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| House announces ‘trove’ of evidence to add to impeachment process – as it happened | House announces ‘trove’ of evidence to add to impeachment process – as it happened |
| (about 16 hours later) | |
| Lev Parnas, the indicted associate of Rudy Giuliani, provides documents that gives details to Trump’s re-election scheme | Lev Parnas, the indicted associate of Rudy Giuliani, provides documents that gives details to Trump’s re-election scheme |
| Live political reporting continues on Wednesday’s blog: | |
| As new revelations in the House’s case against Donald Trump continue to unfold, the Democratic candidates looking to unseat the president are taking to the debate stage. We’re ending the politics liveblog here tonight. | As new revelations in the House’s case against Donald Trump continue to unfold, the Democratic candidates looking to unseat the president are taking to the debate stage. We’re ending the politics liveblog here tonight. |
| Follow our special debate liveblog, with updates from my colleague Joan E Greve in Des Moines. | Follow our special debate liveblog, with updates from my colleague Joan E Greve in Des Moines. |
| An attorney for Lev Parnas said “Mr. Parnas remains committed to testifying as to all the actions he took in Ukraine” on behalf of Donald Trump. | An attorney for Lev Parnas said “Mr. Parnas remains committed to testifying as to all the actions he took in Ukraine” on behalf of Donald Trump. |
| Bondy said hand-delivered the contents of Parnas’ WhatsApp messages, text messages & images to Democratic staff on the House Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, according to a series of his tweets. | Bondy said hand-delivered the contents of Parnas’ WhatsApp messages, text messages & images to Democratic staff on the House Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, according to a series of his tweets. |
| Setting up Parnas as a valuable witness could earn him some leniency after federal prosecutors said they are likely to file additional criminal charges against him. | Setting up Parnas as a valuable witness could earn him some leniency after federal prosecutors said they are likely to file additional criminal charges against him. |
| Released messages between Lev Parnas and his associate appear to show them tracking the whereabouts of Marie Yovanovich, the former US ambassador to Ukraine. | Released messages between Lev Parnas and his associate appear to show them tracking the whereabouts of Marie Yovanovich, the former US ambassador to Ukraine. |
| Yovanovitch, who testified in the House impeachment hearing, was removed from her post in Ukraine by Donald Trump, even though the state department had asked her to stay on for another year. | Yovanovitch, who testified in the House impeachment hearing, was removed from her post in Ukraine by Donald Trump, even though the state department had asked her to stay on for another year. |
| Even as Yovanovitch testified, Trump attacked her on Twitter. Asked how it felt to be singled out by the president, Yovanovitch said, “the effect is intimidating.” | Even as Yovanovitch testified, Trump attacked her on Twitter. Asked how it felt to be singled out by the president, Yovanovitch said, “the effect is intimidating.” |
| Another bit of evidence is a letter that Rudy Giuliani sent to Ukrainian president-elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy in May 2019. | Another bit of evidence is a letter that Rudy Giuliani sent to Ukrainian president-elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy in May 2019. |
| “In my capacity as personal counsel to President Trump and with his knowledge and consent, I request a meeting with you ... I will need no more than a half-hour of your time,” Guiliani’s writes, under his personal letterhead. | “In my capacity as personal counsel to President Trump and with his knowledge and consent, I request a meeting with you ... I will need no more than a half-hour of your time,” Guiliani’s writes, under his personal letterhead. |
| The letter makes clear that Guiliani planned a trip to Ukraine, “which he publicly described at the time as an effort to ‘meddle in an investigation,’ was undertaken with the knowledge and support of President Trump,” the Intelligence Committee said. | The letter makes clear that Guiliani planned a trip to Ukraine, “which he publicly described at the time as an effort to ‘meddle in an investigation,’ was undertaken with the knowledge and support of President Trump,” the Intelligence Committee said. |
| Amongst the documents that the Intelligence Committee provided are hand-written notes that Lev Parnas provided House investigators, scribbled on stationary from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Vienna: | Amongst the documents that the Intelligence Committee provided are hand-written notes that Lev Parnas provided House investigators, scribbled on stationary from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Vienna: |
| “Get Zalensky (sic) to annonce (sic) that the Biden case will Be Investigated” it says. | “Get Zalensky (sic) to annonce (sic) that the Biden case will Be Investigated” it says. |
| The Intelligence Committee also publicly released text messages and letters. | The Intelligence Committee also publicly released text messages and letters. |
| The House intelligence, oversight and foreign affairs committees just announced that they have provided additional evidence in the impeachment process based on documents yielded up by Lev Parnas, the indicted associate of Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. | The House intelligence, oversight and foreign affairs committees just announced that they have provided additional evidence in the impeachment process based on documents yielded up by Lev Parnas, the indicted associate of Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. |
| They mention a “trove of documents” from Parnas “that provide more information about the effort to coerce Ukraine into helping the president’s re-election campaign”. | They mention a “trove of documents” from Parnas “that provide more information about the effort to coerce Ukraine into helping the president’s re-election campaign”. |
| The committees point out they have provided the additional evidence to the House judiciary committee “to be included as part of the record that will be transmitted to the Senate with the articles of impeachment”. | The committees point out they have provided the additional evidence to the House judiciary committee “to be included as part of the record that will be transmitted to the Senate with the articles of impeachment”. |
| Lev Parnas | Lev Parnas |
| That’s it from the east coast, we’re handing over to the west coast now, where Maanvi Singh will take you through until 7pm ET, at which point Joan E Greve will launch our special debate live blog, ready to prepare for and cover the Democratic debate in Des Moines, Iowa, at 9pm ET tonight. | That’s it from the east coast, we’re handing over to the west coast now, where Maanvi Singh will take you through until 7pm ET, at which point Joan E Greve will launch our special debate live blog, ready to prepare for and cover the Democratic debate in Des Moines, Iowa, at 9pm ET tonight. |
| Most recent key events: | Most recent key events: |
| Of course a woman can be elected to be the US president, duh. | Of course a woman can be elected to be the US president, duh. |
| National Security Agency (NSA) officials announced that they discovered a major flaw in Microsoft’s Windows operating system – one that could leave users vulnerable to significant breaches, surveillance or disruption. | National Security Agency (NSA) officials announced that they discovered a major flaw in Microsoft’s Windows operating system – one that could leave users vulnerable to significant breaches, surveillance or disruption. |
| Opening arguments in the impeachment trial of Donald Trump are expected to begin next Tuesday. | Opening arguments in the impeachment trial of Donald Trump are expected to begin next Tuesday. |
| The security at the US Capitol is telling journalists that only one video camera, no photographers or audio recording, will be allowed when the articles of impeachment are delivered to the Senate, according to CQ Roll Call. | The security at the US Capitol is telling journalists that only one video camera, no photographers or audio recording, will be allowed when the articles of impeachment are delivered to the Senate, according to CQ Roll Call. |
| Reporters will be confined to a single press pen and won’t be able to move with senators when asking questions (a common tactic when reporting at the Capitol). The rule will heavily restrict journalists’ ability to speak to Senators throughout the impeachment trial. | Reporters will be confined to a single press pen and won’t be able to move with senators when asking questions (a common tactic when reporting at the Capitol). The rule will heavily restrict journalists’ ability to speak to Senators throughout the impeachment trial. |
| The Standing Committee of Correspondents, the group of journalists who represent credentialed reporters of the House and Senate, have said the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms and Capitol Police have rejected their suggestions in compromising. | The Standing Committee of Correspondents, the group of journalists who represent credentialed reporters of the House and Senate, have said the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms and Capitol Police have rejected their suggestions in compromising. |
| Sarah Wire, a reporter for the LA Times and the Standing Committee chair, said on Twitter that the committee has not been provided with “an explanation of how the restrictions contribute to the safety rather than simply limit coverage of the trial.” | Sarah Wire, a reporter for the LA Times and the Standing Committee chair, said on Twitter that the committee has not been provided with “an explanation of how the restrictions contribute to the safety rather than simply limit coverage of the trial.” |
| Reporters have been asking a few women in politics on their thoughts about the viral story that Bernie Sanders told Elizabeth Warren in a 2018 meeting that a woman can’t win the presidency. Sanders has issued a scathing denial saying he did not make that comment. | Reporters have been asking a few women in politics on their thoughts about the viral story that Bernie Sanders told Elizabeth Warren in a 2018 meeting that a woman can’t win the presidency. Sanders has issued a scathing denial saying he did not make that comment. |
| Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said she wouldn’t comment on whether she believes the account, but said that “Hillary won 3 million more votes than Trump and Nancy Pelosi eats his lunch daily”. | Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said she wouldn’t comment on whether she believes the account, but said that “Hillary won 3 million more votes than Trump and Nancy Pelosi eats his lunch daily”. |
| Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said that she “defer[s] to both of their campaigns,” but added “I think it’s also important to say that of course women can win”. Ocasio-Cortez, who officially endorsed Sanders in October, said that electing women is part of a “progressive ideology” and “I know that the senator believes that as well.” | Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said that she “defer[s] to both of their campaigns,” but added “I think it’s also important to say that of course women can win”. Ocasio-Cortez, who officially endorsed Sanders in October, said that electing women is part of a “progressive ideology” and “I know that the senator believes that as well.” |
| Kamala Harris’ reaction got the most traction today. She told reporters with a laugh, “Oh, a woman can be president. Of that, I am sure. | Kamala Harris’ reaction got the most traction today. She told reporters with a laugh, “Oh, a woman can be president. Of that, I am sure. |
| National Security Agency (NSA) officials announced today that they discovered a major flaw in Microsoft’s Windows operating system – one that could leave users vulnerable to significant breaches, surveillance or disruption. Here’s more from the Washington Post: | National Security Agency (NSA) officials announced today that they discovered a major flaw in Microsoft’s Windows operating system – one that could leave users vulnerable to significant breaches, surveillance or disruption. Here’s more from the Washington Post: |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell just indicated that the main business of the impeachment trial of Donald Trump in the Senate will begin next Tuesday. | Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell just indicated that the main business of the impeachment trial of Donald Trump in the Senate will begin next Tuesday. |
| That will follow some procedural steps later this week, after the articles of impeachment are transferred from the House to the Senate, such as the swearing in of those Senate members expected to be directly involved. | That will follow some procedural steps later this week, after the articles of impeachment are transferred from the House to the Senate, such as the swearing in of those Senate members expected to be directly involved. |
| Next week there could be a vote on the rules but McConnell expects that opening arguments will begin on Tuesday. | Next week there could be a vote on the rules but McConnell expects that opening arguments will begin on Tuesday. |
| Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Mike Rounds said that McConnell’s trial plan will guarantee votes on calling witnesses hearing new evidence, Reuters reports, and that’s expected to happen after the opening arguments are presented. | Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Mike Rounds said that McConnell’s trial plan will guarantee votes on calling witnesses hearing new evidence, Reuters reports, and that’s expected to happen after the opening arguments are presented. |
| Democratic 2020 candidate Andrew Yang may not have made the debate stage in Des Moines tonight but he now appears to have comedian and actor Dave Chapelle in his corner. | Democratic 2020 candidate Andrew Yang may not have made the debate stage in Des Moines tonight but he now appears to have comedian and actor Dave Chapelle in his corner. |
| As someone just said: Go get him Liz! We’ve added Elizabeth Warren’s letter to our original post now, if you want to see what she told the SEC financial watchdogs, in relation to accusations that Trump tipped off pals while at Mar-a-Lago about a planned US hit on Iran, which just maybe prompted some allegedly illegal share manipulation......... | As someone just said: Go get him Liz! We’ve added Elizabeth Warren’s letter to our original post now, if you want to see what she told the SEC financial watchdogs, in relation to accusations that Trump tipped off pals while at Mar-a-Lago about a planned US hit on Iran, which just maybe prompted some allegedly illegal share manipulation......... |
| US Senate leader and Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell has laid out the next steps in the impeachment process. | US Senate leader and Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell has laid out the next steps in the impeachment process. |
| Supreme Court Justice John Roberts will oversee the trial of Donald Trump in the US Senate (where most observers think there is zero chance of the president being removed from office but there is a growing chance that witnesses will be called in a trial laying out the details of Trump’s conduct in relation to Ukraine and alleged abuse of office). | Supreme Court Justice John Roberts will oversee the trial of Donald Trump in the US Senate (where most observers think there is zero chance of the president being removed from office but there is a growing chance that witnesses will be called in a trial laying out the details of Trump’s conduct in relation to Ukraine and alleged abuse of office). |
| McConnell said “in all likelihood” the trial proper will begin next Tuesday (after this week’s procedural steps)...although maybe with a debate on the rules (scream emoji). | McConnell said “in all likelihood” the trial proper will begin next Tuesday (after this week’s procedural steps)...although maybe with a debate on the rules (scream emoji). |
| The Democratic debate in Des Moines tonight and the impeachment trial of Donald Trump beckon, but there is no shortage of drama in US politics as these key events loom. There’s plenty more action to come but here are the main happenings so far: | The Democratic debate in Des Moines tonight and the impeachment trial of Donald Trump beckon, but there is no shortage of drama in US politics as these key events loom. There’s plenty more action to come but here are the main happenings so far: |
| House Speaker Nancy Pelosi just weighed in on the report that Russian operatives have hacked into Ukrainian gas company Burisma, an entity at the heart of the Trump impeachment inquiry. | House Speaker Nancy Pelosi just weighed in on the report that Russian operatives have hacked into Ukrainian gas company Burisma, an entity at the heart of the Trump impeachment inquiry. |
| Hillary Clinton is questioning whether reports of the Burisma hack mean American democracy is being set up once again for the kind of election interference that tarnished 2016, and again in Donald Trump’s favor... | Hillary Clinton is questioning whether reports of the Burisma hack mean American democracy is being set up once again for the kind of election interference that tarnished 2016, and again in Donald Trump’s favor... |
| Democratic 2020 candidate Elizabeth Warren is calling for an official insider trading probe into whether stocks were manipulated by people acting on tip-offs from Donald Trump while they were at Mar-a-Lago over the winter holiday period that a key US military action was planned against Iran. | Democratic 2020 candidate Elizabeth Warren is calling for an official insider trading probe into whether stocks were manipulated by people acting on tip-offs from Donald Trump while they were at Mar-a-Lago over the winter holiday period that a key US military action was planned against Iran. |
| There will be a vote tomorrow in the House on plans to send the articles of impeachment (aka congressional charges) against Donald Trump to the US Senate, ready for his trial there, which is then likely to begin in short order. | There will be a vote tomorrow in the House on plans to send the articles of impeachment (aka congressional charges) against Donald Trump to the US Senate, ready for his trial there, which is then likely to begin in short order. |
| Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is weighing in on the reports that Russian operatives have hacked into Ukrainian gas company Burisma, where Joe Biden’s son Hunter used to work, seeking dirt to throw into the US 2020 presidential election. | Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is weighing in on the reports that Russian operatives have hacked into Ukrainian gas company Burisma, where Joe Biden’s son Hunter used to work, seeking dirt to throw into the US 2020 presidential election. |
| The Guardian’s senior political reporter Lauren Gambino reports. | The Guardian’s senior political reporter Lauren Gambino reports. |
| Hillary Clinton spoke out on the issue a little earlier. | Hillary Clinton spoke out on the issue a little earlier. |
| Pelosi went on to say: “We only learned of this hacking through the press. Congress must be briefed on what the Administration knows about this attack and why the President doesn’t have a plan to protect our elections.” | Pelosi went on to say: “We only learned of this hacking through the press. Congress must be briefed on what the Administration knows about this attack and why the President doesn’t have a plan to protect our elections.” |
| Democratic 2020 candidate and financial regulation champion Elizabeth Warren has written to the Securities and Exchange Commission asking for an investigation into whether Donald Trump tipped off associates that some sort of US hit on Iran was planned, which may have led to some nefarious trading in defense company shares based on insider information. | Democratic 2020 candidate and financial regulation champion Elizabeth Warren has written to the Securities and Exchange Commission asking for an investigation into whether Donald Trump tipped off associates that some sort of US hit on Iran was planned, which may have led to some nefarious trading in defense company shares based on insider information. |
| The hit turned out to be the assassination of senior Iranian general Qassem Suleimani earlier this month, after he disembarked from a plane in Iraq. | The hit turned out to be the assassination of senior Iranian general Qassem Suleimani earlier this month, after he disembarked from a plane in Iraq. |
| There were some unusual movements in US stock and commodities prices thereafter, which drew suspicion, the Daily Beast reported. | There were some unusual movements in US stock and commodities prices thereafter, which drew suspicion, the Daily Beast reported. |
| You can read the letter from Warren and Chris Van Hollen below: | You can read the letter from Warren and Chris Van Hollen below: |