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Trump impeachment: president dismisses John Bolton's Ukraine claims as 'false' – live Trump impeachment: president dismisses John Bolton's Ukraine claims as 'false' – live
(32 minutes later)
Asked about Bolton’s allegations that he directly tied Ukraine military aid to investigations of rivals, Trump says one word: ‘False’Asked about Bolton’s allegations that he directly tied Ukraine military aid to investigations of rivals, Trump says one word: ‘False’
That’s it from me today. I’m handing the blog over to my west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
Trump’s lawyers continued their opening arguments in the impeachment trial as questions remained over whether the Senate would call John Bolton, the former national security adviser, to testify.
A handful of Republican senators signaled they were opening to calling Bolton to testify after the former official reportedly claimed in a manuscript of his forthcoming book that Trump directly tied Ukraine’s military assistance to investigations of Democrats.
Ken Starr, one of the president’s lawyers who led the investigation that led to Bill Clinton’s impeachment, ironically warned of the political dangers of impeachment becoming “normalized.”
The Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration could allow its “public charge” rule to go into effect as legal battles over the controversial immigration policy play out in the courts.
Trump said he would announce the administration’s Israeli-Palestinian peace plan tomorrow, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Netanyahu’s election opponent, Benny Gantz, visit Washington.
Maanvi will have more updates as the impeachment trial continues, so stay tuned.
Deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin pointed to historical clashes between the executive and legislative branches, dating back to George Washington’s presidency, as evidence that there is precedent for pushing back against congressional oversight.
“The idea that invoking privilege and claiming immunity are impeachable offenses is absurd,” Philbin said.
However, it’s important to note that Trump has argued for a wholesale rejection of Congress’ ability to conduct oversight of the White House, a power that is laid out in the Constitution.
“Then, I have an Article II, where I have to the right to do whatever I want as president,” Trump falsely said back in July.
Congressman Justin Amash, who left the Republican Party over his opposition to Trump, criticized the president’s lawyers for ignoring news reports as they present their opening arguments.Congressman Justin Amash, who left the Republican Party over his opposition to Trump, criticized the president’s lawyers for ignoring news reports as they present their opening arguments.
Trump’s lawyers have repeatedly pointed to the lack of first-hand accounts in the impeachment inquiry as evidence of the president’s innocence, even as many Republican senators push back against the proposal to call former national security adviser John Bolton as a witness in the trial.Trump’s lawyers have repeatedly pointed to the lack of first-hand accounts in the impeachment inquiry as evidence of the president’s innocence, even as many Republican senators push back against the proposal to call former national security adviser John Bolton as a witness in the trial.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement that he was not given “any advance notice” about John Bolton’s manuscript.Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement that he was not given “any advance notice” about John Bolton’s manuscript.
The National Security Council confirmed that it received a copy of Bolton’s manuscript late last month for pre-publication review, but an NSC spokesperson added, “No White House personnel outside NSC have reviewed the manuscript.”The National Security Council confirmed that it received a copy of Bolton’s manuscript late last month for pre-publication review, but an NSC spokesperson added, “No White House personnel outside NSC have reviewed the manuscript.”
After offering a robust defense of Rudy Giuliani, Jane Raskin ended her presentation by describing the president’s personal lawyer as “a minor player” and “a shiny object meant to distract you.”After offering a robust defense of Rudy Giuliani, Jane Raskin ended her presentation by describing the president’s personal lawyer as “a minor player” and “a shiny object meant to distract you.”
The defense of the former New York mayor may come as a surprise to Republican lawmakers, many of whom have expressed unease about Giuliani’s role in pushing Ukraine to investigate Democrats.The defense of the former New York mayor may come as a surprise to Republican lawmakers, many of whom have expressed unease about Giuliani’s role in pushing Ukraine to investigate Democrats.
The Senate trial has resumed, and Jane Raskin, one of Trump’s lawyers, has now taken the floor to continue her side’s opening arguments.The Senate trial has resumed, and Jane Raskin, one of Trump’s lawyers, has now taken the floor to continue her side’s opening arguments.
Senate Democrats were shocked by the opening arguments from Ken Starr, one of Trump’s lawyers who also led the investigation against Bill Clinton that led to the former president’s impeachment.Senate Democrats were shocked by the opening arguments from Ken Starr, one of Trump’s lawyers who also led the investigation against Bill Clinton that led to the former president’s impeachment.
Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut desribed Starr’s appearance as “an out-of-body experience.”Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut desribed Starr’s appearance as “an out-of-body experience.”
Trump’s lawyers have paused their opening arguments, and Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has called for a 15-minute break.Trump’s lawyers have paused their opening arguments, and Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has called for a 15-minute break.
Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts said at the start of the day that the president’s team had about 22 hours left, spread across two days, to finish making their opening arguments.Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts said at the start of the day that the president’s team had about 22 hours left, spread across two days, to finish making their opening arguments.
After roughly two hours of presentations, Trump’s lawyers should have about 20 hours left.After roughly two hours of presentations, Trump’s lawyers should have about 20 hours left.
Mike Purpura, the deputy White House counsel, has repeatedly criticized the House impeachment managers for not providing “any first-hand evidence” that Trump linked Ukraine’s military assistance to investigations of Democrats.Mike Purpura, the deputy White House counsel, has repeatedly criticized the House impeachment managers for not providing “any first-hand evidence” that Trump linked Ukraine’s military assistance to investigations of Democrats.
This critique is more than a little ironic, considering the New York Times reported last night that John Bolton alleges exactly that in his forthcoming book.This critique is more than a little ironic, considering the New York Times reported last night that John Bolton alleges exactly that in his forthcoming book.
