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| Trump reportedly discussed Biden and Warren in call with China's president – as it happened | Trump reportedly discussed Biden and Warren in call with China's president – as it happened |
| (6 days later) | |
| Donald Trump publicly called for China to investigate Joe Biden. He reportedly also discussed his leading political rivals in a June phone call with the Chinese president during which he suggested he’d refrain from commenting on the Hong Kong protests so long as US-China trade talks progressed. | Donald Trump publicly called for China to investigate Joe Biden. He reportedly also discussed his leading political rivals in a June phone call with the Chinese president during which he suggested he’d refrain from commenting on the Hong Kong protests so long as US-China trade talks progressed. |
| Former Ukraine envoy Kurt Volker testified before lawmakers today. He and another US diplomat reportedly drafted a statement for the Ukrainian leader, pushing him to publicly commit to investigating Biden. | Former Ukraine envoy Kurt Volker testified before lawmakers today. He and another US diplomat reportedly drafted a statement for the Ukrainian leader, pushing him to publicly commit to investigating Biden. |
| A whistleblower from within the Internal Revenue Service reportedly filed a complaint regarding either the president or the vice president’s tax returns. | A whistleblower from within the Internal Revenue Service reportedly filed a complaint regarding either the president or the vice president’s tax returns. |
| Trump and his supporters have tried to argue that the House democrats’ impeachment investigations aren’t valid because they haven’t formally voted on opening an inquiry. House leader Nancy Pelosi responded that there is no constitutional requirement to hold such a vote. | Trump and his supporters have tried to argue that the House democrats’ impeachment investigations aren’t valid because they haven’t formally voted on opening an inquiry. House leader Nancy Pelosi responded that there is no constitutional requirement to hold such a vote. |
| Joe Biden is trailing 2020 rivals Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg in third-quarter fundraising. Elizabeth Warren has yet to release her fundraising numbers. | Joe Biden is trailing 2020 rivals Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg in third-quarter fundraising. Elizabeth Warren has yet to release her fundraising numbers. |
| Sanders has yet to return to the campaign trail after undergoing a procedure for a blocked artery, but it seems he will attend the upcoming debate on Oct. 15. | Sanders has yet to return to the campaign trail after undergoing a procedure for a blocked artery, but it seems he will attend the upcoming debate on Oct. 15. |
| Energy secretary Rick Perry is expected to resign | Energy secretary Rick Perry is expected to resign |
| Perry, whose contacts in Ukraine have pulled him into the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry, is planning to resign next month, Politico reports. | Perry, whose contacts in Ukraine have pulled him into the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry, is planning to resign next month, Politico reports. |
| Earlier this week he indicated that he would cooperate with House democrats investigations. | Earlier this week he indicated that he would cooperate with House democrats investigations. |
| In May, Perry attended Ukrainian leader Vlodomyr Zelenskiy’s inauguration in lieu of vice-president Mike Pence after Pence canceled his planned trip, according to the whistleblower complaint that raised concerns over Trump’s communications with Ukraine. | In May, Perry attended Ukrainian leader Vlodomyr Zelenskiy’s inauguration in lieu of vice-president Mike Pence after Pence canceled his planned trip, according to the whistleblower complaint that raised concerns over Trump’s communications with Ukraine. |
| Perry has largely avoided controversy as energy secretary, though his conduct has drawn some criticism. The former Texas governor and former Dancing with the Stars participant as energy secretary suggested that fossil fuels can help prevent sexual assault. | Perry has largely avoided controversy as energy secretary, though his conduct has drawn some criticism. The former Texas governor and former Dancing with the Stars participant as energy secretary suggested that fossil fuels can help prevent sexual assault. |
| The White House is planning to send Nancy Pelosi a letter arguing that Trump and his team don’t have to comply with the impeachment inquiry | The White House is planning to send Nancy Pelosi a letter arguing that Trump and his team don’t have to comply with the impeachment inquiry |
