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| Trump claims Schiff 'helped write' whistleblower complaint – live | Trump claims Schiff 'helped write' whistleblower complaint – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| It’s been another whirlwind day in US politics. | It’s been another whirlwind day in US politics. |
| Donald Trump claimed that House Intelligence chair Adam Schiff “helped write” the whistleblower complaint. He also tweeted a bizarre video featuring the song “Photograph” by Canadian rock band Nickelback and picture of Joe and Hunter Biden golfing with Ukrainian energy executives. | Donald Trump claimed that House Intelligence chair Adam Schiff “helped write” the whistleblower complaint. He also tweeted a bizarre video featuring the song “Photograph” by Canadian rock band Nickelback and picture of Joe and Hunter Biden golfing with Ukrainian energy executives. |
| Secretary of state Mike Pompeo admitted that he listened in on Trump’s July 25 phone call with the Ukrainian president, after previously evading questions about his knowledge of the call. | Secretary of state Mike Pompeo admitted that he listened in on Trump’s July 25 phone call with the Ukrainian president, after previously evading questions about his knowledge of the call. |
| House Democrats warned the Trump administration against stonewalling their impeachment inquiry and threatened subpoenas on Friday if the administration failed to comply with their requests. | |
| Democratic presidential candidates participated in a gun safety forum. They all largely agreed that background checks and assault weapon bans were necessary. | Democratic presidential candidates participated in a gun safety forum. They all largely agreed that background checks and assault weapon bans were necessary. |
| Bernie Sanders did not attend the forum; he was recovering after being treated for a blocked artery. | Bernie Sanders did not attend the forum; he was recovering after being treated for a blocked artery. |
| The state department inspector general called an urgent meeting with Senate and House committee staffers, purportedly to give them documents related to the Trump-Ukraine inquiry. Instead, he provided them with disinformation about Joe Biden and his son that Trump. | The state department inspector general called an urgent meeting with Senate and House committee staffers, purportedly to give them documents related to the Trump-Ukraine inquiry. Instead, he provided them with disinformation about Joe Biden and his son that Trump. |
| The Trump administration plans to collect DNA from hundreds of thousands of immigrants in federal custody and enter it into a criminal database. | The Trump administration plans to collect DNA from hundreds of thousands of immigrants in federal custody and enter it into a criminal database. |
| Lawyers with the Justice Department urged a federal judge to delay ruling on whether or not Donald Trump should be made to turn over his tax returns as part of a criminal probe by the Manhattan district attorney. | Lawyers with the Justice Department urged a federal judge to delay ruling on whether or not Donald Trump should be made to turn over his tax returns as part of a criminal probe by the Manhattan district attorney. |
| The justice department appeared to side with Trump in his ongoing efforts to skirt a grand jury subpoena seeking tax records from his longtime accounting firm. | The justice department appeared to side with Trump in his ongoing efforts to skirt a grand jury subpoena seeking tax records from his longtime accounting firm. |
| Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. is seeking the records as he investigates the Trump Organization’s involvement in hush-money payments made to pornographic actor Stormy Daniels and model Karen McDougal. | Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. is seeking the records as he investigates the Trump Organization’s involvement in hush-money payments made to pornographic actor Stormy Daniels and model Karen McDougal. |
| More from the AP: | More from the AP: |
| Five Washington Justice Department lawyers and officials were listed as submitting arguments that pertained to procedural matters. They said the judge should “support interim relief as necessary to allow for appropriate briefing of the weighty constitutional issues involved.” | Five Washington Justice Department lawyers and officials were listed as submitting arguments that pertained to procedural matters. They said the judge should “support interim relief as necessary to allow for appropriate briefing of the weighty constitutional issues involved.” |
| The Justice Department lawyers said U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero should retain jurisdiction of the case, rather than let a state court decide any issues. Vance, a Democrat, has said any dispute should be decided in state court. | The Justice Department lawyers said U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero should retain jurisdiction of the case, rather than let a state court decide any issues. Vance, a Democrat, has said any dispute should be decided in state court. |
| Trump’s lawyers have said the investigation is politically motivated and the quest for his tax records should be stopped because he is immune from any criminal probe as long as he is president. | Trump’s lawyers have said the investigation is politically motivated and the quest for his tax records should be stopped because he is immune from any criminal probe as long as he is president. |
| Attorneys for Vance counter that Trump’s immunity should not interrupt a probe that includes a look into the actions of individuals and businesses other than Trump, especially since the statute of limitations is in play. | Attorneys for Vance counter that Trump’s immunity should not interrupt a probe that includes a look into the actions of individuals and businesses other than Trump, especially since the statute of limitations is in play. |
| Congress is authorized by the Constitution to investigate presidents and remove them from office, but the law is unclear as to whether a sitting president can be indicted and prosecuted in a state or federal court. | Congress is authorized by the Constitution to investigate presidents and remove them from office, but the law is unclear as to whether a sitting president can be indicted and prosecuted in a state or federal court. |
| The Guardian’s Julia Carrie Wong reports from San Francisco: | The Guardian’s Julia Carrie Wong reports from San Francisco: |
| Facebook has blocked a Donald Trump campaign advertisement that promoted a false conspiracy theory about Joe Biden and Ukraine. The company said it took the ad down because it violated Facebook’s policies, but not because the 30-second video spot is misleading. Instead, Facebook blocked the ads because they contain profanity. | Facebook has blocked a Donald Trump campaign advertisement that promoted a false conspiracy theory about Joe Biden and Ukraine. The company said it took the ad down because it violated Facebook’s policies, but not because the 30-second video spot is misleading. Instead, Facebook blocked the ads because they contain profanity. |
| The video spot, which can be viewed on YouTube here, falsely claims that Joe Biden “promised Ukraine a billion dollars if they fired the prosecutor investigating his son’s company”. As the Guardian and fact-checkers have pointed out repeatedly, this is a mischaracterization of Biden’s role in US foreign policy when he was vice president. | The video spot, which can be viewed on YouTube here, falsely claims that Joe Biden “promised Ukraine a billion dollars if they fired the prosecutor investigating his son’s company”. As the Guardian and fact-checkers have pointed out repeatedly, this is a mischaracterization of Biden’s role in US foreign policy when he was vice president. |
| The video uses a snippet of audio of Biden discussing Ukraine during a 2018 appearance before the Council on Foreign Relations, when he said, “If the prosecutor is not fired, you’re not getting the money. Well son of a bitch, he got fired.” The editing makes it appear that Biden is admitting to extorting Ukraine on behalf of his son, rather than carrying out the Obama administration’s foreign policy. The Washington Post Fact Checker column wrote of this speech: “Biden is certainly being self-congratulatory here. But, as noted, Biden’s action was coordinated with other major players in the region and celebrated at the time because Shokin was widely seen as a failure.” | The video uses a snippet of audio of Biden discussing Ukraine during a 2018 appearance before the Council on Foreign Relations, when he said, “If the prosecutor is not fired, you’re not getting the money. Well son of a bitch, he got fired.” The editing makes it appear that Biden is admitting to extorting Ukraine on behalf of his son, rather than carrying out the Obama administration’s foreign policy. The Washington Post Fact Checker column wrote of this speech: “Biden is certainly being self-congratulatory here. But, as noted, Biden’s action was coordinated with other major players in the region and celebrated at the time because Shokin was widely seen as a failure.” |
| Facebook has faced criticism in recent days over its policy not to apply fact-checking to political ads. Versions of the ad were viewed by more than 1m Facebook users before they were taken down, according to data from the Facebook political ad archive. | Facebook has faced criticism in recent days over its policy not to apply fact-checking to political ads. Versions of the ad were viewed by more than 1m Facebook users before they were taken down, according to data from the Facebook political ad archive. |
| “Our systems disapproved the ads because they contain profanity,” a Facebook spokesperson said by email. “We have reached out to the campaign to let them know they must edit it before it can run again.” | “Our systems disapproved the ads because they contain profanity,” a Facebook spokesperson said by email. “We have reached out to the campaign to let them know they must edit it before it can run again.” |
| Indeed, new versions of the ad with the same misleading narrative are now running with the word “bitch” bleeped out. | Indeed, new versions of the ad with the same misleading narrative are now running with the word “bitch” bleeped out. |
| The Facebook spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about why the ads were only “disapproved” by the company’s systems after being viewed more than 1m times. | The Facebook spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about why the ads were only “disapproved” by the company’s systems after being viewed more than 1m times. |
| One of the last democratic holdouts on the impeachment issue, New York representative Max Rose has expressed his support for the inquiry. | One of the last democratic holdouts on the impeachment issue, New York representative Max Rose has expressed his support for the inquiry. |
| A majority of House democrats have already said they support the Trump-Ukerakine impeachment inquiry. | A majority of House democrats have already said they support the Trump-Ukerakine impeachment inquiry. |
| Rep. Max Rose, at a town hall in Staten Island, says he supports an impeachment inquiry. He had declined to endorse it previously, and was one of the last Democratic holdouts. pic.twitter.com/J57dEmCsDr | Rep. Max Rose, at a town hall in Staten Island, says he supports an impeachment inquiry. He had declined to endorse it previously, and was one of the last Democratic holdouts. pic.twitter.com/J57dEmCsDr |
| The Guardian’s Abené Clayton reports from Las Vegas: | The Guardian’s Abené Clayton reports from Las Vegas: |
| The 2020 gun forum is wrapping up with Senator Kamala Harris as the last candidate to take the stage alongside moderator and MSNBC host Craig Melvin. | The 2020 gun forum is wrapping up with Senator Kamala Harris as the last candidate to take the stage alongside moderator and MSNBC host Craig Melvin. |
| The crowd was filled with representatives from national violence prevention groups like March for Our Lives, Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and Moms Demand Action as well as community organizers from Chicago and New Orleans who were there to be a visible force for addressing the community violence that is often overlooked in the national gun conversation. | The crowd was filled with representatives from national violence prevention groups like March for Our Lives, Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and Moms Demand Action as well as community organizers from Chicago and New Orleans who were there to be a visible force for addressing the community violence that is often overlooked in the national gun conversation. |
| Nine of the top candidates spoke; Bernie Sanders did not attend because he is recovering from a heart surgery. | Nine of the top candidates spoke; Bernie Sanders did not attend because he is recovering from a heart surgery. |
| Each candidate commented on The October 1 mass shooting in Vegas where a gunman killed 58 people, and they all emphasized their support of assault weapons bans and background checks. | Each candidate commented on The October 1 mass shooting in Vegas where a gunman killed 58 people, and they all emphasized their support of assault weapons bans and background checks. |
| The only piece of gun control that was not universally accepted by candidates was the mandatory assault weapon buyback program that Beto O’Rourke has been pushing. During his time on the forum stage South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg voiced his disagreement over the feasibility of Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke’s proposed federal assault weapon buyback program Buttigieg referred to it as “a shiny object” that could distract lawmakers from accomplishing other gun control goals. | The only piece of gun control that was not universally accepted by candidates was the mandatory assault weapon buyback program that Beto O’Rourke has been pushing. During his time on the forum stage South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg voiced his disagreement over the feasibility of Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke’s proposed federal assault weapon buyback program Buttigieg referred to it as “a shiny object” that could distract lawmakers from accomplishing other gun control goals. |
| O’Rourke told reporters after his time on stage: “How in the world can you say that to survivors of mass shootings? I was really offended by those comments.” | O’Rourke told reporters after his time on stage: “How in the world can you say that to survivors of mass shootings? I was really offended by those comments.” |
| Buttigieg “represents a kind of politics that is focused on poll testing and focus groups before arriving to a conclusion”, O’Rourke added. “I think our politics has to be about doing the right thing.” | Buttigieg “represents a kind of politics that is focused on poll testing and focus groups before arriving to a conclusion”, O’Rourke added. “I think our politics has to be about doing the right thing.” |
| Trump involved Pence in efforts to pressure Ukraine’s leader | Trump involved Pence in efforts to pressure Ukraine’s leader |
| The president involved vice president Mike Pence in his efforts to pressure the Ukrainian president to investigate Joe Biden, the Washington Post reports: | The president involved vice president Mike Pence in his efforts to pressure the Ukrainian president to investigate Joe Biden, the Washington Post reports: |
| Trump instructed Pence not to attend the inauguration of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in May — an event White House officials had pushed to put on the vice president’s calendar — when Ukraine’s new leader was seeking recognition and support from Washington, the officials said. | Trump instructed Pence not to attend the inauguration of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in May — an event White House officials had pushed to put on the vice president’s calendar — when Ukraine’s new leader was seeking recognition and support from Washington, the officials said. |
| Months later, the president used Pence to tell Zelensky that U.S. aid was still being withheld while demanding more aggressive action on corruption, officials said. At that time — following Trump’s July 25 phone call with Zelenksy — the Ukrainians probably understood action on corruption to include the investigation of former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. | Months later, the president used Pence to tell Zelensky that U.S. aid was still being withheld while demanding more aggressive action on corruption, officials said. At that time — following Trump’s July 25 phone call with Zelenksy — the Ukrainians probably understood action on corruption to include the investigation of former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. |
| Officials close to Pence insist that he was unaware of Trump’s efforts to press Zelensky for damaging information about Biden and his son, who had served on the board of an obscure Ukrainian gas company, when his father was overseeing U.S. policy on Ukraine. | Officials close to Pence insist that he was unaware of Trump’s efforts to press Zelensky for damaging information about Biden and his son, who had served on the board of an obscure Ukrainian gas company, when his father was overseeing U.S. policy on Ukraine. |
| Pence’s activities occurred amid several indications of the president’s hidden agenda. Among them were the abrupt removal of the U.S. ambassador to Kiev; the visible efforts by the president’s lawyer, Rudolph W. Giuliani, to insert himself in the U.S.-Ukraine relationship; as well as alarms being raised inside the White House even before the emergence of an extraordinary whistleblower complaint about Trump’s conduct. | Pence’s activities occurred amid several indications of the president’s hidden agenda. Among them were the abrupt removal of the U.S. ambassador to Kiev; the visible efforts by the president’s lawyer, Rudolph W. Giuliani, to insert himself in the U.S.-Ukraine relationship; as well as alarms being raised inside the White House even before the emergence of an extraordinary whistleblower complaint about Trump’s conduct. |
| Lindsay Graham asks countries to cooperate with the Trump administration’s investigation into the origins of the Mueller investigation | Lindsay Graham asks countries to cooperate with the Trump administration’s investigation into the origins of the Mueller investigation |
| The republican senator sent a letter addressed to the leaders of the UK, Australia and Italy asking them to cooperate with attorney general William Barr as investigates the origins of the Mueller report, which brought forth evidence that Donald Trump may have obstructed justice. | The republican senator sent a letter addressed to the leaders of the UK, Australia and Italy asking them to cooperate with attorney general William Barr as investigates the origins of the Mueller report, which brought forth evidence that Donald Trump may have obstructed justice. |
| Barr has traveled to the UK and Italy to chase conspiracy theories around the origins of the Mueller investigation. | Barr has traveled to the UK and Italy to chase conspiracy theories around the origins of the Mueller investigation. |
| “I write to request your country’s continued cooperation with Attorney General Barr as the Department of Justice continues to investigate the origins and extent of foreign influence in the 2016 U.S. presidential election,” Graham wrote. | “I write to request your country’s continued cooperation with Attorney General Barr as the Department of Justice continues to investigate the origins and extent of foreign influence in the 2016 U.S. presidential election,” Graham wrote. |
| Sen @LindseyGrahamSC sends letters to Australia/Italy/UK to encourage them to cooperate with AG Barr on his investigation into the origins of the Mueller investigation: pic.twitter.com/9KbuZALR5w | Sen @LindseyGrahamSC sends letters to Australia/Italy/UK to encourage them to cooperate with AG Barr on his investigation into the origins of the Mueller investigation: pic.twitter.com/9KbuZALR5w |
| US attorney general 'met Italian officials to discuss Russiagate' | US attorney general 'met Italian officials to discuss Russiagate' |
| State department IG reportedly distributed disinformation | State department IG reportedly distributed disinformation |
| The state department inspector general distributed dozens of documents containing unproven claims about Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, according to CNN. | The state department inspector general distributed dozens of documents containing unproven claims about Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, according to CNN. |
| IG Steve Linick asked to meet with the staff of several House and Senate committees today to provide them with documents from State’s acting legal adviser related to Ukraine, according to multiple reports. | IG Steve Linick asked to meet with the staff of several House and Senate committees today to provide them with documents from State’s acting legal adviser related to Ukraine, according to multiple reports. |
| The documents in question appear to repeat the same unverified allegations against Biden that Rudy Giuliani and other Trump advisers and aides have been making publicly. | The documents in question appear to repeat the same unverified allegations against Biden that Rudy Giuliani and other Trump advisers and aides have been making publicly. |
| Per CNN, which obtained a copy of the documents: | Per CNN, which obtained a copy of the documents: |
| The documents include claims against the Bidens as well as charges against former US Ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, who was recalled earlier this year and whom President Donald Trump criticized in his July call with the Ukrainian president. | The documents include claims against the Bidens as well as charges against former US Ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, who was recalled earlier this year and whom President Donald Trump criticized in his July call with the Ukrainian president. |
| The packet also included internal State Department emails from officials discussing articles critical of Yovanovitch, calling some of it a “fake narrative.” | The packet also included internal State Department emails from officials discussing articles critical of Yovanovitch, calling some of it a “fake narrative.” |
| There is no evidence of wrongdoing by either Joe or Hunter Biden. | There is no evidence of wrongdoing by either Joe or Hunter Biden. |
| State Department inspector general Steve Linick told Congress that the State Department’s office of legal counsel provided the documents to the inspector general in May. The inspector general provided them to the FBI, and the FBI did not object to the documents being released to Congress, which could suggest the FBI is not actively investigating the matter. | State Department inspector general Steve Linick told Congress that the State Department’s office of legal counsel provided the documents to the inspector general in May. The inspector general provided them to the FBI, and the FBI did not object to the documents being released to Congress, which could suggest the FBI is not actively investigating the matter. |
| The administration is moving forward with plans to collect DNA from hundreds of thousands of immigrants in federal custody and enter into a national criminal database, according to multiple reports. | The administration is moving forward with plans to collect DNA from hundreds of thousands of immigrants in federal custody and enter into a national criminal database, according to multiple reports. |
| The Justice Department is developing regulations that would allow immigration officers to collect genetic information from most migrants detained at the border and at federal facilities. This would expand a pilot program that uses rapid DNA technology to collect data from families suspected of child trafficking. | The Justice Department is developing regulations that would allow immigration officers to collect genetic information from most migrants detained at the border and at federal facilities. This would expand a pilot program that uses rapid DNA technology to collect data from families suspected of child trafficking. |
| Once DNA is collected, it would be transferred to an FBI’s database currently used to store information about people accused or convicted of serious crimes. | Once DNA is collected, it would be transferred to an FBI’s database currently used to store information about people accused or convicted of serious crimes. |
| Elizabeth Warren sent her 2020 opponent Bernie Sanders’ campaign team dinner, in a gesture of goodwill as Sanders recovers from heart surgery. | Elizabeth Warren sent her 2020 opponent Bernie Sanders’ campaign team dinner, in a gesture of goodwill as Sanders recovers from heart surgery. |
| big thank you to @TeamWarren for sending dinner to our dc headquarters. the team is very grateful (and started with the cookies first). | big thank you to @TeamWarren for sending dinner to our dc headquarters. the team is very grateful (and started with the cookies first). |
| Apprently, there were cookies. | Apprently, there were cookies. |
| US imposes tariffs on European wine and whiskey | US imposes tariffs on European wine and whiskey |
| Breaking: US imposing 25% on French wine, single-malt Scotch whisky as part of response to EU aircraft subsides pic.twitter.com/Z5fMNwPCoq | Breaking: US imposing 25% on French wine, single-malt Scotch whisky as part of response to EU aircraft subsides pic.twitter.com/Z5fMNwPCoq |
| The administration announced it ill be imposing tariffs on $7.5bn in European imports, beginning Oct. 18, over European Union subsidies to the airplane maker Airbus. | The administration announced it ill be imposing tariffs on $7.5bn in European imports, beginning Oct. 18, over European Union subsidies to the airplane maker Airbus. |
| From the AP: | From the AP: |
| The administration received a green light earlier Wednesday from the World Trade Organization, which ruled that the United States could impose the tariffs as retaliation for illegal aid that the 28-country EU gave to Airbus in its competition with its American rival Boeing. | The administration received a green light earlier Wednesday from the World Trade Organization, which ruled that the United States could impose the tariffs as retaliation for illegal aid that the 28-country EU gave to Airbus in its competition with its American rival Boeing. |
| Culminating a 15-year fight over the EU’s subsidizing of Airbus, the administration’s Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said it plans to publish a list of targeted products later Wednesday or on Thursday. | Culminating a 15-year fight over the EU’s subsidizing of Airbus, the administration’s Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said it plans to publish a list of targeted products later Wednesday or on Thursday. |
| Reports indicate that the state department inspector general, Steve Linick, has briefed a number of House and Senate committees about recent instances of “political retaliation” by department leaders against career staff over Ukraine. | Reports indicate that the state department inspector general, Steve Linick, has briefed a number of House and Senate committees about recent instances of “political retaliation” by department leaders against career staff over Ukraine. |
| Linick left Congress moments ago and we’re expecting further details on the briefing shortly. | Linick left Congress moments ago and we’re expecting further details on the briefing shortly. |
| Trump led a rambling joint press conference with the Finnish president, Sauli Niinistö, in which he accused the Democrat Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House intelligence committee, of co-authoring a whistleblower complaint detailing Trump’s attempts to dig up dirt on Joe Biden’s family by pushing the Ukraine president, Volodymyr Zelensky, to commission an investigation into the former vice-president’s son. Trump cited no evidence for this allegation. | Trump led a rambling joint press conference with the Finnish president, Sauli Niinistö, in which he accused the Democrat Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House intelligence committee, of co-authoring a whistleblower complaint detailing Trump’s attempts to dig up dirt on Joe Biden’s family by pushing the Ukraine president, Volodymyr Zelensky, to commission an investigation into the former vice-president’s son. Trump cited no evidence for this allegation. |
| Bernie Sanders has tweeted his thanks to supporters and well-wishers after he was hospitalized due to a blocked artery. | Bernie Sanders has tweeted his thanks to supporters and well-wishers after he was hospitalized due to a blocked artery. |
| And it appears that Linick is done with the briefing. This video just posted shows him leaving Capitol Hill. | And it appears that Linick is done with the briefing. This video just posted shows him leaving Capitol Hill. |
| State Department IG Steve Linick departs Capitol Hill after briefing multiple Senate & House Committees on Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/au14GAw17c | State Department IG Steve Linick departs Capitol Hill after briefing multiple Senate & House Committees on Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/au14GAw17c |
| We’re finally getting some more information on what the State Department Inspector General is briefing Congress about today. | We’re finally getting some more information on what the State Department Inspector General is briefing Congress about today. |
| According to Reuters, which is quoting two “familiar sources” Steve Linick will tell lawmakers about recent instances of “potential political retaliation” by department leadership against career officials over Ukraine. | According to Reuters, which is quoting two “familiar sources” Steve Linick will tell lawmakers about recent instances of “potential political retaliation” by department leadership against career officials over Ukraine. |
| Here’s the full report. | Here’s the full report. |
| The two sources familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not provide details about what the potential retaliation may have involved. | The two sources familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not provide details about what the potential retaliation may have involved. |
| The briefing is part of the Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives’ impeachment inquiry into whether President Donald Trump sought help from Ukraine to investigate his political rival, Democrat Joe Biden, the former vice president. | The briefing is part of the Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives’ impeachment inquiry into whether President Donald Trump sought help from Ukraine to investigate his political rival, Democrat Joe Biden, the former vice president. |
| Following a whistleblower complaint last week, Democrats are looking into a July 25 call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate Biden, a leading Democrat seeking to run against Republican Trump in 2020. | Following a whistleblower complaint last week, Democrats are looking into a July 25 call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate Biden, a leading Democrat seeking to run against Republican Trump in 2020. |
| U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is on a three-day trip to Italy, on Wednesday confirmed that he had listened in on the call, saying the conversation had centered on U.S. policy priorities. | U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is on a three-day trip to Italy, on Wednesday confirmed that he had listened in on the call, saying the conversation had centered on U.S. policy priorities. |
| State Department Inspector General (IG) Steve Linick, who conducts independent oversight to combat waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement at the agency, was to provide the closed-door briefing to eight congressional committees at 3 p.m. (1900 GMT). | State Department Inspector General (IG) Steve Linick, who conducts independent oversight to combat waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement at the agency, was to provide the closed-door briefing to eight congressional committees at 3 p.m. (1900 GMT). |
| A notice about the inspector general’s briefing said it would concern Ukraine and that Linick would bring documents provided by the Department’s acting legal advisor, said a third source who spoke on condition of anonymity. | A notice about the inspector general’s briefing said it would concern Ukraine and that Linick would bring documents provided by the Department’s acting legal advisor, said a third source who spoke on condition of anonymity. |
| The panels invited are the House and Senate committees on intelligence, foreign affairs, government oversight and appropriations, congressional aides said. | The panels invited are the House and Senate committees on intelligence, foreign affairs, government oversight and appropriations, congressional aides said. |
| The State Department did not respond to requests for comment. | The State Department did not respond to requests for comment. |
| If the House inquiry results in articles of impeachment, or formal charges, against Trump, there would be a trial in the Senate on whether to remove him from office. The president’s fellow Republicans control the Senate and have shown little appetite for removing him. | If the House inquiry results in articles of impeachment, or formal charges, against Trump, there would be a trial in the Senate on whether to remove him from office. The president’s fellow Republicans control the Senate and have shown little appetite for removing him. |
| The impeachment inquiry has begun to ensnare both career and politically appointed officials in the State Department. | The impeachment inquiry has begun to ensnare both career and politically appointed officials in the State Department. |
| Bernie Sanders has tweeted his thanks to well wishers after he underwent heart surgery for a blocked artery. He has suspended campaign appearances but used his condition remind supporters of a key campaign goal: medicare for all. | Bernie Sanders has tweeted his thanks to well wishers after he underwent heart surgery for a blocked artery. He has suspended campaign appearances but used his condition remind supporters of a key campaign goal: medicare for all. |
| Thanks for all the well wishes. I'm feeling good. I'm fortunate to have good health care and great doctors and nurses helping me to recover.None of us know when a medical emergency might affect us. And no one should fear going bankrupt if it occurs. Medicare for All! | Thanks for all the well wishes. I'm feeling good. I'm fortunate to have good health care and great doctors and nurses helping me to recover.None of us know when a medical emergency might affect us. And no one should fear going bankrupt if it occurs. Medicare for All! |
| OK - here are some takeaways from that press conference. It was a long one involving a lot of incoherent and rambling answers from the president. But here’s my best shot of at some of the most important comments relating to impeachment and the ongoing Ukraine scandal. | OK - here are some takeaways from that press conference. It was a long one involving a lot of incoherent and rambling answers from the president. But here’s my best shot of at some of the most important comments relating to impeachment and the ongoing Ukraine scandal. |
