the @realdDonaldTrump Twitter account was simultaneously resharing messages from Republicans defending him against the impeachment inquiry. |
| Representative Mike Quigley, a Democrat of Illinois, mocked his Republican colleagues for suggesting Maria Yovanovitch’s career had not suffered from her removal as US ambassador to Ukraine because she is now teaching at Georgetown University. | Representative Mike Quigley, a Democrat of Illinois, mocked his Republican colleagues for suggesting Maria Yovanovitch’s career had not suffered from her removal as US ambassador to Ukraine because she is now teaching at Georgetown University. |
| “It’s like a Hallmark movie! You ended up at Georgetown!” Quigley said sarcastically, prompting laughter. Yovanovitch told the committee that Georgetown is a “wonderful place” but acknowledged she would have preferred to spend more time in her role at the Ukrainian embassy. | “It’s like a Hallmark movie! You ended up at Georgetown!” Quigley said sarcastically, prompting laughter. Yovanovitch told the committee that Georgetown is a “wonderful place” but acknowledged she would have preferred to spend more time in her role at the Ukrainian embassy. |
| “It not the end of a Hallmark movie,” Quigley said. “It’s the end of a really bad reality-TV show ... brought to you by someone who knows a lot about that.” | “It not the end of a Hallmark movie,” Quigley said. “It’s the end of a really bad reality-TV show ... brought to you by someone who knows a lot about that.” |