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| Trump move to block Sondland 'strong evidence of obstruction', says Schiff – live | Trump move to block Sondland 'strong evidence of obstruction', says Schiff – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Mark Morgan, the acting commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, announced that apprehensions at the southern border reached nearly 1 million during the 2019 fiscal year – marking a 12-year high. | |
| * Acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner: total border apprehensions just over 52,000 in September * Border Apprehensions down 65% Since Peak in May * Daily border apprehensions now below 1700* Mark Morgan: “We Have Essentially Ended 'Catch and Release” pic.twitter.com/7gYrMZ5Lkx | |
| The Washington Post has more on the numbers: | |
| [Morgan] told reporters at a White House briefing that just more than 52,000 migrants were taken into custody — including those deemed inadmissible to the country — in September at U.S. ports of entry and between them. It was a decline of 18 percent from August. | |
| Overall, U.S. border authorities made more than 975,000 arrests during the 2019 fiscal year, according to the latest data. Morgan said arrests increased 88 percent during the 2019 fiscal year, calling it a ‘staggering’ increase. | |
| ‘These are numbers no immigration system in the world is designed to handle,’ he said. | |
| At least one Democratic congressman is calling for the resignation of Gordon Sondland after the US ambassador to the EU did not show up for his deposition with the House committees leading the impeachment inquiry. | |
| Sondland expressed disappointed that he was “directed” by the State Department not to appear, but representative Anthony Brown said the diplomat should step down if that is what it would take to comply with the panels’ request. | |
| He also tells me he expects more Dems to join him in calling for Sondland’s resignation, and that he agrees with @RepAdamSchiff’s statement that blocking Sondland’s deposition amounts to obstruction. | |
| On the 2020 campaign trail, Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg has released a new digital ad called “Light the Way.” | On the 2020 campaign trail, Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg has released a new digital ad called “Light the Way.” |
| The 30-second ad – which will run on social media platforms and other sites in the early voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada – includes footage from Buttigieg’s recent rally in Sparks, Nevada. | The 30-second ad – which will run on social media platforms and other sites in the early voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada – includes footage from Buttigieg’s recent rally in Sparks, Nevada. |
| The audience there enabled the Indiana mayor to finish his remarks after the power went out by using the flashlights on their cell phones. | The audience there enabled the Indiana mayor to finish his remarks after the power went out by using the flashlights on their cell phones. |
| The text in the ad reads: “Together, we can light the way to a better future.” | The text in the ad reads: “Together, we can light the way to a better future.” |
| Senator Lindsey Graham, another congressional ally of Trump’s, said he would allow Rudy Giuliani to testify before the Senate judiciary committee about “corruption in Ukraine.” | Senator Lindsey Graham, another congressional ally of Trump’s, said he would allow Rudy Giuliani to testify before the Senate judiciary committee about “corruption in Ukraine.” |
| Have heard on numerous occasions disturbing allegations by @RudyGiuliani about corruption in Ukraine and the many improprieties surrounding the firing of former Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin. (1/3) | Have heard on numerous occasions disturbing allegations by @RudyGiuliani about corruption in Ukraine and the many improprieties surrounding the firing of former Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin. (1/3) |
| Therefore I will offer to Mr. Giuliani the opportunity to come before the Senate Judiciary Committee to inform the committee of his concerns.(3/3) | Therefore I will offer to Mr. Giuliani the opportunity to come before the Senate Judiciary Committee to inform the committee of his concerns.(3/3) |
| Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, reportedly played a key role in pressuring Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and his son. The former New York mayor has already been subpoenaed by House Democrats. | Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, reportedly played a key role in pressuring Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden and his son. The former New York mayor has already been subpoenaed by House Democrats. |
| A Politico reporter noted that Graham’s invitation could indicate Republican lawmakers are open to exploring an investigation of the baseless corruption claims against Biden, as Trump has pushed for. | A Politico reporter noted that Graham’s invitation could indicate Republican lawmakers are open to exploring an investigation of the baseless corruption claims against Biden, as Trump has pushed for. |
