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| Democrats unveil articles of impeachment against Trump – live | Democrats unveil articles of impeachment against Trump – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| House Democrats hold press conference and announce articles of impeachment over abuse of power and obstruction of Congress – follow live | House Democrats hold press conference and announce articles of impeachment over abuse of power and obstruction of Congress – follow live |
| Interesting point on the timing of the US-Mexico-Canada trade deal in light of questions on why the deal was announced the same day as the impeachment inquiry moves forward. | |
| Here are details of the negotiations, according to a release handed to reporters during the press conference: | |
| House speaker Nancy Pelosi was just asked whether it was a coincidence that the trade deal was announced the same day House Dems revealed their articles of impeachment against Donald Trump. | |
| “No, it’s not a coincidence, it’s just as we get to the end of a session, there have to be some decisions made. The timetable for impeachment is the timetable of the committees, and that came to an end over the hearing yesterday. But for us, we didn’t know what day this will be.” | |
| When a reporter remarked that it must have been a long morning for House Dems, Pelosi remarked “the day is young!” getting laughs from the room. | |
| An hour after House Democrats announced their articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, they are now announcing the details of the deal with Trump on his US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade deal between the three countries. | An hour after House Democrats announced their articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, they are now announcing the details of the deal with Trump on his US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade deal between the three countries. |
| At a press conference happening now, a group of House Dems are touting the changes they got through in USMCA, including stronger rules that will help litigate disputes and enforce worker and environmental protections. | At a press conference happening now, a group of House Dems are touting the changes they got through in USMCA, including stronger rules that will help litigate disputes and enforce worker and environmental protections. |
| House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that US trade representative Robert Lighthizer is on his way to Mexico today to signed the agreement. | House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that US trade representative Robert Lighthizer is on his way to Mexico today to signed the agreement. |
| Nearly an hour after House Democrats announced their two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, Trump finally responded on Twitter. | Nearly an hour after House Democrats announced their two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, Trump finally responded on Twitter. |
| A second Tweet posted minutes after simply says “WITCH HUNT!” | A second Tweet posted minutes after simply says “WITCH HUNT!” |
| Trump then went off on House intelligence committee chair Adam Schiff, who gave extensive justification for why the Democrats are moving forward with impeachment during the press conference. | Trump then went off on House intelligence committee chair Adam Schiff, who gave extensive justification for why the Democrats are moving forward with impeachment during the press conference. |
| Here’s a quick recap of what’s happened this morning. | Here’s a quick recap of what’s happened this morning. |
| House Democrats announced two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump: One for abuse of power and a second for obstructing Congress. | House Democrats announced two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump: One for abuse of power and a second for obstructing Congress. |
| Jerry Nadler, House judiciary committee, explained the articles at a press conference at the Capitol this morning. First with abuse of power: | Jerry Nadler, House judiciary committee, explained the articles at a press conference at the Capitol this morning. First with abuse of power: |
| “It is an impeachable offense for the president to exercise the powers of his public office to obtain an improper personal benefit while ignoring or injuring the national interest. | “It is an impeachable offense for the president to exercise the powers of his public office to obtain an improper personal benefit while ignoring or injuring the national interest. |
| That is exactly what President Trump did when he solicited and pressured Ukraine to interfere in our 2020 presidential election, thus damaging our national security, undermining the integrity of the next election, and violating his oath to the American people.” | That is exactly what President Trump did when he solicited and pressured Ukraine to interfere in our 2020 presidential election, thus damaging our national security, undermining the integrity of the next election, and violating his oath to the American people.” |