| Echoing the argument that House minority leader Kevin McCarthy made earlier today, the White House plans to inform House speaker Nancy Pelosi that Donald Trump and his team don’t have to cooperate with the impeachment investigation until congress votes to formally approve the inquiry. | Echoing the argument that House minority leader Kevin McCarthy made earlier today, the White House plans to inform House speaker Nancy Pelosi that Donald Trump and his team don’t have to cooperate with the impeachment investigation until congress votes to formally approve the inquiry. |
| Axios has the news from two sources familiar with the letter. | Axios has the news from two sources familiar with the letter. |
| In response to McCarthy, Pelosi said that there is no constitutional requirement to vote on opening an impeachment inquiry. Pelosi and House intelligence committee chair Adam Schiff have also warned that officials who do not cooperate with their investigation could be charged with obstructing justice. | In response to McCarthy, Pelosi said that there is no constitutional requirement to vote on opening an impeachment inquiry. Pelosi and House intelligence committee chair Adam Schiff have also warned that officials who do not cooperate with their investigation could be charged with obstructing justice. |
| Trump envoys reportedly pushed Ukraine to publicly back investigations | Trump envoys reportedly pushed Ukraine to publicly back investigations |
| Another bit of late-breaking news from the New York Times. | Another bit of late-breaking news from the New York Times. |
| Two Trump administration diplomats, including Kurt Volker, the former special envoy to Ukraine who was questioned by House investigators earlier today, reportedly drafted a statement for Volodymyr Zelenskiy that would have committed the Ukrainian leader to investigating Trump’s political rivals. | Two Trump administration diplomats, including Kurt Volker, the former special envoy to Ukraine who was questioned by House investigators earlier today, reportedly drafted a statement for Volodymyr Zelenskiy that would have committed the Ukrainian leader to investigating Trump’s political rivals. |
| The statement would have committed Ukraine to investigating the energy company Burisma, which had employed Hunter Biden, the younger son of former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. And it would have called for the Ukrainian government to look into what Mr. Trump and his allies believe was interference by Ukrainians in the 2016 election in the United States to benefit Hillary Clinton. | The statement would have committed Ukraine to investigating the energy company Burisma, which had employed Hunter Biden, the younger son of former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. And it would have called for the Ukrainian government to look into what Mr. Trump and his allies believe was interference by Ukrainians in the 2016 election in the United States to benefit Hillary Clinton. |
| The idea behind the statement was to break the Ukrainians of their habit of promising American diplomats and leaders behind closed doors that they would look into matters and never follow through. | The idea behind the statement was to break the Ukrainians of their habit of promising American diplomats and leaders behind closed doors that they would look into matters and never follow through. |
| It is unclear if the statement was delivered to Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, but no statement was released publicly under his name. Around that time, the Ukrainian officials indicated to the Americans that they wanted to avoid becoming more deeply enmeshed in American politics. | It is unclear if the statement was delivered to Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, but no statement was released publicly under his name. Around that time, the Ukrainian officials indicated to the Americans that they wanted to avoid becoming more deeply enmeshed in American politics. |
| Trump reportedly discussed Biden and Warren with Chinese president Xi | Trump reportedly discussed Biden and Warren with Chinese president Xi |
| When Donald Trump suggested today, at a press conference, that China should investigate Joe Biden he said he’d never actually pushed Chinese leader Xi Jinping to investigate his political rivals. | When Donald Trump suggested today, at a press conference, that China should investigate Joe Biden he said he’d never actually pushed Chinese leader Xi Jinping to investigate his political rivals. |
| Now CNN reports that Trump discussed Biden and Elizabeth Warren with Xi during a whole call. He also reportedly told Xi he’d keep quiet about the protests in Hong Kong, so long as trade talks between China and the US progressed: | Now CNN reports that Trump discussed Biden and Elizabeth Warren with Xi during a whole call. He also reportedly told Xi he’d keep quiet about the protests in Hong Kong, so long as trade talks between China and the US progressed: |
| During a phone call with Xi on June 18, Trump raised Biden’s political prospects as well as those of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who by then had started rising in the polls, according to two people familiar with the discussion. In that call, Trump also told Xi he would remain quiet on Hong Kong protestsas trade talks progressed. | During a phone call with Xi on June 18, Trump raised Biden’s political prospects as well as those of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who by then had started rising in the polls, according to two people familiar with the discussion. In that call, Trump also told Xi he would remain quiet on Hong Kong protestsas trade talks progressed. |
| The White House record of that call was later stored in the highly secured electronic system used to house a now-infamous phone call with Ukraine’s President and which helped spark a whistleblower complaint that’s led Democrats to open an impeachment inquiry into Trump.On Thursday, Trump told reporters at the White House he’d consider asking his counterpart in Beijing to investigate the Bidens, adding to a growing list of foreign leaders he’s tried to enlist in his attempts to bring down a potential Democratic challenger. | The White House record of that call was later stored in the highly secured electronic system used to house a now-infamous phone call with Ukraine’s President and which helped spark a whistleblower complaint that’s led Democrats to open an impeachment inquiry into Trump.On Thursday, Trump told reporters at the White House he’d consider asking his counterpart in Beijing to investigate the Bidens, adding to a growing list of foreign leaders he’s tried to enlist in his attempts to bring down a potential Democratic challenger. |
| Though it’s unclear whether Trump actually asked Xi to investigate his rivals, it seems he was willing to trade favors — and look the other way while China violently quashes protests in Hong Kong, so long as Xi continued to negotiate on trade. | Though it’s unclear whether Trump actually asked Xi to investigate his rivals, it seems he was willing to trade favors — and look the other way while China violently quashes protests in Hong Kong, so long as Xi continued to negotiate on trade. |
| The Guardian has not independently verified CNN’s reporting. | The Guardian has not independently verified CNN’s reporting. |
| Given the revelations from CNN, however, it’s worth noting that Trump has kept mostly quiet on Hong Kong. | Given the revelations from CNN, however, it’s worth noting that Trump has kept mostly quiet on Hong Kong. |
| Even amidst mounting violence in Hong Kong this week, Trump offered only a message of congratulations to Xi, tweeting: “Congratulations to President Xi and the Chinese people on the 70th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China!” | Even amidst mounting violence in Hong Kong this week, Trump offered only a message of congratulations to Xi, tweeting: “Congratulations to President Xi and the Chinese people on the 70th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China!” |
| Earlier today senator Warren published an op-ed in Foreign Policy, urging Washington to stand up for the protesters. | Earlier today senator Warren published an op-ed in Foreign Policy, urging Washington to stand up for the protesters. |
| California congressman Devin Nunes has filed yet another lawsuit -- this time against Hearst magazine. | California congressman Devin Nunes has filed yet another lawsuit -- this time against Hearst magazine. |
| The litigious republican lawmaker filed a $77.5m lawsuit in federal court against the publisher of Esquire magazine and the former reporter Ryan Lizza, alleging that a story from September 2018 about Nunes’ family dairy farm caused “injury to his good name and professional reputation”. | |
| Last year, Nunes sued the publishers of The Fresno Bee claiming that one of the paper’s stories was a “character assassination” and in March he sued Twitter and a handful of users – including those behind the parody accounts “Devin Nunes’ Mom” and “Devin Nunes’ Cow”. | |
| Lizza’s Esquire story “Devin Nunes’s Family Farm Is Hiding a Politically Explosive Secret” focused on members of Nunes’ family who lived in Iowa and operated a dairy farm there even as the congressman promoted his deep roots in California. | Lizza’s Esquire story “Devin Nunes’s Family Farm Is Hiding a Politically Explosive Secret” focused on members of Nunes’ family who lived in Iowa and operated a dairy farm there even as the congressman promoted his deep roots in California. |
| Goats, cows and Devin Nunes' mom: how a Republican's Twitter lawsuit backfired | Goats, cows and Devin Nunes' mom: how a Republican's Twitter lawsuit backfired |
| More from Kurt Volker’s testimony | More from Kurt Volker’s testimony |
