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Trump impeachment: chief justice again blocks Republican bid to name whistleblower – live Trump impeachment: chief justice again blocks Republican bid to name whistleblower – live
(32 minutes later)
John Roberts, who has said he will not say alleged whistleblower’s name aloud during trial, refuses to read Rand Paul’s submitted questionJohn Roberts, who has said he will not say alleged whistleblower’s name aloud during trial, refuses to read Rand Paul’s submitted question
Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff pointed out that a Justice Department lawyer said in court earlier today that the House can impeach a president for defying congressional subpoenas, sharply contradicting Trump’s lawyers in the impeachment trial.
Schiff’s answer elicited laughter from the senators sitting in the chamber where the trial is being held.
CNN has more on the case that Schiff referenced:
Senate Democrats posed a question to both the impeachment managers and Trump’s lawyers about who was paying for Rudy Giuliani’s travel and expenses as the president’s personal lawyer pressured Ukraine to launch investigations of Joe Biden and the 2016 election.
Neither the managers nor Trump’s lawyers answered the question, but lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff used the question to rail against Giuliani’s efforts.
Schiff said Giuliani was focused on a “domestic, corrupt” task while speaking to Ukrainian officials, and he warned that the entire country was “paying the freight for it.”
Impeachment manager Hakeem Jeffries warned the president’s lawyers are presenting arguments that could invite future foreign interference in US elections.
“This is not a banana republic,” Jeffries said. “It’s the democratic republic of the United States of America.”
One of Trump’s lawyers, deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin, said yesterday that it is acceptable to receive information from foreign governments about a political rival if that information is “credible.”
“Mere information is not something that would violate the campaign finance laws,” Philbin said. “If there is credible information ― credible information of wrongdoing by someone who is running for a public office ― it’s not campaign interference for credible information about wrongdoing to be brought to light.”
The Washington Post has obtained a 2018 recording showing Trump meeting with a small group of Republican donors, including Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, the former associates of Rudy Giuliani who have been indicted on campaign-finance charges.
The recording further contradicts Trump’s claims that he did not know Parnas, who has turned over documents to House investigators regarding his work in Ukraine with Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer.
The Post reports:
Ohio senator Rob Portman joined some of his fellow Republican colleagues to ask a question to Trump’s lawyers that was clearly meant as an opportunity to criticize the impeachment managers.Ohio senator Rob Portman joined some of his fellow Republican colleagues to ask a question to Trump’s lawyers that was clearly meant as an opportunity to criticize the impeachment managers.
Portman’s decision to join in the question does not bode well for Senate Democrats, who are trying to find a fourth Republican to support calling witnesses in the trial.Portman’s decision to join in the question does not bode well for Senate Democrats, who are trying to find a fourth Republican to support calling witnesses in the trial.
Responding to a question from Jon Tester, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff criticized Alan Dershowitz’s “astonishing” argument yesterday about quid pro quos.Responding to a question from Jon Tester, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff criticized Alan Dershowitz’s “astonishing” argument yesterday about quid pro quos.
Dershowitz said Trump was acting in the public interest by requesting Ukrainian investigations of Democrats because the president considers his reelection to be in the public interest, a widely criticized argument that Dershowitz tried to walk back today.Dershowitz said Trump was acting in the public interest by requesting Ukrainian investigations of Democrats because the president considers his reelection to be in the public interest, a widely criticized argument that Dershowitz tried to walk back today.
“What we have seen over the last couple days is a descent into constitutional madness,” Schiff said. “The only reason you make that argument is because you know your client is guilty and dead to rights.”“What we have seen over the last couple days is a descent into constitutional madness,” Schiff said. “The only reason you make that argument is because you know your client is guilty and dead to rights.”
While holding a press conference about his question that named the alleged whistleblower, Rand Paul was asked why he had left the Senate chamber where the impeachment trial is taking place.While holding a press conference about his question that named the alleged whistleblower, Rand Paul was asked why he had left the Senate chamber where the impeachment trial is taking place.
Each day of the impeachment trial begins with the sergeant-at-arms instructing senators, “All persons are commanded to keep silence, on pain of imprisonment.”Each day of the impeachment trial begins with the sergeant-at-arms instructing senators, “All persons are commanded to keep silence, on pain of imprisonment.”
After Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts refused to read a qeustion from Rand Paul, the Republican senator immediately held a press conference to justify his question.After Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts refused to read a qeustion from Rand Paul, the Republican senator immediately held a press conference to justify his question.
Paul read the question to reporters, confirming that the query did indeed name the alleged whistleblower. Roberts has previously said he will not say the alleged whistleblower’s name aloud during the impeachment trial.Paul read the question to reporters, confirming that the query did indeed name the alleged whistleblower. Roberts has previously said he will not say the alleged whistleblower’s name aloud during the impeachment trial.
“I can tell you my question made no reference to any whistleblower,” Paul said. But the question included the names of two people who worked at the national security council, one of whom is the alleged whistleblower.“I can tell you my question made no reference to any whistleblower,” Paul said. But the question included the names of two people who worked at the national security council, one of whom is the alleged whistleblower.
Some Republicans have been speculating that the alleged whistleblower conspired with Democratic staffers on the House intelligence committee, an allegation that intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff has repeatedly denied.Some Republicans have been speculating that the alleged whistleblower conspired with Democratic staffers on the House intelligence committee, an allegation that intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff has repeatedly denied.
Rand Paul has submitted his question, which appears to have included the name of the alleged whistleblower, as the Republican senator threatened to do.Rand Paul has submitted his question, which appears to have included the name of the alleged whistleblower, as the Republican senator threatened to do.
But Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts, who previously said he would not say the name of the alleged whistleblower aloud, refused to read the question.But Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts, who previously said he would not say the name of the alleged whistleblower aloud, refused to read the question.
“The presiding officer declines to read the question as submitted,” said Roberts, who then turned to take the next question from Senate Democrats.“The presiding officer declines to read the question as submitted,” said Roberts, who then turned to take the next question from Senate Democrats.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell thanked senators for being “respectful” with their questions, which are read by Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts, and expressed hope that today would follow that pattern.Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell thanked senators for being “respectful” with their questions, which are read by Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts, and expressed hope that today would follow that pattern.
The comment was clearly directed at Rand Paul, the Republican senator who has tried to include the name of the alleged whistleblower in a question, even though Roberts has said he will not read the whistleblower’s name aloud.The comment was clearly directed at Rand Paul, the Republican senator who has tried to include the name of the alleged whistleblower in a question, even though Roberts has said he will not read the whistleblower’s name aloud.
Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts has assumed his post, and the impeachment trial has now officially resumed.Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts has assumed his post, and the impeachment trial has now officially resumed.
Today will be the second of two days of questioning, with senators expected to spend eight hours grilling the impeachment managers and Trump’s lawyers.Today will be the second of two days of questioning, with senators expected to spend eight hours grilling the impeachment managers and Trump’s lawyers.
Not much of a surprise here: Joni Ernst has confirmed she will vote against calling witnesses in the impeachment trial.Not much of a surprise here: Joni Ernst has confirmed she will vote against calling witnesses in the impeachment trial.
The Republican senator, who faces a difficult reelection race in Iowa later this year, pointed to the witnesses called during the House impeachment inquiry to justify her decision.The Republican senator, who faces a difficult reelection race in Iowa later this year, pointed to the witnesses called during the House impeachment inquiry to justify her decision.
“Let’s be clear: we’ve heard from witnesses and seen documents: 17 witnesses and 28,000+ documents during this entire process,” Ernst told the Omaha World-Herald in a statement. “The House managers had one job: make the case for impeachment, and they’ve failed to do so.”“Let’s be clear: we’ve heard from witnesses and seen documents: 17 witnesses and 28,000+ documents during this entire process,” Ernst told the Omaha World-Herald in a statement. “The House managers had one job: make the case for impeachment, and they’ve failed to do so.”
Senate Democrats have to convince four Republicans to cross party lines to hear from witnesses, but a fourth Republican vote has not yet emerged.Senate Democrats have to convince four Republicans to cross party lines to hear from witnesses, but a fourth Republican vote has not yet emerged.
Impeachment manager Jerry Nadler said it “might be” a good idea for the House to subpoena John Bolton if the Senate rejects the Democratic proposal to call witnesses in the impeachment trial.Impeachment manager Jerry Nadler said it “might be” a good idea for the House to subpoena John Bolton if the Senate rejects the Democratic proposal to call witnesses in the impeachment trial.
“If tomorrow’s vote fails, they will not permit him or anyone else to testify,” Nadler said of the former national security adviser, who has reportedly alleged Trump directly tied Ukraine’s military aid to investigations of Democrats.“If tomorrow’s vote fails, they will not permit him or anyone else to testify,” Nadler said of the former national security adviser, who has reportedly alleged Trump directly tied Ukraine’s military aid to investigations of Democrats.
Nadler predicted Bolton would talk “publicly,” but he added, “There’s nothing we can do to force his testimony if we lose that vote tomorrow in this trial.”Nadler predicted Bolton would talk “publicly,” but he added, “There’s nothing we can do to force his testimony if we lose that vote tomorrow in this trial.”
The impeachment trial will resume in about 30 minutes with another eight hours of questions from the senators.The impeachment trial will resume in about 30 minutes with another eight hours of questions from the senators.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Top Democrats, including House speaker Nancy Pelosi and lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff, are saying that an acquittal in the Senate trial will not vindicate Trump if no witnesses are called.Top Democrats, including House speaker Nancy Pelosi and lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff, are saying that an acquittal in the Senate trial will not vindicate Trump if no witnesses are called.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell expressed confidence that Republicans would be able to defeat the Democratic proposal for witness testimony.Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell expressed confidence that Republicans would be able to defeat the Democratic proposal for witness testimony.
Alan Dershowitz, one of the president’s lawyers, tried to backtrack on his controversial argument that Trump was acting in the public interest by requesting investigations of Democrats because he considers his reelection to be in the public interest.Alan Dershowitz, one of the president’s lawyers, tried to backtrack on his controversial argument that Trump was acting in the public interest by requesting investigations of Democrats because he considers his reelection to be in the public interest.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff criticized the answers presented by the president’s lawyers yesterday, saying Trump’s legal team was pushing “the most incredible arguments born of desperation.”Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff criticized the answers presented by the president’s lawyers yesterday, saying Trump’s legal team was pushing “the most incredible arguments born of desperation.”
Schiff warned the logic deployed by president’s lawyers would lead the country down the “most destructive path.”Schiff warned the logic deployed by president’s lawyers would lead the country down the “most destructive path.”
Schiff specifically called out Alan Dershowitz’s argument that Trump’s request for investigations of Democrats was in the public interest because the president considers his election to be in the public interest. The manager called this point “the most absurdly dangerous argument that could have been made.”Schiff specifically called out Alan Dershowitz’s argument that Trump’s request for investigations of Democrats was in the public interest because the president considers his election to be in the public interest. The manager called this point “the most absurdly dangerous argument that could have been made.”
Schiff also echoed House speaker Nancy Pelosi, who said this morning that Trump would not be able to claim vindication from an acquittal if there was not a fair trial.Schiff also echoed House speaker Nancy Pelosi, who said this morning that Trump would not be able to claim vindication from an acquittal if there was not a fair trial.
“No trial, no vindication,” Schiff said. “The Constitution requires a fair trial, and that’s all we’re asking.”“No trial, no vindication,” Schiff said. “The Constitution requires a fair trial, and that’s all we’re asking.”