| Not an investigation into Joe Biden — as many on the right have urged — but inching in that direction … https://t.co/BAfojo22U3 | Not an investigation into Joe Biden — as many on the right have urged — but inching in that direction … https://t.co/BAfojo22U3 |
| And Trump is somehow still talking about Hillary Clinton’s emails, even as his own White House blocks a senior official from testifying for House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry. | And Trump is somehow still talking about Hillary Clinton’s emails, even as his own White House blocks a senior official from testifying for House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry. |
| I think that Crooked Hillary Clinton should enter the race to try and steal it away from Uber Left Elizabeth Warren. Only one condition. The Crooked one must explain all of her high crimes and misdemeanors including how & why she deleted 33,000 Emails AFTER getting “C” Subpoena! | I think that Crooked Hillary Clinton should enter the race to try and steal it away from Uber Left Elizabeth Warren. Only one condition. The Crooked one must explain all of her high crimes and misdemeanors including how & why she deleted 33,000 Emails AFTER getting “C” Subpoena! |
| Despite Trump’s many efforts to direct attention away from the impeachment inquiry, support for the investigation continues to climb among the American public. | Despite Trump’s many efforts to direct attention away from the impeachment inquiry, support for the investigation continues to climb among the American public. |
| A new Washington Post-Schar School poll out today found that 58 percent of Americans back the inquiry, marking an increase of 21 points since just July. | A new Washington Post-Schar School poll out today found that 58 percent of Americans back the inquiry, marking an increase of 21 points since just July. |
| Meanwhile, just in case Trump momentarily forgot about the impeachment inquiry against him, a protester with a sense of humor is providing a very noisy reminder of it just outside the president’s window in Washington. | Meanwhile, just in case Trump momentarily forgot about the impeachment inquiry against him, a protester with a sense of humor is providing a very noisy reminder of it just outside the president’s window in Washington. |
| Near the White House this morning. Intermittent honking. pic.twitter.com/wd8OLDU1eb | Near the White House this morning. Intermittent honking. pic.twitter.com/wd8OLDU1eb |
| Trump’s congressional allies echoed the president’s talking points slamming House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry as a “kangaroo court.” | Trump’s congressional allies echoed the president’s talking points slamming House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry as a “kangaroo court.” |
| Representative Mark Meadows, a Republican of North Carolina, said Gordon Sondland should only testify when it can be assured that a “fair process” will be followed. “This is not a fair process,” Meadows said. | Representative Mark Meadows, a Republican of North Carolina, said Gordon Sondland should only testify when it can be assured that a “fair process” will be followed. “This is not a fair process,” Meadows said. |
| One of Meadows’ colleagues, Jim Jordan of Ohio, said he was not concerned about Trump’s Ukraine call because he was “doing his duty” to look into corruption abroad. | One of Meadows’ colleagues, Jim Jordan of Ohio, said he was not concerned about Trump’s Ukraine call because he was “doing his duty” to look into corruption abroad. |
| Rep. Jim Jordan says he has "no concern" with President Trump asking Ukraine and China to investigate Joe Biden https://t.co/JNWzNCC0eL pic.twitter.com/3epyCxGbBM | Rep. Jim Jordan says he has "no concern" with President Trump asking Ukraine and China to investigate Joe Biden https://t.co/JNWzNCC0eL pic.twitter.com/3epyCxGbBM |
| But the memo that the White House released on the phone call shows that Trump specifically referenced baseless allegations against Joe Biden and his son. | But the memo that the White House released on the phone call shows that Trump specifically referenced baseless allegations against Joe Biden and his son. |
| The Republican lawmakers added that they want to see the transcript of the congressional testimony from Kurt Volker, the former US ambassador to NATO, released before the inquiry proceeds. | The Republican lawmakers added that they want to see the transcript of the congressional testimony from Kurt Volker, the former US ambassador to NATO, released before the inquiry proceeds. |
| Representative Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, slammed the White House’s decision to block the congressional testimony of Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU. | Representative Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, slammed the White House’s decision to block the congressional testimony of Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU. |
