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| Impeachment hearings: Pentagon official testifies that Ukraine asked about stalled military aid weeks before hold was known – as it happened | Impeachment hearings: Pentagon official testifies that Ukraine asked about stalled military aid weeks before hold was known – as it happened |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| Schiff delivers damning verdict in closing statement after Gordon Sondland’s bombshell testimony that blew holes in Trump’s defense – follow live | Schiff delivers damning verdict in closing statement after Gordon Sondland’s bombshell testimony that blew holes in Trump’s defense – follow live |
| Politica coverage continues in Thursday’s live blog: | |
| We’re wrapping up the politics liveblog, after a long day of impeachment hearings. | We’re wrapping up the politics liveblog, after a long day of impeachment hearings. |
| Here’s a recap: | Here’s a recap: |
| Gordon Sondland, ambassador to the European Union, tore down Donald Trump’s impeachment defense by affirming that there was, in fact, a quid pro quo. | Gordon Sondland, ambassador to the European Union, tore down Donald Trump’s impeachment defense by affirming that there was, in fact, a quid pro quo. |
| Trump and his allies continue to insist that Sondland’s testimony somehow exonerates the president. | Trump and his allies continue to insist that Sondland’s testimony somehow exonerates the president. |
| Pentagon official Laura Cooper revealed that the Ukrainian officials asked about aid the same day that Trump asked the Ukrainian president to investigate his political rivals. | Pentagon official Laura Cooper revealed that the Ukrainian officials asked about aid the same day that Trump asked the Ukrainian president to investigate his political rivals. |
| Her testimony took down yet another key point in the Republicans’ defense of Trump — that there was no quid pro quo because the Ukrainians weren’t aware that aid was being withheld. | Her testimony took down yet another key point in the Republicans’ defense of Trump — that there was no quid pro quo because the Ukrainians weren’t aware that aid was being withheld. |
| David Hale, the third-highest-ranking official at the State Department, reiterated that it was “wrong” to dismiss Ukrainian ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, who was unexpectedly removed from her post in May. | David Hale, the third-highest-ranking official at the State Department, reiterated that it was “wrong” to dismiss Ukrainian ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, who was unexpectedly removed from her post in May. |
| We’ll have more analysis from today’s hearings tonight. In the meantime, follow The Guardian’s live coverage of the Democratic presidential debates here. | We’ll have more analysis from today’s hearings tonight. In the meantime, follow The Guardian’s live coverage of the Democratic presidential debates here. |
| The hearings have concluded, but the committee is now reviewing Republican requests for subpoenas to compel the testimony and documents from Hunter Biden, the Democratic National Committee and the whistleblower. | The hearings have concluded, but the committee is now reviewing Republican requests for subpoenas to compel the testimony and documents from Hunter Biden, the Democratic National Committee and the whistleblower. |
| All the motions were tabled. Schiff ignored repeated cries of “Point of order, Mr. Chairman” from the Republicans. | All the motions were tabled. Schiff ignored repeated cries of “Point of order, Mr. Chairman” from the Republicans. |
| “This is not an impeachment inquiry, this is an impeachment inquisition,” said Devin Nunes on the Republican side. | “This is not an impeachment inquiry, this is an impeachment inquisition,” said Devin Nunes on the Republican side. |
| He advised Americans to “hide the kids and return to bed”, before saying, “I yield to Mr. Schiff for storytime hour.” | He advised Americans to “hide the kids and return to bed”, before saying, “I yield to Mr. Schiff for storytime hour.” |
| Adam Schiff responded: “I thank the gentleman, as always, for his remarks.” | Adam Schiff responded: “I thank the gentleman, as always, for his remarks.” |
| The hearing room laughed. | The hearing room laughed. |
| Schiff closed by accusing the president of hypocrisy. “We’re supposed to believe that Donald Trump is a great corruption fighter...let’s look at his words and deeds”, he said. | Schiff closed by accusing the president of hypocrisy. “We’re supposed to believe that Donald Trump is a great corruption fighter...let’s look at his words and deeds”, he said. |
| Meanwhile, EU ambassador Gordon Sondland is off to Brussels. | Meanwhile, EU ambassador Gordon Sondland is off to Brussels. |
| As he boarded his plane, he reportedly put his luggage into the wong overhead bin. | As he boarded his plane, he reportedly put his luggage into the wong overhead bin. |
| “My whole day has been like this”, a flight attendant overhead him say. | “My whole day has been like this”, a flight attendant overhead him say. |
| Hale testified that former Ukraine ambassador Marie Yovanovitch “should have been able to stay in post and continue to do the outstanding work that she was doing”. | Hale testified that former Ukraine ambassador Marie Yovanovitch “should have been able to stay in post and continue to do the outstanding work that she was doing”. |
| “We had an exceptional officer doing exceptional work”, he said. | “We had an exceptional officer doing exceptional work”, he said. |
| Representative Eric Swalwell of California told Cooper that her testimony, “demonstrates the power of coming forward in defying lawless orders from the president”. | Representative Eric Swalwell of California told Cooper that her testimony, “demonstrates the power of coming forward in defying lawless orders from the president”. |
| Her information “destroys two of the pillars of the president’s defense and one justification for his conduct”, he said. First that there couldn’t have been any quid pro quo because the Ukrainians didn’t know aid was being withheld, and second that Trump was concerned about corruption in Ukraine. | Her information “destroys two of the pillars of the president’s defense and one justification for his conduct”, he said. First that there couldn’t have been any quid pro quo because the Ukrainians didn’t know aid was being withheld, and second that Trump was concerned about corruption in Ukraine. |
| Swalwell asked if Trump contacted Cooper or her staff to ask about corruption. | Swalwell asked if Trump contacted Cooper or her staff to ask about corruption. |
| “No, sir”, she said. | “No, sir”, she said. |
| It seems the White House is trying to defend Trump in real-time, even as Cooper’s testimony tears down the defense that no bribery occurred. | It seems the White House is trying to defend Trump in real-time, even as Cooper’s testimony tears down the defense that no bribery occurred. |
| Testimony from Laura Cooper, the Pentagon official who is currently testifying before lawmakers, undercuts an argument that Trump’s supporters have often made in defending the president. | Testimony from Laura Cooper, the Pentagon official who is currently testifying before lawmakers, undercuts an argument that Trump’s supporters have often made in defending the president. |
| Republicans have said that no bribery or quid pro quo could have occurred because the Ukrainians were unaware that aid was being withheld. | Republicans have said that no bribery or quid pro quo could have occurred because the Ukrainians were unaware that aid was being withheld. |
| Cooper said he staff received an from the State Department on July 25 saying that the Ukrainian embassy and House foreign affairs committee were asking about the security assistance. Two hours later, Cooper said her staff got another email from the State Department regarding aid. | Cooper said he staff received an from the State Department on July 25 saying that the Ukrainian embassy and House foreign affairs committee were asking about the security assistance. Two hours later, Cooper said her staff got another email from the State Department regarding aid. |
| This was the same day as the infamous July 25 phone call, during which Trump asked the Ukrainian president to investigate his political opponents. | This was the same day as the infamous July 25 phone call, during which Trump asked the Ukrainian president to investigate his political opponents. |
| Cooper also said “a member of my staff got a question from a Ukraine embassy contact asking what was going on with Ukraine security assistance”. | Cooper also said “a member of my staff got a question from a Ukraine embassy contact asking what was going on with Ukraine security assistance”. |
| Cooper also said that an Office of Management and Budget official told him that the aid was being withheld because “the president had so directed, though the acting chief of staff”. | Cooper also said that an Office of Management and Budget official told him that the aid was being withheld because “the president had so directed, though the acting chief of staff”. |
| She added that the “State Department advocated, as I did in a meeting, for proceeding with all of the assistance, consistent with our policies and interests in Ukraine”. | She added that the “State Department advocated, as I did in a meeting, for proceeding with all of the assistance, consistent with our policies and interests in Ukraine”. |
| Hale said a hold on foreign aid wasn’t “normal” but said it does happen. | Hale said a hold on foreign aid wasn’t “normal” but said it does happen. |
| “It is certainly an occurrence. It does occur,” he said. | “It is certainly an occurrence. It does occur,” he said. |
| Asked again, “Would you agree though that it would be very unusual to place a hold of military aid in order to leverage a foreign country to get them to investigate a political opponent?” | Asked again, “Would you agree though that it would be very unusual to place a hold of military aid in order to leverage a foreign country to get them to investigate a political opponent?” |
| Hale replied affirmatively. “It’s certainly not what I would do”, he said. | Hale replied affirmatively. “It’s certainly not what I would do”, he said. |
