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| Impeachment hearing: Volker says he now realizes 'corruption' inquiry was tied to Biden – live | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Former Ukraine envoy appears to amend his earlier testimony in opening statement to lawmakers | |
| Trump’s views on Ukraine are “chronically negative”, Volker testifies. | |
| He says he saw it as his job to convince Trump that Ukrainian president Zelenski was on his level. He says that after Zelensky was elected Trump said Ukraine was filled with “terrible people”. | |
| Kurt Volker testified that he found the allegations against Joe Biden “self-serving and not credible”. | |
| Democratic committee chairman Adam Schiff asked: “Why was it that you found the allegations against Joe Biden related to his son and Burisma not to believed?” | |
| Volker responded: “Simply because I’ve known former vice-president Biden for a long time and I know how he respect the duties of his higher office.” | |
| Hello readers, Mario Koran here taking over the blog. | |
| Opening statements have been made and Volker and Morrison are now taking questions from Democrats and Republicans. | |
| According to his prepared opening statement, Kurt Volker only later came to appreciate that an investigation of Burisma was connected to an investigation of Joe Biden and his son. | According to his prepared opening statement, Kurt Volker only later came to appreciate that an investigation of Burisma was connected to an investigation of Joe Biden and his son. |
| “At no time was I aware of or knowingly took part in an effort to urge Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Biden,” Volker’s statement reads. “ I was not made aware of any reference to Vice President Biden or his son by President Trump, until the transcript of that call was released on September 25, 2019. | “At no time was I aware of or knowingly took part in an effort to urge Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Biden,” Volker’s statement reads. “ I was not made aware of any reference to Vice President Biden or his son by President Trump, until the transcript of that call was released on September 25, 2019. |
| “Throughout this time, I understood that there was an important distinction between ‘Burisma’ and ‘Biden’, and urged the Ukrainians to maintain such a distinction. I did not know that President Trump or others had raised Vice President Biden with the Ukrainians, or had conflated the investigation of possible Ukrainian corruption, with investigation of the former Vice President. In retrospect, for the Ukrainians, it clearly would have been confusing. | “Throughout this time, I understood that there was an important distinction between ‘Burisma’ and ‘Biden’, and urged the Ukrainians to maintain such a distinction. I did not know that President Trump or others had raised Vice President Biden with the Ukrainians, or had conflated the investigation of possible Ukrainian corruption, with investigation of the former Vice President. In retrospect, for the Ukrainians, it clearly would have been confusing. |
| “In hindsight, I now understand that others saw the idea of investigating possible corruption involving the Ukrainian company, ‘Burisma,’ as equivalent to investigating former Vice President Biden.” | “In hindsight, I now understand that others saw the idea of investigating possible corruption involving the Ukrainian company, ‘Burisma,’ as equivalent to investigating former Vice President Biden.” |
| Kurt Volker appeared to be using his opening statement to impeachment investigators to amend his closed-door testimony in which he denied knowledge of any quid pro quo in connection to the freeze on Ukraine’s military assistance. | Kurt Volker appeared to be using his opening statement to impeachment investigators to amend his closed-door testimony in which he denied knowledge of any quid pro quo in connection to the freeze on Ukraine’s military assistance. |
| The former Ukraine envoy claimed US officials were offering a very positive view of Ukraine as Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, painted a very different picture for Trump. | The former Ukraine envoy claimed US officials were offering a very positive view of Ukraine as Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, painted a very different picture for Trump. |
| “The problem was that despite the unanimous, positive assessment and recommendations of those of us who were part of the U.S. Presidential Delegation that attended the inauguration of President Zelenskyy, President Trump was receiving a different, negative narrative about Ukraine and President Zelenskyy,” Volker said. | “The problem was that despite the unanimous, positive assessment and recommendations of those of us who were part of the U.S. Presidential Delegation that attended the inauguration of President Zelenskyy, President Trump was receiving a different, negative narrative about Ukraine and President Zelenskyy,” Volker said. |
| “That negative narrative was fueled by accusations from Ukraine’s then-Prosecutor General and conveyed to the President by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.” | “That negative narrative was fueled by accusations from Ukraine’s then-Prosecutor General and conveyed to the President by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.” |
| In his opening statement, Tim Morrison emphasized he would not use his testimony to raise doubts about the judgement of any of his former national security council colleagues. | In his opening statement, Tim Morrison emphasized he would not use his testimony to raise doubts about the judgement of any of his former national security council colleagues. |
| “I have great respect for my former colleagues from the NSC and the rest of the interagency,” Morrison said. “I am not here today to question their character or integrity.” | “I have great respect for my former colleagues from the NSC and the rest of the interagency,” Morrison said. “I am not here today to question their character or integrity.” |
| However, Morrison did express doubts about Lt Col Alexander Vindman’s judgement in his closed-door testimony, which the White House cited in a tweet attacking Vindman. | However, Morrison did express doubts about Lt Col Alexander Vindman’s judgement in his closed-door testimony, which the White House cited in a tweet attacking Vindman. |
| The lieutenant colonel responded to Morrison’s doubts this morning by reading from former White House official Fiona Hill’s glowing performance review of him. | The lieutenant colonel responded to Morrison’s doubts this morning by reading from former White House official Fiona Hill’s glowing performance review of him. |
| Former NSC official Tim Morrison used his opening statement to lay out some parameters he intends to follow during his testimony today. | Former NSC official Tim Morrison used his opening statement to lay out some parameters he intends to follow during his testimony today. |
| “I do not know who the whistleblower is, nor do I intend to speculate as to who the individual may be,” Morrison told impeachment investigators. Adam Schiff has accused some of the House intelligence committee’s Republican members of trying to use their witness questioning to identify the whistleblower. | “I do not know who the whistleblower is, nor do I intend to speculate as to who the individual may be,” Morrison told impeachment investigators. Adam Schiff has accused some of the House intelligence committee’s Republican members of trying to use their witness questioning to identify the whistleblower. |
| Morrison, who listened in on Trump’s July call with the Ukrainian president, said he feared reports of the conversation could heighten polarization. “As I stated during my deposition, I feared at the time of the call on July 25th how its disclosure would play in Washington’s political climate,” Morrison said. “My fears have been realized.” | Morrison, who listened in on Trump’s July call with the Ukrainian president, said he feared reports of the conversation could heighten polarization. “As I stated during my deposition, I feared at the time of the call on July 25th how its disclosure would play in Washington’s political climate,” Morrison said. “My fears have been realized.” |
| Tim Morrison and Kurt Volker have been sworn in for this afternoon’s public impeachment hearing and will now deliver their opening statements. | Tim Morrison and Kurt Volker have been sworn in for this afternoon’s public impeachment hearing and will now deliver their opening statements. |
| Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, used his opening statement to reiterate his accusations that Democrats are seeking to oust Trump simply because of political animus. | Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, used his opening statement to reiterate his accusations that Democrats are seeking to oust Trump simply because of political animus. |
| The California Republican claimed Democrats launched the impeachment inquiry “solely because they despise” Trump and because they are “afraid he will win reelection next year.” | The California Republican claimed Democrats launched the impeachment inquiry “solely because they despise” Trump and because they are “afraid he will win reelection next year.” |
| House intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff began his opening statement by noting that this afternoon’s witnesses, Tim Morrison and Kurt Volker, were requested by the Republican minority. | House intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff began his opening statement by noting that this afternoon’s witnesses, Tim Morrison and Kurt Volker, were requested by the Republican minority. |
| The committee’s Republican members initially complained that they weren’t allowed to call officials to testify in the impeachment inquiry, but Schiff eventually approved three of the minority’s witness requests. | The committee’s Republican members initially complained that they weren’t allowed to call officials to testify in the impeachment inquiry, but Schiff eventually approved three of the minority’s witness requests. |
| However, this did not quash GOP complaints because Republicans expressed dismay that Schiff denied their requests to have Hunter Biden or the whistleblower whose complaint initiated the impeachment inquiry publicly testify. | However, this did not quash GOP complaints because Republicans expressed dismay that Schiff denied their requests to have Hunter Biden or the whistleblower whose complaint initiated the impeachment inquiry publicly testify. |
| The second public impeachment hearing of the day, featuring testimony from former NSC official Tim Morrison and former Ukraine envoy Kurt Volker, has been gaveled in. | The second public impeachment hearing of the day, featuring testimony from former NSC official Tim Morrison and former Ukraine envoy Kurt Volker, has been gaveled in. |
| The House has passed an interim spending bill to fund the government through Dec. 20, averting a shutdown as public impeachment hearings continue in the House. | The House has passed an interim spending bill to fund the government through Dec. 20, averting a shutdown as public impeachment hearings continue in the House. |
| However, the Dec. 20 deadline to pass another funding bill could result in a partisan battle over government spending just as the House is considering whether to impeach Trump. | However, the Dec. 20 deadline to pass another funding bill could result in a partisan battle over government spending just as the House is considering whether to impeach Trump. |
| The New York Times reports: | The New York Times reports: |
| Oleksander Danylyuk, the former chairman of the national security and defence council in Ukraine, said the job offer extended to Lt Col Alexander Vindman was “clearly a joke.” | Oleksander Danylyuk, the former chairman of the national security and defence council in Ukraine, said the job offer extended to Lt Col Alexander Vindman was “clearly a joke.” |
| “We both smiled and laughed,” Danylyuk told the Daily Beast. Vindman similarly described the offer to become Ukrainian defense minister as “comical” during this morning’s impeachment hearing. | “We both smiled and laughed,” Danylyuk told the Daily Beast. Vindman similarly described the offer to become Ukrainian defense minister as “comical” during this morning’s impeachment hearing. |
| The Republican counsel on the House intelligence committee appeared to be trying to paint the job offer as indicative of Vindman’s non-existent dual loyalty. | The Republican counsel on the House intelligence committee appeared to be trying to paint the job offer as indicative of Vindman’s non-existent dual loyalty. |
| Republicans on the House intelligence committee pushed back against Democratic accusations that questions about Lt Col Alexander Vindman being offered the job of Ukrainian defense minister were meant to resurface baseless allegations of dual loyalty. | Republicans on the House intelligence committee pushed back against Democratic accusations that questions about Lt Col Alexander Vindman being offered the job of Ukrainian defense minister were meant to resurface baseless allegations of dual loyalty. |
| When Vindman responded to questions about the defense minister job, the lieutenant colonel emphasized he was an American above all else and never entertained the “comical” offer. | When Vindman responded to questions about the defense minister job, the lieutenant colonel emphasized he was an American above all else and never entertained the “comical” offer. |
| The two witnesses in this afternoon’s public impeachment hearing, former NSC official Tim Morrison and former Ukraine envoy Kurt Volker, have arrived on Capitol Hill, but it’s unclear when they will begin their testimony. | The two witnesses in this afternoon’s public impeachment hearing, former NSC official Tim Morrison and former Ukraine envoy Kurt Volker, have arrived on Capitol Hill, but it’s unclear when they will begin their testimony. |
| The second hearing was originally scheduled to begin about 10 minutes ago, but the House intelligence committee appears to be running behind. | The second hearing was originally scheduled to begin about 10 minutes ago, but the House intelligence committee appears to be running behind. |
| The White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham has released a statement condemning the impeachment inquiry following this morning’s public hearing. | The White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham has released a statement condemning the impeachment inquiry following this morning’s public hearing. |
| “We have learned nothing new in today’s illegitimate ‘impeachment’ proceedings,” the statement reads. “However, buried among the witnesses’ personal opinions and conjecture about a call the White House long ago released to the public, both witnesses testified the July 25 transcript was ‘accurate’ and nothing President Trump has done or said amounts to ‘bribery’ or any other crime.” | “We have learned nothing new in today’s illegitimate ‘impeachment’ proceedings,” the statement reads. “However, buried among the witnesses’ personal opinions and conjecture about a call the White House long ago released to the public, both witnesses testified the July 25 transcript was ‘accurate’ and nothing President Trump has done or said amounts to ‘bribery’ or any other crime.” |
| Lt Col Alexander Vindman and Jennifer Williams did testify to the accuracy of the White House memo on Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president. However, that memo shows the US president asking Ukraine for a “favor,” and Vindman testified he believed Trump was trying to pressure Ukraine’s president to investigate Joe Biden. | Lt Col Alexander Vindman and Jennifer Williams did testify to the accuracy of the White House memo on Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president. However, that memo shows the US president asking Ukraine for a “favor,” and Vindman testified he believed Trump was trying to pressure Ukraine’s president to investigate Joe Biden. |
