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| Trump impeachment trial: president’s defense holds brief first day of opening arguments – live | Trump impeachment trial: president’s defense holds brief first day of opening arguments – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Trump’s team concludes first day and will continue Monday, after impeachment managers made case for Trump’s removal from office | Trump’s team concludes first day and will continue Monday, after impeachment managers made case for Trump’s removal from office |
| Today, Trump’s defense team began their case arguing against the president’s removal from office. In just under two hours, they outlined their main points: | |
| White House counsel Pat Cipollone opened the defense by positioning impeachment as a referendum on the upcoming 2020 election. “They are asking you not only to overturn the results of the last election, but as I’ve said before, they are asking you to remove president Trump from the ballot in an election that is occurring in approximately nine months.” | |
| Mike Purpura, deputy counsel to the president, named six key facts pertinent to the case. He said each of these facts alone is “enough to sink the Democrats case.” | |
| Trump’s defense frequently tried to cast doubts on the Democrats depiction of events by showing clips from the House impeachment inquiry which supported their case and asked why the Democrats didn’t include those in their statements. | |
| Trump’s lawyer, Jay Sekulow, brandished a copy of a section of the Mueller report in an effort to draw a parallel between that investigation and the impeachment inquiry. | |
| “This should never be allowed to happen again!” is Donald Trump’s first tweeted reaction to today’s hearing. | |
| He went on to retweet supportive statements made by Republican representatives Steve Scalise, of Louisiana, and Bradley Byrne, of Alabama. | |
| Each side has 24 hours to make their opening arguments. Trump’s team emphasized brevity in their first day and is set to present the bulk of their case on Monday and Tuesday. | Each side has 24 hours to make their opening arguments. Trump’s team emphasized brevity in their first day and is set to present the bulk of their case on Monday and Tuesday. |
| After these arguments, senators can ask questions of each side in writing. US supreme court chief justice, John Roberts, is presiding over the trial and will read the questions out loud. | After these arguments, senators can ask questions of each side in writing. US supreme court chief justice, John Roberts, is presiding over the trial and will read the questions out loud. |
| Following the question period, the Senate will vote on whether to continue the trial and allow the teams to subpoena witnesses or to end the trial with a vote on whether to convict or acquit the president. | Following the question period, the Senate will vote on whether to continue the trial and allow the teams to subpoena witnesses or to end the trial with a vote on whether to convict or acquit the president. |
| The view from Republicans in Congress: | The view from Republicans in Congress: |
| Now the House impeachment managers are speaking at a press conference. | Now the House impeachment managers are speaking at a press conference. |
| They are responding to “misrepresentations” made by Trump’s defense, lead prosecutor Adam Schiff says. | They are responding to “misrepresentations” made by Trump’s defense, lead prosecutor Adam Schiff says. |
| “They don’t contest the basic architecture of the scheme,” Schiff said. This suggests the facts are overwhelming that the president tried to get Ukraine’s government involved in the 2020 election, Schiff says. | “They don’t contest the basic architecture of the scheme,” Schiff said. This suggests the facts are overwhelming that the president tried to get Ukraine’s government involved in the 2020 election, Schiff says. |
| “We are meant to, I guess, believe from the presentation today that the call was all about burden sharing,” Schiff says. “As if that was really the thrust of the call,” Schiff said. | “We are meant to, I guess, believe from the presentation today that the call was all about burden sharing,” Schiff says. “As if that was really the thrust of the call,” Schiff said. |
| Schiff says if the call was about burden sharing, it would make more sense for the president to speak to European leaders, and mention European leaders in calls, instead of people such as his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani. | Schiff says if the call was about burden sharing, it would make more sense for the president to speak to European leaders, and mention European leaders in calls, instead of people such as his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani. |
| In a press conference, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said Trump’s defense team made a “compelling case” for why the Senate should request witnesses and documents. “Why shouldn’t we have witnesses and documents here?” he says. | In a press conference, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said Trump’s defense team made a “compelling case” for why the Senate should request witnesses and documents. “Why shouldn’t we have witnesses and documents here?” he says. |
| “I don’t think the president’s counsel did a very good job - there are gaping holes in their testimony,” Schumer said. | “I don’t think the president’s counsel did a very good job - there are gaping holes in their testimony,” Schumer said. |
| He continued: | He continued: |
| Lead impeachment prosecutor, Adam Schiff, has shared his first thoughts on the president’s defense. Trump’s lawyers made Schiff a prominent character in their narrative, sharing video clips of his previous statements while he watched and listened nearby. | Lead impeachment prosecutor, Adam Schiff, has shared his first thoughts on the president’s defense. Trump’s lawyers made Schiff a prominent character in their narrative, sharing video clips of his previous statements while he watched and listened nearby. |
| In Schiff’s closing statement on Friday, the Democratic congressmen pre-empted much of the Trump legal team’s defense. | In Schiff’s closing statement on Friday, the Democratic congressmen pre-empted much of the Trump legal team’s defense. |
| Back to Cipollone, who promises this will only last “a few more minutes.” | Back to Cipollone, who promises this will only last “a few more minutes.” |