| Firstly, Trump responded to a New York Times report, published earlier today, stating that the whistleblower had approached a House Intelligence Committee staff aide days before filing his complaint. The report states that the committee chairman, Adam Schiff, was later made aware of the nature of the allegations but was not given any information on the whistleblower’s identity. A spokesman for Schiff has confirmed parts of this reporting, and stated it is standard procedure for the committee to offer advice to whistleblowers on how to file complaints. | Firstly, Trump responded to a New York Times report, published earlier today, stating that the whistleblower had approached a House Intelligence Committee staff aide days before filing his complaint. The report states that the committee chairman, Adam Schiff, was later made aware of the nature of the allegations but was not given any information on the whistleblower’s identity. A spokesman for Schiff has confirmed parts of this reporting, and stated it is standard procedure for the committee to offer advice to whistleblowers on how to file complaints. |
| Trump responded to the report during the press conference, making wildly unsubstantiated claims suggesting that: “I think he [Schiff] probably helped write it [the whistleblower complaint].” He added: “He [Schiff] knew long before, and he helped write it too.” | Trump responded to the report during the press conference, making wildly unsubstantiated claims suggesting that: “I think he [Schiff] probably helped write it [the whistleblower complaint].” He added: “He [Schiff] knew long before, and he helped write it too.” |
| There is no reporting to suggest this occurred and Trump provided no evidence. | There is no reporting to suggest this occurred and Trump provided no evidence. |
| Secondly, Trump indicated he plans to personally sue people involved in the special counsel’s investigation into Russian inference in the 2016 election. He did not give specific names when invited to by a reporter. But he said he and his personal attorney Rudy Guiliani were exploring the possibility. He said: | Secondly, Trump indicated he plans to personally sue people involved in the special counsel’s investigation into Russian inference in the 2016 election. He did not give specific names when invited to by a reporter. But he said he and his personal attorney Rudy Guiliani were exploring the possibility. He said: |
| “I probably will, I was going to definitely, but I probably will be bringing litigation against a lot of people having to do with the corrupt investigation into the 2016 election. And I have every right to.” | “I probably will, I was going to definitely, but I probably will be bringing litigation against a lot of people having to do with the corrupt investigation into the 2016 election. And I have every right to.” |
| It’s pretty difficult to interpret that at this stage given the president did not cite any specific grounds or names. | It’s pretty difficult to interpret that at this stage given the president did not cite any specific grounds or names. |
| Finally, Trump continues to show complete contempt for the White House press corps. Here’s the exchange where he starts bossing a reporter around and making derisive comments about the media: | Finally, Trump continues to show complete contempt for the White House press corps. Here’s the exchange where he starts bossing a reporter around and making derisive comments about the media: |
| Trump engages in contentious back and forth with @JeffMason1 after he dodges Ukraine question:Trump: We have the president of Finland, ask him a question.Mason: I have one for him, I just wanted to follow up on the one I asked you—Trump: Did you hear me? Ask him a question! pic.twitter.com/Co64SmxOmk | Trump engages in contentious back and forth with @JeffMason1 after he dodges Ukraine question:Trump: We have the president of Finland, ask him a question.Mason: I have one for him, I just wanted to follow up on the one I asked you—Trump: Did you hear me? Ask him a question! pic.twitter.com/Co64SmxOmk |
| I’m still parsing that bizarre press conference. But meanwhile, on Capitol Hill: | I’m still parsing that bizarre press conference. But meanwhile, on Capitol Hill: |
| State Department's IG has arrived on Capitol HillPhoto @jeremyherb pic.twitter.com/1ggLJxtMXo | State Department's IG has arrived on Capitol HillPhoto @jeremyherb pic.twitter.com/1ggLJxtMXo |
| This press conference is quickly descending into a farce as Trump starts bossing reporters around, describing them as “fake news media” as they push the president on what he wanted the Ukrainian government to do to Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. | This press conference is quickly descending into a farce as Trump starts bossing reporters around, describing them as “fake news media” as they push the president on what he wanted the Ukrainian government to do to Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. |
| Trump then instructs a reporter to ask Finland president Sauli Niinistö a question. The reporter obliges. Trump then attempts to answer the question on the president’s behalf. | Trump then instructs a reporter to ask Finland president Sauli Niinistö a question. The reporter obliges. Trump then attempts to answer the question on the president’s behalf. |
| I’ll type a few highlights as it wraps up. | I’ll type a few highlights as it wraps up. |