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'Take her out': tape appears to catch Trump demanding removal of Ukraine ambassador – live 'Take her out': tape appears to catch Trump demanding removal of Ukraine ambassador – live
(32 minutes later)
Recording released as House impeachment managers prepare to finish presenting their opening arguments today – follow live updatesRecording released as House impeachment managers prepare to finish presenting their opening arguments today – follow live updates
Senator Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign said in a memo Friday that the candidate is preparing for an extended fight for the Democratic presidential nomination, going through the early primary contests and even beyond.
“We expect this to be a long nomination fight and have built our campaign to sustain well past Super Tuesday and stay resilient no matter what breathless media narratives come when voting begins,” campaign manager Roger Lau writes in the memo sent to supporters.
The memo, released to the general public on Friday, comes a few weeks before the Iowa caucuses. That contest is valued as an early springboard for any presidential candidate.
The memo suggests that the Warren campaign is ready to stay in the race even if it doesn’t place well in Iowa or the subsequent primaries in New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.
Recent polling has shown Senator Bernie Sanders and former vice-president Joe Biden gaining ground in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Lau said that the campaign has grown to 1,000 across 31 states and Washington D.C. Oftentimes campaigns move staff out of early primary states after those contests are decided. Lau said that would not happen in Iowa.
“This means that as we build our campaign to win delegates in every state and territory to secure the Democratic nomination, we’re doing it with an eye towards sustaining it through the general election,” Lau continued.
“For instance, after the very first contest, we will keep staff on the ground and offices open in Iowa. For states that will be part of Elizabeth Warren’s path to victory in the Electoral College, it’s especially critical that we don’t lose momentum or stall the infrastructure after the primary has passed when we have a chance to keep building for the even bigger contest in November.”He also took a subtle dig at former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and billionaire Tom Steyer, two of Warren’s rivals who have poured their personal fortunes into the race.
“We knew that this primary process was never going to be easy. We also know that you can’t just stand up an organization overnight or buy your way to the nomination,” Lau added. “While billionaires may be able to buy their way into the conversation, it will be a broad, grassroots effort and organization that delivers the Democratic nomination.”
Speaking on the Senate floor, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff reflected upon the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, which resulted in the ouster of then-president Viktor Yanukovych.
Schiff noted the uprising was also known as the “Revolution of Dignity.” “Maybe that’s what we need here at home,” Schiff said. “A revolution of dignity. A revolution of civility.”
Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff warned that the Trump administration’s freeze on Ukrainian military assistance jeaopardized the crucial alliance between Washington and Kyiv.
“Colleagues, this is how alliances wither and die,” Schiff said. “This is how Russia wins.”
Schiff noted that the Trump administration backed Ukrainian military assistance in 2017 and 2018, but he said the White House had abandoned that support last year because officials were prioritizing the president’s electoral prospects.
“If our allies cannot trust us to stand behind them in a time of need, we will not have a single ally left,” Schiff warned.
To underscore the significance of the US-Ukrainian alliance, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff quoted a Republican lawmaker who also appreciated the importance of Ukraine: the late senator John McCain.To underscore the significance of the US-Ukrainian alliance, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff quoted a Republican lawmaker who also appreciated the importance of Ukraine: the late senator John McCain.
“We are all Ukrainians,” McCain said in 2014 in response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea. “This is a chess match reminiscent of the Cold War and we need to realize that and act accordingly.”“We are all Ukrainians,” McCain said in 2014 in response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea. “This is a chess match reminiscent of the Cold War and we need to realize that and act accordingly.”
Concluding his team’s presentation about the abuse of power article of impeachment, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff offered an explanation about the importance of the US-Ukrainian alliance.Concluding his team’s presentation about the abuse of power article of impeachment, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff offered an explanation about the importance of the US-Ukrainian alliance.
The House intelligence committee chairman said Ukraine was a key ally in “fighting our fight against authoritarianism.”The House intelligence committee chairman said Ukraine was a key ally in “fighting our fight against authoritarianism.”
