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| Pelosi on Trump impeachment: this is not about elections, it’s about the constitution – live | Pelosi on Trump impeachment: this is not about elections, it’s about the constitution – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Speaker of the House answered questions after articles of impeachment were announced this morning, disputing Republicans’ argument over motives | Speaker of the House answered questions after articles of impeachment were announced this morning, disputing Republicans’ argument over motives |
| McConnell says Senate impeachment trial before holiday break ‘not possible’ | |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell just told reporters at the Capitol that a Senate trial or vote on the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) before Congress breaks for the holidays is not possible. This means that an impeachment trial would have to take place after the New Year. | |
| People are still reeling from the comments attorney general William Barr made in an interview with NBC where he said the FBI investigation into Russia and the Trump campaign was done in “bad faith”, contradicting the report of his department’s watchdog. | |
| Pompeo meets with Russian foreign minister | Pompeo meets with Russian foreign minister |
| Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, is in DC today to meet with the Trump administration. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at joint press conference with Lavrov moments ago that he and Lavrov discussed a host of issues, including counter-terrorism, arms control between China, Russia and the United States and other foreign policy matters in Venezuela and Ukraine. He said they agreed on denuclearization of North Korea as a joint objective. | Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, is in DC today to meet with the Trump administration. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at joint press conference with Lavrov moments ago that he and Lavrov discussed a host of issues, including counter-terrorism, arms control between China, Russia and the United States and other foreign policy matters in Venezuela and Ukraine. He said they agreed on denuclearization of North Korea as a joint objective. |
| Pompeo also said that he “made our expectation of Russia clear – the Trump administration will always work to protect the integrity of our elections.” | Pompeo also said that he “made our expectation of Russia clear – the Trump administration will always work to protect the integrity of our elections.” |
| In his prepared remarks, Lavrov said “we have highlighted once again that all speculation about our alleged interference in domestic processes in the US are baseless. There are no facts that would support that.” (Reminder that the Mueller report said that the Russian government believed they would benefit from a Trump presidency “and worked to secure that outcome”.) | In his prepared remarks, Lavrov said “we have highlighted once again that all speculation about our alleged interference in domestic processes in the US are baseless. There are no facts that would support that.” (Reminder that the Mueller report said that the Russian government believed they would benefit from a Trump presidency “and worked to secure that outcome”.) |
| Lavrov is expected to arrive at the White House around 2.30pm this afternoon. | Lavrov is expected to arrive at the White House around 2.30pm this afternoon. |
| Democracy is under attack … as are civility and truth. | Democracy is under attack … as are civility and truth. |
| A message from the Guardian US editor-in-chief: | A message from the Guardian US editor-in-chief: |
| These are perilous times. Lies infect the political discourse and hateful attacks on the media are commonplace. The US government incites fear and prejudice and undermines the judiciary. It sometimes feels like the truth is an endangered species. | These are perilous times. Lies infect the political discourse and hateful attacks on the media are commonplace. The US government incites fear and prejudice and undermines the judiciary. It sometimes feels like the truth is an endangered species. |
| As we approach 2020, the need for a robust, independent press has never been greater. Many vital aspects of American public life are in play – the Supreme Court, abortion rights, climate policy, wealth inequality, Big Tech and much more. The stakes could hardly be higher. | As we approach 2020, the need for a robust, independent press has never been greater. Many vital aspects of American public life are in play – the Supreme Court, abortion rights, climate policy, wealth inequality, Big Tech and much more. The stakes could hardly be higher. |
| In 2020, the Guardian, as it has done for 200 years, will continue to argue for the values we hold dear – facts, science, diversity, equality and fairness. We’re asking our US readers to help us raise $1.5m by early January to support our journalism. We hope you’ll consider making a year-end gift. | In 2020, the Guardian, as it has done for 200 years, will continue to argue for the values we hold dear – facts, science, diversity, equality and fairness. We’re asking our US readers to help us raise $1.5m by early January to support our journalism. We hope you’ll consider making a year-end gift. |
| We also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Guardian in 2019. You provide us with the motivation and financial support to keep doing what we do. | We also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Guardian in 2019. You provide us with the motivation and financial support to keep doing what we do. |
| Make a contribution. | Make a contribution. |
| Lots has been happening on Capitol Hill today. Here’s a quick catch-up on all that’s been happening: | Lots has been happening on Capitol Hill today. Here’s a quick catch-up on all that’s been happening: |
