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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
(31 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’
If three Republican senators were to support Democrats’ proposal to have new witness testimony in the impeachment trial, it could create an awkward 50-50 vote in the Senate.
Majority leader Mitch McConnell has said a tie vote will not be enough to force witness testimony, but that interpretation could be up for debate.
Lisa Murkowski, one of the Republican senators being closely watched for how she will vote on allowing new witness testimony in the impeachment trial, said she is looking forward to the Senate making a decision on the matter.
As Democrats intensified their demands for former national security adviser John Bolton to testify, Murkowski noted she has previously said she is “curious as to what John Bolton might have to say.”
“I’ve also said there is an appropriate time for us to evaluate whether we need additional information — that time is almost here,” Murkowski said. “I look forward to the White House wrapping up presentation of its case.”
Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney has put out a statement, through his lawyer, contradicting the report about John Bolton’s forthcoming book.
Mulvaney’s lawyer said that Bolton “never informed” the acting chief of staff about concerns he had after speaking with Trump in August and that Mulvaney “has no recollection” of speaking to Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, about Ukraine potentially investigating Democrats.
Trump’s lawyers are set to continue presenting their opening arguments in the Senate impeachment trial in about 30 minutes.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
Republican senators Mitt Romney and Susan Collins indicated that a report about John Bolton’s forthcoming book made them more likely to support calling the former national security adviser to testify.
However, some of Trump’s Senate allies said they are still against calling Bolton to testify, dismissing the former official as a “disgruntled employee” trying to sell books.
Welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House, Trump told reporters he has not seen a manuscript of Bolton’s book, which reportedly includes a claim that the president directly linked Ukraine’s military assistance to investigations of the Democrats.
The blog will have updates and analysis from the Senate trial once it resumes, so stay tuned.
A number of Trump’s Senate allies are trying to discredit John Bolton by claiming the former national security adviser is a “disgruntled employee” who is only trying to sell books.
When Bolton left the administration in September, he and the president publicly argued over whether he has been fired or resigned.
One Republican senator, Josh Hawley of Missouri, is explaining his opposition to John Bolton testifying by questionably claiming that the former national security adviser is not actually a “first-hand witness.”One Republican senator, Josh Hawley of Missouri, is explaining his opposition to John Bolton testifying by questionably claiming that the former national security adviser is not actually a “first-hand witness.”
But witnesses who testified in the House impeachment inquiry have said Bolton was present for a number of key moments in the Ukraine controversy.But witnesses who testified in the House impeachment inquiry have said Bolton was present for a number of key moments in the Ukraine controversy.
A handful of Senate Republicans are signaling they will likely support calling John Bolton to testify in the impeachment trial, but many of their colleagues remain staunnchly opposed to the idea, even casting doubt on the former national security adviser’s claims.A handful of Senate Republicans are signaling they will likely support calling John Bolton to testify in the impeachment trial, but many of their colleagues remain staunnchly opposed to the idea, even casting doubt on the former national security adviser’s claims.
Sitting alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office, Trump said the administration would announce its Israeli-Palestinian peace plan tomorrow at 12 p.m. ET.Sitting alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office, Trump said the administration would announce its Israeli-Palestinian peace plan tomorrow at 12 p.m. ET.
The president’s son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kushner, has been working on the peace place, the details of which remain under wraps.The president’s son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kushner, has been working on the peace place, the details of which remain under wraps.
But Palestinian leaders have already expressed skepticism about the deal, predicting it will be unfairly weighted in Israel’s favor.But Palestinian leaders have already expressed skepticism about the deal, predicting it will be unfairly weighted in Israel’s favor.
Netanyahu and his election opponent, Benny Gantz, are visiting the White House this week as the administration finalizes its peace proposal.Netanyahu and his election opponent, Benny Gantz, are visiting the White House this week as the administration finalizes its peace proposal.
Trump told reporters at the White House he has not yet seen the manuscript of John Bolton’s book, which reportedly includes a claim that the president directly tied Ukraine’s military assistance to investigations of Democrats.Trump told reporters at the White House he has not yet seen the manuscript of John Bolton’s book, which reportedly includes a claim that the president directly tied Ukraine’s military assistance to investigations of Democrats.
Asked about the allegations from his former national security adviser, Trump offered a one-word response to a Fox News reporter: “False.”Asked about the allegations from his former national security adviser, Trump offered a one-word response to a Fox News reporter: “False.”
Republican senator Lindsey Graham expressed openness to hearing testimony from John Bolton, but the top Trump ally also said he would then want to hear from Joe Biden and the whistleblower whose complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry.Republican senator Lindsey Graham expressed openness to hearing testimony from John Bolton, but the top Trump ally also said he would then want to hear from Joe Biden and the whistleblower whose complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry.
There were reports last week that Senate Democrats were considering a possible “witness swap” to hear from administration officials and the Bidens, but Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer then said that proposal was “off the table.”There were reports last week that Senate Democrats were considering a possible “witness swap” to hear from administration officials and the Bidens, but Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer then said that proposal was “off the table.”
As some Republican senators indicate they will support a subpoena of John Bolton, others are busy claiming the report about the former national security adviser’s book does not change anything about the Senate impeachment trial.As some Republican senators indicate they will support a subpoena of John Bolton, others are busy claiming the report about the former national security adviser’s book does not change anything about the Senate impeachment trial.
But as a Washington Post reporter noted, the argument that Bolton’s claims about Trump tying Ukraine’s military assitance to investigations are not new contradicts the defense strategy of the president’s lawyers.But as a Washington Post reporter noted, the argument that Bolton’s claims about Trump tying Ukraine’s military assitance to investigations are not new contradicts the defense strategy of the president’s lawyers.
Reacting to the New York Times’ report on John Bolton’s book, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer called the revelation “stunning” and said the former national security adviser’s allegations go “right to the heart” of the impeachment trial.Reacting to the New York Times’ report on John Bolton’s book, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer called the revelation “stunning” and said the former national security adviser’s allegations go “right to the heart” of the impeachment trial.
Schumer noted that Republicans have previously criticized witnesses in the impeachment inquiry for not providing “first-hand evidence” about the Ukraine controversy, underscoring the need for Bolton to testify about his own experiences in the Trump White House.Schumer noted that Republicans have previously criticized witnesses in the impeachment inquiry for not providing “first-hand evidence” about the Ukraine controversy, underscoring the need for Bolton to testify about his own experiences in the Trump White House.
“How can Senate Republicans not vote to call that witness and request his documents?” Schumer asked.“How can Senate Republicans not vote to call that witness and request his documents?” Schumer asked.
Bolton’s claim that Trump directly tied Ukraine’s military assistance to investigations of the Democrats also demonstrates a number of White House officials “were ‘in the loop’ on this scheme,” Schumer added.Bolton’s claim that Trump directly tied Ukraine’s military assistance to investigations of the Democrats also demonstrates a number of White House officials “were ‘in the loop’ on this scheme,” Schumer added.
“We are all staring a White House cover-up in the face,” Schumer said.“We are all staring a White House cover-up in the face,” Schumer said.
Senator Susan Collins’ statement about the John Bolton news emphasized that reports of the former national security adviser’s book have made calling new witnesses in the impeachment trial all the more important.Senator Susan Collins’ statement about the John Bolton news emphasized that reports of the former national security adviser’s book have made calling new witnesses in the impeachment trial all the more important.
“The reports about John Bolton’s book strengthen the case for witnesses and have prompted a number of conversations among my colleagues,” Collins’ statement said.“The reports about John Bolton’s book strengthen the case for witnesses and have prompted a number of conversations among my colleagues,” Collins’ statement said.
In addition to Collins and Mitt Romney, who expressed a desire to hear from Bolton this morning, Republican senators Lisa Murkowski and Lamar Alexander are being closely watched for how they might vote on calling new witnesses.In addition to Collins and Mitt Romney, who expressed a desire to hear from Bolton this morning, Republican senators Lisa Murkowski and Lamar Alexander are being closely watched for how they might vote on calling new witnesses.
Republican senator Susan Collins indicated a report about John Bolton’s book underscored the need to call him to testify after one of her colleagues, Mitt Romney, predicted more Senate Republicans would soon join Democrats in requesting new witness testimony.
In a statement, Collins indicated she was “likely to vote to call witnesses,” but she said she would wait to make a final judgment until after Trump’s lawyers finished presenting their opening arguments.
The president’s legal team will continue making opening arguments at 1 p.m. ET, when the Senate impeachment trial resumes.
The morning press conference with Senate Republicans now seems to be back on, but some of those originally expected to appear -- including close Trump ally Lindsey Graham -- are no longer listed on the schedule.
