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Trump accuses Democrats of 'open war on American democracy' in stinging impeachment letter – as it happened Trump accuses Democrats of 'open war on American democracy' in stinging impeachment letter – as it happened
(about 1 hour later)
President sends six-page letter to House speaker Nancy Pelosi condemning inquiry as ‘unprecedented and unconstitutional abuse of power’President sends six-page letter to House speaker Nancy Pelosi condemning inquiry as ‘unprecedented and unconstitutional abuse of power’
Live political reporting continues on Wednesday’s blog:
A message from the Guardian US editor-in-chief:A message from the Guardian US editor-in-chief:
This year, readers across all 50 states supported our journalism, allowing us to thrive in a challenging climate for publishers. Thank you.This year, readers across all 50 states supported our journalism, allowing us to thrive in a challenging climate for publishers. Thank you.
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.Make a contribution.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.
Here’s a recap of today:Here’s a recap of today:
Tomorrow, the full House of Representatives will vote on articles of impeachment against Trump: one for abuse of power, and one for obstruction of Congress.Tomorrow, the full House of Representatives will vote on articles of impeachment against Trump: one for abuse of power, and one for obstruction of Congress.
The House Rules Committee is still working to set the rules for tomorrow’s debate.The House Rules Committee is still working to set the rules for tomorrow’s debate.
Across the country, demonstrators are rallying for impeachment.Across the country, demonstrators are rallying for impeachment.
It appears Democrats have all the votes they need to impeach the president, amidst speculation over how Democrats from conservative districts will vote.It appears Democrats have all the votes they need to impeach the president, amidst speculation over how Democrats from conservative districts will vote.
Catch up on impeachment news, and tune in tomorrow for more live coverage.Catch up on impeachment news, and tune in tomorrow for more live coverage.
Bill Taylor, who provided a firsthand account of US officials negotiating a quid pro quo, is expected to leave his post as acting ambassador to Ukraine in January, according to multiple reports.Bill Taylor, who provided a firsthand account of US officials negotiating a quid pro quo, is expected to leave his post as acting ambassador to Ukraine in January, according to multiple reports.
Taylor’s appointment in Kiev expires in January, and he will not seek to extend his stay, sources have told NBC and CNN.Taylor’s appointment in Kiev expires in January, and he will not seek to extend his stay, sources have told NBC and CNN.
Tens of thousands of people across the country are expected to attend rallies in support of impeachment. Some of these protests are already underway in Washington, New York City, Philadelphia, Charleston and Cleaveland.Tens of thousands of people across the country are expected to attend rallies in support of impeachment. Some of these protests are already underway in Washington, New York City, Philadelphia, Charleston and Cleaveland.
The demonstrations were organized by the advocacy group MoveOn.org, with the support of other progressive organizations.The demonstrations were organized by the advocacy group MoveOn.org, with the support of other progressive organizations.
On the night before the full Hosue of Representatives will consider articles, hundreds of profestors showed up at the steps of the US Capitol, urging members of Congress to vote for impeachment.On the night before the full Hosue of Representatives will consider articles, hundreds of profestors showed up at the steps of the US Capitol, urging members of Congress to vote for impeachment.
Elsewhere, bundled-up demonstrators marched through the streets. Here’s a scene from Milwaukee, Wisconsin:Elsewhere, bundled-up demonstrators marched through the streets. Here’s a scene from Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
Houston, Texas:Houston, Texas:
The mayor of Salem, Massachusetts has taken issue with Donald Trump and his supporters comparing the impeachment process with the witch trials.The mayor of Salem, Massachusetts has taken issue with Donald Trump and his supporters comparing the impeachment process with the witch trials.
“Oy vey,” she tweeted. “Learn some history.”“Oy vey,” she tweeted. “Learn some history.”
She recommended some books on the history of Massachusetts for the president.She recommended some books on the history of Massachusetts for the president.
As the House prepares to vote on articles of impeachment against Trump tomorrow, Gabbard — who is publicly undecided on impeachment — is expected to introduce an alternative, according to ABC.As the House prepares to vote on articles of impeachment against Trump tomorrow, Gabbard — who is publicly undecided on impeachment — is expected to introduce an alternative, according to ABC.
The 2020 presidential candidate and Hawaii representative plans to introduce a measure that will formally censure the president. Gabbard has criticized the impeachment inquiry as “partisan”.The 2020 presidential candidate and Hawaii representative plans to introduce a measure that will formally censure the president. Gabbard has criticized the impeachment inquiry as “partisan”.
Andrew Jackson is the only president that has been censured in this way.Andrew Jackson is the only president that has been censured in this way.
Democrats have the votes to impeach Donald Trump, according to a tally by the Associated Press. Though there has been some speculation around how some centrist Democrats and those from Republican-leaning districts would vote, it appears that the Nancy Pelosi has enough votes to see the impeachment through.Democrats have the votes to impeach Donald Trump, according to a tally by the Associated Press. Though there has been some speculation around how some centrist Democrats and those from Republican-leaning districts would vote, it appears that the Nancy Pelosi has enough votes to see the impeachment through.
From the AP:From the AP:
Per most tallies, 218 members have indicated they’ll vote for at least one article of impeachment, 198 are likely to vote against, and 15 haven’t indicated how they’ll vote.Per most tallies, 218 members have indicated they’ll vote for at least one article of impeachment, 198 are likely to vote against, and 15 haven’t indicated how they’ll vote.
As speculation over exactly how the impeachment votes tomorrow will break down, one freshman Democrat from a Republican-leaning district has said he’ll split his vote — yes on the abuse of power but no on obstruction of Congress.As speculation over exactly how the impeachment votes tomorrow will break down, one freshman Democrat from a Republican-leaning district has said he’ll split his vote — yes on the abuse of power but no on obstruction of Congress.
Representative Jared Golden of Maine is one of several Democratic members of Congress who narrowly defeated Republican challengers in districts that voted for Donald Trump in 2016.Representative Jared Golden of Maine is one of several Democratic members of Congress who narrowly defeated Republican challengers in districts that voted for Donald Trump in 2016.
The Bangor Daily News reports:The Bangor Daily News reports:
That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
The House rules committee is still holding its hearing on setting debate parameters for tomorrow’s vote on the impeachment resolution, but the panel’s discussion has largely focused on relitigating the accusations against Trump.The House rules committee is still holding its hearing on setting debate parameters for tomorrow’s vote on the impeachment resolution, but the panel’s discussion has largely focused on relitigating the accusations against Trump.
The president sent a fiery letter to House speaker Nancy Pelosi, condemning the impeachment inquiry and accusing Democrats of declaring “open war on American Democracy.”The president sent a fiery letter to House speaker Nancy Pelosi, condemning the impeachment inquiry and accusing Democrats of declaring “open war on American Democracy.”
Mitch McConnell said he would not be an “impartial juror” when the Senate holds its impeachment trial. “This is a political process,” the Senate majority leader told reporters. “I expect we will have a largely partisan outcome in the Senate. I’m not impartial about this at all.”Mitch McConnell said he would not be an “impartial juror” when the Senate holds its impeachment trial. “This is a political process,” the Senate majority leader told reporters. “I expect we will have a largely partisan outcome in the Senate. I’m not impartial about this at all.”
The House passed its massive $1.3 trillion funding deal, which would allow the government to avoid a shutdown at the end of the week, and Trump is expecetd to sign it.The House passed its massive $1.3 trillion funding deal, which would allow the government to avoid a shutdown at the end of the week, and Trump is expecetd to sign it.
Several more Democrats from Trump districts have said they will vote in favor of impeachment, quashing Republican hopes of attracting bipartisan opposition to the resolution.Several more Democrats from Trump districts have said they will vote in favor of impeachment, quashing Republican hopes of attracting bipartisan opposition to the resolution.
Joe Biden released a letter from his doctor, saying he was a “healthy, vigorous, 77-year-old male” who could perform all the duties of the presidency.Joe Biden released a letter from his doctor, saying he was a “healthy, vigorous, 77-year-old male” who could perform all the duties of the presidency.
Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
A message from the Guardian US editor-in-chief:
This year, readers across all 50 states supported our journalism, allowing us to thrive in a challenging climate for publishers. Thank you.
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.
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.
The House rules committee is still holding its hearing on debate procedures for the impeachment resolution, more than five hours after chairman Jim McGovern gaveled in the hearing.
Members of the rules committees are still largely relitigating the accusations against Trump contained in the impeachment resolution, while largely avoiding discussion of the parameters for tomorrow’s debate.
The full House is expected to take up the procedural rule tomorrow morning before debating the impeachment resolution itself.
Three more staffers working for congressman Jeff Van Drew, the House Democrat who has signaled he will switch parties over his opposition to impeachment, have reportedly resigned.
Van Drew has dodged reporters’ questions today about whether he will switch his party affiliation to Republican, but Trump praised the New Jersey lawmaker in a tweet late last night.
The timing of tomorrow’s impeachment debate is starting to become clearer, with the final House vote expected no earlier than 4:30 p.m. E.T., according to a Fox News reporter.
House members will meet at 9 a.m. E.T., but they will not be able to debate the impeachment resolution itself right away. First, members will have to vote on the rules establishing parameters for debate on the resolution, which the House rules committee is currently discussing.
Once the rule is passed, members will move on to debating the actual impeachment resolution, which could last several hours. It’s likely the bill will pass shortly before Trump takes the stage for his campaign rally in Michigan tomorrow night.
In case there wasn’t enough happening on Capitol Hill this week, the House is on track to pass the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreeement by Thursday, likely making it the last piece of business before lawmakers leave for the holidays.
The FISA court has issued a public rebuke of the FBI over its handling of warrant applications on former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page, ordering the bureau to tell the court how it intends to improve its practices.
The Wall Street Journal reports:
Joe Biden has released a summary of his medical history, providing the most in-depth look at his health since the former vice president ran alongside Barack Obama in 2008.
“Vice President Biden is a healthy, vigorous, 77-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those as Chief Executive, Head of State, and Commander in Chief,” wrote Kevin C. O’Connor, the director of executive medicine at the GW Medical Faculty Associates who served as Biden’s physician when he was vice president.
O’Connor noted Biden was being treated for several conditions, including an irregular heartbeat and gastroesophageal reflux, but said those ailments should not prevent him from performing his duties as president.
“He does not use any tobacco products, does not drink alcohol at all, and he works out at least five days per week,” O’Connor wrote.
The three top-polling candidates in the Democratic presidential primary --Biden, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders -- are all in their 70’s, raising concerns about the health of the eventual nominee.
Warren released a letter from her longtime doctor earlier this month, which described the Massachusetts senator as “very healthy.” Sanders, who suffered a heart attack in October, has promised to release his medical records by the end of the year.
A message from the Guardian US editor-in-chief:
This year, readers across all 50 states supported our journalism, allowing us to thrive in a challenging climate for publishers. Thank you.
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.
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.
Congressman Jeff Van Drew, the House Democrat who has signaled he intends to switch parties over his opposition to impeachment, has reportedly bashed Trump in the past.
The Daily Beast reports:
Of the 31 House Democrats representing districts that Trump won in 2016, only two have not yet signaled how they will vote on the impeachment resolution.
The overwhelming majority of the Democratic lawmakers -- 27 of them -- have said they will vote to impeach the president, while two have indicated they will oppose the resolution.