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Trump impeachment: Who's who in whistleblower story? Trump impeachment: Who's who in whistleblower story?
(2 days later)
A mystery whistleblower, a former comedian and the president of the United States.A mystery whistleblower, a former comedian and the president of the United States.
These are some of the main players in a story that is becoming ever more complex - and could see the president being impeached.These are some of the main players in a story that is becoming ever more complex - and could see the president being impeached.
1) Donald Trump1) Donald Trump
Who is he?Who is he?
The president of the United States of America.The president of the United States of America.
What's his role?What's his role?
Without him, there would be no story. Here's what we know about his involvement:Without him, there would be no story. Here's what we know about his involvement:
Mr Trump says the investigation is part of a "witch-hunt" against him, and he denies that military aid was withheld in order to put pressure on Ukraine.Mr Trump says the investigation is part of a "witch-hunt" against him, and he denies that military aid was withheld in order to put pressure on Ukraine.
He has also demanded to know who gave information to the whistleblower, saying the source was "close to a spy".He has also demanded to know who gave information to the whistleblower, saying the source was "close to a spy".
2) Volodymyr Zelensky2) Volodymyr Zelensky
Who is he?Who is he?
Like Mr Trump, he's a former TV star. A one-time comedian with more than 8.5 million Instagram followers (who now see fewer of his exercise videos, but more photos of him meeting world leaders), he was elected president of Ukraine in a landslide win in April.Like Mr Trump, he's a former TV star. A one-time comedian with more than 8.5 million Instagram followers (who now see fewer of his exercise videos, but more photos of him meeting world leaders), he was elected president of Ukraine in a landslide win in April.
What's his role?What's his role?
The man on the other end of that 25 July phone call. As our man in Kiev explains, the contents of the call proved to be a bit embarrassing for Mr Zelensky when they were released.The man on the other end of that 25 July phone call. As our man in Kiev explains, the contents of the call proved to be a bit embarrassing for Mr Zelensky when they were released.
Not only were there a number of attempts to flatter Mr Trump, but it appeared that Mr Zelensky was willing to open an investigation into Mr Biden's son, at Mr Trump's request.Not only were there a number of attempts to flatter Mr Trump, but it appeared that Mr Zelensky was willing to open an investigation into Mr Biden's son, at Mr Trump's request.
The big question - and one US investigators may be keen to ask Mr Zelensky and his associates - is whether the call (the two presidents' first detailed conversation since the Ukraine election) took place with a pre-condition that the Biden case be discussed.The big question - and one US investigators may be keen to ask Mr Zelensky and his associates - is whether the call (the two presidents' first detailed conversation since the Ukraine election) took place with a pre-condition that the Biden case be discussed.
3) Joe Biden3) Joe Biden
Who is he?Who is he?
The vice-president under Barack Obama's presidency for eight years, he is now the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for the 2020 presidential election.The vice-president under Barack Obama's presidency for eight years, he is now the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for the 2020 presidential election.
What's his role?What's his role?
It's the fact that Mr Biden is leading polls to be the Democratic candidate that is the most relevant detail here - if chosen, he would be the man facing off against Mr Trump for the presidency in November 2020. Most polls suggest Mr Biden would win in this scenario.It's the fact that Mr Biden is leading polls to be the Democratic candidate that is the most relevant detail here - if chosen, he would be the man facing off against Mr Trump for the presidency in November 2020. Most polls suggest Mr Biden would win in this scenario.
In brief: Mr Trump alleges Mr Biden abused his power while in office. He suggests Mr Biden pressured Ukraine to back away from a criminal investigation that could implicate his son, Hunter (more on him later).In brief: Mr Trump alleges Mr Biden abused his power while in office. He suggests Mr Biden pressured Ukraine to back away from a criminal investigation that could implicate his son, Hunter (more on him later).
The issue is that if Mr Biden was just a retired member of society right now, Mr Trump's request to Ukraine would be of little consequence. But because Mr Biden is (for now, at least) his biggest rival for the presidency, it opens Mr Trump up to claims he was working with a foreign power to influence the election.The issue is that if Mr Biden was just a retired member of society right now, Mr Trump's request to Ukraine would be of little consequence. But because Mr Biden is (for now, at least) his biggest rival for the presidency, it opens Mr Trump up to claims he was working with a foreign power to influence the election.
"This isn't about me," Mr Biden said on 26 September, "it's a tactic that's used by this president to try to hijack an election so we do not focus on the issues that matter in our lives.""This isn't about me," Mr Biden said on 26 September, "it's a tactic that's used by this president to try to hijack an election so we do not focus on the issues that matter in our lives."