“At least that used to be our fight,” Schiff said. “And God help us if it’s not our fight still.”“At least that used to be our fight,” Schiff said. “And God help us if it’s not our fight still.”
Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff just said he would now present the final argument on the first article of impeachment, abuse of power.Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff just said he would now present the final argument on the first article of impeachment, abuse of power.
Once Schiff concludes, the managers will move on to the second article, obstruction of Congress.Once Schiff concludes, the managers will move on to the second article, obstruction of Congress.
Schiff said Trump’s actions toward Ukraine had “harmed our national security.” “That is without a doubt,” Schiff added.Schiff said Trump’s actions toward Ukraine had “harmed our national security.” “That is without a doubt,” Schiff added.
As the impeachment trial continues, Trump’s approval rating has seen a slight increase, according to a new poll.As the impeachment trial continues, Trump’s approval rating has seen a slight increase, according to a new poll.
The Washington Post/ABC News poll found that the president’s approval rating currently sits at 44%, up 6 points since late October.The Washington Post/ABC News poll found that the president’s approval rating currently sits at 44%, up 6 points since late October.
Meanwhile, his disapproval rating has hit a new low of 51%, down 7 points since late October.Meanwhile, his disapproval rating has hit a new low of 51%, down 7 points since late October.
But two-thirds of Americans think the Senate should call new witnesses to testify in the impeachment trial, while the public remains evenly divided on whether Trump should be removed from office.But two-thirds of Americans think the Senate should call new witnesses to testify in the impeachment trial, while the public remains evenly divided on whether Trump should be removed from office.
Impeachment manager Hakeem Jeffries warned that Trump’s actions toward Ukraine had put the country in jeopardy.Impeachment manager Hakeem Jeffries warned that Trump’s actions toward Ukraine had put the country in jeopardy.
“President Trump tried to cheat,” Jeffries said. “He got caught. And then he worked hard to cover it up.”“President Trump tried to cheat,” Jeffries said. “He got caught. And then he worked hard to cover it up.”
The New York Democat also warned of a “toxic mess” emanating from the White House. “I humbly suggest it is our collective job on behalf of the people to try and clean it up,” Jeffries said.The New York Democat also warned of a “toxic mess” emanating from the White House. “I humbly suggest it is our collective job on behalf of the people to try and clean it up,” Jeffries said.
As the impeachment trial continues to unfold in Washington, Politico reported that Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer and a key figure in the Ukraine controversy, was seen at JFK Airport in New York.As the impeachment trial continues to unfold in Washington, Politico reported that Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer and a key figure in the Ukraine controversy, was seen at JFK Airport in New York.
The former New York mayor was reportedly complaining about people being unable to find his podcast and offering a flattering quote about Trump.The former New York mayor was reportedly complaining about people being unable to find his podcast and offering a flattering quote about Trump.
During an erratic interview on “Fox and Friends” this morning, Giuliani claimed he would offer evidence against Joe Biden on his podcast this afternoon.During an erratic interview on “Fox and Friends” this morning, Giuliani claimed he would offer evidence against Joe Biden on his podcast this afternoon.
Shortly before the Senate trial resumed, Lindsey Graham explained his absence from the chamber yesterday, as impeachment manager Jerry Nadler played a 1999 clip of Graham.Shortly before the Senate trial resumed, Lindsey Graham explained his absence from the chamber yesterday, as impeachment manager Jerry Nadler played a 1999 clip of Graham.
In the clip taken from Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial, Graham argued a president does not necessarily have to commit a crime to warrant impeachment, a stance that contradicts his current defenses of Trump.In the clip taken from Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial, Graham argued a president does not necessarily have to commit a crime to warrant impeachment, a stance that contradicts his current defenses of Trump.
Nadler played the clip yesterday as part of the impeachment managers’ opening arguments, but reporters noted Graham was not in his seat to see it.Nadler played the clip yesterday as part of the impeachment managers’ opening arguments, but reporters noted Graham was not in his seat to see it.
The South Carolina Republican explained today that he was in the bathroom at the time because he has been “sick as a dog” but expressed regret about not being able to see the clip of himself.The South Carolina Republican explained today that he was in the bathroom at the time because he has been “sick as a dog” but expressed regret about not being able to see the clip of himself.
