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Trump accuses impeachment managers of 'lies, fraud and deception' – live updates Trump accuses impeachment managers of 'lies, fraud and deception' – live updates
(32 minutes later)
House impeachment managers will finish presenting their opening arguments today, focusing on obstruction of Congress – follow live updatesHouse impeachment managers will finish presenting their opening arguments today, focusing on obstruction of Congress – follow live updates
Trump continues to lash out against Democrats on his favorite form of social media, claiming that the impeachment trial is political retribution for his reshaping of the federal judiciary.
At the risk of stating the obvious, Trump has been nominating federal judges at a record clip since he assumed office, largely thanks to Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell’s blocking of Barack Obama’s nominations during the final years of his presidency.
But many Democrats only came around to supporting impeachment after a whistleblower raised national-security concerns about Trump’s July phone call with the Ukrainian president.
So the suggestion that the impeachment trial is only occurring because of political animus toward Trump seems rather baseless.
Don McGahn, Trump’s former White House counsel, joked about the ongoing impeachment trial during an event at Stockton University yesterday.
“It’s timely that you’re here. Couldn’t come at a better time,” said William Hughes, who was posing questions to his friend McGahn. “You have some on one side saying actions were necessary — almost required — and on the other side saying actions aren’t justified — it was rash and an institution is in jeopardy. I ask you about ... Harry and Meghan?”
“That’s a tough one,” McGahn replied. “Not as tough as where I thought you were going. I heard she called the queen and said she thought it was a perfect call.”
Trump has repeatedly referred to his July call with the Ukrainian president, the source of the whistleblower complaint that sparked the impeachment inquiry, as “perfect.”
In the call, the US president asked Volodymyr Zelenskiy for “a favor” and went on to discuss possible investigations of Joe Biden and the 2016 election.
In some other non-impeachment news, Trump will address the March for Life on the National Mall today, becoming the first sitting president to speak at the annual anti-abortion event.In some other non-impeachment news, Trump will address the March for Life on the National Mall today, becoming the first sitting president to speak at the annual anti-abortion event.
The AP reports:The AP reports:
Trump has taken steps to lock down his evangelical support in recent weeks, after a prominent evangelical magazine published an editorial calling for the president’s removal from office.Trump has taken steps to lock down his evangelical support in recent weeks, after a prominent evangelical magazine published an editorial calling for the president’s removal from office.
As the impeachment trial continues, the Iowa caucuses get closer, with just 10 days remaining until voting begins in the Democratic presidential primary.As the impeachment trial continues, the Iowa caucuses get closer, with just 10 days remaining until voting begins in the Democratic presidential primary.
Joe Biden has released a new ad focused on polling that shows he has the largest current advantage over Trump in a hypothetical general election.Joe Biden has released a new ad focused on polling that shows he has the largest current advantage over Trump in a hypothetical general election.
“This is no time to take a risk. We need our strongest candidate,” the ad’s narrator says. “So let’s nominate the Democrat Trump fears the most. Vote Biden. Beat Trump.”“This is no time to take a risk. We need our strongest candidate,” the ad’s narrator says. “So let’s nominate the Democrat Trump fears the most. Vote Biden. Beat Trump.”
The ad comes as Bernie Sanders has seen his national polling numbers steadily climb, even taking a solo lead in CNN’s polling for the first time since the start of the race.The ad comes as Bernie Sanders has seen his national polling numbers steadily climb, even taking a solo lead in CNN’s polling for the first time since the start of the race.
Many Democratic voters are prioritizing a candidate’s perceived ability to defeat Trump as they make their final primary choices, and Biden is clearly seeking to capitalize on Democrats’ fears of the current president.Many Democratic voters are prioritizing a candidate’s perceived ability to defeat Trump as they make their final primary choices, and Biden is clearly seeking to capitalize on Democrats’ fears of the current president.
The House impeachment managers will begin their final day of opening arguments at 1pm ET.The House impeachment managers will begin their final day of opening arguments at 1pm ET.
The managers’ final conclusion today will almost certainly be the same one they drew yesterday: that Trump represents a danger to the country and should be removed from office.The managers’ final conclusion today will almost certainly be the same one they drew yesterday: that Trump represents a danger to the country and should be removed from office.
“You know you can’t trust this president to do what’s right for this country,” lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff said at the end of yesterday’s arguments. “You can only trust this president to do what’s right for Donald Trump.”“You know you can’t trust this president to do what’s right for this country,” lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff said at the end of yesterday’s arguments. “You can only trust this president to do what’s right for Donald Trump.”
The House impeachment managers will have to wrap up their opening arguments today, and then Trump’s lawyers will be given up to 24 hours, spread over to three days, to begin their defense of the president.The House impeachment managers will have to wrap up their opening arguments today, and then Trump’s lawyers will be given up to 24 hours, spread over to three days, to begin their defense of the president.
Because the Senate remains in session on Saturdays for impeachment trials, the president’s team will start presenting tomorrow, but there is widespread speculation that Trump’s lawyers will save most of their arguments for Monday and (if necessary) Tuesday.Because the Senate remains in session on Saturdays for impeachment trials, the president’s team will start presenting tomorrow, but there is widespread speculation that Trump’s lawyers will save most of their arguments for Monday and (if necessary) Tuesday.
Good morning, live blog readers!Good morning, live blog readers!
House impeachment managers will finish presenting their opening arguments today, capping three full days of senators hearing evidence that Donald Trump committed impeachable offenses and should be removed from office.House impeachment managers will finish presenting their opening arguments today, capping three full days of senators hearing evidence that Donald Trump committed impeachable offenses and should be removed from office.
Yesterday’s arguments focused on the first article of impeachment, abuse of power. The managers will spend today laying out their case for the second article, obstruction of Congress.Yesterday’s arguments focused on the first article of impeachment, abuse of power. The managers will spend today laying out their case for the second article, obstruction of Congress.
Although today’s proceedings won’t begin until 1pm ET, the president is already tweeting about the trial, attacking Democrats for allegedly spreading “lies, fraud & deception”.Although today’s proceedings won’t begin until 1pm ET, the president is already tweeting about the trial, attacking Democrats for allegedly spreading “lies, fraud & deception”.
In reality, of course, the impeachment team led by Adam Schiff have been mostly replaying clips from the House hearings and using Trump’s own words about Ukraine to make the argument for his removal from office. That presentation of evidence will continue in a few hours.In reality, of course, the impeachment team led by Adam Schiff have been mostly replaying clips from the House hearings and using Trump’s own words about Ukraine to make the argument for his removal from office. That presentation of evidence will continue in a few hours.
Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on today:Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on today:
Trump will speak at the 47th annual March for Life at 12.15pm ET and later deliver a speech to US mayors about “Transforming America’s Communities.”Trump will speak at the 47th annual March for Life at 12.15pm ET and later deliver a speech to US mayors about “Transforming America’s Communities.”
Mike Pence is in Rome, where he will meet the Italian prime minister at 11.15am ET.Mike Pence is in Rome, where he will meet the Italian prime minister at 11.15am ET.
Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg are campaigning in New Hampshire today.Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg are campaigning in New Hampshire today.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.