| Cooper said that after her closed-door testimony, her staff brought two emails to her attention, both of which were received on the same day as the Trump-Ukraine call. | Cooper said that after her closed-door testimony, her staff brought two emails to her attention, both of which were received on the same day as the Trump-Ukraine call. |
| “One was received on July 25, at 2:31 pm. That email said that the Ukrainian embassy and House Foreign Affairs Committee are asking about security assistance. The second email was received July 25th at 4:25 pm,” Cooper said. | “One was received on July 25, at 2:31 pm. That email said that the Ukrainian embassy and House Foreign Affairs Committee are asking about security assistance. The second email was received July 25th at 4:25 pm,” Cooper said. |
| Meanwhile... | Meanwhile... |
| Moments ago, Adam Schiff opened the second half of today’s impeachment proceedings by emphasizing that Cooper and Hale have worked under both Republican and Democratic presidents. | Moments ago, Adam Schiff opened the second half of today’s impeachment proceedings by emphasizing that Cooper and Hale have worked under both Republican and Democratic presidents. |
| David Hale did not deliver a prepared opening statement. | David Hale did not deliver a prepared opening statement. |
| Laura Cooper did. The “human toll continues to climb in this ongoing war, with 14,000 Ukrainian lives lost since Russia’s 2014 invasion” she said. “These sacrifices are continually in my mind as I lead the efforts to provide vital training and equipment, including defensive lethal assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.” | Laura Cooper did. The “human toll continues to climb in this ongoing war, with 14,000 Ukrainian lives lost since Russia’s 2014 invasion” she said. “These sacrifices are continually in my mind as I lead the efforts to provide vital training and equipment, including defensive lethal assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.” |
| Cooper also emphasized her public service. “My strong sense of pride in serving my country and dedication to my Pentagon colleagues were cemented in the moments after I felt the Pentagon shake beneath me on September 11, 2001,” she said. | Cooper also emphasized her public service. “My strong sense of pride in serving my country and dedication to my Pentagon colleagues were cemented in the moments after I felt the Pentagon shake beneath me on September 11, 2001,” she said. |
| Hale, the undersecretary of state for political affairs, is the third-highest-ranking official at the State Department. | Hale, the undersecretary of state for political affairs, is the third-highest-ranking official at the State Department. |
| Hale may be able to share more information on why ambassador Marie Yovanovitch was dismissed. Yovanovitch, who testified publicly last week, said that she had asked Hale to defend her against attacks on her credibility. | Hale may be able to share more information on why ambassador Marie Yovanovitch was dismissed. Yovanovitch, who testified publicly last week, said that she had asked Hale to defend her against attacks on her credibility. |
| According to Yovanovitch, Hale reassured her but never issued a statement of support. | According to Yovanovitch, Hale reassured her but never issued a statement of support. |
| In his closed-door testimony, Hale said ultimately decided not to issue a statement because he worried “it would only fuel negative reaction,” possibly from Trump. | In his closed-door testimony, Hale said ultimately decided not to issue a statement because he worried “it would only fuel negative reaction,” possibly from Trump. |
| Adam Schiff is delivering his opening statement now. Follow along for live updates. | Adam Schiff is delivering his opening statement now. Follow along for live updates. |
| This hearing was scheduled for 2:30 pm ET but was delayed after Sondland’s hearing ran long. | This hearing was scheduled for 2:30 pm ET but was delayed after Sondland’s hearing ran long. |
| Cooper is the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine, Eurasia and the Western Balkans. | Cooper is the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine, Eurasia and the Western Balkans. |
| She was one of several Pentagon officials who warned the White House against withholding aid to Ukraine. Delaying Congressionally appropriated aid for an extended time could violate the Impoundment Control Act which prevents the executive branch from unilaterally deciding on such holds. | She was one of several Pentagon officials who warned the White House against withholding aid to Ukraine. Delaying Congressionally appropriated aid for an extended time could violate the Impoundment Control Act which prevents the executive branch from unilaterally deciding on such holds. |
| In a closed-door testimony, which was delayed after Republican storming the secure area where she was interviewed, Cooper said the White House began inquiring after the aid nearly a month before it was frozen. | In a closed-door testimony, which was delayed after Republican storming the secure area where she was interviewed, Cooper said the White House began inquiring after the aid nearly a month before it was frozen. |