| He puts on the screen three instances in which Trump invited Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy to Washington, by phone. There was also a letter invitation, he says. | He puts on the screen three instances in which Trump invited Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy to Washington, by phone. There was also a letter invitation, he says. |
| “Impeachment shouldn’t be a shell game, they should give you the facts,” Cipollone said. “That’s all we have for today.” | “Impeachment shouldn’t be a shell game, they should give you the facts,” Cipollone said. “That’s all we have for today.” |
| In a speedy two hours, the first part of Trump’s defense wraps and the Senate is adjourned. | In a speedy two hours, the first part of Trump’s defense wraps and the Senate is adjourned. |
| We will continue to have analysis and reaction in the live blog today. The trial continues Monday afternoon. | We will continue to have analysis and reaction in the live blog today. The trial continues Monday afternoon. |
| Patrick Philbin, deputy counsel to the president, is here to speak about the issues of obstruction and due process. | Patrick Philbin, deputy counsel to the president, is here to speak about the issues of obstruction and due process. |
| Philbin says the House did not follow procedure when it issued subpoenas and therefore the White House committed no wrongdoing by defying those subpoenas. | Philbin says the House did not follow procedure when it issued subpoenas and therefore the White House committed no wrongdoing by defying those subpoenas. |
| Meanwhile, reports are coming in from reporters in the Senate chamber, who are able to see the Senate’s reaction to the arguments. The Senate has limited the television broadcast to focus on the speakers, not the reaction in the room. | Meanwhile, reports are coming in from reporters in the Senate chamber, who are able to see the Senate’s reaction to the arguments. The Senate has limited the television broadcast to focus on the speakers, not the reaction in the room. |
| Sekulow lists multiple instances in which the Trump White House withheld foreign aid from countries which weren’t Ukraine. | Sekulow lists multiple instances in which the Trump White House withheld foreign aid from countries which weren’t Ukraine. |
| Trump’s lawyer, Jay Sekulow, has taken over. | Trump’s lawyer, Jay Sekulow, has taken over. |
| He brandishes a copy of the Mueller report, highlighting that investigators did not find any overarching conspiracy between Trump’s team and Russian operatives. The report did find 11 instances in which Trump or his campaign engaged in potential obstruction of justice and suggested Congress might prosecute these acts as crimes. | He brandishes a copy of the Mueller report, highlighting that investigators did not find any overarching conspiracy between Trump’s team and Russian operatives. The report did find 11 instances in which Trump or his campaign engaged in potential obstruction of justice and suggested Congress might prosecute these acts as crimes. |
| “This, for that,” Sekulow keeps repeating while waving a section of the 450-page report, in an effort to draw a parallel between that investigation and the impeachment inquiry. | “This, for that,” Sekulow keeps repeating while waving a section of the 450-page report, in an effort to draw a parallel between that investigation and the impeachment inquiry. |
| Purpura is repeatedly highlighting video clips from the House impeachment trial, then asking why Democrats didn’t share them. | Purpura is repeatedly highlighting video clips from the House impeachment trial, then asking why Democrats didn’t share them. |
| The clips he is sharing support the president’s case and were usually prompted by Republican House members, similar to how Democrats shared video clips that supported their case and were prompted by Democratic House members. | The clips he is sharing support the president’s case and were usually prompted by Republican House members, similar to how Democrats shared video clips that supported their case and were prompted by Democratic House members. |
| Mike Purpura, deputy counsel to the president, outlined six key facts pertinent to the case. He said each of these facts alone is “enough to sink the Democrats case.” | Mike Purpura, deputy counsel to the president, outlined six key facts pertinent to the case. He said each of these facts alone is “enough to sink the Democrats case.” |
| The transcript (which the White House said is not verbatim) shows that the president did not condition either security assistance or a meeting on anything. | The transcript (which the White House said is not verbatim) shows that the president did not condition either security assistance or a meeting on anything. |
| Ukrainians have said there was no quid pro quo. | Ukrainians have said there was no quid pro quo. |
| Ukraine did not know security assistance was paused until a month after the 25 July call. | Ukraine did not know security assistance was paused until a month after the 25 July call. |
| No Ukrainian investigation into Joe Biden took place. | No Ukrainian investigation into Joe Biden took place. |
| Ukraine received assistance without such an investigation. | Ukraine received assistance without such an investigation. |
| Trump has been a bigger supporter of Ukraine than his predecessor, Barack Obama. | Trump has been a bigger supporter of Ukraine than his predecessor, Barack Obama. |
| Cipollone rounds out his opening statement: “They are here to perpetrate the most massive interference in an American election in US history.” | Cipollone rounds out his opening statement: “They are here to perpetrate the most massive interference in an American election in US history.” |
| Up next, Mike Purpura, deputy counsel to the president. | Up next, Mike Purpura, deputy counsel to the president. |
| He begins by showing video of lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff paraphrasing a White House transcript of the 25 July call between Trump and Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy. | He begins by showing video of lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff paraphrasing a White House transcript of the 25 July call between Trump and Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy. |
| Purpura says what Schiff is reading was fake, which is a well-trodden critique from the president’s defenders. Schiff paraphrased a White House summary of the call, which was not verbatim, and reporters who analyzed Schiff’s recounting of the transcript said he was accurate. | Purpura says what Schiff is reading was fake, which is a well-trodden critique from the president’s defenders. Schiff paraphrased a White House summary of the call, which was not verbatim, and reporters who analyzed Schiff’s recounting of the transcript said he was accurate. |
