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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
(30 minutes later)
That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will be taking over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
The Justice Department announced the arrest of an employee at the Defense Intelligence Agency for allegedly leaking sensitive national security information to two journalists.
For the first time, Joe Biden called for the impeachment of Trump over the Ukraine controversy.
Trump defended his decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria as Turkey launched a military operation in the region. (The president also flippantly said he was not worried about the potential escape of Islamic State fighters because they would likely flee to Europe.)
Despite that defensive stance, a number of Republican lawmakers criticized Trump’s Syria policy as news of the Turkish operation broke.
House Democrats are reportedly planning a new wave of subpoenas as the White House made clear it would not cooperate with the impeachment inquiry.
Maanvi will have more on the news of the day, so stay tuned.
House Democrats are preparing a new wave of subpoenas as the White House has signaled it will not cooperate with the impeachment inquiry, according to CNN.
They are also considering a secret interview of the whistleblower who kicked off the Ukraine controversy.
CNN reports:
In the face of the blistering White House letter refusing to cooperate with their probe, Democrats expect they are likely done with any voluntary interviews for most witnesses, according to multiple Democratic sources. And Democrats are now threatening subpoenas to associates of Rudy Giuliani and considering them for current State Department officials, including former US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. She is scheduled for an interview Friday, but there are new concerns she won’t appear given that she is still a State Department employee and could face backlash internally if she were to appear voluntarily.
Negotiations are also intensifying over bringing in for an interview the whistleblower whose complaint has upended Trump’s presidency, with new discussions about holding the interview in secret or off site and not disclosing that it happened until after the fact, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.
In response to a question about the threat facing America’s Kurdish allies now that Turkey had launched a military operation in northern Syria, Trump blamed them for not assisting in World War II.
Asked about the Kurds, President Trump said that the Kurds did not help the US during WWII or in the Normandy invasion/ D-Day
Asked about Islamic State fighters potentially escaping amid Turkey’s military operation in northern Syria, Trump told reporters he felt the United States had carried a disproportionate amount of responsibility in capturing the militants.Asked about Islamic State fighters potentially escaping amid Turkey’s military operation in northern Syria, Trump told reporters he felt the United States had carried a disproportionate amount of responsibility in capturing the militants.
Trump indicates he's not worried about ISIS fighters escaping northern Syria because if they do they'll just end up in Europe pic.twitter.com/cBsbXQxjsgTrump indicates he's not worried about ISIS fighters escaping northern Syria because if they do they'll just end up in Europe pic.twitter.com/cBsbXQxjsg
Trump said: “Well, they’re going to be escaping to Europe. That’s where they want to go; they want to go back to their homes, but Europe didn’t want them from us.”Trump said: “Well, they’re going to be escaping to Europe. That’s where they want to go; they want to go back to their homes, but Europe didn’t want them from us.”
The president said the relationship between the US and its European allies had not been “reciprocal” when it came to combating the Islamic State.The president said the relationship between the US and its European allies had not been “reciprocal” when it came to combating the Islamic State.
In response to Trump’s comments, a CNN reporter questioned whether the flippant remark about Islamic State militants returning to Europe, where the group has previously carried out terrorist attacks, would provoke any condemnation from Republican lawmakers.In response to Trump’s comments, a CNN reporter questioned whether the flippant remark about Islamic State militants returning to Europe, where the group has previously carried out terrorist attacks, would provoke any condemnation from Republican lawmakers.
Is there a single GOP lawmaker, Trump surrogate or media ally who will take issue with the US president dismissing the escape of ISIS terrorists into Europe? https://t.co/O0HvkWltqsIs there a single GOP lawmaker, Trump surrogate or media ally who will take issue with the US president dismissing the escape of ISIS terrorists into Europe? https://t.co/O0HvkWltqs
Trump said he would cooperate with the impeachment inquiry if the full House votes on it and “if the rules are fair,” but he appeared to leave himself a lot of wiggle room on the issue.Trump said he would cooperate with the impeachment inquiry if the full House votes on it and “if the rules are fair,” but he appeared to leave himself a lot of wiggle room on the issue.
Trump says he'll agree to cooperate in Democrats' impeachment probe only "if the rules are fair." Won't commit to cooperation if the full House holds a vote.Trump says he'll agree to cooperate in Democrats' impeachment probe only "if the rules are fair." Won't commit to cooperation if the full House holds a vote.
When asked by reporters whether he was concerned that Islamic State fighters would be able to escape because of Turkey’s military operation, Trump predicted that the militants would not travel to the US.When asked by reporters whether he was concerned that Islamic State fighters would be able to escape because of Turkey’s military operation, Trump predicted that the militants would not travel to the US.
The president said this to apparently reassure the American people (and surely terrify many US allies): “They’re going to be escaping to Europe.”The president said this to apparently reassure the American people (and surely terrify many US allies): “They’re going to be escaping to Europe.”
President Trump says he will "wipe out" Turkey's economy if Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan tries to take out the Kurds in northern Syria: "I hope that he will act rationally" https://t.co/1ftZN3y51Y pic.twitter.com/OAkuAlsYc4President Trump says he will "wipe out" Turkey's economy if Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan tries to take out the Kurds in northern Syria: "I hope that he will act rationally" https://t.co/1ftZN3y51Y pic.twitter.com/OAkuAlsYc4
Trump also dismissed criticism from senator Lindsey Graham, one of his closest congressional allies, over the president’s decision to withdraw US troops from the region.Trump also dismissed criticism from senator Lindsey Graham, one of his closest congressional allies, over the president’s decision to withdraw US troops from the region.
Trump said: “I think Lindsey would like to stay there for the next 200 years.”Trump said: “I think Lindsey would like to stay there for the next 200 years.”
Speaking to reporters after signing two executive orders, Trump stood by his decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria even as Turkey launched a military operation in the region.Speaking to reporters after signing two executive orders, Trump stood by his decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria even as Turkey launched a military operation in the region.
President Trump: Turkey has been wanting to do this for years. These people have been fighting each other for centuries. I feel like we are doing the right thing by pulling out. It has to be done or otherwise we will never do it.President Trump: Turkey has been wanting to do this for years. These people have been fighting each other for centuries. I feel like we are doing the right thing by pulling out. It has to be done or otherwise we will never do it.
Asked how he would react if Turkish forces decimated America’s Kurdish allies in the region, Trump warned he would “wipe out” Turkey’s economy if they did so.Asked how he would react if Turkish forces decimated America’s Kurdish allies in the region, Trump warned he would “wipe out” Turkey’s economy if they did so.
The British prime minister’s office released a readout from Boris Johnson’s conversation with Trump.The British prime minister’s office released a readout from Boris Johnson’s conversation with Trump.
It reads, in part: “The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump this evening. The leaders expressed their serious concern at Turkey’s invasion of north east Syria and the risk of a humanitarian catastrophe in the region. ...It reads, in part: “The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump this evening. The leaders expressed their serious concern at Turkey’s invasion of north east Syria and the risk of a humanitarian catastrophe in the region. ...
“On trade, the Prime Minister underlined his disappointment at the US announcement of tariffs against UK and EU exports in the Airbus-Boeing dispute, which will harm a number of industries including Scotch Whisky. He pressed the President not to impose the tariffs.”“On trade, the Prime Minister underlined his disappointment at the US announcement of tariffs against UK and EU exports in the Airbus-Boeing dispute, which will harm a number of industries including Scotch Whisky. He pressed the President not to impose the tariffs.”
Trump is now making remarks about two executive orders he is signing and noted that he had an “extended conversation” with the British prime minister, Boris Johnson.Trump is now making remarks about two executive orders he is signing and noted that he had an “extended conversation” with the British prime minister, Boris Johnson.
President Trump says he just had an “extended conversation” with British PM Boris Johnson, adding “they will be doing a number of things for us.” pic.twitter.com/S1UPo4DHDBPresident Trump says he just had an “extended conversation” with British PM Boris Johnson, adding “they will be doing a number of things for us.” pic.twitter.com/S1UPo4DHDB
Even as senator Lindsey Graham lambastes Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from Syria, he is standing by the president on confronting the impeachment inquiry.Even as senator Lindsey Graham lambastes Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from Syria, he is standing by the president on confronting the impeachment inquiry.
Specifically, the Senate judiciary committee chairman is accusing House Democrats of abusing their power by not releasing a transcript from their closed-door interview with Kurt Volker, the former US ambassador to NATO.Specifically, the Senate judiciary committee chairman is accusing House Democrats of abusing their power by not releasing a transcript from their closed-door interview with Kurt Volker, the former US ambassador to NATO.
Graham warned that he would call Volker to publicly testify if the transcript is not released soon.Graham warned that he would call Volker to publicly testify if the transcript is not released soon.
If this continues, I will call Volker before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify publicly to ensure the full story is told.https://t.co/jNi3KQ3wRBIf this continues, I will call Volker before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify publicly to ensure the full story is told.https://t.co/jNi3KQ3wRB
Facebook is refusing to take down a Trump campaign ad that centers on false claims of corruption against Joe Biden.Facebook is refusing to take down a Trump campaign ad that centers on false claims of corruption against Joe Biden.
CNN has already refused to air the ad over its factual inaccuracies, but Facebook wrote in a letter to the Biden campaign that the video did not violate the social media platform’s policies.CNN has already refused to air the ad over its factual inaccuracies, but Facebook wrote in a letter to the Biden campaign that the video did not violate the social media platform’s policies.
A Facebook executive wrote: “Our approach is grounded in Facebook’s fundamental belief in free expression, respect for the democratic process, and the belief that, in mature democracies with a free press, political speech is already arguably the most scrutinized speech there is.”A Facebook executive wrote: “Our approach is grounded in Facebook’s fundamental belief in free expression, respect for the democratic process, and the belief that, in mature democracies with a free press, political speech is already arguably the most scrutinized speech there is.”
The social media giant’s decision provoked an enraged response from at least one of Biden’s primary opponents, Elizabeth Warren.The social media giant’s decision provoked an enraged response from at least one of Biden’s primary opponents, Elizabeth Warren.
Facebook already helped elect Donald Trump once. Now, they're deliberately allowing a candidate to intentionally lie to the American people. This is a serious threat to our democracy. We need transparency and accountability from Facebook. https://t.co/anu0pWSqS5Facebook already helped elect Donald Trump once. Now, they're deliberately allowing a candidate to intentionally lie to the American people. This is a serious threat to our democracy. We need transparency and accountability from Facebook. https://t.co/anu0pWSqS5
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.
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.”
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.
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/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.
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.
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/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.
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 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.
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.”
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/ENdlWZApN3
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."
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.”
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.”
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.
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.