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| Trump reportedly pushed Australian PM to investigate Mueller inquiry – live | Trump reportedly pushed Australian PM to investigate Mueller inquiry – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The Australian government agreed to help Donald Trump investigate the origins of the Mueller inquiry into 2016 election manipulation. | The Australian government agreed to help Donald Trump investigate the origins of the Mueller inquiry into 2016 election manipulation. |
| Trump called the prime minister, Scott Morrison, and asked him to help discredit investigations exposing Russian interference. According to two officials with knowledge of the call, Trump asked Morrison to help the US attorney general, William Barr, find evidence for a review into the Mueller inquiry. | |
| On Tuesday morning the Australian government confirmed the call had taken place and said Morrison had agreed to assist. | On Tuesday morning the Australian government confirmed the call had taken place and said Morrison had agreed to assist. |
| “The Australian government has always been ready to assist and cooperate with efforts that help shed further light on the matters under investigation,” it said in a statement. “The PM confirmed this readiness once again in conversation with the president. | “The Australian government has always been ready to assist and cooperate with efforts that help shed further light on the matters under investigation,” it said in a statement. “The PM confirmed this readiness once again in conversation with the president. |
| Read the full report from the Guardian here. | Read the full report from the Guardian here. |
| Donald Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani signaled in a tweet on Monday he may not comply with an impeachment subpoena issued by the House, saying it “raises significant issues concerning legitimacy.” | Donald Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani signaled in a tweet on Monday he may not comply with an impeachment subpoena issued by the House, saying it “raises significant issues concerning legitimacy.” |
| In a letter presented to Giuliani on Monday, the heads of the intelligence, oversight, and foreign affairs committees in the House of Representatives asked for more information related to Trump’s recent appeals to the president of Ukraine to investigate political opponent Joe Biden. | |
| They asked Giuliani to produce all text messages, phone records and other communications related to the conversations with the president “in order to determine the full extent of this effort by the President and his Administration to press Ukraine to interfere in our 2020 presidential election”. | |
| Giuliani said in a tweet the subpoena will be given “appropriate consideration” but cast doubt on it. | Giuliani said in a tweet the subpoena will be given “appropriate consideration” but cast doubt on it. |
| I have received a subpoena signed only by Democrat Chairs who have prejudged this case. It raises significant issues concerning legitimacy and constitutional and legal issues including,inter alia, attorney client and other privileges. It will be given appropriate consideration. | I have received a subpoena signed only by Democrat Chairs who have prejudged this case. It raises significant issues concerning legitimacy and constitutional and legal issues including,inter alia, attorney client and other privileges. It will be given appropriate consideration. |
| The House Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming targeted the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, in a tweet on Monday, saying the Ukraine scandal involving Donald Trump “is starting to seem like a political set up”. | |
| .@SpeakerPelosi said on 60 Minutes last night she knew the details of the classified Ukraine call before White House released transcript. This is starting to seem like a political set up. So, Madame Speaker, “what did you know and when did you know it?” pic.twitter.com/g5tlL5hBsX | .@SpeakerPelosi said on 60 Minutes last night she knew the details of the classified Ukraine call before White House released transcript. This is starting to seem like a political set up. So, Madame Speaker, “what did you know and when did you know it?” pic.twitter.com/g5tlL5hBsX |
| Pelosi said in an interview with 60 minutes that Trump had told her the call with Ukraine, on which he is accused of colluding to discredit political opponent Joe Biden, was “perfect”. | |
| “He told me it was perfect,” she said. “’There was nothing in the call.’ But I know what was in the call. I mean, it was in the public domain. He didn’t even know that it was wrong.” | “He told me it was perfect,” she said. “’There was nothing in the call.’ But I know what was in the call. I mean, it was in the public domain. He didn’t even know that it was wrong.” |
| Pelosi began an impeachment inquiry officially last week. | Pelosi began an impeachment inquiry officially last week. |
| The whistleblower responsible for revealing Donald Trump’s call to Ukraine was within their rights to do so, the Office of the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community said in a statement released Monday. | The whistleblower responsible for revealing Donald Trump’s call to Ukraine was within their rights to do so, the Office of the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community said in a statement released Monday. |
| The statement comes after Trump baselessly claimed the whistleblower who publicized his Ukraine call was able to do so due to a recent rule change enabling it. The ICIG said the disclosure was submitted in the same form it has had in place since May 24, 2018. | The statement comes after Trump baselessly claimed the whistleblower who publicized his Ukraine call was able to do so due to a recent rule change enabling it. The ICIG said the disclosure was submitted in the same form it has had in place since May 24, 2018. |
| Any individual who wants to report an urgent concern “need not possess first-hand information in order to file a complaint,” according to the rule. | Any individual who wants to report an urgent concern “need not possess first-hand information in order to file a complaint,” according to the rule. |
| Attorney General William Barr has held private meetings with foreign intelligence officials in an attempt to discredit ongoing investigations into Russian interference with the 2016 elections, the Washington Post reports. | Attorney General William Barr has held private meetings with foreign intelligence officials in an attempt to discredit ongoing investigations into Russian interference with the 2016 elections, the Washington Post reports. |
| The investigation reveals the administration’s troubling dedication to investigating adversaries, the Post reports: | The investigation reveals the administration’s troubling dedication to investigating adversaries, the Post reports: |
| Current and former intelligence and law enforcement officials expressed frustration and alarm Monday that the head of the Justice Department was taking such a direct role in re-examining what they view as conspiracy theories and baseless allegations of misconduct. | Current and former intelligence and law enforcement officials expressed frustration and alarm Monday that the head of the Justice Department was taking such a direct role in re-examining what they view as conspiracy theories and baseless allegations of misconduct. |
| Barr reportedly made personal appeals to British intelligence officials, Italian officials, and Australian officials to help discredit the Mueller investigation, the report says. | Barr reportedly made personal appeals to British intelligence officials, Italian officials, and Australian officials to help discredit the Mueller investigation, the report says. |
| Capitol Hill reporters are “mourning” the end of representative Chris Collins’ congressional career. His pending guilty plea for insider trading means that two of Trump’s earliest congressional endorsers have now been indicted. | Capitol Hill reporters are “mourning” the end of representative Chris Collins’ congressional career. His pending guilty plea for insider trading means that two of Trump’s earliest congressional endorsers have now been indicted. |
| Chris Collins was an early Trump surrogate in 2016 - and one of the only handful of Hill Rs who were vocal in their support during the primaries and soon after. He held weekly Trump surrogate meetings along with Duncan Hunter. Both have been indicted, Collins now pleading guilty | Chris Collins was an early Trump surrogate in 2016 - and one of the only handful of Hill Rs who were vocal in their support during the primaries and soon after. He held weekly Trump surrogate meetings along with Duncan Hunter. Both have been indicted, Collins now pleading guilty |
| RIP to the political career of Chris Collins, who once accidentally copied @mj_lee on a reply-all to the pharma CEO whose company was at the heart of Collins's subsequent indictmenthttps://t.co/5JT7egAG90 pic.twitter.com/3cIJ6VpSJq | RIP to the political career of Chris Collins, who once accidentally copied @mj_lee on a reply-all to the pharma CEO whose company was at the heart of Collins's subsequent indictmenthttps://t.co/5JT7egAG90 pic.twitter.com/3cIJ6VpSJq |
| And many people looked back at this moment from January 2017, when Collins bragged about trading in on insider secrets while standing in the Capitol. | And many people looked back at this moment from January 2017, when Collins bragged about trading in on insider secrets while standing in the Capitol. |
| OH in the speaker's lobby: 'Do you know how many millionaires I've made in Buffalo the past few months?' -@RepChrisCollins on his cellphone | OH in the speaker's lobby: 'Do you know how many millionaires I've made in Buffalo the past few months?' -@RepChrisCollins on his cellphone |
| The US issued new economic sanctions against a number of Russian nationals on Monday in response to meddling in past elections. | |
| Seven Russians targeted by the sanctions were involved in an internet “troll factory” that manufactured news and online activity meant to manipulate American voters. | Seven Russians targeted by the sanctions were involved in an internet “troll factory” that manufactured news and online activity meant to manipulate American voters. |
| The sanctions come as social media sites and the US government seek to prevent election interference ahead of the 2020 presidential elections. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the move is meant to make clear the US “will not tolerate foreign interference” in elections. | The sanctions come as social media sites and the US government seek to prevent election interference ahead of the 2020 presidential elections. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the move is meant to make clear the US “will not tolerate foreign interference” in elections. |
| “The United States will continue to push back against malign actors who seek to subvert our democratic processes,” Pompeo said, “and we will not hesitate to impose further costs on Russia for its destabilizing and unacceptable activities.” | “The United States will continue to push back against malign actors who seek to subvert our democratic processes,” Pompeo said, “and we will not hesitate to impose further costs on Russia for its destabilizing and unacceptable activities.” |
| Hello readers, Kari Paul here in San Francisco, taking over the blog for the next few hours. Stand by for more news. | Hello readers, Kari Paul here in San Francisco, taking over the blog for the next few hours. Stand by for more news. |
| That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Kari Paul, will take over the blog for the next few hours. | That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Kari Paul, will take over the blog for the next few hours. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer who reportedly played a key role in trying to convince Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, has been subpoenaed by three House committees. | Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer who reportedly played a key role in trying to convince Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, has been subpoenaed by three House committees. |
| Trump similarly asked the Australian prime minister to assist in a Justice Department investigation of the origins of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, according to the New York Times. | Trump similarly asked the Australian prime minister to assist in a Justice Department investigation of the origins of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, according to the New York Times. |
| Secretary of state Mike Pompeo was present for Trump’s phone call with the Ukrainian president, the Wall Street Journal reported. The news could throw even more of a spotlight on the state department in the impeachment inquiry. | Secretary of state Mike Pompeo was present for Trump’s phone call with the Ukrainian president, the Wall Street Journal reported. The news could throw even more of a spotlight on the state department in the impeachment inquiry. |
| Trump was denounced for threatening the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, Adam Schiff, with imprisonment for treason. | Trump was denounced for threatening the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, Adam Schiff, with imprisonment for treason. |
| Mitch McConnell confirmed the Senate would follow through on its constitutional duty and hold a trial on whether to remove Trump from office if the House impeached him. | Mitch McConnell confirmed the Senate would follow through on its constitutional duty and hold a trial on whether to remove Trump from office if the House impeached him. |
| Kari will have more on the news of the day, so stay tuned. | Kari will have more on the news of the day, so stay tuned. |
| NBC News has now confirmed the New York Times’ reporting that Trump asked the Australian prime minister for assistance in a Justice Department investigation of the origins of special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe. | NBC News has now confirmed the New York Times’ reporting that Trump asked the Australian prime minister for assistance in a Justice Department investigation of the origins of special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe. |
| NBC News: A Justice Department official confirms that President Trump recently asked the Prime Minister of Australia, over the phone, for help in a Justice Department effort to look into the origins of the Mueller probe, @PeteWilliamsNBC reports. First reported by the NY Times. | NBC News: A Justice Department official confirms that President Trump recently asked the Prime Minister of Australia, over the phone, for help in a Justice Department effort to look into the origins of the Mueller probe, @PeteWilliamsNBC reports. First reported by the NY Times. |
| While speaking at the UN General Assembly last week, secretary of state Mike Pompeo dismissed any concerns that state department officials had acted improperly in its dealings with Ukraine. | While speaking at the UN General Assembly last week, secretary of state Mike Pompeo dismissed any concerns that state department officials had acted improperly in its dealings with Ukraine. |
| Q on 9/27 at UNGA: Are you confident that you or none or your staff did anything improper? Pompeo: We have tried to use this opportunity to create a better relationship btwn U.S. & Ukraine, to build on the opportunities...to help end corruption in Ukraine. (h/t @AliRogin) pic.twitter.com/JXpS0Dzdpg | Q on 9/27 at UNGA: Are you confident that you or none or your staff did anything improper? Pompeo: We have tried to use this opportunity to create a better relationship btwn U.S. & Ukraine, to build on the opportunities...to help end corruption in Ukraine. (h/t @AliRogin) pic.twitter.com/JXpS0Dzdpg |
| Pompeo also belittled the whistleblower for relying on “secondhand knowledge” in the complaint about Trump’s phone call with the Ukrainian president. | Pompeo also belittled the whistleblower for relying on “secondhand knowledge” in the complaint about Trump’s phone call with the Ukrainian president. |
| This now seems particularly ironic because, if the Wall Street Journal’s reporting that Pompeo participated in the call is correct, he could have quite easily cleared up any confusion by providing firsthand knowledge of the conversation. | This now seems particularly ironic because, if the Wall Street Journal’s reporting that Pompeo participated in the call is correct, he could have quite easily cleared up any confusion by providing firsthand knowledge of the conversation. |
| The late-afternoon headlines are really piling up. The New York Times is now reporting that Trump similarly encouraged the Australian prime minister to work with attorney general William Barr in an investigation meant to discredit the findings of special counsel Robert Mueller. | The late-afternoon headlines are really piling up. The New York Times is now reporting that Trump similarly encouraged the Australian prime minister to work with attorney general William Barr in an investigation meant to discredit the findings of special counsel Robert Mueller. |
| The Times reports: | The Times reports: |
| The White House restricted access to the call’s transcript to a small group of the president’s aides, one of the officials said, an unusual decision that is similar to the handling of a July call with the Ukrainian president that is at the heart of House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry into Mr. Trump. Like that call, the discussion with Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia shows the extent to which Mr. Trump sees the attorney general as a critical partner in his goal to show that the Mueller investigation had corrupt and partisan origins, and the extent that Mr. Trump sees the Justice Department inquiry as a potential way to gain leverage over America’s closest allies. | The White House restricted access to the call’s transcript to a small group of the president’s aides, one of the officials said, an unusual decision that is similar to the handling of a July call with the Ukrainian president that is at the heart of House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry into Mr. Trump. Like that call, the discussion with Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia shows the extent to which Mr. Trump sees the attorney general as a critical partner in his goal to show that the Mueller investigation had corrupt and partisan origins, and the extent that Mr. Trump sees the Justice Department inquiry as a potential way to gain leverage over America’s closest allies. |
| And like the call with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, the discussion with Mr. Morrison shows the president using high-level diplomacy to advance his personal political interests. | And like the call with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, the discussion with Mr. Morrison shows the president using high-level diplomacy to advance his personal political interests. |
| President Trump initiated the discussion in recent weeks with Mr. Morrison explicitly for the purpose of requesting Australia’s help in the Justice Department review of the Russia investigation, according to the two people with knowledge of the discussion. Mr. Barr requested that Mr. Trump speak to Mr. Morrison, one of the people said. | President Trump initiated the discussion in recent weeks with Mr. Morrison explicitly for the purpose of requesting Australia’s help in the Justice Department review of the Russia investigation, according to the two people with knowledge of the discussion. Mr. Barr requested that Mr. Trump speak to Mr. Morrison, one of the people said. |
| Another poll has found that Americans are evenly split on impeaching Trump, even as support has risen in recent days. | Another poll has found that Americans are evenly split on impeaching Trump, even as support has risen in recent days. |
| According to the CNN/SSRS poll, 47% of Americans are in favor of impeaching the president and removing him from office, compared to 45% who oppose it. | According to the CNN/SSRS poll, 47% of Americans are in favor of impeaching the president and removing him from office, compared to 45% who oppose it. |
| September 24-29Trump Should Be ImpeachedAnd Removed From Office Now May Democrats 74% 76%Independents 46% 35%Republicans 14% 6% | September 24-29Trump Should Be ImpeachedAnd Removed From Office Now May Democrats 74% 76%Independents 46% 35%Republicans 14% 6% |
| That nearly matches the Quinnipiac poll released earlier today, which found 47% of Americans backing impeachment and 47% opposing it. | That nearly matches the Quinnipiac poll released earlier today, which found 47% of Americans backing impeachment and 47% opposing it. |