4) Hunter Biden4) Hunter Biden
Who is he?Who is he?
Mr Biden's 49-year-old son, who has worked as a lawyer and lobbyist.Mr Biden's 49-year-old son, who has worked as a lawyer and lobbyist.
What's his role?What's his role?
His part in this convoluted saga relates to his position on the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian gas company, which he held for almost five years from 2014.His part in this convoluted saga relates to his position on the board of Burisma, a Ukrainian gas company, which he held for almost five years from 2014.
While Joe Biden was vice-president, Ukraine's most senior prosecutor was investigating the company, but was then dismissed. Mr Trump and his allies have suggested that Joe Biden encouraged the prosecutor to be fired.While Joe Biden was vice-president, Ukraine's most senior prosecutor was investigating the company, but was then dismissed. Mr Trump and his allies have suggested that Joe Biden encouraged the prosecutor to be fired.
But there has been no evidence of wrongdoing by Hunter Biden - and the Ukrainian prosecutor who replaced the one who was fired (and continued his investigation into Burisma) told the BBC there was no reason for Ukraine to investigate the Bidens and that any corruption with Burisma happened before Hunter Biden joined the board.But there has been no evidence of wrongdoing by Hunter Biden - and the Ukrainian prosecutor who replaced the one who was fired (and continued his investigation into Burisma) told the BBC there was no reason for Ukraine to investigate the Bidens and that any corruption with Burisma happened before Hunter Biden joined the board.
5) The whistleblower 5) The whistleblowers
Who are they?Who are they?
Exactly.Exactly.
What is their role?What is their role?
They - we do not know if it is a man or woman - wrote to the chairmen of senate committees on 12 August expressing concern over Mr Trump's phone call with the Ukrainian president on 25 July. At least two whistleblowers have come forward. The first wrote to the chairmen of senate committees on 12 August expressing concern over Mr Trump's phone call with the Ukrainian president on 25 July.
They also alleged that the White House acted to "lock down" all details of the phone call between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky, and that the call transcript was not stored in the usual computer system.They also alleged that the White House acted to "lock down" all details of the phone call between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky, and that the call transcript was not stored in the usual computer system.
All we know about the whistleblower is that they are a US intelligence officer - or at least were, when they wrote their letter. They specify in their letter to Senate officials that they do not work in the White House, but it is clear they are well-connected to people who do. US media have reported they are a CIA officer who once worked at the White House. All we know about the whistleblower #1 is that they are a US intelligence officer - or at least were, when they wrote their letter. They specify in their letter to Senate officials that they do not work in the White House, but it is clear they are well-connected to people who do. US media have reported they are a CIA officer who once worked at the White House.
The inspector general of the intelligence community, Michael Atkinson, said in a letter to the acting head of national intelligence that he knew the whistleblower's identity, but they had asked for it not to be disclosed. Their lawyers then said a second whistleblower from the intelligence community had come forward (reportedly with direct knowledge of the allegations related to the Trump-Zelensky call). Lawyers then said "multiple" whistleblowers had emerged.
A second whistleblower has emerged, according to lawyers for the first one, reportedly with direct knowledge of the allegations related to the Trump-Zelensky call.
Initial reports gave no further details.
6) Nancy Pelosi6) Nancy Pelosi
Who is she?Who is she?
The woman who, as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, could hold the key to Donald Trump's future in her hands.The woman who, as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, could hold the key to Donald Trump's future in her hands.
What's her role?What's her role?
Ever since Democrats retook control of the House last November, Ms Pelosi has resisted calls by some within her party to start impeachment proceedings against Mr Trump.Ever since Democrats retook control of the House last November, Ms Pelosi has resisted calls by some within her party to start impeachment proceedings against Mr Trump.
That changed on 24 September, when she announced the opening of a formal impeachment inquiry, saying the president "must be held accountable".That changed on 24 September, when she announced the opening of a formal impeachment inquiry, saying the president "must be held accountable".
Impeachment isn't the same as a criminal conviction, and it doesn't necessarily mean Mr Trump would be removed from office.Impeachment isn't the same as a criminal conviction, and it doesn't necessarily mean Mr Trump would be removed from office.
If the inquiry moves forward, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives will vote on any charges. If Democrats were to remain united, the measure would be carried - and Mr Trump would become the third president in US history to be impeached.If the inquiry moves forward, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives will vote on any charges. If Democrats were to remain united, the measure would be carried - and Mr Trump would become the third president in US history to be impeached.