Reacting to the New York Times’ report about John Bolton’s book, Republican senator Mitt Romney also confirmed he hopes to hear from Trump’s former national security adviser.
Romney had previously indicated he was open to calling new witnesses for the Senate trial, but it remains unclear whether Democratic senators can secure the four Republican votes they need to get their witness request approved.
Mitt Romney, one of the Republican senators that has already expressed openness to calling new witnesses to testify in the impeachment trial, said it was “increasingly likely” other Senate Republicans would support the request.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer has proposed calling several White House officials, including Bolton, to testify, but he needs at least four Republican senators to cross party lines to get the request approved.
Following the report about John Bolton’s forthcoming book, five Republican senators have canceled their press conference scheduled for this morning.
Some Republican senators are reportedly pushing for more information from the White House about which officials knew about Bolton’s book.
According to the New York Times, the former national security adviser’s manuscript includes a claims that Trump directly tied Ukraine’s military assistance to investigations of the Democrats.
Arriving at the Capitol this morning, House speaker Nancy Pelosi reiterated her support for calling new witnesses to testify in the Senate impeachment trial, including John Bolton.
The House was on recess last week as the Senate trial got into full swing, but members are returning today for leadership meetings and votes.
Secretary of state Mike Pompeo is attracting criticism for his claim that an NPR reporter lied to him about the parameters of an interview after emails appeared to contradict the allegation.
The Guardian’s Oliver Laughland reports:
Speaking to CNN this morning, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff said the news about John Bolton’s book underscored the need for the former national security adviser to testify in the Senate trial.
“I think the American people should see his testimony live,” Schiff said.
The House intelligence committee chair added that Bolton’s claims proved Trump’s reasoning for trying to block officials’ testimony -- that he was protecting the privileges of future presidents -- was “shallow” and “false.”
Bolton wrote in a manuscript of his forthcoming book that Trump directly tied Ukraine’s military assistance to investigations of Democrats, including Joe Biden.
The White House has reportedly had a copy of Bolton’s manuscript since Dec. 30, which Schiff said he found unsurprising given the administration’s response to Trump’s impeachment so far.
Schiff confirmed he has not yet read the manuscript, but he said he was particularly interested in obtaining Bolton’s notes from his time as national security adviser.
The impeachment manager also highlighted one reported detail from the book: that Bolton raised concerns about Trump’s July call with attorney general William Barr, who has claimed he first learned about the conversation with the Ukrainian president in mid-August.
“This was Bill Barr trying to protect Bill Barr,” Schiff said.
According to one of the New York Times reporters who broke the news about John Bolton, some Republican senators are now pushing for more information on which White House officials knew about the former national security adviser’s book.
Bolton’s lawyer, Charles J. Cooper, insisted last night that leaks about the book’s contents clearly came from the White House, which was given a copy of the manuscript on Dec. 30.
“It is clear, regrettably, from the New York Times article published today that the pre-publication review process has been corrupted and that information has been disclosed by persons other than those properly involved in reviewing the manuscript,” Cooper said.
Bolton’s claims that Trump directly tied Ukraine’s military assistance to investigations of Democrats could make it more difficult for Republicans to oppose calling new witnesses to testify in the Senate impeachment trial.
Good morning, live blog readers!
It seems the president has read his New York Times this morning. Donald Trump began the day by tweeting out his complaints about John Bolton, his former national security adviser.
According to the Times’ report, Bolton wrote in an early draft of his forthcoming book that Trump said military aid to Ukraine was conditioned on investigations into the Democrats, including Joe Biden and his son.
Trump denied that allegation, but the report intensified Democrats’ demands to have Bolton testify in the Senate impeachment trial. The president also pushed back against that, pointing to House Democrats’ decision not to subpoena Bolton during the impeachment inquiry.
But the real question is how the Times’ report will affect Republicans’ thinking on witness testimony. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer will need four Republicans to cross party lines to get witness testimony approved.
Otherwise, the Senate trial could wrap up this week, and it will almost certainly end in the president’s acquittal.
Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on today:
The impeachment trial will resume at 1 p.m. ET, when the president’s lawyers will continue presenting their opening arguments.
At the White House, Trump is meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his election opponent, Benny Gantz, as part of discussions over a potential peace plan.
The Iowa caucuses are one week away, and several Democratic presidential candidates -- Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Tom Steyer and John Delaney -- are campaigning in the Hawkeye State today.
The blog will have much more coming up, so stay tuned.