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| Vindman tells impeachment hearing he reported 'improper' Trump call immediately – live | Vindman tells impeachment hearing he reported 'improper' Trump call immediately – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Key witness testifies publicly on Trump’s Ukraine call and says ‘vile’ character attacks on those testifying ‘reprehensible’ – follow the latest live | Key witness testifies publicly on Trump’s Ukraine call and says ‘vile’ character attacks on those testifying ‘reprehensible’ – follow the latest live |
| The Republican counsel questioned Lt Col Alexander Vindman about whether he entertained an offer to become the defense minister of Ukraine. | |
| Vindman emphasized that he was an American and did not consider the offer, calling it “comical” given his current role, which he said was “not that senior.” | |
| While the press section of the stately hearing room is packed, the public section is scattered with several open seats. The front row is reserved for members of Congress, who have filtered in and out of the hearing. | |
| For a brief period in the morning, congressman Eliot Engel, chair of the House Foreign Affairs committee, one of the three panels leading the impeachment inquiry, sat next to congressman Lee Zeldin, a Republican and a leading defender of the president. Several lawmakers sat hunched over their phones, tapping out messages and tweets. | |
| But when chair Adam Schiff interrupted ranking member Devin Nunes to admonish the Republican for what he said were questions designed to unmask the whistleblower, Republicans in the room grumbled loudly. | |
| Several seats to the left of the lawmakers, a man wore a Make America Great Again hat that jarred with the ornate setting. There were few other displays of partisanship among the audience. | |
| Schiff, presiding over the hearing, sat ramrod straight, staring ahead intently at the witnesses. | |
| Echoing last week’s hearings, the Republican counsel on the House intelligence committee asked today’s witnesses about Hunter Biden’s qualifications to join the board of the Ukrainian company Burisma. | |
| “I don’t know much about Mr. Hunter Biden,” Lt Col Alexander Vindman said in response to questions from GOP counsel Steve Castor. | |
| While Devin Nunes was questioning Jennifer Williams and Lt Col Alexander Vindman, Adam Schiff warned his Republican colleague that he was not to use the proceedings to attempt to out the whistleblower whose complaint initiated the impeachment inquiry. | |
| Nunes was pressing Williams and Vindman on which officials they spoke to after Trump’s July call with the Ukrainian president. | |
| Schiff reminded Nunes that committee members were required to protect the identity of the whistleblower, prompting some jeering from Republicans in the hearing room. | |
| Vindman responded that he did not know the whistleblower’s identity but had been instructed not to discuss his intelligence community contacts. Nunes told him he was free to plead the Fifth, but Vindman’s attorney pushed back that such protection was not necessary. | |
| In another rather tense moment, Vindman corrected Nunes after the congressman referred to the Iraq War veteran as “Mr Vindman.” “Ranking member, it’s Lt Col Vindman, please,” he said. | |
| Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, is now using his time to question Jennifer Williams and Lt Col Alexander Vindman about whether they ever leaked to the press about Trump’s Ukraine call. | |
| Williams and Vindman repeatedly said they only spoke to White House staffers and officials with the proper clearances about the call. | |
| Adam Schiff and the Democratic counsel have concluded their 45 minutes of questions to Jennifer Williams and Lt Col Alexander Vindman, and Republican Devin Nunes has now begun his questioning. | Adam Schiff and the Democratic counsel have concluded their 45 minutes of questions to Jennifer Williams and Lt Col Alexander Vindman, and Republican Devin Nunes has now begun his questioning. |
| The ranking member of the House intelligence committee opened his questioning by asking the witnesses about Hunter Biden’s connections to the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, even though Williams and Vindman quickly acknowledged they had very little familiarity with the matter. | The ranking member of the House intelligence committee opened his questioning by asking the witnesses about Hunter Biden’s connections to the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, even though Williams and Vindman quickly acknowledged they had very little familiarity with the matter. |
| Lt Col Alexander Vindman said his impression from Trump’s communications with the Ukrainian president was that Volodymyr Zelenskiy “would have to deliver these investigations” into Joe Biden and the 2016 election in order to secure a White House meeting. | Lt Col Alexander Vindman said his impression from Trump’s communications with the Ukrainian president was that Volodymyr Zelenskiy “would have to deliver these investigations” into Joe Biden and the 2016 election in order to secure a White House meeting. |
| Answering the Democratic counsel’s question about the placement of the Ukraine call transcript on a highly secure server, Lt Col Alexander Vindman said such decisions were “not unprecedented.” | Answering the Democratic counsel’s question about the placement of the Ukraine call transcript on a highly secure server, Lt Col Alexander Vindman said such decisions were “not unprecedented.” |
| However, the NSC official noted the decision to move the transcript of Trump’s call to a more secure server was made “on the fly.” | However, the NSC official noted the decision to move the transcript of Trump’s call to a more secure server was made “on the fly.” |
| Lt Col Alexander Vindman said he believed the Ukrainian president may have been briefed on Burisma and its connection to the Bidens, given Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s awareness of the company during his July call with Trump. | Lt Col Alexander Vindman said he believed the Ukrainian president may have been briefed on Burisma and its connection to the Bidens, given Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s awareness of the company during his July call with Trump. |
| If Zelenskiy were briefed, it could indicate the Ukrainian president was already aware of Trump allies pushing for the investigations before the July call. | If Zelenskiy were briefed, it could indicate the Ukrainian president was already aware of Trump allies pushing for the investigations before the July call. |
| Jennifer Williams added that she believed Trump’s reference to the Bidens during the July call sounded “political.” | Jennifer Williams added that she believed Trump’s reference to the Bidens during the July call sounded “political.” |
| Lt Col Alexander Vindman and Jennifer Williams, who listened to Trump’s July call with the Ukrainian president, testified they both recalled hearing a reference to Burisma, the Ukrainian energy company with ties to Hunter Biden. | Lt Col Alexander Vindman and Jennifer Williams, who listened to Trump’s July call with the Ukrainian president, testified they both recalled hearing a reference to Burisma, the Ukrainian energy company with ties to Hunter Biden. |
| Burisma was not mentioned in the White House memo on the July call, even though Vindman said he notified officials that he heard Trump say the company’s name. However, the lieutenant colonel said he did not consider the omission of Burisma to be “significant.” | Burisma was not mentioned in the White House memo on the July call, even though Vindman said he notified officials that he heard Trump say the company’s name. However, the lieutenant colonel said he did not consider the omission of Burisma to be “significant.” |
| Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal lawyer, has weighed in on the impeachment inquiry -- falsely claiming that the constitution requires the president to root out corruption in countries that receive US aid. | Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal lawyer, has weighed in on the impeachment inquiry -- falsely claiming that the constitution requires the president to root out corruption in countries that receive US aid. |
| In his opening statement, Lt Col Alexander Vindman shared his concerns that Giuliani’s unofficial efforts to shape US-Ukrainian policy could jeopardize national security. | In his opening statement, Lt Col Alexander Vindman shared his concerns that Giuliani’s unofficial efforts to shape US-Ukrainian policy could jeopardize national security. |
| “In the Spring of 2019, I became aware of two disruptive actors–-primarily Ukraine’s then-Prosecutor General Yuri Lutsenko and former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, President Trump’s personal attorney— promoting false information that undermined the United States’ Ukraine policy,” Vindman said. | “In the Spring of 2019, I became aware of two disruptive actors–-primarily Ukraine’s then-Prosecutor General Yuri Lutsenko and former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, President Trump’s personal attorney— promoting false information that undermined the United States’ Ukraine policy,” Vindman said. |
| “The NSC and its inter-agency partners, including the State Department, grew increasingly concerned about the impact that such information was having on our country’s ability to achieve our national security objectives.” | “The NSC and its inter-agency partners, including the State Department, grew increasingly concerned about the impact that such information was having on our country’s ability to achieve our national security objectives.” |
| Responding to questions from committee chairman Adam Schiff, Lt Col Alexander Vindman said he immediately reported Trump’s Ukraine call because he feared it could have implications on US national security. | Responding to questions from committee chairman Adam Schiff, Lt Col Alexander Vindman said he immediately reported Trump’s Ukraine call because he feared it could have implications on US national security. |
| “Without hesitation, I knew I had to report this to the White House counsel,” Vindman said of the July call, saying he believed he had a “duty” to share his concerns. | “Without hesitation, I knew I had to report this to the White House counsel,” Vindman said of the July call, saying he believed he had a “duty” to share his concerns. |
| “It was improper for the president to request, to demand an investigation into a political opponent,” Vindman said, warning that Trump’s wishes could “undermine our national security.” | “It was improper for the president to request, to demand an investigation into a political opponent,” Vindman said, warning that Trump’s wishes could “undermine our national security.” |
| Lt Col Alexander Vindman outlined his family’s history of fleeing from the Soviet Union and applauded the courage of his colleagues who have testified in the impeachment inquiry. | Lt Col Alexander Vindman outlined his family’s history of fleeing from the Soviet Union and applauded the courage of his colleagues who have testified in the impeachment inquiry. |
| “I want to state that the vile character attacks on these distinguished and honorable public servants is reprehensible,” Vindman said. “It is natural to disagree and engage in spirited debate, this has been our custom since the time of our Founding Fathers, but we are better than callow and cowardly attacks.” | “I want to state that the vile character attacks on these distinguished and honorable public servants is reprehensible,” Vindman said. “It is natural to disagree and engage in spirited debate, this has been our custom since the time of our Founding Fathers, but we are better than callow and cowardly attacks.” |
| The Iraq war veteran went on to directly address his father, who made the decision to flee to the United States. “Dad, my sitting here today, in the US Capitol talking to our elected officials is proof that you made the right decision forty years ago to leave the Soviet Union and come here to the United States of America in search of a better life for our family,” Vindman said. “Do not worry, I will be fine for telling the truth.” | The Iraq war veteran went on to directly address his father, who made the decision to flee to the United States. “Dad, my sitting here today, in the US Capitol talking to our elected officials is proof that you made the right decision forty years ago to leave the Soviet Union and come here to the United States of America in search of a better life for our family,” Vindman said. “Do not worry, I will be fine for telling the truth.” |
| In his opening statement at this morning’s impeachment hearing, Lt Col Alexander Vindman said he immediately reported Trump’s Ukraine call to White House lawyers “out of a sense of duty” because the conversation was “improper.” | In his opening statement at this morning’s impeachment hearing, Lt Col Alexander Vindman said he immediately reported Trump’s Ukraine call to White House lawyers “out of a sense of duty” because the conversation was “improper.” |
| “I was concerned by the call, what I heard was improper, and I reported my concerns to Mr. Eisenberg,” Vindman said, referring to a senior White House lawyer. “It is improper for the President of the United States to demand a foreign government investigate a U.S. citizen and political opponent.” | “I was concerned by the call, what I heard was improper, and I reported my concerns to Mr. Eisenberg,” Vindman said, referring to a senior White House lawyer. “It is improper for the President of the United States to demand a foreign government investigate a U.S. citizen and political opponent.” |
| Vindman stressed that the call could jeopardize US-Ukrainian relations. “It was also clear that if Ukraine pursued an investigation into the 2016 election, the Bidens, and Burisma, it would be interpreted as a partisan play,” Vindman said. “This would undoubtedly result in Ukraine losing bipartisan support, undermine U.S. national security, and advance Russia’s strategic objectives in the region.” | Vindman stressed that the call could jeopardize US-Ukrainian relations. “It was also clear that if Ukraine pursued an investigation into the 2016 election, the Bidens, and Burisma, it would be interpreted as a partisan play,” Vindman said. “This would undoubtedly result in Ukraine losing bipartisan support, undermine U.S. national security, and advance Russia’s strategic objectives in the region.” |
| In her opening statement, Jennifer Williams recounted her memory of Trump’s July call with the Ukrainian president, which kicked off the impeachment inquiry. | In her opening statement, Jennifer Williams recounted her memory of Trump’s July call with the Ukrainian president, which kicked off the impeachment inquiry. |
| “On July 25th, along with several of my colleagues, I listened to a call between President Trump and President Zelensky—the content of which has since been publicly reported,” Williams, an aide to the vice president, said. “During my closed-door deposition, Members of the Committee asked about my personal views and whether I had any concerns about the July 25th call. As I testified then, I found the July 25th phone call unusual because, in contrast to other presidential calls I had observed, it involved discussion of what appeared to be a domestic political matter.” | “On July 25th, along with several of my colleagues, I listened to a call between President Trump and President Zelensky—the content of which has since been publicly reported,” Williams, an aide to the vice president, said. “During my closed-door deposition, Members of the Committee asked about my personal views and whether I had any concerns about the July 25th call. As I testified then, I found the July 25th phone call unusual because, in contrast to other presidential calls I had observed, it involved discussion of what appeared to be a domestic political matter.” |
| Williams also noted that she was told acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney maintained the freeze on Ukraine’s military assistance. The longtime foreign service officer said that she learned of the hold in early July, and that hold was discussed at subsequent Policy Coordination Committee meetings. | Williams also noted that she was told acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney maintained the freeze on Ukraine’s military assistance. The longtime foreign service officer said that she learned of the hold in early July, and that hold was discussed at subsequent Policy Coordination Committee meetings. |
| “During those meetings, representatives of the State and Defense Departments advocated that the hold should be lifted, and OMB representatives reported that the White House Chief of Staff had directed that the hold should remain in place,” Williams said. | “During those meetings, representatives of the State and Defense Departments advocated that the hold should be lifted, and OMB representatives reported that the White House Chief of Staff had directed that the hold should remain in place,” Williams said. |
| Lt Col Alexander Vindman and Jennifer Williams have now been sworn in to testify in today’s public impeachment hearing. Williams, an aide to Vice President Mike Pence, is currently delivering her opening statement. | Lt Col Alexander Vindman and Jennifer Williams have now been sworn in to testify in today’s public impeachment hearing. Williams, an aide to Vice President Mike Pence, is currently delivering her opening statement. |
| Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, used his opening statement to denounce the media for allegedly spreading false reports about Trump and his aides -- even though a number of the articles Nunes cited were far from false. | Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, used his opening statement to denounce the media for allegedly spreading false reports about Trump and his aides -- even though a number of the articles Nunes cited were far from false. |
| Nunes applauded pieces from the Hill’s former columnist John Solomon, whose writings about Ukraine are now being reviewed and corrected when necessary. | Nunes applauded pieces from the Hill’s former columnist John Solomon, whose writings about Ukraine are now being reviewed and corrected when necessary. |
| As a New York Times reporter pointed out, the strategy of attacking the media may be far easier for Republicans than attacking today’s witnesses. | As a New York Times reporter pointed out, the strategy of attacking the media may be far easier for Republicans than attacking today’s witnesses. |
| Adam Schiff emphasized in his opening statement that Lt Col Alexander Vindman and Jennifer Williams are not political figures and are not testifying today to argue for or against impeachment. | Adam Schiff emphasized in his opening statement that Lt Col Alexander Vindman and Jennifer Williams are not political figures and are not testifying today to argue for or against impeachment. |
| “Ms. Williams, we all saw the President’s tweet about you on Sunday afternoon and the insults he hurled at Ambassador Yovanovich last Friday,” Schiff said, referring to the president’s tweet calling Williams a “Never Trumper.” “You are here today, and the American people are grateful.” | “Ms. Williams, we all saw the President’s tweet about you on Sunday afternoon and the insults he hurled at Ambassador Yovanovich last Friday,” Schiff said, referring to the president’s tweet calling Williams a “Never Trumper.” “You are here today, and the American people are grateful.” |
| Schiff continued, “Col. Vindman, we have seen far more scurrilous attacks on your character, and watched as certain personalities on Fox have questioned your loyalty. I note that you have shed blood for America, and we owe you an immense debt of gratitude. | Schiff continued, “Col. Vindman, we have seen far more scurrilous attacks on your character, and watched as certain personalities on Fox have questioned your loyalty. I note that you have shed blood for America, and we owe you an immense debt of gratitude. |
| “Today’s witnesses, like those who testified last week, are here because they were subpoenaed to appear, not because they are for or against impeachment. | “Today’s witnesses, like those who testified last week, are here because they were subpoenaed to appear, not because they are for or against impeachment. |
| “That question is for Congress, not the fact witnesses.” | “That question is for Congress, not the fact witnesses.” |