Mike Pence defended Trump after a report emerged that a 2018 recording showed the president pushing for the removal of then-US ambassador to Ukraine Maria Yovanovitch.
“I have not heard the tape and would not be prepared to comment on it,” Pence told reporters in Italy, according to a pool report. “All of the ambassadors for the United States of America serve at the pleasure of the president of the United States.”
The audio, Pence added, “will only confirm what people already know: is that the President had concerns, and in his authority this president made a decision.“
Trump claimed in November that didn’t “know much” about Yovanovitch when he signed off on recalling her from Kyiv, but this recording clearly contradicts that.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell kicked off today’s proceedings by confirming that the trial would resume tomorrow at 10 a.m. ET, earlier than recent days, and run for “several hours.”
Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts said the impeachment managers have nearly eight hours left to finish presenting their opening arguments.
Impeachment manager Jason Crow has now taken the floor to wrap up his team’s presentation about the first article of impeachment, abuse of power, before the Democrats move on to the second article, obstruction of Congress.
Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts has assumed his post in the Senate chamber, and the impeachment trial will now resume.
Today is the final day for the House impeachment managers to present their opening arguments for why Trump should be removed from office.
Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill just before the impeachment trial resumed, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff warned that Trump’s refusal to cooperate with the investigation could set a dangerous precedent.
Trump just finished speaking at the March for Life on the National Mall, becoming the first sitting president to address the annual anti-abortion event.
“It is my profound honor to be the first president in history to attend the March for Life,” Trump told the crowd. “Today, millions of extraordinary women across America are using the power of their votes to fight for the first right in the Declaration of Independence – the right to life.”
Trump’s unprecedented appearance at the event is his latest effort to lock down evangelical support heading into his reelection race.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
ABC News has reviewed a 2018 recording of Trump appearing to call for the removal of then-US ambassador to Ukraine Maria Yovanovitch. The president has repeatedly denied pushing for the longtime diplomat’s ouster.
Trump has unleashed a stream of Twitter attacks against Democrats as the impeachment managers prepare for their final day of opening arguments.
The Pentagon has confirmed that 34 US troops suffered concussions or traumatic brain injuries from the Iranian missile strike in Iraq, contradicting Trump’s claims that there were no casualties. Trump also dismissed the soldiers’ concussionas as “headaches.”
The blog will have more updates and analysis as the impeachment trial resumes in about 30 minutes, so stay tuned.
The Pentagon has confirmed that 34 US soldiers were diagnosed with concussions or traumatic brain injuries following the Iranian missile attack in Iraq.
Administration officials, including Trump, initially claimed there were no casualties from the strike, which followed the US drone attack that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.
When asked about the soldiers’ injuries on Wednesday, Trump dismissed the concussions as “headaches,” sparking intense criticism.
“I don’t consider them very serious injuries relative to other injuries that I’ve seen,” Trump told reporters in Davos. “I’ve seen what Iran has done with their roadside bombs to our troops. ... I’ve seen people that were horribly, horribly injured in that area, in that war.”
A lawyer for Lev Parnas, a former associate of Rudy Giuliani who reportedly appears on the recording that includes Trump calling for the removal of then-US ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, confirmed the accuracy of ABC News’ report.
Federal prosecutors in New York’s Southern District reportedly have a copy of the 2018 recording, which appears to include Trump calling for the removal of then-US ambassador to Ukraine Maria Yovanovitch, in their custody.
Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, former associates of Rudy Giuliani who have been implicated in the Ukraine controversy, are facing campaign-finance charges in the Southern District of New York.
Parnas has been cooperating with House investigators who led the impeachment inquiry, while Fruman has not.
The recording reviewed by ABC News, which appears to include Trump calling for the removal of then-US ambassador to Ukraine Maria Yovanovitch, was reportedly made by Igor Fruman.
Fruman is a former associate of Rudy Giuliani who has been indicted on campaign-finance charges, and another one of his associates, Lev Parnas, has turned over documents related to Trump’s impeachment to House Democrats.
ABC News reports: