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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’ |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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: |
| Lamar Alexander, another Republican senator who is being closely watched for how he will vote on allowing new witness testimony in the impeachment trial, remained vague following the news about John Bolton. | Lamar Alexander, another Republican senator who is being closely watched for how he will vote on allowing new witness testimony in the impeachment trial, remained vague following the news about John Bolton. |
| Senators Mitt Romney and Susan Collins have indicated openness to calling Bolton to testify, but Democrats will need to convince four Republicans to cross party lines in order to get their request for new witness testimony approved. | Senators Mitt Romney and Susan Collins have indicated openness to calling Bolton to testify, but Democrats will need to convince four Republicans to cross party lines in order to get their request for new witness testimony approved. |
| Ken Starr, one of the newer members of Trump’s legal team, is making his debut in the Senate impeachment trial. | Ken Starr, one of the newer members of Trump’s legal team, is making his debut in the Senate impeachment trial. |
| Starr played a key role in Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial, issuing the eponymous Starr Report on the former president’s extramarital affair with Monica Lewinsky. | Starr played a key role in Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial, issuing the eponymous Starr Report on the former president’s extramarital affair with Monica Lewinsky. |
| “We are living in what can aptly be described as the age of impeachment,” Starr told senators. | “We are living in what can aptly be described as the age of impeachment,” Starr told senators. |
| Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts announced that the president’s legal team has a little over 22 hours left to finish opening arguments. | Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts announced that the president’s legal team has a little over 22 hours left to finish opening arguments. |
| Kicking off today’s opening arguments, Jay Sekulow, one of Trump’s lawyers, attributed the president’s interest in Ukraine launching investigations to “deep policy concerns” about potential corruption. | Kicking off today’s opening arguments, Jay Sekulow, one of Trump’s lawyers, attributed the president’s interest in Ukraine launching investigations to “deep policy concerns” about potential corruption. |
| Sekulow also appeared to get in a dig against John Bolton after the fomer national security adviser reportedly claimed in his forthcoming book that Trump directly tied Ukraine’s military assistance to investigations of Democrats. | Sekulow also appeared to get in a dig against John Bolton after the fomer national security adviser reportedly claimed in his forthcoming book that Trump directly tied Ukraine’s military assistance to investigations of Democrats. |
| “We deal with transcript evidence; we deal with publicly available information,” Sekulow said. “We do not deal with speculation — allegations that are not based on evidentiary standards at all.” | “We deal with transcript evidence; we deal with publicly available information,” Sekulow said. “We do not deal with speculation — allegations that are not based on evidentiary standards at all.” |
| Opening today’s proceedings, Senate chapain Barry Black and majority leader Mitch McConnell both wished a happy birthday to chief justice John Roberts, who is spending his 65th birthday presiding over the impeachment trial today. | Opening today’s proceedings, Senate chapain Barry Black and majority leader Mitch McConnell both wished a happy birthday to chief justice John Roberts, who is spending his 65th birthday presiding over the impeachment trial today. |
| “Lord, thank you for giving our chief justice another birthday,” Black said at the end of his opening prayer. | “Lord, thank you for giving our chief justice another birthday,” Black said at the end of his opening prayer. |
| McConnell jokingly added, “I’m sure this is exactly how you planned to celebrate today.” | McConnell jokingly added, “I’m sure this is exactly how you planned to celebrate today.” |
| Roberts thanked them for their birthday wishes and for “not asking for the yeas and nays,” elicting laughs from those gathered in the chamber. | Roberts thanked them for their birthday wishes and for “not asking for the yeas and nays,” elicting laughs from those gathered in the chamber. |
| Senator Kelly Loeffler, the newest addition to the Senate who was recently appointed to fill the seat of former Georgia senator Johnny Isakson, has come out swining against Mitt Romney after he expressed support for calling John Bolton to testify. | Senator Kelly Loeffler, the newest addition to the Senate who was recently appointed to fill the seat of former Georgia senator Johnny Isakson, has come out swining against Mitt Romney after he expressed support for calling John Bolton to testify. |
| Romney said earlier today that he believed it was “important” to hear from the former national security adviser and predicted other Republican senators would come around to supporting the request for Bolton’s testimony. | Romney said earlier today that he believed it was “important” to hear from the former national security adviser and predicted other Republican senators would come around to supporting the request for Bolton’s testimony. |
| Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts has assumed his post in the Senate chamber, and the impeachment trial has officially resumed. | Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts has assumed his post in the Senate chamber, and the impeachment trial has officially resumed. |
| Trump’s lawyers will soon continue their opening arguments, and they will likely seek to address Democrats’ demands to have John Bolton, the former national security adviser, testify in the trial. | Trump’s lawyers will soon continue their opening arguments, and they will likely seek to address Democrats’ demands to have John Bolton, the former national security adviser, testify in the trial. |
| Leaving a caucus lunch, Senate Republicans largely ignored reporters’ shouted questions about John Bolton’s potential testimony in the impeachment trial. | Leaving a caucus lunch, Senate Republicans largely ignored reporters’ shouted questions about John Bolton’s potential testimony in the impeachment trial. |
| Press restrictions have been enforced on Capitol Hill since the start of the impeachment trial, sparking complaints from the congressional reporters who are usually allowed to roam hallways to interview lawmakers. | Press restrictions have been enforced on Capitol Hill since the start of the impeachment trial, sparking complaints from the congressional reporters who are usually allowed to roam hallways to interview lawmakers. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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.” | 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.” | “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. | 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. | 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. |