The former national security adviser could provide an invaluable first-hand account about the Ukraine controversy if he were called to testify in the impeachment trial, but some of Trump’s Senate allies are already pushing back against that proposal, claiming Bolton has “nothing new” to offer.The former national security adviser could provide an invaluable first-hand account about the Ukraine controversy if he were called to testify in the impeachment trial, but some of Trump’s Senate allies are already pushing back against that proposal, claiming Bolton has “nothing new” to offer.
So, to sum up: the president’s lawyers are complaining about the lack of first-hand evidence while the president’s allies simultaneously try to prevent a first-hand account from being heard during the trial because it would allegedly only mirror the testimony that’s already been heard.So, to sum up: the president’s lawyers are complaining about the lack of first-hand evidence while the president’s allies simultaneously try to prevent a first-hand account from being heard during the trial because it would allegedly only mirror the testimony that’s already been heard.
Mike Purpura, the deputy White House counsel, is now arguing Trump held up Ukraine’s military assistance in part over concerns about the US providing a disproportionate amount of funding to the ally.Mike Purpura, the deputy White House counsel, is now arguing Trump held up Ukraine’s military assistance in part over concerns about the US providing a disproportionate amount of funding to the ally.
But other countries have actually provided billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine since Russia’s annexation of Crimea.But other countries have actually provided billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine since Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
PolitiFact reported in September:PolitiFact reported in September:
Ken Starr, one of Trump’s lawyers, has now stepped off the floor after delivering a highly controversial warning about impeachments becoming “normalized.”Ken Starr, one of Trump’s lawyers, has now stepped off the floor after delivering a highly controversial warning about impeachments becoming “normalized.”
Another one of the president’s lawyers, Jay Sekulow, briefly took the podium to admonish House Democrats for their handling of the impeachment inquiry, in comparison to the “solemn” nature of the Senate trial.Another one of the president’s lawyers, Jay Sekulow, briefly took the podium to admonish House Democrats for their handling of the impeachment inquiry, in comparison to the “solemn” nature of the Senate trial.
Mike Purpura, the deputy White House counsel, is now presenting more of his side’s opening arguments and said the president’s team will be ready for a break once he concludes.Mike Purpura, the deputy White House counsel, is now presenting more of his side’s opening arguments and said the president’s team will be ready for a break once he concludes.
Angus King, an independent senator who caucuses with Democrats, predicted that up to 10 Republicans would eventually vote in favor of allowing new witness testimony during the impeachment trial.Angus King, an independent senator who caucuses with Democrats, predicted that up to 10 Republicans would eventually vote in favor of allowing new witness testimony during the impeachment trial.
In a new statement, John Bolton and his publisher denied that they were involved in the New York Times report about the former national security adviser’s forthcoming book.In a new statement, John Bolton and his publisher denied that they were involved in the New York Times report about the former national security adviser’s forthcoming book.
Some of Trump’s congressional allies have tried to deflect questions about whether Bolton should be called to testify in the impeachment trial by dismissing the Times report as a counterproductive “leak.”Some of Trump’s congressional allies have tried to deflect questions about whether Bolton should be called to testify in the impeachment trial by dismissing the Times report as a counterproductive “leak.”
In a 5-4 vote along ideological lines, the Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration may start eforcing its “public charge” rule as challenges to the immigration policy continue.In a 5-4 vote along ideological lines, the Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration may start eforcing its “public charge” rule as challenges to the immigration policy continue.
According to the rule, immigrants applying for green cards and other visas could be penalized for their use of public benefits, a proposal that has been widely criticized as a “wealth test.”According to the rule, immigrants applying for green cards and other visas could be penalized for their use of public benefits, a proposal that has been widely criticized as a “wealth test.”
Soon after the rule was proposed in 2018, immigrants started removing themselves from government programs out of fear that it could impact their immigration status.Soon after the rule was proposed in 2018, immigrants started removing themselves from government programs out of fear that it could impact their immigration status.
Asked about whether she would stay in Washington for the impeachment trial on the day of the Iowa caucuses next Monday, Elizabeth Warren said she would -- but the presidential candidate added a caveat.Asked about whether she would stay in Washington for the impeachment trial on the day of the Iowa caucuses next Monday, Elizabeth Warren said she would -- but the presidential candidate added a caveat.
“So long as we’ve got a real trial going on ... I have a responsibility to be here,” Warren said.“So long as we’ve got a real trial going on ... I have a responsibility to be here,” Warren said.
Asked to reiterate her plans, the Massachusetts senator echoed her line about a “real trial,” which could give her some wiggle room to skip out of the Monday proceedings if the trial is still going on.Asked to reiterate her plans, the Massachusetts senator echoed her line about a “real trial,” which could give her some wiggle room to skip out of the Monday proceedings if the trial is still going on.
Ken Starr, one of Trump’s lawyers, warned that impeachment has become “normalized” and could soon be turned into a weapon against every administration.Ken Starr, one of Trump’s lawyers, warned that impeachment has become “normalized” and could soon be turned into a weapon against every administration.
“Democrats will regret it when Republicans are handing out the pens,” predicted Starr, who spearheaded the investigation of Bill Clinton that led to his impeachment. “Like war, impeachment is hell,” he added.“Democrats will regret it when Republicans are handing out the pens,” predicted Starr, who spearheaded the investigation of Bill Clinton that led to his impeachment. “Like war, impeachment is hell,” he added.
Starr’s warnings were met with incredulity from Democratic commentators and strategists, including this former Clinton adviser:Starr’s warnings were met with incredulity from Democratic commentators and strategists, including this former Clinton adviser: