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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
(30 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
The impeachment managers spent an additional two and a half hours today presenting opening arguments on the first article of impeachment, abuse of power.
The managers spent nine hours yesterday detailing Trump’s alleged abuse of power and have now spent more than 11 collective hours focusing on the first article of impeachment.
When the Senate trial resumes, the managers are expected to begin making their opening arguments about the second article of impeachment, obstruction of Congress.
Closing the impeachment managers’ opening arguments about the first article of impeachment, abuse of power, Adam Schiff warned that Trump “remains a threat to national security and the constitution.”
The California congressman described the president as an “imminent threat to the integrity of our democracy” and predicted he would abuse his power again.
“He is who he is,” Schiff said. “That will not change and nor will the danger associated with him.”
Schiff then yielded back to Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, who called for a 15-minute recess.
Moments ago, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff appealed to the senators acting as jurors in the impeachment trial by asking them to imagine if Trump had asked for them to be investigated by a foreign power.
“Do you think for a moment that any of you, no matter what your relationship is with this president, no matter how close you are to this president, do you think for a moment that if he felt it was in his interest he wouldn’t ask you to be investigated?” Schiff asked.
Delivering a fiery denunciation of the sitting president, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff warned that Trump’s abuse of power, the first article of impeachment, is “continuing.”
“[Trump] is still trying to cheat in the next election,” Schiff said. “Do you think it’s going to stop now? It’s not going to stop unless the Congress does something about it.”
The California congressman again warned that Trump posed a threat to American democracy. “You cannot leave a man like that in office when you think he violated the constitution,” Schiff said.
Lead impeachment manger Adam Schiff just played a clip from Trump’s 2018 press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In that Helsinki press conference, Trump cast doubt upon the US intelligence community’s conclusion that the Kremlin had interfered in the 2016 election and instead peddled a baseless claim about a missing DNC “server.”
Schiff described the moment as “breathtaking” and “the most incredible propaganda coup” for Russian intelligence. “Whatever profile Russia did of our president, boy did they have it spot on,” Schiff said.
That assessment was echoed by a New Yorker staff writer who co-authored a book about Putin’s rise to power:
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.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.“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, 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.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.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.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.“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.“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.”“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.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.”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.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.”“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.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.“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.