| House Democrats publicly released their two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, one for abuse of power and a second for obstructing Congress’ investigation. Trump and co. have already responded by saying the House Dems are on a “witch hunt” and are trying to compensate for the 2016 election, but the House could bring impeachment to a vote as early as next week. If this all makes your head spin, here are some key takeaways from the articles brought for today. | |
| Almost an hour after the House Dems announced their article of impeachment, they scurried to another room in the Capitol to announce they made a deal with Trump on the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade deal between the three countries. The deal includes their push for better worker and environmental protections. | Almost an hour after the House Dems announced their article of impeachment, they scurried to another room in the Capitol to announce they made a deal with Trump on the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade deal between the three countries. The deal includes their push for better worker and environmental protections. |
| Attorney general William Barr told NBC News that the FBI was acting in “bad faith” when they were investigating possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, directly contradicting the report that the DOJ’s watchdog published yesterday that said the investigation was justified. | Attorney general William Barr told NBC News that the FBI was acting in “bad faith” when they were investigating possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, directly contradicting the report that the DOJ’s watchdog published yesterday that said the investigation was justified. |
| Believe it or not, there’s plenty more to come today, so stay tuned! | Believe it or not, there’s plenty more to come today, so stay tuned! |
| In a just-published exclusive for NBC News, attorney general William Barr said that he believes the FBI acted in bad faith when it investigated collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, contradicting his department’s watchdog. Here’s more from the story: | In a just-published exclusive for NBC News, attorney general William Barr said that he believes the FBI acted in bad faith when it investigated collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, contradicting his department’s watchdog. Here’s more from the story: |
| Speaker Nancy Pelosi is being asked some fun questions at an event in DC right now. | Speaker Nancy Pelosi is being asked some fun questions at an event in DC right now. |
| On how she would describe her relationship with Trump: “Professional.” | On how she would describe her relationship with Trump: “Professional.” |
| On whether hearing that Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law, admires her as a powerful leader surprises her: “Surprise is not a word in my vocabulary.” | On whether hearing that Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law, admires her as a powerful leader surprises her: “Surprise is not a word in my vocabulary.” |
| Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is at an event in DC hosted by Politico, taking the first batch of questions from Politico reporter Anna Palmer on impeachment since the articles of impeachment were announced this morning. | Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is at an event in DC hosted by Politico, taking the first batch of questions from Politico reporter Anna Palmer on impeachment since the articles of impeachment were announced this morning. |
| “It’s a sad day actually, a solemn day. It’s something that no one comes to Congress to do, to impeach a president.” | “It’s a sad day actually, a solemn day. It’s something that no one comes to Congress to do, to impeach a president.” |
| Pelosi shrugged off a question of why the findings of the Mueller report weren’t included in the articles of impeachment. | Pelosi shrugged off a question of why the findings of the Mueller report weren’t included in the articles of impeachment. |
| “I wish everyone just focused on what we are bringing forward because this is very serious violations of our constitution, undermining the national security of the United States, jeopardizing the integrity of our elections,” Pelosi said. “Instead of talking about what isn’t, this is what is, and that’s how we’re moving forward.” | “I wish everyone just focused on what we are bringing forward because this is very serious violations of our constitution, undermining the national security of the United States, jeopardizing the integrity of our elections,” Pelosi said. “Instead of talking about what isn’t, this is what is, and that’s how we’re moving forward.” |
| Pelosi is emphasizing that the impeachment isn’t about the election, which the Republicans are arguing that it is, but instead it’s about the Constitution and Congress’ role in checks and balances. “We are saying goodbye to a republic... and saying hello to a king”. | Pelosi is emphasizing that the impeachment isn’t about the election, which the Republicans are arguing that it is, but instead it’s about the Constitution and Congress’ role in checks and balances. “We are saying goodbye to a republic... and saying hello to a king”. |
| House Republicans just wrapped up a press conference where they praised the finalization of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade deal while criticizing House Democrats, especially speaker Nancy Pelosi, for bringing forth articles of impeachment. | House Republicans just wrapped up a press conference where they praised the finalization of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade deal while criticizing House Democrats, especially speaker Nancy Pelosi, for bringing forth articles of impeachment. |
