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| White House told ambassador Marie Yovanovitch not to testify to Congress – live | White House told ambassador Marie Yovanovitch not to testify to Congress – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Reporters at the White House are still waiting on word from Trump’s meeting with the Chinese vice premier on trade talks, so there could be even more breaking news in the next hour. | |
| WH reporters have been gathered at the colonnade waiting to be brought into the Oval Office for the meeting with Chinese leaders for more than 45 minutes. The lengthy hold means it’s possible we don’t get China news one way or the other until after the market closes. | |
| Politico has some helpful context on the potential ramifications of Maria Yovanovitch’s decision to comply with a congressional subpoena, despite the state department (at the urging of the White House) directing the former ambassador not to testify: | |
| Unlike the last witness in the Ukraine matter to testify — former ambassador Kurt Volker — Yovanovitch is still employed by the State Department, which raises questions about whether she’ll face any punishment for defying orders. Legal experts and State Department officials have been trying, without conclusion, to resolve the question of whether a congressional subpoena trumps a State Department direction to a Foreign Service officer. | |
| Senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller is now taking questions from reporters at the White House, and it is ... quite the scene. | |
| Stephen Miller is screaming at reporters who are asking about Joe Biden at the White House right now. It’s hard to hear because of protestors on Pennsylvania Avenue. | |
| Miller would not answer when asked if he would hypothetically comply with a subpoena to testify in House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry against Trump. | |
| Trump is suffering a lot of legal defeats today. A federal judge has now placed a nationwide injunction on the administration’s plan to penalize green card applicants who rely on government assistance, known as the “public charge” rule. | |
| The New York Times reports: | |
| Judge George B. Daniels of the United States District Court in the Southern District of New York said those potentially affected by the new regulation could suffer ‘irreparable harm’ if it goes into effect. ‘The balance of equities and the interests of justice favor issuance of a preliminary injunction,’ the judge wrote. | |
| The ‘public charge’ rule, which had been scheduled to take effect on Tuesday, set new standards for determining who might become a burden on the public purse and barred them from obtaining permanent residence in the country. | |
| Judge Daniels’s order, which the Justice Department is likely to appeal, came a few days after President Trump also moved to deny immigrant visas to those who cannot prove that they will either have health insurance or can afford to pay for their own health care. | |
| The news will not stop coming today. A federal court has just ruled that Trump violated the law by declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border to get his wall built. | The news will not stop coming today. A federal court has just ruled that Trump violated the law by declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border to get his wall built. |
| BREAKING: A U.S. federal district court has ruled that President Trump violated the law by declaring a national emergency in order to build a border wall. https://t.co/tUyNSGvvcr pic.twitter.com/vtpfSHA3hB | BREAKING: A U.S. federal district court has ruled that President Trump violated the law by declaring a national emergency in order to build a border wall. https://t.co/tUyNSGvvcr pic.twitter.com/vtpfSHA3hB |
| David Smith reported this back in February: | David Smith reported this back in February: |
| Donald Trump has defied fierce criticism to announce that he is using emergency powers to bypass Congress and pursue the building of a wall on the US-Mexico border. | Donald Trump has defied fierce criticism to announce that he is using emergency powers to bypass Congress and pursue the building of a wall on the US-Mexico border. |
| At a combative, rambling and at times incoherent press conference in the White House, the US president insisted he had no choice but to declare a national emergency to stop illegal immigrants spreading crime and drugs. | At a combative, rambling and at times incoherent press conference in the White House, the US president insisted he had no choice but to declare a national emergency to stop illegal immigrants spreading crime and drugs. |
| Yet Trump admitted that he did not ‘need’ to take the step now and was only doing so for speed. Opponents seized on the remark to accuse him of falsehoods and fearmongering for political ends, describing the move as ‘unlawful’ and a violation of the US constitution. | Yet Trump admitted that he did not ‘need’ to take the step now and was only doing so for speed. Opponents seized on the remark to accuse him of falsehoods and fearmongering for political ends, describing the move as ‘unlawful’ and a violation of the US constitution. |
| It is now clear that Marie Yovanovitch, who is still technically an employee of the state department, defied the White House’s wishes in testifying before the House committees investigating impeachment. | It is now clear that Marie Yovanovitch, who is still technically an employee of the state department, defied the White House’s wishes in testifying before the House committees investigating impeachment. |
| The Democratic chairman of those committees confirmed moments ago that they issued a subpoena to the former US ambassador to Ukraine to compel her to appear, which she complied with. | The Democratic chairman of those committees confirmed moments ago that they issued a subpoena to the former US ambassador to Ukraine to compel her to appear, which she complied with. |
| But other Trump administration officials have ignored congressional subpoenas to adhere to the president’s wishes. And that raises this question: will the White House retaliate against Yovanovitch for testifying? | But other Trump administration officials have ignored congressional subpoenas to adhere to the president’s wishes. And that raises this question: will the White House retaliate against Yovanovitch for testifying? |
| That certainly seemed like a possibility in the talking points that the administration issued about Yovanovitch’s appearance. The White House warned in those talking points that, by testifying without a state department lawyer, Yovanovitch was in “serious danger that she could breach her obligations as a current employee.” | That certainly seemed like a possibility in the talking points that the administration issued about Yovanovitch’s appearance. The White House warned in those talking points that, by testifying without a state department lawyer, Yovanovitch was in “serious danger that she could breach her obligations as a current employee.” |
| NEW: WH talking points sent to Hill today about Yovanovitch deposition say w/o State Dept lawyers present could put her in serious danger of breaching her obligations as current employee pic.twitter.com/FeXWJfmUyL | NEW: WH talking points sent to Hill today about Yovanovitch deposition say w/o State Dept lawyers present could put her in serious danger of breaching her obligations as current employee pic.twitter.com/FeXWJfmUyL |
| The three Democratic chairman of the House committees leading the impeachment inquiry said the White House’s efforts to block Marie Yovanovitch’s testimony provided more evidence of obstruction. | The three Democratic chairman of the House committees leading the impeachment inquiry said the White House’s efforts to block Marie Yovanovitch’s testimony provided more evidence of obstruction. |
| Adam Schiff, Eliot Engel and Elijah Cummings said: “Last night, the Committees learned that the State Department, at the direction of the White House, directed Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch not to appear for her voluntary interview today. | Adam Schiff, Eliot Engel and Elijah Cummings said: “Last night, the Committees learned that the State Department, at the direction of the White House, directed Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch not to appear for her voluntary interview today. |
| “This is the latest example of the Administration’s efforts to conceal the facts from the American people and obstruct our lawful and constitutionally-authorized impeachment inquiry. | “This is the latest example of the Administration’s efforts to conceal the facts from the American people and obstruct our lawful and constitutionally-authorized impeachment inquiry. |
| “In response, the House Intelligence Committee issued a subpoena to compel her testimony this morning. This duly authorized subpoena is mandatory, and the illegitimate order from the Trump Administration not to cooperate has no force. As is required of her, the Ambassador is now complying with the subpoena and answering questions from both Democratic and Republican Members and staff. | “In response, the House Intelligence Committee issued a subpoena to compel her testimony this morning. This duly authorized subpoena is mandatory, and the illegitimate order from the Trump Administration not to cooperate has no force. As is required of her, the Ambassador is now complying with the subpoena and answering questions from both Democratic and Republican Members and staff. |
| “Any efforts by Trump Administration officials to prevent witness cooperation with the Committees will be deemed obstruction of a co-equal branch of government and an adverse inference may be drawn against the President on the underlying allegations of corruption and coverup.” | “Any efforts by Trump Administration officials to prevent witness cooperation with the Committees will be deemed obstruction of a co-equal branch of government and an adverse inference may be drawn against the President on the underlying allegations of corruption and coverup.” |
| The Democratic chairmen of the committees leading the impeachment inquiry said that the White House had directed the state department to block Marie Yovanovitch from testifying. | The Democratic chairmen of the committees leading the impeachment inquiry said that the White House had directed the state department to block Marie Yovanovitch from testifying. |
| The committees then issued a subpoena to the former US ambassador to Ukraine. But Yovanovitch’s decision to comply with the subpoena, in spite of the White House’s opposition to it, is a first in House Democrats’ investigations of Trump. | The committees then issued a subpoena to the former US ambassador to Ukraine. But Yovanovitch’s decision to comply with the subpoena, in spite of the White House’s opposition to it, is a first in House Democrats’ investigations of Trump. |
| Of NOTE: Dems for months hoped Don McGahn and other witnesses in the Mueller probe would do exactly this: comply with their subpoenas even after the WH said not to. Yovanovitch is the FIRST to follow this path. W/Sondland around the corner next week, she may not be the last. https://t.co/c56adu23d3 | Of NOTE: Dems for months hoped Don McGahn and other witnesses in the Mueller probe would do exactly this: comply with their subpoenas even after the WH said not to. Yovanovitch is the FIRST to follow this path. W/Sondland around the corner next week, she may not be the last. https://t.co/c56adu23d3 |
| The House committees leading the impeachment inquiry said that Marie Yovanovitch had been directed by the state department not to appear for today’s hearing. | The House committees leading the impeachment inquiry said that Marie Yovanovitch had been directed by the state department not to appear for today’s hearing. |
| In response, the committees issued a subpoena, which the former US ambassador to Ukraine complied with. | In response, the committees issued a subpoena, which the former US ambassador to Ukraine complied with. |
| NEW: House impeachment investigators say they learned last night that the WH directed Ambassador Yovanovitch not to appear today. So they issued a subpoena to compel her testimony this morning. pic.twitter.com/eJKKW552aZ | NEW: House impeachment investigators say they learned last night that the WH directed Ambassador Yovanovitch not to appear today. So they issued a subpoena to compel her testimony this morning. pic.twitter.com/eJKKW552aZ |
| A Washington Post columnist noted that, given Trump’s ability to immediately order sanctions, Steven Mnuchin’s announcement that the administration had “authorized” sanctions against Turkey is ... effectively meaningless. | A Washington Post columnist noted that, given Trump’s ability to immediately order sanctions, Steven Mnuchin’s announcement that the administration had “authorized” sanctions against Turkey is ... effectively meaningless. |
| Mnuchin holds a press conference to say the US is NOT sanctioning Turkey but could if it wanted to. #facepalm | Mnuchin holds a press conference to say the US is NOT sanctioning Turkey but could if it wanted to. #facepalm |
| By the way, the administration doesn’t have to “authorize” sanctions, Trump can just order sanctions, so today’s announcement means exactly zero and Turkey obviously knows that. | By the way, the administration doesn’t have to “authorize” sanctions, Trump can just order sanctions, so today’s announcement means exactly zero and Turkey obviously knows that. |
| The US and China have reportedly reached a partial deal in trade negotiations as Trump prepares to meet with the Chinese vice premier in the next hour. | The US and China have reportedly reached a partial deal in trade negotiations as Trump prepares to meet with the Chinese vice premier in the next hour. |
| Bloomberg News reports: | Bloomberg News reports: |
| The U.S. and China reached a partial agreement Friday that would broker a truce in the trade war and lay the groundwork for a broader deal that Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping could sign later this year, according to people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg News reports. | The U.S. and China reached a partial agreement Friday that would broker a truce in the trade war and lay the groundwork for a broader deal that Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping could sign later this year, according to people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg News reports. |
| As part of the agreement, China would agree to some agricultural concessions and the U.S. would provide some tariff relief. The pact is tentative and subject to change as Trump prepares to sit down with China’s Vice Premier Liu He later Friday. | As part of the agreement, China would agree to some agricultural concessions and the U.S. would provide some tariff relief. The pact is tentative and subject to change as Trump prepares to sit down with China’s Vice Premier Liu He later Friday. |
| The news that Trump may agree to ratchet down some of his tariffs on Chinese imports caused US stocks to jump. | The news that Trump may agree to ratchet down some of his tariffs on Chinese imports caused US stocks to jump. |
| BREAKING: U.S.-China said to reach partial trade deal that could set up a truce, scoop from @jendeben Stocks jump pic.twitter.com/PaAsPlN216 | BREAKING: U.S.-China said to reach partial trade deal that could set up a truce, scoop from @jendeben Stocks jump pic.twitter.com/PaAsPlN216 |
| Mnuchin also dodged a question about trade talks in advance of Trump’s meeting with the Chinese vice premier this afternoon. | Mnuchin also dodged a question about trade talks in advance of Trump’s meeting with the Chinese vice premier this afternoon. |
| I asked Secretary Mnuchin if it is possible we get to the end of the day today without any new agreements between the US and China. He declined to say. He called the discussions with China today “productive” but would not go beyond that. pic.twitter.com/I1THL9cHtx | I asked Secretary Mnuchin if it is possible we get to the end of the day today without any new agreements between the US and China. He declined to say. He called the discussions with China today “productive” but would not go beyond that. pic.twitter.com/I1THL9cHtx |
| Steven Mnuchin, the treasury secretary, said Trump is prepared to authorize sanctions against Turkey depending on how the country navigates its military operation in northern Syria. | Steven Mnuchin, the treasury secretary, said Trump is prepared to authorize sanctions against Turkey depending on how the country navigates its military operation in northern Syria. |
| But Mnuchin made it very clear that the administration is not activating sanctions at the moment. He added that financial institutions should be “on notice” that sanctions could be forthcoming. | But Mnuchin made it very clear that the administration is not activating sanctions at the moment. He added that financial institutions should be “on notice” that sanctions could be forthcoming. |
| Treasury Secretary Mnuchin says POTUS is concerned about the ongoing military offensive by Turkey. Says President Trump has authorized significant authorities for new sanctions, but the US is not activating those sanctions yet. pic.twitter.com/1NfYRvu2vt | Treasury Secretary Mnuchin says POTUS is concerned about the ongoing military offensive by Turkey. Says President Trump has authorized significant authorities for new sanctions, but the US is not activating those sanctions yet. pic.twitter.com/1NfYRvu2vt |
| By the way, Marie Yovanovitch is still being interviewed by the House committees investigating impeachment, and it looks like we can all settle in because this isn’t wrapping up anytime soon. | By the way, Marie Yovanovitch is still being interviewed by the House committees investigating impeachment, and it looks like we can all settle in because this isn’t wrapping up anytime soon. |
| Himes, Quigley and Maloney return to the Yovanovitch deposition with Lays potato chips, Doritos and an Odwalla smoothie. This is going to be a while. | Himes, Quigley and Maloney return to the Yovanovitch deposition with Lays potato chips, Doritos and an Odwalla smoothie. This is going to be a while. |
| One Democratic member of the House oversight committee just told reporters that Marie Yovanovitch appeared before lawmakers under subpoena. | One Democratic member of the House oversight committee just told reporters that Marie Yovanovitch appeared before lawmakers under subpoena. |
| But no subpoena of Yovanovitch was ever publicly announced, raising the possibility that the former US ambassador to Ukraine requested one to testify. | But no subpoena of Yovanovitch was ever publicly announced, raising the possibility that the former US ambassador to Ukraine requested one to testify. |
| This seems related too: https://t.co/kDYLjOEPWr | This seems related too: https://t.co/kDYLjOEPWr |
| The White House has just announced that Steven Mnuchin, the treasury secretary, will speak to reporters in the briefing room in about 15 minutes. | The White House has just announced that Steven Mnuchin, the treasury secretary, will speak to reporters in the briefing room in about 15 minutes. |
| It’s not clear what Mnuchin intends to address, but multiple reporters were told that he will not be discussing the US-China trade talks. | It’s not clear what Mnuchin intends to address, but multiple reporters were told that he will not be discussing the US-China trade talks. |
| Meanwhile, Trump’s trade meeting with the Chinese vice premier is still set for 2:45 p.m. EST. | Meanwhile, Trump’s trade meeting with the Chinese vice premier is still set for 2:45 p.m. EST. |
| You can read Yovanovitch’s full opening statement here: | You can read Yovanovitch’s full opening statement here: |