| NEW: After State Dept. bars key witness from testifying in House probe, House Intel Chair Adam Schiff says, "We're also aware the ambassador has text messages or emails on a personal device...and the State Department is withholding those messages as well." https://t.co/pog8bvYgh9 pic.twitter.com/oJwnifXmSK | NEW: After State Dept. bars key witness from testifying in House probe, House Intel Chair Adam Schiff says, "We're also aware the ambassador has text messages or emails on a personal device...and the State Department is withholding those messages as well." https://t.co/pog8bvYgh9 pic.twitter.com/oJwnifXmSK |
| The California Democrat said the State Department was also withholding text messages and emails from Sondland that were stored on a personal device and were “deeply relevant” to the impeachment inquiry. | The California Democrat said the State Department was also withholding text messages and emails from Sondland that were stored on a personal device and were “deeply relevant” to the impeachment inquiry. |
| “It is hard to overstate” the significance of Sondland’s testimony, Schiff said. He warned that the decision to block his appearance presented “yet additional strong evidence of obstruction.” | “It is hard to overstate” the significance of Sondland’s testimony, Schiff said. He warned that the decision to block his appearance presented “yet additional strong evidence of obstruction.” |
| The president has weighed in on the White House’s decision to block the congressional testimony of Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU. | The president has weighed in on the White House’s decision to block the congressional testimony of Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU. |
| Trump said that he would “love” to have the State Department official testify but that it has been made impossible because the impeachment inquiry has devolved into a “kangaroo court.” | Trump said that he would “love” to have the State Department official testify but that it has been made impossible because the impeachment inquiry has devolved into a “kangaroo court.” |
| ....to see. Importantly, Ambassador Sondland’s tweet, which few report, stated, “I believe you are incorrect about President Trump’s intentions. The President has been crystal clear: no quid pro quo’s of any kind.” That says it ALL! | ....to see. Importantly, Ambassador Sondland’s tweet, which few report, stated, “I believe you are incorrect about President Trump’s intentions. The President has been crystal clear: no quid pro quo’s of any kind.” That says it ALL! |
| But the New York Times has reported that Sondland’s text (not a tweet) denying any quid pro quo only came after he spoke with Trump. | But the New York Times has reported that Sondland’s text (not a tweet) denying any quid pro quo only came after he spoke with Trump. |
| Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris offered the president a warning about impeachment after the White House blocked the congressional testimony of Gordon Sondland. | Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris offered the president a warning about impeachment after the White House blocked the congressional testimony of Gordon Sondland. |
| Someone should tell Donald Trump that you can definitely be impeached for obstruction of justice. | Someone should tell Donald Trump that you can definitely be impeached for obstruction of justice. |
| The California senator has repeatedly promised on the campaign trail to “prosecute the case” against Trump. | The California senator has repeatedly promised on the campaign trail to “prosecute the case” against Trump. |
| Representative Adam Kinzinger, a Republican of Illinois, told CNN this morning that he considered Trump’s phone call with the Ukrainian president to be “inappropriate” but not necessarily “impeachable.” | Representative Adam Kinzinger, a Republican of Illinois, told CNN this morning that he considered Trump’s phone call with the Ukrainian president to be “inappropriate” but not necessarily “impeachable.” |
| Rep. @AdamKinzinger says Trump’s phone call w/ Ukraine was “wrong” and “inappropriate”.... but not necessarily “impeachable.”“What else comes out, who knows,” he says on CNN. | Rep. @AdamKinzinger says Trump’s phone call w/ Ukraine was “wrong” and “inappropriate”.... but not necessarily “impeachable.”“What else comes out, who knows,” he says on CNN. |
| Those comments seem to water down Kinzinger’s initial criticism of the conversation. “No president should ever utilize or use American power in any way like to affect an election,” the Republican lawmaker said late last month. “So, if that happened, that would be a problem.” | Those comments seem to water down Kinzinger’s initial criticism of the conversation. “No president should ever utilize or use American power in any way like to affect an election,” the Republican lawmaker said late last month. “So, if that happened, that would be a problem.” |
| Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU who was supposed to testify before House Democrats today, said in a statement that he was “profoundly disappointed” he could not appear today. | Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU who was supposed to testify before House Democrats today, said in a statement that he was “profoundly disappointed” he could not appear today. |
| The senior official added that the State Department “directed” him not to testify before the panels leading the impeachment inquiry against Trump. | The senior official added that the State Department “directed” him not to testify before the panels leading the impeachment inquiry against Trump. |
| And here’s a statement from Sondland’s attorney that the State Department instructed him not to testify and saying he is “profoundly disappointed” not to be able to do so. https://t.co/t1vJO7klOF pic.twitter.com/cg5dHFtTfz | And here’s a statement from Sondland’s attorney that the State Department instructed him not to testify and saying he is “profoundly disappointed” not to be able to do so. https://t.co/t1vJO7klOF pic.twitter.com/cg5dHFtTfz |
| Good morning, live blog readers! | Good morning, live blog readers! |
| House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry is firing at all cylinders, despite the Trump administration’s many efforts to slow it down. Most recently, the White House has blocked Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU and a key witness in the Ukraine controversy, from appearing for a deposition. | House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry is firing at all cylinders, despite the Trump administration’s many efforts to slow it down. Most recently, the White House has blocked Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU and a key witness in the Ukraine controversy, from appearing for a deposition. |
| The decision to block Sondland’s testimony could carry grave consequences for Donald Trump, given the House committees’ repeated warnings in letters subpoenaing senior officials that any failure to produce requested documents “shall constitute evidence of obstruction of the House’s impeachment inquiry”. | The decision to block Sondland’s testimony could carry grave consequences for Donald Trump, given the House committees’ repeated warnings in letters subpoenaing senior officials that any failure to produce requested documents “shall constitute evidence of obstruction of the House’s impeachment inquiry”. |
| But the White House’s efforts to block the inquiry cannot stem the shifting tide of public opinion. According to a new Washington Post-Schar School poll, 58% of Americans support House Democrats’ decision to launch a formal impeachment inquiry. Nearly half of Americans – 49% – back the more severe step of removing Trump from office. | But the White House’s efforts to block the inquiry cannot stem the shifting tide of public opinion. According to a new Washington Post-Schar School poll, 58% of Americans support House Democrats’ decision to launch a formal impeachment inquiry. Nearly half of Americans – 49% – back the more severe step of removing Trump from office. |
| The president is, as usual, taking all of this very much in stride by tweeting out a blustery defense of his widely criticized decision to clear the way for a Turkish military operation against America’s Kurdish allies. But his defensive tweet underscores the deep trouble Trump is in as he faces potentially career-ending controversies on every front. | The president is, as usual, taking all of this very much in stride by tweeting out a blustery defense of his widely criticized decision to clear the way for a Turkish military operation against America’s Kurdish allies. But his defensive tweet underscores the deep trouble Trump is in as he faces potentially career-ending controversies on every front. |
| .....good health, at my request, Pastor Brunson, who had many years of a long prison term remaining. Also remember, and importantly, that Turkey is an important member in good standing of NATO. He is coming to the U.S. as my guest on November 13th. #ENDENDLESSWARS | .....good health, at my request, Pastor Brunson, who had many years of a long prison term remaining. Also remember, and importantly, that Turkey is an important member in good standing of NATO. He is coming to the U.S. as my guest on November 13th. #ENDENDLESSWARS |
| Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on: | Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on: |
| Trump will have lunch with the vice-president and award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former attorney general Edwin Meese. | Trump will have lunch with the vice-president and award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former attorney general Edwin Meese. |
| The Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, Adam Schiff, will speak to reporters about Sondland’s blocked testimony at 9.30am ET. | The Democratic chairman of the House intelligence committee, Adam Schiff, will speak to reporters about Sondland’s blocked testimony at 9.30am ET. |
| Nancy Pelosi will participate in a conversation on drug pricing in Seattle at 11.30am ET. | Nancy Pelosi will participate in a conversation on drug pricing in Seattle at 11.30am ET. |
| That’s all still coming up, so stay tuned. | That’s all still coming up, so stay tuned. |