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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
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.
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.
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.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.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.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.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.”“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.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: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.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.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 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 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.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.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.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.”“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.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.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.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.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.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.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:ABC News reports:
ABC News has reviewed a recording of Trump calling for the removal of then-US ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, a year before she was recalled from Kyiv over what she called “unfounded and false claims by people with clearly questionable motives.”
The president appears to have been recorded at a small 2018 gathering that included Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, two former associates of Rudy Giuliani who have been indicted on campaign-finance charges and implicated in the Ukraine controversy.
ABC News reports:
Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer once again praised the performance of the House impeachment managers as the Democratic team prepares for its final day of opening arguments.
“The House managers have already set a very high bar for the president’s counsel to meet,” Schumer said.
Trump’s lawyers will have up to 24 hours spread over three days, starting tomorrow, to present their opening arguments in the president’s defense.
“The president’s counsel have their work cut out for them,” Schumer said.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer have announced that Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer and Texas congresswoman Veronica Escobar will deliver the Democratic response to the Trump’s State of the Union.
The president will deliver the annual address on Feb. 4, a day after the Iowa caucuses kick off the Democratic presidential primary.
Whitmer and Escobar were both elected to their current posts in 2018, when a wave of young, Democratic women were swept into office. The selection of the two women reflects Democratic hopes of keeping that enthusiasm alive with the 2020 election.
It has become tradition for the party who does not control the White House to deliver a response to the State of the Union, but past responses have met with mixed success.
Republican senator Marco Rubio became an instant GIF when he took a water break in the middle of his 2013 response, but former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams was widely praised for her response last year.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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 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.”
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.
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.
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”.
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:
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.
Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg are campaigning in New Hampshire today.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.