| White House counsel Pat Cipollone says today’s argument should only take two to three hours and promises to be out by 1pm at the latest. He says the defense’s case will make two points. | White House counsel Pat Cipollone says today’s argument should only take two to three hours and promises to be out by 1pm at the latest. He says the defense’s case will make two points. |
| The first appears to be that his argument will focus on the president not having done anything wrong. | The first appears to be that his argument will focus on the president not having done anything wrong. |
| “You heard the house manager speak for nearly 24 hours over three days,” Cipollone says. “We don’t anticipate using that much time. We don’t believe they have come anywhere close to meeting their burden for what they are asking you to do.” | “You heard the house manager speak for nearly 24 hours over three days,” Cipollone says. “We don’t anticipate using that much time. We don’t believe they have come anywhere close to meeting their burden for what they are asking you to do.” |
| “In fact,” Cipollone says, today he will focus on facts. And once the Senate hears those facts, he says: “You will find the president did absolutely nothing wrong.” | “In fact,” Cipollone says, today he will focus on facts. And once the Senate hears those facts, he says: “You will find the president did absolutely nothing wrong.” |
| Cipollone moves on to the second point: “They are asking you not only to overturn the results of the last election, but as I’ve said before, they are asking you to remove president Trump from the ballot in an election that is occurring in approximately nine months.” | Cipollone moves on to the second point: “They are asking you not only to overturn the results of the last election, but as I’ve said before, they are asking you to remove president Trump from the ballot in an election that is occurring in approximately nine months.” |
| Cipollone then suggests ballots for the November election already exist, and will be torn up if the Senate votes for removal from office. Since each party hasn’t formally named its candidate in the 2020 election, this is a rhetorical flourish which shows the president’s legal team is ready to make politics a significant part of its defense. | Cipollone then suggests ballots for the November election already exist, and will be torn up if the Senate votes for removal from office. Since each party hasn’t formally named its candidate in the 2020 election, this is a rhetorical flourish which shows the president’s legal team is ready to make politics a significant part of its defense. |
| Minutes later, Cipollone returns to the idea that Democrats are asking to “tear up the ballots” by calling for impeachment. | Minutes later, Cipollone returns to the idea that Democrats are asking to “tear up the ballots” by calling for impeachment. |
| The Senate impeachment trial has begun its new phase, with the case moving to the president’s legal team. | The Senate impeachment trial has begun its new phase, with the case moving to the president’s legal team. |
| Trump’s lawyers have said today they would outline their argument to defend the president, with plans to deliver the brunt of their case in longer sessions on Monday and Tuesday. | Trump’s lawyers have said today they would outline their argument to defend the president, with plans to deliver the brunt of their case in longer sessions on Monday and Tuesday. |
| They are expected to argue that the president was justified in seeking the investigation because of a history of corruption involving the company and that he committed no crimes. | They are expected to argue that the president was justified in seeking the investigation because of a history of corruption involving the company and that he committed no crimes. |
| Who are the people tasked with preventing Trump from becoming the first impeached president to be removed from office? From Floridians to a key figure in the Bill Clinton impeachment trial, a profile of the attorneys representing the president: | Who are the people tasked with preventing Trump from becoming the first impeached president to be removed from office? From Floridians to a key figure in the Bill Clinton impeachment trial, a profile of the attorneys representing the president: |
| Hello and good morning, | Hello and good morning, |
| At the top of the hour, Donald Trump’s defense team will begin its case to argue the president did not commit impeachable offenses and should remain in office. Trump’s team said today would feature a three-hour “overview” of their defense, which will continue next week. | At the top of the hour, Donald Trump’s defense team will begin its case to argue the president did not commit impeachable offenses and should remain in office. Trump’s team said today would feature a three-hour “overview” of their defense, which will continue next week. |
| The defense arrives in the Senate after the impeachment managers made the case for Trump’s removal from office in nearly 24 hours, spread over three days. In a 90-minute closing statement on Friday, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff launched a preemptive attack on Trump’s defense, which faces two impeachment charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. | The defense arrives in the Senate after the impeachment managers made the case for Trump’s removal from office in nearly 24 hours, spread over three days. In a 90-minute closing statement on Friday, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff launched a preemptive attack on Trump’s defense, which faces two impeachment charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. |
| Today will mark the first time the White House presents a substantive response to the impeachment charges, since Trump’s legal team rejected the House invitation to participate in its impeachment inquiry. | Today will mark the first time the White House presents a substantive response to the impeachment charges, since Trump’s legal team rejected the House invitation to participate in its impeachment inquiry. |
| Stay tuned for updates from the trial. And relive the Democrats’ case to remove Trump from office, here: | Stay tuned for updates from the trial. And relive the Democrats’ case to remove Trump from office, here: |