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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
Rand Paul has resubmitted his question that originally named the alleged whistleblower, but the Republican senator has deleted the name of the official from his query. That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff proposed limiting witness depositions in the Senate trial to one week, mirroring Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial.
Senate Republicans appear increasingly confident they will be able to block witness testimony in the trial, which will come up for a vote tomorrow.
Some Democratic senators are calling on Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts to break a tie on witness testimony if the final vote is 50-50, but it seems unlikely Roberts would take such a step.
Roberts declined to read a question from Rand Paul that named the alleged whistleblower whose complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry. But a group of Republican senators later submitted a similar question with the alleged whistleblower’s name removed, which Roberts did read.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi said an acquittal would not vindicate Trump if the trial did not include witness testimony, an argument that will likely be repeated by many Democrats in the days to come.
Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Ron Johnson submitted a question that was clearly based off Rand Paul’s earlier question, with the name of the alleged whistleblower deleted.
With the alleged whistleblower’s name removed, Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts read the question, which focused on a claim circulating in right-wing circles that the alleged whistleblower conspired with Democratic staffers of the House intelligence committee to take down Trump.With the alleged whistleblower’s name removed, Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts read the question, which focused on a claim circulating in right-wing circles that the alleged whistleblower conspired with Democratic staffers of the House intelligence committee to take down Trump.
Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff, who also chairs the intelligence committee, responded by angrily denouncing attacks on the panel’s staffers.Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff, who also chairs the intelligence committee, responded by angrily denouncing attacks on the panel’s staffers.
“I will not dignify those smears on my staff by giving them any credence whatsoever,” Schiff said, calling the attacks “disgraceful.”“I will not dignify those smears on my staff by giving them any credence whatsoever,” Schiff said, calling the attacks “disgraceful.”
Schiff also emphasized the importance of protecting the whistleblower’s identity. “Whistleblowers are a unique and vital resource for the intelligence community,” Schiff said.Schiff also emphasized the importance of protecting the whistleblower’s identity. “Whistleblowers are a unique and vital resource for the intelligence community,” Schiff said.
Republican senator Lisa Murkowski and Democratic senator Brian Schatz posed the second bipartisan question of the day, asking where to draw the line between acceptable political actions and impeachable political actions.Republican senator Lisa Murkowski and Democratic senator Brian Schatz posed the second bipartisan question of the day, asking where to draw the line between acceptable political actions and impeachable political actions.
Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff has proposed limiting depositions of witnesses in the Senate trial to one week, mirroring Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial.Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff has proposed limiting depositions of witnesses in the Senate trial to one week, mirroring Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial.
The proposal appears meant to quell concerns about the trial stretching on for months and to win over enough Republican senators to have the Democratic proposal for witness testimony approved.The proposal appears meant to quell concerns about the trial stretching on for months and to win over enough Republican senators to have the Democratic proposal for witness testimony approved.
Schiff said the Senate could return to its normal business during the week, ensuring the trial did not distract from the needs of the country.Schiff said the Senate could return to its normal business during the week, ensuring the trial did not distract from the needs of the country.
The manager concluded by arguing that such due dilligence was possible and necessary. “I think we can; I think we should; I think we must,” Schiff said.The manager concluded by arguing that such due dilligence was possible and necessary. “I think we can; I think we should; I think we must,” Schiff said.
Deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin argued that Rudy Giulaini was not carrying out US foreign policy in Ukraine but was rather considered a mere source of “information” about the president’s thinking.Deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin argued that Rudy Giulaini was not carrying out US foreign policy in Ukraine but was rather considered a mere source of “information” about the president’s thinking.
However, the White House’s own memo on Trump’s July phone call with Volodymyr Zelenskiy clearly shows the US president asking his Ukrainian counterpart to confer with Giuliani about potential investigations of corruption.However, the White House’s own memo on Trump’s July phone call with Volodymyr Zelenskiy clearly shows the US president asking his Ukrainian counterpart to confer with Giuliani about potential investigations of corruption.
A bipartisan group of senators -- Democrats Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin and Republicans Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski -- have asked a question that appears to center on Rudy Giuliani.A bipartisan group of senators -- Democrats Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin and Republicans Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski -- have asked a question that appears to center on Rudy Giuliani.
The four senators asked Trump’s lawyers if the president could assure the American people that he would not deploy private citizens to carry out foreign policy unless sanctioned by the State Department.The four senators asked Trump’s lawyers if the president could assure the American people that he would not deploy private citizens to carry out foreign policy unless sanctioned by the State Department.
Deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin responded by pushing back against the notion that Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, was carrying out US foreign policy, insisting he was only a source of “information” about Trump’s thinking.Deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin responded by pushing back against the notion that Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, was carrying out US foreign policy, insisting he was only a source of “information” about Trump’s thinking.
Philbin went on to argue the president was acting “within his authority” under Article II of the Constitution in regards to Giuliani’s efforts in Ukraine.Philbin went on to argue the president was acting “within his authority” under Article II of the Constitution in regards to Giuliani’s efforts in Ukraine.
The Senate impeachment trial has resumed, and deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin is currently taking a question from Republican senators about how many witnesses and documents have been presented to the Senate.The Senate impeachment trial has resumed, and deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin is currently taking a question from Republican senators about how many witnesses and documents have been presented to the Senate.
Trump’s Senate allies have taken to arguing in recent days that the impeachment trial does not need to include witness testimony because the public hearings of the House impeachment inquiry included a number of witnesses.Trump’s Senate allies have taken to arguing in recent days that the impeachment trial does not need to include witness testimony because the public hearings of the House impeachment inquiry included a number of witnesses.
In some non-impeachment news as the Senate trial is in recess, former president Jimmy Carter has released a statement criticizing the Israeli-Palestinian peace plan released by the Trump administration earlier this week.In some non-impeachment news as the Senate trial is in recess, former president Jimmy Carter has released a statement criticizing the Israeli-Palestinian peace plan released by the Trump administration earlier this week.
Carter, who helped to broker the Camp David Accords in 1978, said in a statement, “The new U.S. plan undercuts prospects for a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians. If implemented, the plan will doom the only viable solution to this long-running conflict, the two-state solution.”Carter, who helped to broker the Camp David Accords in 1978, said in a statement, “The new U.S. plan undercuts prospects for a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians. If implemented, the plan will doom the only viable solution to this long-running conflict, the two-state solution.”
In a White House ceremony on Tuesday, Trump unveiled the administration’s proposal, which he called a “realistic two-state solution.”In a White House ceremony on Tuesday, Trump unveiled the administration’s proposal, which he called a “realistic two-state solution.”
But Palestinian officials quickly made clear that they had no intention of agreeing to the terms of the proposal. “We say a thousand times: No, no and no to the ‘deal of the century,’” said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.But Palestinian officials quickly made clear that they had no intention of agreeing to the terms of the proposal. “We say a thousand times: No, no and no to the ‘deal of the century,’” said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has called for a recess, and the impeachment trial will resume in about 20 minutes.Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has called for a recess, and the impeachment trial will resume in about 20 minutes.
Susan Collins, one of the Republican senators considered most likely to support witness testimony, has posed another question.Susan Collins, one of the Republican senators considered most likely to support witness testimony, has posed another question.
The question -- which came from Collins, Mike Crapo, Roy Blunt and Marco Rubio -- focused on whether there were any legitimate circumstances under which a president can ask a foreign country to investigate a US citizen, including a political rival.The question -- which came from Collins, Mike Crapo, Roy Blunt and Marco Rubio -- focused on whether there were any legitimate circumstances under which a president can ask a foreign country to investigate a US citizen, including a political rival.
Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff took the question first, and he said it was hard for him to imagine such circumstances, but Schiff emphasized that Trump’s approach to requesting the investigations was undeniably inappropirate.Lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff took the question first, and he said it was hard for him to imagine such circumstances, but Schiff emphasized that Trump’s approach to requesting the investigations was undeniably inappropirate.
Deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin then took the podium and chose to push back against the notion that Trump requested an investigation of Joe Biden. Philbin pointed senators to the White House memo on Trump’s July phone call with the Ukrainian president, which included Trump asking for a “favor” and going on to discuss possible corruption investigations.Deputy White House counsel Patrick Philbin then took the podium and chose to push back against the notion that Trump requested an investigation of Joe Biden. Philbin pointed senators to the White House memo on Trump’s July phone call with the Ukrainian president, which included Trump asking for a “favor” and going on to discuss possible corruption investigations.
As the question-and-answer session of the impeachment trial continues, Trump is tweeting out birthday wishes to two Republican congressmen who fiercely defended him during the House impeachment inquiry.As the question-and-answer session of the impeachment trial continues, Trump is tweeting out birthday wishes to two Republican congressmen who fiercely defended him during the House impeachment inquiry.
Johnson and Zeldin are both members of the White House impeachment defense team, which has been advising the president’s legal team during the Senate trial.Johnson and Zeldin are both members of the White House impeachment defense team, which has been advising the president’s legal team during the Senate trial.
It’s looking like the final vote on witness testimony could be 50-50, if only three Republicans -- most likely Mitt Romney, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski -- support the Democratic proposal.It’s looking like the final vote on witness testimony could be 50-50, if only three Republicans -- most likely Mitt Romney, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski -- support the Democratic proposal.
Some Democrats are urging Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts to split the tie if the final vote is 50-50, but the likeliness of such an extraordinary move seems low.Some Democrats are urging Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts to split the tie if the final vote is 50-50, but the likeliness of such an extraordinary move seems low.
However, there is precedent -- dating back to the 1868 impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson -- of a Supreme Court chief justice splitting a tie vote.However, there is precedent -- dating back to the 1868 impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson -- of a Supreme Court chief justice splitting a tie vote.
Similar to yesterday, many questions from Democratic and Republican senators are clearly designed as opportunities for their allies to criticize the opposing team.Similar to yesterday, many questions from Democratic and Republican senators are clearly designed as opportunities for their allies to criticize the opposing team.
As another example, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff is currently taking a question from Democratic senator Ron Wyden asking how Trump’s actions toward Ukraine could possibly be considered anything other than an abuse of power.As another example, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff is currently taking a question from Democratic senator Ron Wyden asking how Trump’s actions toward Ukraine could possibly be considered anything other than an abuse of power.
It is Donald Trump’s habitual practice to accuse political opponents of misconduct he excels at, from self-dealing to the use of nasty language to telling lies.It is Donald Trump’s habitual practice to accuse political opponents of misconduct he excels at, from self-dealing to the use of nasty language to telling lies.
At the impeachment trial Trump’s legal team has invented a twist on the projection tactic, taking the charges against the president and seeking to turn them back on the impeachment managers, using the precise language of the prosecution.At the impeachment trial Trump’s legal team has invented a twist on the projection tactic, taking the charges against the president and seeking to turn them back on the impeachment managers, using the precise language of the prosecution.
Thus Trump’s lawyers have accused the House of Representatives of abusing its power by pursuing impeachment and of obstructing justice by running the impeachment process in a way the White House objects to.Thus Trump’s lawyers have accused the House of Representatives of abusing its power by pursuing impeachment and of obstructing justice by running the impeachment process in a way the White House objects to.
In one provocative example, lawyers for Trump have taken on the Senate floor to accusing House managers of engaging in “election interference” by advancing a process that could take Trump’s name off the ballot in 2020.In one provocative example, lawyers for Trump have taken on the Senate floor to accusing House managers of engaging in “election interference” by advancing a process that could take Trump’s name off the ballot in 2020.
The first article of impeachment charges Trump with abuse of power for soliciting foreign interference in a US election.The first article of impeachment charges Trump with abuse of power for soliciting foreign interference in a US election.
The House team has responded simply that the impeachment clause in the Constitution gives no berth to the political calendar and that by nature impeachments involving charges relating to the conduct of political activity fall close to elections because that’s when political activity happens.The House team has responded simply that the impeachment clause in the Constitution gives no berth to the political calendar and that by nature impeachments involving charges relating to the conduct of political activity fall close to elections because that’s when political activity happens.
“This is why the founders did not put a requirement that a president can only be impeached in the first term” in the Constitution, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff said Thursday. “If it were the intention of the framers to say that a president cannot be impeached in an election year, they would have said so. They did not, for a very good reason: there were concerned about presidents who might try to cheat in an election.”“This is why the founders did not put a requirement that a president can only be impeached in the first term” in the Constitution, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff said Thursday. “If it were the intention of the framers to say that a president cannot be impeached in an election year, they would have said so. They did not, for a very good reason: there were concerned about presidents who might try to cheat in an election.”
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.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.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: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.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.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.”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.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.”“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.”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.”“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 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 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: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.