| Former special envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker told lawmakers that he wasn’t personally involved in Donald Trump’s efforts to pressure Ukrainian leaders to investigate Joe Biden. | Former special envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker told lawmakers that he wasn’t personally involved in Donald Trump’s efforts to pressure Ukrainian leaders to investigate Joe Biden. |
| Volker, who testified in the House this morning, reportedly warned Ukrainian officials to steer clear of American politics, according to the Associated Press: | Volker, who testified in the House this morning, reportedly warned Ukrainian officials to steer clear of American politics, according to the Associated Press: |
| Volker, who has become a central figure in the House’s impeachment inquiry, spent hours behind closed doors as lawmakers and staff pored through dozens of pages of text messages, photos and other correspondence during the interview, according to those familiar with the meeting. | Volker, who has become a central figure in the House’s impeachment inquiry, spent hours behind closed doors as lawmakers and staff pored through dozens of pages of text messages, photos and other correspondence during the interview, according to those familiar with the meeting. |
| Volker resigned on Friday after being asked to testify to Congress about the whistleblower complaint that describes how Trump, in a July 25 phone call , repeatedly prodded Zelenskiy for an investigation of Biden and his son Hunter, while his administration delayed the release of military aid to help Ukraine fight Russia-backed separatists. The complaint says Volker met in Kyiv with Zelenskiy and other Ukrainian political figures a day after the call, and he provided advice about how to “navigate” Trump’s demands. | Volker resigned on Friday after being asked to testify to Congress about the whistleblower complaint that describes how Trump, in a July 25 phone call , repeatedly prodded Zelenskiy for an investigation of Biden and his son Hunter, while his administration delayed the release of military aid to help Ukraine fight Russia-backed separatists. The complaint says Volker met in Kyiv with Zelenskiy and other Ukrainian political figures a day after the call, and he provided advice about how to “navigate” Trump’s demands. |
| ...The former envoy was in office as the administration was holding back $250 million for Ukraine at the time Trump was pressing Zelenskiy about the Bidens. Volker told the House investigators it was unusual for the U.S. to withhold aid to Ukraine, but said he was given no explanation for it, the person said. | ...The former envoy was in office as the administration was holding back $250 million for Ukraine at the time Trump was pressing Zelenskiy about the Bidens. Volker told the House investigators it was unusual for the U.S. to withhold aid to Ukraine, but said he was given no explanation for it, the person said. |
| Republican lawmakers who took part in the interview with Volker downplayed what they heard. | Republican lawmakers who took part in the interview with Volker downplayed what they heard. |
| “Not one thing he has said comports with any of the Democrats’ impeachment narrative, not one thing,” said Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. | “Not one thing he has said comports with any of the Democrats’ impeachment narrative, not one thing,” said Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. |
| Biden raised $15m during the third quarter of this year, lagging behind Bernie Sanders (who raised $25m) and Pete Buttigieg (who raised $19.1m). Bloomberg has more details here. | Biden raised $15m during the third quarter of this year, lagging behind Bernie Sanders (who raised $25m) and Pete Buttigieg (who raised $19.1m). Bloomberg has more details here. |
| Elizabeth Warren has yet to release her third-quarter fundraising. | Elizabeth Warren has yet to release her third-quarter fundraising. |
| Biden held five private fundraisers in California last week. | Biden held five private fundraisers in California last week. |
| Warren subtweets right-wing conspiracy theorists and promotes student debt forgiveness plan all in one go | Warren subtweets right-wing conspiracy theorists and promotes student debt forgiveness plan all in one go |
| Right-wing conspiracy theorist Jacob Wohl tried and spectacularly failed to smear 2020 front-runner Elizabeth Warren by claiming he had evidence that she had carried on a “long-term sexual relationship” with a 24-year-old bodybuilder marine. | Right-wing conspiracy theorist Jacob Wohl tried and spectacularly failed to smear 2020 front-runner Elizabeth Warren by claiming he had evidence that she had carried on a “long-term sexual relationship” with a 24-year-old bodybuilder marine. |
| Wohl and his frequent collaborator, conservative lobbyist Jack Burkman, hosted a press conference at Burkman’s Arlington, Virginia townhouse to promote this highly implausible scandal. They even printed up a special sign for the occasion: | Wohl and his frequent collaborator, conservative lobbyist Jack Burkman, hosted a press conference at Burkman’s Arlington, Virginia townhouse to promote this highly implausible scandal. They even printed up a special sign for the occasion: |
| Today’s Jacob Wohl press conference topic: pic.twitter.com/48cSCHlrpw | Today’s Jacob Wohl press conference topic: pic.twitter.com/48cSCHlrpw |
| The duo — which previously failed to smear Robert Mueller and Ilhan Omar with other highly implausible sex scandals — even organized snacks: | The duo — which previously failed to smear Robert Mueller and Ilhan Omar with other highly implausible sex scandals — even organized snacks: |
| On this momentous day in history we will be providing complimentary @DunkinDonuts 1599 • 2:30 PM EST pic.twitter.com/fp4y870Yv8 | On this momentous day in history we will be providing complimentary @DunkinDonuts 1599 • 2:30 PM EST pic.twitter.com/fp4y870Yv8 |
| Though they failed to create a playlist to suit the occasion, a heckler reportedly remedied the situation - with Chumbawumba. | Though they failed to create a playlist to suit the occasion, a heckler reportedly remedied the situation - with Chumbawumba. |
| It was good fun for the neighbors and tourists. | It was good fun for the neighbors and tourists. |
| Onlookers are now posing with Wohl’s Warren sign. There’s a crowd of roughly two dozen people, non-media, who just swung by to see the show, including some tourists. pic.twitter.com/ONjpIP9ncu | Onlookers are now posing with Wohl’s Warren sign. There’s a crowd of roughly two dozen people, non-media, who just swung by to see the show, including some tourists. pic.twitter.com/ONjpIP9ncu |
| But Elizabeth Warren appears to have had the last laugh. | But Elizabeth Warren appears to have had the last laugh. |
| It's always a good day to be reminded that I got where I am because a great education was available for $50 a semester at the University of Houston (go Cougars!). We need to cancel student debt and make college free for everyone who wants it. pic.twitter.com/fHasLm0j9P | It's always a good day to be reminded that I got where I am because a great education was available for $50 a semester at the University of Houston (go Cougars!). We need to cancel student debt and make college free for everyone who wants it. pic.twitter.com/fHasLm0j9P |
| Nancy Pelosi brushes off request from minority leader to suspend impeachment inquiry | Nancy Pelosi brushes off request from minority leader to suspend impeachment inquiry |
| In response to House minority leader Kevin McCarthy’s request to suspend the impeachment inquiry until “rules and procedures are established”, House leader Nancy Pelosi responded that “there is no requirement under the Constitution, under House Rules, or House precedent that the whole House vote before proceeding with an impeachment inquiry.” | In response to House minority leader Kevin McCarthy’s request to suspend the impeachment inquiry until “rules and procedures are established”, House leader Nancy Pelosi responded that “there is no requirement under the Constitution, under House Rules, or House precedent that the whole House vote before proceeding with an impeachment inquiry.” |
| Pelosi continued that she received McCarthy’s request “this morning shortly after the world witnessed President Trump on national television asking yet another foreign power to interfere in the upcoming 2020 elections. We hope you and other Republicans share our commitment to following the facts, upholding the Constitution, protecting our national security, and defending the integrity of our elections at such a serious moment in our nation’s history.” | Pelosi continued that she received McCarthy’s request “this morning shortly after the world witnessed President Trump on national television asking yet another foreign power to interfere in the upcoming 2020 elections. We hope you and other Republicans share our commitment to following the facts, upholding the Constitution, protecting our national security, and defending the integrity of our elections at such a serious moment in our nation’s history.” |
| Our west coast colleague Maanvi Singh will take over coverage for the next few hours, and there are still a lot of news developments to come. | Our west coast colleague Maanvi Singh will take over coverage for the next few hours, and there are still a lot of news developments to come. |
| Earlier: | Earlier: |
| •Donald Trump has called for China to investigate his leading political rival, even as the president is the subject of impeachment proceedings for pressuring Ukraine to do the same. | •Donald Trump has called for China to investigate his leading political rival, even as the president is the subject of impeachment proceedings for pressuring Ukraine to do the same. |
| •In a press conference outside the White House, Trump said: “China should start an investigation into the Bidens because what happened in China is just about as bad as what happened in Ukraine”. | •In a press conference outside the White House, Trump said: “China should start an investigation into the Bidens because what happened in China is just about as bad as what happened in Ukraine”. |
| •The president then suggested he may specifically ask President Xi of China to begin an investigation into Joe and Hunter Biden. In the same press conference he again implored Ukraine to investigate his potential 2020 rival. | •The president then suggested he may specifically ask President Xi of China to begin an investigation into Joe and Hunter Biden. In the same press conference he again implored Ukraine to investigate his potential 2020 rival. |
| •Adam Schiff, the House intelligence committee chair, described Trump’s comments as “repugnant”. Schiff said Trump’s requests to China and Ukraine: “Is an illustration that if this president has learned anything from the two years of the Mueller investigation is that he feels he can do anything with impunity.” | •Adam Schiff, the House intelligence committee chair, described Trump’s comments as “repugnant”. Schiff said Trump’s requests to China and Ukraine: “Is an illustration that if this president has learned anything from the two years of the Mueller investigation is that he feels he can do anything with impunity.” |
| Hard on the heels of the Trump-Ukraine scandal, broken in to the open by an intelligence community whistleblower complaint, comes more breaking news this afternoon that an Internal Revenue Service official has filed a whistleblower complaint relating to either the president or the vice president’s tax returns, the Washington Post reports. | Hard on the heels of the Trump-Ukraine scandal, broken in to the open by an intelligence community whistleblower complaint, comes more breaking news this afternoon that an Internal Revenue Service official has filed a whistleblower complaint relating to either the president or the vice president’s tax returns, the Washington Post reports. |
| The complainant reportedly says he was told that at least one political appointee in the Treasury Department tried to interfere with the annual audit of Donald Trump or Mike Pence’s tax returns. | The complainant reportedly says he was told that at least one political appointee in the Treasury Department tried to interfere with the annual audit of Donald Trump or Mike Pence’s tax returns. |
| The Post attributes this to “multiple people familiar with the document” and adds that the complaint was revealed in a court filing several months ago, but details have been clouded. | The Post attributes this to “multiple people familiar with the document” and adds that the complaint was revealed in a court filing several months ago, but details have been clouded. |
| The report comes amid heightened tension between the treasury department and House Democrats over Trump’s tax returns, which have never been released, and the integrity of the annual audit of his and Pence’s tax returns, which is supposed to be sealed off from any partisan involvement. | The report comes amid heightened tension between the treasury department and House Democrats over Trump’s tax returns, which have never been released, and the integrity of the annual audit of his and Pence’s tax returns, which is supposed to be sealed off from any partisan involvement. |
| Kurt Volker, the former US special envoy for the Ukraine, says he warned Rudy Giuliani that information Giuliani was receiving on Joe and Hunter Biden, from Ukraine, was false, according to the Washington Post. | Kurt Volker, the former US special envoy for the Ukraine, says he warned Rudy Giuliani that information Giuliani was receiving on Joe and Hunter Biden, from Ukraine, was false, according to the Washington Post. |
| Volker gave testimony in the House this morning. According to the Post, Volker told House investigators that he had “tried to caution Guiliani that his sources, including Ukraine’s former top prosecutor, were unreliable and that he should be careful about putting faith in the prosecutor’s stories, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the closed door meeting”. | Volker gave testimony in the House this morning. According to the Post, Volker told House investigators that he had “tried to caution Guiliani that his sources, including Ukraine’s former top prosecutor, were unreliable and that he should be careful about putting faith in the prosecutor’s stories, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the closed door meeting”. |
| From the Post: | From the Post: |
