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US justice department announces arrest of alleged leaker of national security information – live US justice department announces arrest of alleged leaker of national security information – live
(32 minutes later)
The minutes from the Federal Reserve’s last meeting are out and Trump’s trade policy is getting the blame for a slowing economy.
“Trade policy concerns continued to weigh on firms’ investment decision,” the Fed wrote, citing those tensions and a global economic slowdown as its reasons for cutting rates - albeit not by as much as Trump, a persistent critic of the Fed, had wanted.
Trump has yet to tweet about the Fed - he’s clearly too busy with “Sleepy Joe” and impeachment.
A senior adviser to the Turkish president claimed that Trump knew in advance “precisely” the scope of the military operation in northern Syria.
“President Trump and President Erdogan have reached an understanding over precisely what this operation is,” Gulnur Aybet, Senior Adviser to the President of Turkey, told @camanpour from Ankara on Wednesday. Trump “knows what the scope of the scope of this operation is.”
Meanwhile, more Republican lawmakers are condemning the president’s decision to withdraw US troops from the region, abandoning America’s Kurdish allies.
Today, we are seeing the consequences of that terrible decision. If the reports of Turkish strikes in Syria are accurate, I fear our allies the Kurds could be slaughtered. (2/2)
News from Syria is sickening. Turkish troops preparing to invade Syria from the north, Russian-backed forces from the south, ISIS fighters attacking Raqqa. Impossible to understand why @realDonaldTrump is leaving America’s allies to be slaughtered and enabling the return of ISIS
In addition to the trade discussion, Mike Pence was in Iowa to campaign for Republican senator Joni Ernst.In addition to the trade discussion, Mike Pence was in Iowa to campaign for Republican senator Joni Ernst.
When asked by a reporter yesterday whether it was acceptable for a president to ask a foreign leader to investigate a political rival, as Trump has previously confirmed he did, Ernst dodged the question three times.When asked by a reporter yesterday whether it was acceptable for a president to ask a foreign leader to investigate a political rival, as Trump has previously confirmed he did, Ernst dodged the question three times.
Ernst said: “We again, we don’t have the facts in front of us. And what we see pushed out through the media, we don’t know what is accurate at this point.”Ernst said: “We again, we don’t have the facts in front of us. And what we see pushed out through the media, we don’t know what is accurate at this point.”
But when repeatedly pressed on whether the request itself would be inappropriate, Ernst refused to answer until she simply turned away from the reporter.But when repeatedly pressed on whether the request itself would be inappropriate, Ernst refused to answer until she simply turned away from the reporter.
The Ukraine controversy does not appear to be causing alarm among Trump’s base, if the attendees of an Iowa event with the vice president are any indication.The Ukraine controversy does not appear to be causing alarm among Trump’s base, if the attendees of an Iowa event with the vice president are any indication.
Mike Pence is hosting a discussion on trade in the Midwestern state, and several of those attending the event dismissed the Ukraine controversy as an overblown political stunt by House Democrats, per an AP reporter there.Mike Pence is hosting a discussion on trade in the Midwestern state, and several of those attending the event dismissed the Ukraine controversy as an overblown political stunt by House Democrats, per an AP reporter there.
Hello from a Waukee, IA farm, where VP Pence will speak about the USMCA. In conversations with a half-dozen attendees, all have said the Ukraine controversy is overblown, impeachment is a political stunt by Dems & they’re not worried about Trump’s re-elect. pic.twitter.com/TgSPOZFrMcHello from a Waukee, IA farm, where VP Pence will speak about the USMCA. In conversations with a half-dozen attendees, all have said the Ukraine controversy is overblown, impeachment is a political stunt by Dems & they’re not worried about Trump’s re-elect. pic.twitter.com/TgSPOZFrMc
Biden added in a separate tweet that Trump has “indicted himself” through his actions toward Ukraine and reiterated his call for the president’s impeachment.Biden added in a separate tweet that Trump has “indicted himself” through his actions toward Ukraine and reiterated his call for the president’s impeachment.
With his words and with his actions, President Trump has indicted himself.He should be impeached.With his words and with his actions, President Trump has indicted himself.He should be impeached.
Biden has responded to Trump’s taunt by calling on him to release his tax returns, which the president has refused to do since the 2016 election.Biden has responded to Trump’s taunt by calling on him to release his tax returns, which the president has refused to do since the 2016 election.
Thanks for watching. Stop stonewalling the Congress. Honor your oath. Respect the Constitution.And speaking of taxpayers, I’ve released 21 years of my tax returns. You? https://t.co/CrqOQG8YXbThanks for watching. Stop stonewalling the Congress. Honor your oath. Respect the Constitution.And speaking of taxpayers, I’ve released 21 years of my tax returns. You? https://t.co/CrqOQG8YXb
Trump was unsurprisingly dismissive of Biden’s call for his impeachment, belittling it as “so pathetic” and repeating false corruption claims against the former vice president.Trump was unsurprisingly dismissive of Biden’s call for his impeachment, belittling it as “so pathetic” and repeating false corruption claims against the former vice president.
So pathetic to see Sleepy Joe Biden, who with his son, Hunter, and to the detriment of the American Taxpayer, has ripped off at least two countries for millions of dollars, calling for my impeachment - and I did nothing wrong. Joe’s Failing Campaign gave him no other choice!So pathetic to see Sleepy Joe Biden, who with his son, Hunter, and to the detriment of the American Taxpayer, has ripped off at least two countries for millions of dollars, calling for my impeachment - and I did nothing wrong. Joe’s Failing Campaign gave him no other choice!
The blog has covered this many, many times, but there is no evidence to support claims that Biden exploited his influence as vice president to aid his son or his business.The blog has covered this many, many times, but there is no evidence to support claims that Biden exploited his influence as vice president to aid his son or his business.
The Ukrainian prosecutor who initially investigated corruption claims against a business with ties to Hunter Biden has said he does not believe either of the Bidens broke Ukrainian law.The Ukrainian prosecutor who initially investigated corruption claims against a business with ties to Hunter Biden has said he does not believe either of the Bidens broke Ukrainian law.
CNN even refused to air a Trump campaign ad centered on the accusations against Biden, saying it was factually inaccurate.CNN even refused to air a Trump campaign ad centered on the accusations against Biden, saying it was factually inaccurate.
Biden said that Trump had “violated his oath of office” and represented a unique threat to the constitution.Biden said that Trump had “violated his oath of office” and represented a unique threat to the constitution.
The former vice-president told the New Hampshire crowd: “To preserve our constitution, our democracy, our basic integrity, he should be impeached.”The former vice-president told the New Hampshire crowd: “To preserve our constitution, our democracy, our basic integrity, he should be impeached.”
BREAKING: Joe Biden: "Donald Trump has violated his oath of office, betrayed this nation, and committed impeachable acts."To preserve our Constitution, our democracy, our basic integrity, he should be impeached." https://t.co/urjnK6OnrU pic.twitter.com/ENdlWZApN3BREAKING: Joe Biden: "Donald Trump has violated his oath of office, betrayed this nation, and committed impeachable acts."To preserve our Constitution, our democracy, our basic integrity, he should be impeached." https://t.co/urjnK6OnrU pic.twitter.com/ENdlWZApN3
Biden had previously avoided specifically saying how he would vote on impeachment, citing his past role overseeing the Senate as vice president.Biden had previously avoided specifically saying how he would vote on impeachment, citing his past role overseeing the Senate as vice president.
Biden call for impeachment today but has not gone that far until now. On Oct 4, he declined to say how he would vote if still in the Senate "I am not going to speculate what I would do in the Senate. I'm a former Vice President."Biden call for impeachment today but has not gone that far until now. On Oct 4, he declined to say how he would vote if still in the Senate "I am not going to speculate what I would do in the Senate. I'm a former Vice President."
Joe Biden went further than he ever has before on the Ukraine controversy, arguing that Trump “should be impeached.”Joe Biden went further than he ever has before on the Ukraine controversy, arguing that Trump “should be impeached.”
Speaking at a campaign event in New Hampshire, the former vice president warned that Trump believes he “can and will get away with anything he does.”Speaking at a campaign event in New Hampshire, the former vice president warned that Trump believes he “can and will get away with anything he does.”
Biden referenced Trump’s past claim that he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue in New York and get away with it.Biden referenced Trump’s past claim that he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue in New York and get away with it.
Biden said: “It’s no joke. He’s shooting holes in the Constitution. And we cannot let him get away with it.”Biden said: “It’s no joke. He’s shooting holes in the Constitution. And we cannot let him get away with it.”
According to the indictment, Frese allegedly transmitted information about “a foreign country’s weapons systems” to a reporter identified as “Journalist 1.”According to the indictment, Frese allegedly transmitted information about “a foreign country’s weapons systems” to a reporter identified as “Journalist 1.”
That reporter then allegedly asked Frese to talk to “Journalist 2,” which the DIA employee agreed to do.That reporter then allegedly asked Frese to talk to “Journalist 2,” which the DIA employee agreed to do.
According to a press release from the Justice Department, Frese and “Journalist 1” appeared to be involved in a romantic relationship together and shared a residence at one point.According to a press release from the Justice Department, Frese and “Journalist 1” appeared to be involved in a romantic relationship together and shared a residence at one point.
The justice department announced it has arrested an employee of the Defense Intelligence Agency, Henry Kyle Frese, for allegedly leaking sensitive information to two journalists.
Assistant attorney general for national security, John C Demers, said in a statement: “As laid out in today’s indictment, Frese was caught red-handed disclosing sensitive national security information for personal gain.”
Frese has been charged with two counts of willful transmission of national defense information to unauthorized recipients and could face up to 10 years in prison for each charge.
In his statement on Turkey’s military operation in northern Syria, Trump expressed his expectation that Turkish officials would take responsibility for the Islamic State fighters detained in prisons there.
The prisons are currently maintained by America’s Kurdish allies, who may have to abandon the sites given Turkey’s latest operation.
But even some Republican lawmakers have expressed concern that this development could lead to thousands of Islamic State fighters escaping.
#Syria isn’t about neocons or hawks,it’s about reality. The Kurds were lead ground force against ISIS & currently hold 1000’s of ISIS killers in jail. Abandoning them is morally repugnant,stains our nations reputation & could lead to 1000’s of ISIS killers back on battlefield.
Trump has released a statement through a White House spokesperson on Turkey launching a military operation in northern Syria.
The statement reads: “This morning, Turkey, a NATO member, invaded Syria. The United States does not endorse this attack and has made it clear to Turkey that this operation is a bad idea.
“There are no American soldiers in the area. From the first day I entered the political arena, I made it clear that I did not want to fight these endless, senseless wars—especially those that don’t benefit the United States.
“Turkey has committed to protecting civilians, protecting religious minorities, including Christians, and ensuring no humanitarian crisis takes place—and we will hold them to this commitment.
“In addition, Turkey is now responsible for ensuring all ISIS fighters being held captive remain in prison and that ISIS does not reconstitute in any way, shape, or form. We expect Turkey to abide by all of its commitments, and we continue to monitor the situation closely.”
Here’s where the day stands so far:
Turkey has launched a military operation in northern Syria following Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from the region.
In reaction to the White House letter saying officials would not cooperate with House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry because it was allegedly unconstitutional, Nancy Pelosi warned that Trump was just giving lawmakers more evidence of obstruction.
Another poll found that half of American voters support removing Trump from office.
There’s still more coming up, so stay tuned.
Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren said she would not pursue big-dollar donors if she won the party’s nomination.
The Massachusetts senator has avoided such fundraisers in the primary race, but Warren had not said she would do so in a potential general election.
Big news from Warren campaign. Her spox @KristenOrthman has released a lengthy statement, confirming that if Warren is the Democratic nominee, she will *not* solicit big-dollar donors (calls, fundraisers, etc) pic.twitter.com/we1D09NM8a
The commitment could pose some issues for Warren if she becomes the eventual nominee, particularly given the massive fundraising operation Trump has built up in recent months.
A former finance director for Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign slammed the decision as “colossally stupid.”
And the Democratic Party just went bankrupt.... This is a colossally stupid decision not just for Democratic chances to win back the White House but for all Democrats up and down the ticket if she sticks to it. https://t.co/V52Z4881S6
Some House Democrats are making the argument that the White House’s efforts to stonewall the impeachment inquiry will prove unsuccessful because of the evidence already in lawmakers’ possession.
Specifically, the Democrats argue that the whistleblower complaint, the White House memo on the Ukraine call and text messages shared by senior officials like Rudy Giuliani present a compelling case for Trump’s removal from office.
Democratic representative Gerry Connelly told CNN: “You know what you need to know from the documents that we already have. It is why I think the stonewalling is counterproductive and ultimately futile.
“There are going to be more people coming forward irrespective of WH stonewalling. All it does is persuade the public ... [the President] is resisting for a reason.”
But senator Lindsey Graham told Fox & Friends earlier today that Senate Republicans would not vote for Trump’s removal based solely on the information already available on the Ukraine call.
In impeachment-related news, US diplomats who expressed unease about withholding military aid from Ukraine were advised to downplay the eventual release of the funds, according to the New York Times.
The Times reports:
‘Keep moving, people, nothing to see here …’ Brad Freden, the State Department’s acting deputy assistant secretary overseeing issues in Europe and Eurasia, wrote in a Sept. 12 email obtained by The New York Times.
He said the National Security Council would not publicly announce that $141 million in State Department assistance was being restored after being held up in what the White House described as a normal review. ...
A series of previously unreported internal State Department emails reflect diplomats’ frustration with the unexpected freeze on funding that Congress had already approved.
‘We realize the strain this puts on posts and your ability to conclude grants and carry out programs,’ Jim Kulikowski, the State Department’s regional assistance coordinator, wrote in an Aug. 5 email.
Kevin McCarthy, the minority leader in the House, has condemned Turkey for launching a military operation in northern Syria after Trump decided to withdraw US troops from the region.
A Turkish military advance into Syria threatens to halt momentum against ISIS, directly assaults our SDF partners, and could give the likes of al-Qaeda and Iran new footholds in the region. Turkey should stop immediately and continue to work with the US to secure the region.
Given that McCarthy has been a key ally to Trump as the president attempts to combat House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry, the California Republican may have a unique opportunity to push the commander-in-chief to change his position on Syria.
But Trump has so far shown no sign of reconsidering his decision to withdraw the US troops.
Senator Lindsey Graham is now more broadly attacking Trump’s “America first” foreign policy, arguing that isolationism represents a dangerous threat to the nation.
American isolationism: * Did not work before WWII.* Did not work before 9/11.* Will not work now. When it comes to fighting ISIS it's a bad idea to outsource American national security to Russia, Iran, and Turkey. To believe otherwise is very dangerous.
Graham said in a previous tweet, reacting to the news of Turkey’s military operation in northern Syria, that America’s Kurdish allies had been “shamelessly abandoned by the Trump administration.”
Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke said he thinks Nancy Pelosi should hold a formal vote on opening an impeachment inquiry.
.@BetoORourke tells me he thinks Speaker Pelosi SHOULD hold a vote to open an impeachment inquiry: “I would love to remove that as a talking point or a reason for the kind of obstruction you’re seeing from the President.”
Pelosi has said she does not plan to hold a vote and argued that the Constitution does not require such a formality to launch an impeachment inquiry, a reading that is backed up by legal experts.
The House speaker is also likely trying to protect vulnerable Democrats, even though many of her caucus members from more conservative districts have come out in support of the inquiry.
But depending on what the investigation uncovers, such a vote could eventually come to reflect badly upon the Republicans who would likely oppose it.