| And second with obstruction of Congress: | And second with obstruction of Congress: |
| “President Trump engaged in unprecedented, categorical and indiscriminate defiance of the impeachment inquiry. ... | “President Trump engaged in unprecedented, categorical and indiscriminate defiance of the impeachment inquiry. ... |
| A president who describes himself as above accountability, above the American people and above Congress’ power of impeachment, which is meant to protect against threats to our Democratic institutions, is a president who sees himself above the law. | A president who describes himself as above accountability, above the American people and above Congress’ power of impeachment, which is meant to protect against threats to our Democratic institutions, is a president who sees himself above the law. |
| We must be clear: No one, not even the president, is above the law.” | We must be clear: No one, not even the president, is above the law.” |
| Report from the press conference | Report from the press conference |
| Shortly after 9am on Tuesday, Nancy Pelosi filed into a conference room with gold-trimmed mirrors and wood paneling. She was trailed by the six House chairmen who have led the investigations into Trump since the party took control of Congress nearly one year ago. Each wore a solemn look, as if to emphasize that the gravity of the moment. | Shortly after 9am on Tuesday, Nancy Pelosi filed into a conference room with gold-trimmed mirrors and wood paneling. She was trailed by the six House chairmen who have led the investigations into Trump since the party took control of Congress nearly one year ago. Each wore a solemn look, as if to emphasize that the gravity of the moment. |
| Pelosi began by thanking the chairman for their work over the last year, as the party has navigated special counsel Robert Mueller’s inquiry into Russian interference and then, later, impeachment. | Pelosi began by thanking the chairman for their work over the last year, as the party has navigated special counsel Robert Mueller’s inquiry into Russian interference and then, later, impeachment. |
| Then Pelosi stepped away from the podium to welcome Jerry Nadler, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. | Then Pelosi stepped away from the podium to welcome Jerry Nadler, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. |
| “Today in service to our duty to the constitution and to our country the House Committee on the Judiciary is introducing two articles of impeachment, charging the President of the United States, Donald J Trump, with committing high crimes and misdemeanors,” Nadler said. | “Today in service to our duty to the constitution and to our country the House Committee on the Judiciary is introducing two articles of impeachment, charging the President of the United States, Donald J Trump, with committing high crimes and misdemeanors,” Nadler said. |
| He outlined the two articles, which have been brought against a president only three other times in US history: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. | He outlined the two articles, which have been brought against a president only three other times in US history: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. |
| “A president who declares himself above accountability, above the American people and above Congress’ power of impeachment, which is meant to protect against threats to our democratic institutions is a president who sees himself as above the law,” Nadler said. “We must be clear. No one, not even the president, is above the law.” | “A president who declares himself above accountability, above the American people and above Congress’ power of impeachment, which is meant to protect against threats to our democratic institutions is a president who sees himself as above the law,” Nadler said. “We must be clear. No one, not even the president, is above the law.” |
| Then House Intelligence committee chair Adam Schiff, who led the initial phase of the inquiry and oversaw two weeks of public hearings, stepped forward to offer the evidence underlying Democrats’ charges against the president. | Then House Intelligence committee chair Adam Schiff, who led the initial phase of the inquiry and oversaw two weeks of public hearings, stepped forward to offer the evidence underlying Democrats’ charges against the president. |
| Schiff called impeachment an “extraordinary remedy” against presidential wrongdoing, and something he had been reluctant to support. “The actions of President Trump gave Congress no alternative.” | Schiff called impeachment an “extraordinary remedy” against presidential wrongdoing, and something he had been reluctant to support. “The actions of President Trump gave Congress no alternative.” |
| “We stand here today because the president’s continuing abuse of his power has left us no choice,” he said. “To do nothing would make us ourselves complicit in the president’s abuse of his high office, the public trust and our national security.” | “We stand here today because the president’s continuing abuse of his power has left us no choice,” he said. “To do nothing would make us ourselves complicit in the president’s abuse of his high office, the public trust and our national security.” |
| When Schiff finished speaking, the Democratic leaders filed out of the room in the same way they entered it, solemnly and without answering questions. | When Schiff finished speaking, the Democratic leaders filed out of the room in the same way they entered it, solemnly and without answering questions. |
| Less than an hour later, Pelosi is set to appear at a second press conference to announce that the US, Mexico and Canada have reached an agreement over a new trade deal (USMCA) – a top priority of the president that will give the president a major legislative victory as he runs for re-election next year. | Less than an hour later, Pelosi is set to appear at a second press conference to announce that the US, Mexico and Canada have reached an agreement over a new trade deal (USMCA) – a top priority of the president that will give the president a major legislative victory as he runs for re-election next year. |
| Trump just chose to tweet about the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade deal, a press conference for which is slated to start at 10am. No word from him about the articles of impeachment against him that was just announced. He is, instead, touting Democratic support for USMCA. | Trump just chose to tweet about the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade deal, a press conference for which is slated to start at 10am. No word from him about the articles of impeachment against him that was just announced. He is, instead, touting Democratic support for USMCA. |
| Response from the Trump campaign – Trump himself has yet to comment on the articles of impeachment that were just announced: | Response from the Trump campaign – Trump himself has yet to comment on the articles of impeachment that were just announced: |
| Adam Schiff, chair of the House intelligence committee, laid out Democrats’ argument for the “why now” question: | Adam Schiff, chair of the House intelligence committee, laid out Democrats’ argument for the “why now” question: |
| Moment for the history books: | Moment for the history books: |
| House judiciary committee chair Jerry Nadler said at the press conference announcing the charges, “We must be clear: No one, not even the president, is above the law. “ | House judiciary committee chair Jerry Nadler said at the press conference announcing the charges, “We must be clear: No one, not even the president, is above the law. “ |
| House Democrats just announced two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump for committing high crimes and misdemeanors. One says that Trump abused his power by putting his political concerns over national interest, the second says he obstructed Congress’ attempts to investigate. | House Democrats just announced two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump for committing high crimes and misdemeanors. One says that Trump abused his power by putting his political concerns over national interest, the second says he obstructed Congress’ attempts to investigate. |
| Friendly reminder that the 9am press conference is just the beginning of what will be a very busy day. | Friendly reminder that the 9am press conference is just the beginning of what will be a very busy day. |
| Some reading from Julian Borger to pass the time before the big press conference at 9am, at which two articles of impeachment are expected, and to keep in mind later when Trump ventures once again into the world of diplomacy – what could possibly go wrong? – with a visit from Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov. | Some reading from Julian Borger to pass the time before the big press conference at 9am, at which two articles of impeachment are expected, and to keep in mind later when Trump ventures once again into the world of diplomacy – what could possibly go wrong? – with a visit from Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov. |
| At the time of writing, tensions are rising again with North Korea, which has been the subject of Trumpian threats, praise, handshakes and love letters but no discernible progress towards denuclearisation. | At the time of writing, tensions are rising again with North Korea, which has been the subject of Trumpian threats, praise, handshakes and love letters but no discernible progress towards denuclearisation. |
| Trump, Julian writes, “called for the population of Seoul to be moved during an Oval Office meeting when tensions between the US and North Korea were at their height, according to a new book about the president’s relations with the US military. | Trump, Julian writes, “called for the population of Seoul to be moved during an Oval Office meeting when tensions between the US and North Korea were at their height, according to a new book about the president’s relations with the US military. |
| Bergen also recounts a familiar inspiration for one of Trump’s demands: | Bergen also recounts a familiar inspiration for one of Trump’s demands: |
| Full report here: | Full report here: |
| In terms of what comes next in the impeachment process, I can’t think of much better to do than quote my colleague Tom McCarthy extensively. Viz: | In terms of what comes next in the impeachment process, I can’t think of much better to do than quote my colleague Tom McCarthy extensively. Viz: |
| House judiciary committee drafts articles of impeachment | House judiciary committee drafts articles of impeachment |
| House Democratic leaders hold news conference Tuesday morning to announce at least two articles of impeachment against Trump. | House Democratic leaders hold news conference Tuesday morning to announce at least two articles of impeachment against Trump. |
| Judiciary committee votes on articles of impeachment | Judiciary committee votes on articles of impeachment |
| The committee plans to vote on the articles on Thursday, each of which would have to be approved separately. The articles are expected to pass out of committee, where Democrats hold a 24-17 majority, along party lines. | The committee plans to vote on the articles on Thursday, each of which would have to be approved separately. The articles are expected to pass out of committee, where Democrats hold a 24-17 majority, along party lines. |
| Full House debates articles of impeachment | Full House debates articles of impeachment |
| Upon arrival on the House floor, the articles would come in for debate. While House speaker Nancy Pelosi is in control of when debate begins and how long it lasts, the process could be delayed, temporarily, by Republican monkey-wrenching. | Upon arrival on the House floor, the articles would come in for debate. While House speaker Nancy Pelosi is in control of when debate begins and how long it lasts, the process could be delayed, temporarily, by Republican monkey-wrenching. |
| Full House votes on articles of impeachment | Full House votes on articles of impeachment |
| Each article is voted on separately, with a simple majority approval of any one article resulting in Trump’s impeachment. With Democrats holding a 233-197 advantage in the House, and the one independent, former Republican Justin Amash, supporting impeachment, the articles are likely to be passed. | Each article is voted on separately, with a simple majority approval of any one article resulting in Trump’s impeachment. With Democrats holding a 233-197 advantage in the House, and the one independent, former Republican Justin Amash, supporting impeachment, the articles are likely to be passed. |
| Trump impeached | Trump impeached |
| If at least one article is approved by the House, Trump would become the third president in US history to be impeached. This could happen before a scheduled congressional holiday break beginning on 20 December. | If at least one article is approved by the House, Trump would become the third president in US history to be impeached. This could happen before a scheduled congressional holiday break beginning on 20 December. |
| Senate trial | Senate trial |
| If Trump is impeached in the House, the Republican-controlled Senate would hold a trial, likely to begin in January 2020. The only such trial to take place in modern US political history, against Bill Clinton in 1999, lasted just more than a month. A two-thirds majority vote to convict on any one article would be required to remove Trump from office. With Republicans controlling the Senate by a 53-47 majority, the defection of about 20 Republicans would be required to remove Trump. | If Trump is impeached in the House, the Republican-controlled Senate would hold a trial, likely to begin in January 2020. The only such trial to take place in modern US political history, against Bill Clinton in 1999, lasted just more than a month. A two-thirds majority vote to convict on any one article would be required to remove Trump from office. With Republicans controlling the Senate by a 53-47 majority, the defection of about 20 Republicans would be required to remove Trump. |
| That seems unlikely. | That seems unlikely. |
| In the aftermath of the Department of Justice report about the Russia investigation Trump is also cross, oddly enough, about the FBI: | In the aftermath of the Department of Justice report about the Russia investigation Trump is also cross, oddly enough, about the FBI: |
| As the Washington Post reports, Wray issued a statement on Monday in which he “said he had ordered more than 40 corrective steps to address the report’s recommendations, adding that he would not hesitate to take ‘appropriate disciplinary action if warranted’.” | As the Washington Post reports, Wray issued a statement on Monday in which he “said he had ordered more than 40 corrective steps to address the report’s recommendations, adding that he would not hesitate to take ‘appropriate disciplinary action if warranted’.” |
| Trump also tweeted while apparently watching Fox News, writing: “You have to look at the 17 instances of misconduct cited in the Report, they are very bad. The FISA Court” – which approved a surveillance request on Trump aide Carter Page – “was clearly taken for a ride on this, a failure of the FBI up and fown [soc] the chain of command. It’s about as strong a medicine as I’ve seen in a report of this kind in a very long time.” | Trump also tweeted while apparently watching Fox News, writing: “You have to look at the 17 instances of misconduct cited in the Report, they are very bad. The FISA Court” – which approved a surveillance request on Trump aide Carter Page – “was clearly taken for a ride on this, a failure of the FBI up and fown [soc] the chain of command. It’s about as strong a medicine as I’ve seen in a report of this kind in a very long time.” |
| Wray spoke to ABC on Monday, pushed back on the theory that Ukraine intervened in the 2016 election, a line being pushed by Trump supporters as impeachment continues. | Wray spoke to ABC on Monday, pushed back on the theory that Ukraine intervened in the 2016 election, a line being pushed by Trump supporters as impeachment continues. |
| Wray said: “We have no information that indicates that Ukraine interfered with the 2016 presidential election.” | Wray said: “We have no information that indicates that Ukraine interfered with the 2016 presidential election.” |
| The president has fired an FBI director before – James Comey, in May 2017, in perhaps the single most consequential act of Trump’s presidency, prior of course to the point when he found himself staring down the barrel of impeachment. | The president has fired an FBI director before – James Comey, in May 2017, in perhaps the single most consequential act of Trump’s presidency, prior of course to the point when he found himself staring down the barrel of impeachment. |
| Firing Comey didn’t go well for Trump. So would he move against Wray, a man he appointed? Seems unlikely, but then so does everything in America under Trump, shortly before it happens. | Firing Comey didn’t go well for Trump. So would he move against Wray, a man he appointed? Seems unlikely, but then so does everything in America under Trump, shortly before it happens. |
| In his Tuesday morning tweets, Trump also took aim at some familiar characters from the Russia investigation: | In his Tuesday morning tweets, Trump also took aim at some familiar characters from the Russia investigation: |
| Andrew McCabe is a former deputy director of the FBI, fired by Trump. John Brennan was director of the CIA under Barack Obama, James Clapper director of national intelligence. All have become stringent critics of Trump. | Andrew McCabe is a former deputy director of the FBI, fired by Trump. John Brennan was director of the CIA under Barack Obama, James Clapper director of national intelligence. All have become stringent critics of Trump. |
| The “lovers Lisa & Peter” are Lisa Page, a former FBI lawyer, and Peter Strzok, a former FBI agent, who had a relationship. Strzok was fired from the bureau in the fallout from the Comey firing. Page left. Here’s what she said about that last week: | The “lovers Lisa & Peter” are Lisa Page, a former FBI lawyer, and Peter Strzok, a former FBI agent, who had a relationship. Strzok was fired from the bureau in the fallout from the Comey firing. Page left. Here’s what she said about that last week: |
| …and we have word from the president about how he feels on all of this: | …and we have word from the president about how he feels on all of this: |
| He has a point about the economy, which is very strong indeed if not necessarily the strongest ever but we’ll let him off due to the uncharacteristic “perhaps” and the political point that the economy is bound to be a huge part of the election fight next year. | He has a point about the economy, which is very strong indeed if not necessarily the strongest ever but we’ll let him off due to the uncharacteristic “perhaps” and the political point that the economy is bound to be a huge part of the election fight next year. |
| The “NOTHING wrong” claim is, of course, harder to let pass. | The “NOTHING wrong” claim is, of course, harder to let pass. |
| Republicans agree with their president, contending that pressuring a foreign leader to investigate a domestic electoral adversary is not wrong. In a briefing in September, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney told reporters to “get over it”. | Republicans agree with their president, contending that pressuring a foreign leader to investigate a domestic electoral adversary is not wrong. In a briefing in September, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney told reporters to “get over it”. |
| Here’s some video of that, from CNN: | Here’s some video of that, from CNN: |
| On the flip side, Democrats contend that Trump’s behaviour towards Ukraine – never mind the alleged obstruction of Congress – was very wrong. | On the flip side, Democrats contend that Trump’s behaviour towards Ukraine – never mind the alleged obstruction of Congress – was very wrong. |
| The lawyer Barry Berke put it this way at yesterday’s hearing: | The lawyer Barry Berke put it this way at yesterday’s hearing: |
| Hence the looming presser. | Hence the looming presser. |
| Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of another momentous day in American politics. | Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of another momentous day in American politics. |
