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| Trump says Kurds 'didn't help us with D-Day' as Turkey attacks – as it happened | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Trump defended his decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria, allowing for Turkey to launch a military offensive against US-allied Kurdish forces in the region, noting that the Kurds “didn’t help us with Normandy”. | |
| Republican senator Lindsay Graham teamed up with democrat Chris Van Hollen to draft sanctions against Turkey. | |
| House Democrats are reportedly planning a new wave of subpoenas after the White House indicated it would not cooperate with their investigations. | |
| The Justice Department announced it had arrested a Defense Intelligence Agency employee for allegedly leaking sensitive national security information to journalists. | |
| For the first time, Joe Biden unequivocally called Trump’s impeachment. | |
| Bernie Sanders said he “misspoke” when he said his campaign would slow down following a heart attack. | |
| Senators have released an outline of potential sanctions against Turkey, following news of the Turkish military offensive against US-allied Kurdish forces in Syria. | |
| Senator Lindsey Graham, a republican from South Carolina, joined with democratic Maryland senator Chris Van Hollen to draft the bill. | |
| I am pleased to have reached a bipartisan agreement with Senator @ChrisVanHollen on severe sanctions against Turkey for their invasion of Syria. While the Administration refuses to act against Turkey, I expect strong bipartisan support. pic.twitter.com/Ph5fIVt7k3 | |
| Trump’s decision to pull US troops out of the region, leaving Kurdish forces who bore the brunt of the US-led campaign against Isis defenseless has been met with bipartisan opposition. | |
| The senators said they would push sanctions unless the Trump administration confirms that “Turkey is not operating unilaterally” in Syria. | |
| Donald Trump pressed former secretary of state Rex Tillerson to persude the Justice Department to drop a case against an Iranian-Turkish gold trader who was a client of Rudy Giuliani, Bloomberg is reporting, citing three unnamed sources familiar with the 2017 meeting. | Donald Trump pressed former secretary of state Rex Tillerson to persude the Justice Department to drop a case against an Iranian-Turkish gold trader who was a client of Rudy Giuliani, Bloomberg is reporting, citing three unnamed sources familiar with the 2017 meeting. |
| Tillerson refused, arguing it would constitute interference in an ongoing investigation of the trader, Reza Zarrab, according to the people. They said other participants in the Oval Office were shocked by the request. | Tillerson refused, arguing it would constitute interference in an ongoing investigation of the trader, Reza Zarrab, according to the people. They said other participants in the Oval Office were shocked by the request. |
| Tillerson immediately repeated his objections to then-Chief of Staff John Kelly in a hallway conversation just outside the Oval Office, emphasizing that the request would be illegal. Neither episode has been previously reported, and all of the people spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the conversations. | Tillerson immediately repeated his objections to then-Chief of Staff John Kelly in a hallway conversation just outside the Oval Office, emphasizing that the request would be illegal. Neither episode has been previously reported, and all of the people spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the conversations. |
| Zarrab was being prosecuted in federal court in New York at the time on charges of evading U.S. sanctions against Iran’s nuclear program. He had hired former Attorney General Michael Mukasey and Giuliani, who has said he reached out repeatedly to U.S. officials to seek a diplomatic solution for his client outside the courts. | Zarrab was being prosecuted in federal court in New York at the time on charges of evading U.S. sanctions against Iran’s nuclear program. He had hired former Attorney General Michael Mukasey and Giuliani, who has said he reached out repeatedly to U.S. officials to seek a diplomatic solution for his client outside the courts. |
| The president’s request to Tillerson -- which included asking him to speak with Giuliani -- bears the hallmarks of Trump’s governing style, defined by his willingness to sweep aside the customary procedures and constraints of government to pursue matters outside normal channels. Tillerson’s objection came to light as Trump’s dealings with foreign leaders face intense scrutiny following the July 25 call with Ukraine’s president that has sparked an impeachment inquiry in the House. | The president’s request to Tillerson -- which included asking him to speak with Giuliani -- bears the hallmarks of Trump’s governing style, defined by his willingness to sweep aside the customary procedures and constraints of government to pursue matters outside normal channels. Tillerson’s objection came to light as Trump’s dealings with foreign leaders face intense scrutiny following the July 25 call with Ukraine’s president that has sparked an impeachment inquiry in the House. |
| The Guardian has not independently verified Bloomberg’s report. | The Guardian has not independently verified Bloomberg’s report. |
| Bernie Sanders said he “misspoke” when he said he’d be slowing down his campaign | Bernie Sanders said he “misspoke” when he said he’d be slowing down his campaign |
| In an interview with NBC, Sanders said he wouldn’t be slowing down his campaign after suffering a heart attack, saying he misspoke when he told reporters that he will “change the nature of the campaign a bit” after being hospitalized. | In an interview with NBC, Sanders said he wouldn’t be slowing down his campaign after suffering a heart attack, saying he misspoke when he told reporters that he will “change the nature of the campaign a bit” after being hospitalized. |
| “We’re going to get back into the groove of a very vigorous campaign, I love doing rallies and I love doing town meetings,” Sanders said. “I want to start off slower and build up and build up and build up.” | “We’re going to get back into the groove of a very vigorous campaign, I love doing rallies and I love doing town meetings,” Sanders said. “I want to start off slower and build up and build up and build up.” |
| Last week, Sanders was at a campaign event in Nevada when he experienced chest discomfort and was taken to a hospital. | Last week, Sanders was at a campaign event in Nevada when he experienced chest discomfort and was taken to a hospital. |
| “I found that to be wholly appropriate,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of the July call between Donald Trump and Ukraine’s president. | “I found that to be wholly appropriate,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of the July call between Donald Trump and Ukraine’s president. |
| “I was on the call. I listened to it. It was consistent with what President Trump has been trying to do to take corruption out” Pompeo told PBS’ Judy Woodruff. | “I was on the call. I listened to it. It was consistent with what President Trump has been trying to do to take corruption out” Pompeo told PBS’ Judy Woodruff. |
| Live on @NewsHour: @JudyWoodruff interviews Secretary of State Mike Pompeo https://t.co/7BNYxda8Fp | Live on @NewsHour: @JudyWoodruff interviews Secretary of State Mike Pompeo https://t.co/7BNYxda8Fp |
| As we noted earlier, when Trump defended his decision abandon Kurdish allies in Syria by saying that they didn’t help the US during World War II. | As we noted earlier, when Trump defended his decision abandon Kurdish allies in Syria by saying that they didn’t help the US during World War II. |
| “They didn’t help us with Normandy as an example,” Trump told reporters. | “They didn’t help us with Normandy as an example,” Trump told reporters. |
| Trump on the Kurds: "They didn't help us in the Second World War, they didn't help us with Normandy, as an example." He suggests that they battled alongside U.S. forces for "their land," and adds, "With all of that being said, we like the Kurds." pic.twitter.com/4aFGJiQquv | Trump on the Kurds: "They didn't help us in the Second World War, they didn't help us with Normandy, as an example." He suggests that they battled alongside U.S. forces for "their land," and adds, "With all of that being said, we like the Kurds." pic.twitter.com/4aFGJiQquv |
| Kurdish forces, did, however, fight alongside the US against Isis for nearly five years, losing roughly 11,000 fighters. | Kurdish forces, did, however, fight alongside the US against Isis for nearly five years, losing roughly 11,000 fighters. |
| On Sunday, the president announced that US troops would withdraw from the region, and today, Turkey has launched an offensive into north-eastern Syria against Kurdish forces who control the region. | On Sunday, the president announced that US troops would withdraw from the region, and today, Turkey has launched an offensive into north-eastern Syria against Kurdish forces who control the region. |
| Trump said he learned that the Kurds didn’t help in Normandy from a “very, very powerful article”, and seemed to be referencing a column by conservative opinion writer Kurt Schlichter. | Trump said he learned that the Kurds didn’t help in Normandy from a “very, very powerful article”, and seemed to be referencing a column by conservative opinion writer Kurt Schlichter. |
| Trump appears to have gotten his "Kurds didn't help us at Normandy" line from a Kurt Schlichter column. https://t.co/jAbsP9VCQt pic.twitter.com/6HknvoZ0gl | Trump appears to have gotten his "Kurds didn't help us at Normandy" line from a Kurt Schlichter column. https://t.co/jAbsP9VCQt pic.twitter.com/6HknvoZ0gl |
| Misrepresenting how Nato works, Trump told reporters: “If you look at how much money we spend on NATO and how much countries from Europe who are a much bigger beneficiary than we are.” | Misrepresenting how Nato works, Trump told reporters: “If you look at how much money we spend on NATO and how much countries from Europe who are a much bigger beneficiary than we are.” |
| “Alliances are very easy. But our alliances have taken advantage of us,” Trump said. | “Alliances are very easy. But our alliances have taken advantage of us,” Trump said. |
| “We have spent a tremendous amount of money helping the Kurds,” the president said. “They’re fighting for their land. When you say they’re fighting with the US, yes. But they’re fighting for their land.” | “We have spent a tremendous amount of money helping the Kurds,” the president said. “They’re fighting for their land. When you say they’re fighting with the US, yes. But they’re fighting for their land.” |
| “With all of that being said, we like the Kurds,” Trump added. | “With all of that being said, we like the Kurds,” Trump added. |
| Turkey unleashes airstrikes against Kurds in north-east Syria | Turkey unleashes airstrikes against Kurds in north-east Syria |
| Trump told reporters he’ll cooperate with the House democrats’ impeachment inquiry if “they give us our rights”. | Trump told reporters he’ll cooperate with the House democrats’ impeachment inquiry if “they give us our rights”. |
| Asked whether he’ll cooperate with the democrats if they hold a vote on the impeachment inquiry, Trump responded: “The Republican Party and president has been treated extremely badly by the Democrats, very unfairly, because they have a tiny margin in the House, they have eviscerated the rules, they don’t give us any fair play, it is the most unfair situation people have seen, no lawyers, you can’t have lawyers, you can’t speak, you can’t do anything.” | Asked whether he’ll cooperate with the democrats if they hold a vote on the impeachment inquiry, Trump responded: “The Republican Party and president has been treated extremely badly by the Democrats, very unfairly, because they have a tiny margin in the House, they have eviscerated the rules, they don’t give us any fair play, it is the most unfair situation people have seen, no lawyers, you can’t have lawyers, you can’t speak, you can’t do anything.” |
| But does the president have the right to due process during an impeachment? | But does the president have the right to due process during an impeachment? |
| In a word: No. | In a word: No. |
| From NPR: | From NPR: |
| The Constitution states clearly that the House of Representatives “shall have the sole Power of Impeachment,” and that “the Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments.” | The Constitution states clearly that the House of Representatives “shall have the sole Power of Impeachment,” and that “the Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments.” |
| What “impeachment” means in this context is, effectively, indictment — the House has the power to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to spur a trial that would then take place in the Senate. | What “impeachment” means in this context is, effectively, indictment — the House has the power to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to spur a trial that would then take place in the Senate. |
| That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will be taking over the blog for the next few hours. | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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.) | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | They are also considering a secret interview of the whistleblower who kicked off the Ukraine controversy. |
| CNN reports: | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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/cBsbXQxjsg | 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/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/O0HvkWltqs | 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/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/OAkuAlsYc4 | 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/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/S1UPo4DHDB | 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/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/jNi3KQ3wRB | 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/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/anu0pWSqS5 | 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/anu0pWSqS5 |