But the proceedings would be expected to stall in the Senate, where the president's Republican party holds enough seats to prevent him from being removed from office by a two-thirds majority.But the proceedings would be expected to stall in the Senate, where the president's Republican party holds enough seats to prevent him from being removed from office by a two-thirds majority.
7) Rudy Giuliani7) Rudy Giuliani
Who is he?Who is he?
The former mayor of New York and, most relevantly to this story, President Trump's personal lawyer.The former mayor of New York and, most relevantly to this story, President Trump's personal lawyer.
What's his role?What's his role?
Mr Giuliani, one of Mr Trump's most vocal cheerleaders, has been central in pushing the suggestion that the Bidens were involved in wrongdoing in Ukraine. He has been speaking to Ukraine's prosecutors - past and present - about the case since late 2018.Mr Giuliani, one of Mr Trump's most vocal cheerleaders, has been central in pushing the suggestion that the Bidens were involved in wrongdoing in Ukraine. He has been speaking to Ukraine's prosecutors - past and present - about the case since late 2018.
In an interview with the Atlantic, Mr Giuliani said he was simply "straightening out government" by calling for investigations into the Bidens.In an interview with the Atlantic, Mr Giuliani said he was simply "straightening out government" by calling for investigations into the Bidens.
"It is impossible that the whistle-blower is a hero and I'm not," he said. "And I will be the hero! These morons - when this is over, I will be the hero.""It is impossible that the whistle-blower is a hero and I'm not," he said. "And I will be the hero! These morons - when this is over, I will be the hero."
8) Viktor Shokin8) Viktor Shokin
Who is he?Who is he?
The prosecutor fired by Ukraine's former government.The prosecutor fired by Ukraine's former government.
What's his role?What's his role?
Joe Biden has been quite open about the role he played in getting Viktor Shokin dismissed, saying there were concerns he was not doing enough against corruption.Joe Biden has been quite open about the role he played in getting Viktor Shokin dismissed, saying there were concerns he was not doing enough against corruption.
Mr Biden even said he threatened to withhold $1bn in aid to Ukraine unless Mr Shokin (the man who, at the time, was investigating his son's company) was fired. In January 2018, he recounted a conversation with Ukraine's government.Mr Biden even said he threatened to withhold $1bn in aid to Ukraine unless Mr Shokin (the man who, at the time, was investigating his son's company) was fired. In January 2018, he recounted a conversation with Ukraine's government.
"I said, you're not getting the billion," Mr Biden said. "I'm going to be leaving here in, I think it was about six hours. I looked at them and said: 'I'm leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not fired, you're not getting the money.'... He got fired.""I said, you're not getting the billion," Mr Biden said. "I'm going to be leaving here in, I think it was about six hours. I looked at them and said: 'I'm leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not fired, you're not getting the money.'... He got fired."
Mr Biden was not the only political figure to demand Mr Shokin be dismissed, however, and other Western nations and the International Monetary Fund had criticised the prosecutor's inaction on corruption.Mr Biden was not the only political figure to demand Mr Shokin be dismissed, however, and other Western nations and the International Monetary Fund had criticised the prosecutor's inaction on corruption.
9) Kurt Volker9) Kurt Volker
Who is he?Who is he?
Until recently, he was the US government's special envoy to Ukraine.Until recently, he was the US government's special envoy to Ukraine.
What's his role?What's his role?
He was the middle man between the White House and Zelensky's government, and appears to have helped urge the Ukrainians to investigate the Bidens.He was the middle man between the White House and Zelensky's government, and appears to have helped urge the Ukrainians to investigate the Bidens.
After Mr Volker gave evidence to lawyers in Congress in early October, the details of text messages (some of which involved Mr Volker) were released. In one, he indicates a visit by Mr Zelensky to Washington would happen only if he agreed to an investigation into the Bidens.After Mr Volker gave evidence to lawyers in Congress in early October, the details of text messages (some of which involved Mr Volker) were released. In one, he indicates a visit by Mr Zelensky to Washington would happen only if he agreed to an investigation into the Bidens.
"Heard from White House - assuming President Z convinces Trump he will investigate / "get to the bottom of what happened" in 2016, we will nail down date for visit to Washington," the message said."Heard from White House - assuming President Z convinces Trump he will investigate / "get to the bottom of what happened" in 2016, we will nail down date for visit to Washington," the message said.
Another message shows he suggested what Mr Zelensky should say in a public statement.Another message shows he suggested what Mr Zelensky should say in a public statement.