| A day after a judiciary committee hearing marked by outbursts and attempted obstruction from Republicans, House Democrats will hold a press conference on Capitol Hill at 9am, to unveil articles of impeachment against Donald Trump. | A day after a judiciary committee hearing marked by outbursts and attempted obstruction from Republicans, House Democrats will hold a press conference on Capitol Hill at 9am, to unveil articles of impeachment against Donald Trump. |
| Committee chairs Adam Schiff (intelligence), Jerry Nadler (judiciary), Eliot Engel (foreign affairs), Maxine Waters (financial services) and Carolyn Maloney (oversight) will attend. It’s intriguing to note that they are all from either California or New York, big blue states. Expect pushback from Republicans around the idea that Trump’s impeachment is a push against the “real” America, read red or Republican, which elected him in 2016. | Committee chairs Adam Schiff (intelligence), Jerry Nadler (judiciary), Eliot Engel (foreign affairs), Maxine Waters (financial services) and Carolyn Maloney (oversight) will attend. It’s intriguing to note that they are all from either California or New York, big blue states. Expect pushback from Republicans around the idea that Trump’s impeachment is a push against the “real” America, read red or Republican, which elected him in 2016. |
| The articles of impeachment, which will be voted on in the House before any Senate trial, will concern abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. | The articles of impeachment, which will be voted on in the House before any Senate trial, will concern abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. |
| Trump is being impeached over his attempts to have Ukraine investigate a political rival, Joe Biden, and a conspiracy theory about Ukrainian intervention in the 2016 US election, rather than Russian. The obstruction charge relates to the White House’s refusal to let senior aides to Trump testify to the impeachment inquiry. | Trump is being impeached over his attempts to have Ukraine investigate a political rival, Joe Biden, and a conspiracy theory about Ukrainian intervention in the 2016 US election, rather than Russian. The obstruction charge relates to the White House’s refusal to let senior aides to Trump testify to the impeachment inquiry. |
| Trump began the day early, tweeting with characteristic glee about a report released on Monday by the inspector general of the justice department, into the FBI’s handling of the investigation into links between Trump and Moscow and Russian election interference on his behalf. | Trump began the day early, tweeting with characteristic glee about a report released on Monday by the inspector general of the justice department, into the FBI’s handling of the investigation into links between Trump and Moscow and Russian election interference on his behalf. |
| Each side of the aisle saw what it wanted to see in the report: Democrats hailed the conclusion that there was no political bias in the launching of the investigation, Republicans focused in on findings of procedural errors by the FBI. | Each side of the aisle saw what it wanted to see in the report: Democrats hailed the conclusion that there was no political bias in the launching of the investigation, Republicans focused in on findings of procedural errors by the FBI. |
| On the side of all that, Democrats seem set to give Trump a political win by agreeing to his new United States Mexico Canada trade agreement, or USMCA. Some opponents or critics of Trump wonder why he should be given a political win on this day of all days. Others suggest making a deal with the president will message well in 2020 races fought by moderate Democrats, showing that the party is not all about partisan warfare. | On the side of all that, Democrats seem set to give Trump a political win by agreeing to his new United States Mexico Canada trade agreement, or USMCA. Some opponents or critics of Trump wonder why he should be given a political win on this day of all days. Others suggest making a deal with the president will message well in 2020 races fought by moderate Democrats, showing that the party is not all about partisan warfare. |
| Above all that, Trump is meeting the Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, at the White House. One means to say… why not? | Above all that, Trump is meeting the Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, at the White House. One means to say… why not? |
| The press conference is coming at 9am, anyway. In the meantime, here’s some select reading from yesterday, a momentous day in US political history: | The press conference is coming at 9am, anyway. In the meantime, here’s some select reading from yesterday, a momentous day in US political history: |
| Here’s Julian Borger on the judiciary hearing: | Here’s Julian Borger on the judiciary hearing: |
| … and Tom McCarthy on what comes next: | … and Tom McCarthy on what comes next: |
| … and Luke Harding on an extraordinary part of the DoJ IG’s report: | … and Luke Harding on an extraordinary part of the DoJ IG’s report: |