| House minority leader Kevin McCarthy of California delivered the usual Republican talking points about impeachment, but added that the only reason why Pelosi struck a deal over USMCA is because impeachment is unpopular. | House minority leader Kevin McCarthy of California delivered the usual Republican talking points about impeachment, but added that the only reason why Pelosi struck a deal over USMCA is because impeachment is unpopular. |
| Of course public opinion on impeachment is heavily partisan, but the most recent polls show that a higher percentage of Americans support impeachment compared to the percentage of those who don’t. | Of course public opinion on impeachment is heavily partisan, but the most recent polls show that a higher percentage of Americans support impeachment compared to the percentage of those who don’t. |
| Here’s what some of Trump’s friends are saying today in light of the articles of impeachment. | Here’s what some of Trump’s friends are saying today in light of the articles of impeachment. |
| Trump’s acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney was at an event for the Wall Street Journal today and said that he will “do whatever the president wants us to do” and is “not going to talk about the facts until the president tells me to”. | Trump’s acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney was at an event for the Wall Street Journal today and said that he will “do whatever the president wants us to do” and is “not going to talk about the facts until the president tells me to”. |
| Lindsey Graham, a senator from South Carolina, said in a statement that “this is a sad and dangerous moment for the American political system”, adding that the “House Democrats are turning impeachment into a tool to be used when you don’t like a president’s policies or style. | Lindsey Graham, a senator from South Carolina, said in a statement that “this is a sad and dangerous moment for the American political system”, adding that the “House Democrats are turning impeachment into a tool to be used when you don’t like a president’s policies or style. |
| Republican US representative Jim Jordan of Ohio said the articles of impeachment are “the product of a baseless attempt to upend the will of the people less than 11 months before the election. Democrats remain in denial about the results of the 2016 election and our country’s undeniable success under President Trump’s leadership.” | Republican US representative Jim Jordan of Ohio said the articles of impeachment are “the product of a baseless attempt to upend the will of the people less than 11 months before the election. Democrats remain in denial about the results of the 2016 election and our country’s undeniable success under President Trump’s leadership.” |
| Next year America faces an epic choice ... and the results could define the country for a generation. | Next year America faces an epic choice ... and the results could define the country for a generation. |
| A message from the Guardian US editor-in-chief: | A message from the Guardian US editor-in-chief: |
| These are perilous times. Over the last three years, much of what the Guardian holds dear has been threatened – democracy, civility, truth. This US administration is establishing new norms of behaviour. Anger and cruelty disfigure public discourse and lying is commonplace. Truth is being chased away. | These are perilous times. Over the last three years, much of what the Guardian holds dear has been threatened – democracy, civility, truth. This US administration is establishing new norms of behaviour. Anger and cruelty disfigure public discourse and lying is commonplace. Truth is being chased away. |
| In the coming year, many vital aspects of American public life are in play – the supreme court, abortion rights, climate policy, wealth inequality, Big Tech and much more. The stakes could hardly be higher – and the need for a robust, independent press has never been greater. | In the coming year, many vital aspects of American public life are in play – the supreme court, abortion rights, climate policy, wealth inequality, Big Tech and much more. The stakes could hardly be higher – and the need for a robust, independent press has never been greater. |
| As 2020 approaches, we’re asking our US readers to help us raise $1.5m by early January to support our journalism. We hope you’ll consider making a year-end gift. | As 2020 approaches, we’re asking our US readers to help us raise $1.5m by early January to support our journalism. We hope you’ll consider making a year-end gift. |
| We also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Guardian in 2019. You provide us with the motivation and financial support to keep doing what we do. | We also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Guardian in 2019. You provide us with the motivation and financial support to keep doing what we do. |
| Make a contribution. | Make a contribution. |
| The text of the articles of impeachment say that Donald Trump should not only be removed from office, but should also be disqualified from holding “any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States” again. | The text of the articles of impeachment say that Donald Trump should not only be removed from office, but should also be disqualified from holding “any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States” again. |
| While there is no mention of former special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, the text of the articles of impeachment say that the president’s actions around Ukraine were consistent with “previous invitations of foreign interference in the United States elections”. | While there is no mention of former special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, the text of the articles of impeachment say that the president’s actions around Ukraine were consistent with “previous invitations of foreign interference in the United States elections”. |