| The former US special envoy for Ukraine told House investigators on Thursday that he warned President Trump’s personal attorney, Rudolph W. Giuliani, that Giuliani was receiving untrustworthy information from Ukrainian political figures about former vice president Joe Biden and his son, according to two people familiar with his testimony. | The former US special envoy for Ukraine told House investigators on Thursday that he warned President Trump’s personal attorney, Rudolph W. Giuliani, that Giuliani was receiving untrustworthy information from Ukrainian political figures about former vice president Joe Biden and his son, according to two people familiar with his testimony. |
| [...] | [...] |
| Volker was named in the whistleblower complaint as the diplomat who set up a meeting between Giuliani and a top adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amid Trump’s effort to pressure Ukraine to investigate the Bidens. | Volker was named in the whistleblower complaint as the diplomat who set up a meeting between Giuliani and a top adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amid Trump’s effort to pressure Ukraine to investigate the Bidens. |
| A tweet: | A tweet: |
| ELECTION INTERFERENCE! | ELECTION INTERFERENCE! |
| More from Adam Schiff, who has continued to criticize Trump’s earlier exhortation for China to investigate Biden: | More from Adam Schiff, who has continued to criticize Trump’s earlier exhortation for China to investigate Biden: |
| “Once again, having the president of the United States suggesting, urging, a foreign country to interfere in our presidential elections is an illustration that if this president has learned anything from the two years of the Mueller investigation is that he feels he can do anything with impunity.” | “Once again, having the president of the United States suggesting, urging, a foreign country to interfere in our presidential elections is an illustration that if this president has learned anything from the two years of the Mueller investigation is that he feels he can do anything with impunity.” |
| Trump suggests the “pharmaceutical” industry, and other industries, could be behind what he describes as a “hoax”. | Trump suggests the “pharmaceutical” industry, and other industries, could be behind what he describes as a “hoax”. |
| I’m not sure which of the things Trump believes to be a hoax he is discussing, but it’s likely the Mueller investigation or the Ukraine scandal. | I’m not sure which of the things Trump believes to be a hoax he is discussing, but it’s likely the Mueller investigation or the Ukraine scandal. |
| Trump then sits down and signs his Medicare bill. Then he hands out some pens to people standing around him. He leaves the stage to the Rolling Stones’ You Can’t Always Get What You Want. (The band have repeatedly asked him not to use their music.) | Trump then sits down and signs his Medicare bill. Then he hands out some pens to people standing around him. He leaves the stage to the Rolling Stones’ You Can’t Always Get What You Want. (The band have repeatedly asked him not to use their music.) |
| A brief riff from Trump just now, floating a venture into the media business... | A brief riff from Trump just now, floating a venture into the media business... |
| Trump laments that CNN is the one U.S. cable news channel with an international presence."We ought to start our own network and put some real news out there," he says. | Trump laments that CNN is the one U.S. cable news channel with an international presence."We ought to start our own network and put some real news out there," he says. |
| This is in the midst of a speech nominally about health care https://t.co/5T9xObqggS | This is in the midst of a speech nominally about health care https://t.co/5T9xObqggS |
| Vice-president Mike Pence appears to have fallen in line with Trump. Pence has spent this afternoon defending Trump’s pressuring of Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden. | Vice-president Mike Pence appears to have fallen in line with Trump. Pence has spent this afternoon defending Trump’s pressuring of Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden. |
| In particular, Pence said: “The American people have a right to know if the vice president of the United States, or his family, profited from his position.” Interesting. | In particular, Pence said: “The American people have a right to know if the vice president of the United States, or his family, profited from his position.” Interesting. |
| .@VP Pence defended Trump soliciting election help from Ukraine [a felony] by pressing Zelensky to investigate the Bidens. "The American people have a right to know if the vice president of the United States, or his family, profited from his position."pic.twitter.com/6Rpw1tnTZ4 | .@VP Pence defended Trump soliciting election help from Ukraine [a felony] by pressing Zelensky to investigate the Bidens. "The American people have a right to know if the vice president of the United States, or his family, profited from his position."pic.twitter.com/6Rpw1tnTZ4 |