| Committee chairman Adam Schiff argued during the hearing that Vindman and Williams were not asked to make a determination on whether Trump attempted to bribe Ukraine because they were merely meant to serve as “fact witnesses” in the inquiry. | Committee chairman Adam Schiff argued during the hearing that Vindman and Williams were not asked to make a determination on whether Trump attempted to bribe Ukraine because they were merely meant to serve as “fact witnesses” in the inquiry. |
| The first public impeachment hearing today has concluded, and the second hearing with former NSC official Tim Morrison and former Ukraine envoy Kurt Volker is scheduled to begin in about 40 minutes. | The first public impeachment hearing today has concluded, and the second hearing with former NSC official Tim Morrison and former Ukraine envoy Kurt Volker is scheduled to begin in about 40 minutes. |
| Here’s what we learned from the first hearing: | Here’s what we learned from the first hearing: |
| Lt Col Alexander Vindman and Jennifer Williams provided firsthand accounts of Trump’s July call with the Ukrainian president, which sparked the impeachment inquiry. Vindman said he immediately notified White House lawyers of the “improper” call because he was alarmed by Trump’s apparent efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden. Williams added that Trump’s mention of Biden and his son sounded “political” to her, which was not in keeping with a typical call to a foreign leader. | Lt Col Alexander Vindman and Jennifer Williams provided firsthand accounts of Trump’s July call with the Ukrainian president, which sparked the impeachment inquiry. Vindman said he immediately notified White House lawyers of the “improper” call because he was alarmed by Trump’s apparent efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden. Williams added that Trump’s mention of Biden and his son sounded “political” to her, which was not in keeping with a typical call to a foreign leader. |
| Republicans on the House intelligence committee tried to undermine Vindman’s credibility by alluding to a possible loyalty to Ukraine, which he denied, and by accusing him of going outside the chain of command to report his concerns on the call, which he contradicted. But GOP members did not try to seriously contest the witnesses’ key assertions about Trump’s Ukraine call. | Republicans on the House intelligence committee tried to undermine Vindman’s credibility by alluding to a possible loyalty to Ukraine, which he denied, and by accusing him of going outside the chain of command to report his concerns on the call, which he contradicted. But GOP members did not try to seriously contest the witnesses’ key assertions about Trump’s Ukraine call. |
| The White House sent a tweet raising doubts about Vindman’s judgement by quoting the closed-door testimony of Morrison. However, during the hearing, Vindman pushed back against Morrison’s concerns by quoting a glowing performance review by former White House official Fiona Hill. | The White House sent a tweet raising doubts about Vindman’s judgement by quoting the closed-door testimony of Morrison. However, during the hearing, Vindman pushed back against Morrison’s concerns by quoting a glowing performance review by former White House official Fiona Hill. |
| Williams and Vindman denied they are “never Trumpers,” despite the president’s accusations. Vindman said he would describe himself as “never partisan.” | Williams and Vindman denied they are “never Trumpers,” despite the president’s accusations. Vindman said he would describe himself as “never partisan.” |
| The blog will have much more coming up, so stay tuned. | The blog will have much more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| The first of two public hearings in the House impeachment inquiry has concluded after about four and a half hours of testimony from Lt Col Alexander Vindman and Jennifer Williams. | The first of two public hearings in the House impeachment inquiry has concluded after about four and a half hours of testimony from Lt Col Alexander Vindman and Jennifer Williams. |
| In his closing statement, Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, declared, “Act one of today’s circus is over.” | In his closing statement, Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, declared, “Act one of today’s circus is over.” |
| But committee chairman Adam Schiff used his opening statement to once again lay out the accusations against Trump and argue the witnesses’ testimony today had contradicted Republicans’ claims that the president mentioned investigations into Joe Biden and the 2016 election because he cared about Ukrainian corruption. | But committee chairman Adam Schiff used his opening statement to once again lay out the accusations against Trump and argue the witnesses’ testimony today had contradicted Republicans’ claims that the president mentioned investigations into Joe Biden and the 2016 election because he cared about Ukrainian corruption. |