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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
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.”
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.
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.
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.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.”“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.“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.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.”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.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.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: