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| Trump impeachment inquiry: Pelosi and Schiff hold press conference – live | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff provided an update on the impeachment inquiry, with Schiff focusing a portion of his remarks on the failure to comply with congressional subpoenas. | |
| “We know from the witnesses that have come forward that there are additional documents that they have provided the state department that they have not provided to Congress,” Schiff said. | |
| The Wall Street Journal is reporting that a grand jury has issued a subpoena tied to Manhattan federal prosecutors’ investigation into Giuliani, seeking documents from former Rep Pete Sessions about his dealings with Trump’s lawyer. The Journal has cited people familiar with the matter: | The Wall Street Journal is reporting that a grand jury has issued a subpoena tied to Manhattan federal prosecutors’ investigation into Giuliani, seeking documents from former Rep Pete Sessions about his dealings with Trump’s lawyer. The Journal has cited people familiar with the matter: |
| NEWS: A grand jury has issued a subpoena related to the SDNY investigation into Rudy Giuliani’s business dealings in Ukraine, seeking documents from former Rep. Pete Sessions about his dealings with Giuliani, Parnas, Fruman and others. https://t.co/m1F66ePIA8 | NEWS: A grand jury has issued a subpoena related to the SDNY investigation into Rudy Giuliani’s business dealings in Ukraine, seeking documents from former Rep. Pete Sessions about his dealings with Giuliani, Parnas, Fruman and others. https://t.co/m1F66ePIA8 |
| From the Journal: | From the Journal: |
| The subpoena seeks documents related to Mr. Giuliani’s business dealings with Ukraine and his involvement in efforts to oust the U.S. ambassador in Kyiv, as well as any interactions between Mr. Sessions, Mr. Giuliani and four of Mr. Giuliani’s associates who were indicted last week on campaign-finance and conspiracy accounts, the people said. | The subpoena seeks documents related to Mr. Giuliani’s business dealings with Ukraine and his involvement in efforts to oust the U.S. ambassador in Kyiv, as well as any interactions between Mr. Sessions, Mr. Giuliani and four of Mr. Giuliani’s associates who were indicted last week on campaign-finance and conspiracy accounts, the people said. |
| Mr. Giuliani is the primary focus of the subpoena, the people said. Mr. Giuliani has denied wrongdoing and said he has had no indication his actions are being investigated by prosecutors. | Mr. Giuliani is the primary focus of the subpoena, the people said. Mr. Giuliani has denied wrongdoing and said he has had no indication his actions are being investigated by prosecutors. |
| Mike Pence’s office have said the vice president will not comply with a request from the House to turn over documents related to Trump’s phone call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, NBC News is reporting: | Mike Pence’s office have said the vice president will not comply with a request from the House to turn over documents related to Trump’s phone call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, NBC News is reporting: |
| In a letter to the chairs of the house intelligence, foreign affairs and oversight committees, Pence counsel Matthew Morgan called the request part of a “self-proclaimed impeachment inquiry”. | In a letter to the chairs of the house intelligence, foreign affairs and oversight committees, Pence counsel Matthew Morgan called the request part of a “self-proclaimed impeachment inquiry”. |
| Mike Pence says he won't comply with a wide-ranging request for documents from House impeachment investigators trying to better understand any role he may have played in Trump's attempts to pressure Ukraine to political investigations. https://t.co/ENrPMWcrRT | Mike Pence says he won't comply with a wide-ranging request for documents from House impeachment investigators trying to better understand any role he may have played in Trump's attempts to pressure Ukraine to political investigations. https://t.co/ENrPMWcrRT |
| The letter: | The letter: |
| Not Shocking: Pence refuses to comply with document requests from House investigators.Letter here: pic.twitter.com/yf5XQM1RaW | Not Shocking: Pence refuses to comply with document requests from House investigators.Letter here: pic.twitter.com/yf5XQM1RaW |
| Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have released a joint statement following the introduction of a bipartisan resolution opposing the president’s decision in Syria: | Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have released a joint statement following the introduction of a bipartisan resolution opposing the president’s decision in Syria: |
| The chaos and insecurity unleashed in Syria by President Trump’s disastrous decision to precipitously withdraw from northern Syria require strong, smart leadership from Congress. | The chaos and insecurity unleashed in Syria by President Trump’s disastrous decision to precipitously withdraw from northern Syria require strong, smart leadership from Congress. |
| Since President Trump gave Turkey the green light to attack our Kurdish partners, Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate have been united in our swift and serious condemnation of this reckless action, which threatens countless lives, endangers our Kurdish partners and undermines our credibility in the world. Furthermore, President Trump’s action not only risks regional security, it risks security in our homeland because ISIS is resurging. Already, dozens of people have died and hundreds of ISIS supporters and families have escaped. | Since President Trump gave Turkey the green light to attack our Kurdish partners, Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate have been united in our swift and serious condemnation of this reckless action, which threatens countless lives, endangers our Kurdish partners and undermines our credibility in the world. Furthermore, President Trump’s action not only risks regional security, it risks security in our homeland because ISIS is resurging. Already, dozens of people have died and hundreds of ISIS supporters and families have escaped. |
| We have always maintained that, while certainly needed, a sanctions package alone is insufficient for reversing this humanitarian disaster. Today, the Congress continues bipartisan, bicameral leadership to reject President Trump’s dangerous actions in Syria. With one voice, we call on President Trump to support Kurdish communities, to work to ensure that the Turkish military acts with restraint, and to present a clear strategy to defeat ISIS. This resolution also urges President Erdogan to immediately cease unilateral military action in Syria.” | We have always maintained that, while certainly needed, a sanctions package alone is insufficient for reversing this humanitarian disaster. Today, the Congress continues bipartisan, bicameral leadership to reject President Trump’s dangerous actions in Syria. With one voice, we call on President Trump to support Kurdish communities, to work to ensure that the Turkish military acts with restraint, and to present a clear strategy to defeat ISIS. This resolution also urges President Erdogan to immediately cease unilateral military action in Syria.” |
| A federal judge has overturned Affordable Care Act protections for transgender patients, ruling against a non-discrimination policy included in Obamacare, the Hill is reporting: | A federal judge has overturned Affordable Care Act protections for transgender patients, ruling against a non-discrimination policy included in Obamacare, the Hill is reporting: |
| #BREAKING: Federal judge overturns ObamaCare transgender protections https://t.co/VmI4uKApib pic.twitter.com/4Wxtlx7kyw | #BREAKING: Federal judge overturns ObamaCare transgender protections https://t.co/VmI4uKApib pic.twitter.com/4Wxtlx7kyw |
| Texas fed judge O'Connor issues final judgment in Franciscan Alliance, challenge to nondiscrimination provisions in #ACA, says rule violates #APA and #RFRA. Opinion here: https://t.co/NhHxqYh6ig Final Judgment: https://t.co/zbRpwHncMf #TransRights #LGBTQ pic.twitter.com/rNQMBYmeoC | Texas fed judge O'Connor issues final judgment in Franciscan Alliance, challenge to nondiscrimination provisions in #ACA, says rule violates #APA and #RFRA. Opinion here: https://t.co/NhHxqYh6ig Final Judgment: https://t.co/zbRpwHncMf #TransRights #LGBTQ pic.twitter.com/rNQMBYmeoC |
| The regulation in question prohibited federally funded providers and insurers from refusing to treat or provide coverage to people based on their gender identity or termination of pregnancy, the Hill reported, noting that the judge’s decision would likely be appealed. | The regulation in question prohibited federally funded providers and insurers from refusing to treat or provide coverage to people based on their gender identity or termination of pregnancy, the Hill reported, noting that the judge’s decision would likely be appealed. |
| The ruling comes as trans rights are facing significant and repeated attacks by the Trump administration, and following a high-stakes US supreme court hearing this month. | The ruling comes as trans rights are facing significant and repeated attacks by the Trump administration, and following a high-stakes US supreme court hearing this month. |
| 'A critical point in history': how Trump's attack on LGBT rights is escalating | 'A critical point in history': how Trump's attack on LGBT rights is escalating |
| Nancy Pelosi is due to speak in an hour – a bit before the 2020 debate is set to start. Could be newsworthy: | Nancy Pelosi is due to speak in an hour – a bit before the 2020 debate is set to start. Could be newsworthy: |
| Pelosi alerts a media avail in an hour — indicating some news. Dem leadership is discussing a vote to authorize impeachment inquiry — something republicans have pushed for. pic.twitter.com/Wgd9JlsFfj | Pelosi alerts a media avail in an hour — indicating some news. Dem leadership is discussing a vote to authorize impeachment inquiry — something republicans have pushed for. pic.twitter.com/Wgd9JlsFfj |
| ProPublica is reporting that one of the speakers at at a recent pro-Trump conference repeatedly urged the crowd to go to “war” in support of the president: | ProPublica is reporting that one of the speakers at at a recent pro-Trump conference repeatedly urged the crowd to go to “war” in support of the president: |
| “We’ve come to declare war!” Pastor Mark Burns told the crowd three times in the Donald J Trump Grand Ballroom. Conference-goers roared back: “War! War!” | “We’ve come to declare war!” Pastor Mark Burns told the crowd three times in the Donald J Trump Grand Ballroom. Conference-goers roared back: “War! War!” |
| Full story here: | Full story here: |
| EXCLUSIVE: Speakers at a pro-Trump conference urged attendees to “go to war” for the president and laughed about beating up classmates. It’s the same conference where a video of a fake Trump shooting members of the media played. https://t.co/pXBnVCRbVX @wnyc @propublica | EXCLUSIVE: Speakers at a pro-Trump conference urged attendees to “go to war” for the president and laughed about beating up classmates. It’s the same conference where a video of a fake Trump shooting members of the media played. https://t.co/pXBnVCRbVX @wnyc @propublica |
| Asked for comment, Burns told ProPublica he does not endorse violence: “Me talking about going to war for Donald Trump is simply a call to action for Republicans to be verbal in support of our conservative values and support for this president.” | Asked for comment, Burns told ProPublica he does not endorse violence: “Me talking about going to war for Donald Trump is simply a call to action for Republicans to be verbal in support of our conservative values and support for this president.” |
| The Guardian’s senior technology reporter, Julia Carrie Wong, has this update on Twitter’s policies for world leader’s tweets: | The Guardian’s senior technology reporter, Julia Carrie Wong, has this update on Twitter’s policies for world leader’s tweets: |
| Twitter on Tuesday published additional information about how it plans to act if a world leader tweets something that violates its rules. The update follows the announcement in June of a policy whereby the company would choose not to delete tweets by major political figures that violated the company’s rules if the company decided it was in the public interest. | Twitter on Tuesday published additional information about how it plans to act if a world leader tweets something that violates its rules. The update follows the announcement in June of a policy whereby the company would choose not to delete tweets by major political figures that violated the company’s rules if the company decided it was in the public interest. |
| Since the election of Donald Trump, Twitter has been in the unenviable position of having the ability to censor the president of the United States on the very platform where he is the most unguarded. It has largely resisted the intense pressure to do so, even when it seemed that Trump’s tweets might have fallen afoul of Twitter’s rules if they had been sent by anyone else. | Since the election of Donald Trump, Twitter has been in the unenviable position of having the ability to censor the president of the United States on the very platform where he is the most unguarded. It has largely resisted the intense pressure to do so, even when it seemed that Trump’s tweets might have fallen afoul of Twitter’s rules if they had been sent by anyone else. |
| In September 2017, after Trump appeared to threaten North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Twitter, the company announced that it had begun considering “newsworthiness” when considering whether to take down a tweet. | In September 2017, after Trump appeared to threaten North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Twitter, the company announced that it had begun considering “newsworthiness” when considering whether to take down a tweet. |
| The June 2019 policy allowed for a scenario whereby a world leader’s tweet was bad enough to come down, but merited remaining up for documentation or accountability. In these scenarios, Twitter said today, the company will apply a label to the offending tweet and users will not be allowed to like, retweet or otherwise share it. | The June 2019 policy allowed for a scenario whereby a world leader’s tweet was bad enough to come down, but merited remaining up for documentation or accountability. In these scenarios, Twitter said today, the company will apply a label to the offending tweet and users will not be allowed to like, retweet or otherwise share it. |
| Today’s blog post by Twitter also provides a bit more detail about how they plan to approach such a scenario. The company says that it is more likely to simply delete a tweet by a world leader if it promotes terrorism, violence or self-harm; involves illegal goods or services; is intended to interfere with elections (such as by posting misinformation about voting); or includes the private information of another person – especially if that person is not a public figure. | Today’s blog post by Twitter also provides a bit more detail about how they plan to approach such a scenario. The company says that it is more likely to simply delete a tweet by a world leader if it promotes terrorism, violence or self-harm; involves illegal goods or services; is intended to interfere with elections (such as by posting misinformation about voting); or includes the private information of another person – especially if that person is not a public figure. |
| The company says that it is more likely to allow a violating tweet to remain published if it violates rules against hate speech and hateful conduct; abuse or harassment; or contains graphic or gruesome media. | The company says that it is more likely to allow a violating tweet to remain published if it violates rules against hate speech and hateful conduct; abuse or harassment; or contains graphic or gruesome media. |
| There continues to be meaningful public conversation about how we think about Tweets from world leaders on our service. We welcome the conversation and want to share more context on our principles and process for reviewing Tweets from these accounts. https://t.co/UlbdUVIeV9 | There continues to be meaningful public conversation about how we think about Tweets from world leaders on our service. We welcome the conversation and want to share more context on our principles and process for reviewing Tweets from these accounts. https://t.co/UlbdUVIeV9 |
| Hi all - Sam Levin here, taking over our live coverage for a bit before the debates kick off. | Hi all - Sam Levin here, taking over our live coverage for a bit before the debates kick off. |
| US prosecutors in New York have charged Turkey’s Halkbank with taking part in a multibillion-dollar scheme to evade US sanctions against Iran, Reuters is reporting. | US prosecutors in New York have charged Turkey’s Halkbank with taking part in a multibillion-dollar scheme to evade US sanctions against Iran, Reuters is reporting. |
| The charges against the majority state-owned bank mirror those against one of its former executives, Mehmet Hakan Atilla, who was found guilty and sentenced to prison after a trial in Manhattan federal court last year. | The charges against the majority state-owned bank mirror those against one of its former executives, Mehmet Hakan Atilla, who was found guilty and sentenced to prison after a trial in Manhattan federal court last year. |
| Prosecutors said that between 2012 and 2016, Halkbank helped run a scheme that allowed Iran to spend proceeds from sales of its oil and gas on international markets, in violation of U.S. sanctions, using a complex web of front companies. | Prosecutors said that between 2012 and 2016, Halkbank helped run a scheme that allowed Iran to spend proceeds from sales of its oil and gas on international markets, in violation of U.S. sanctions, using a complex web of front companies. |
| The scheme ran with the protection of high-ranking officials in Iran and Turkey, some of whom received tens of millions of dollars in bribes, the prosecutors said. | The scheme ran with the protection of high-ranking officials in Iran and Turkey, some of whom received tens of millions of dollars in bribes, the prosecutors said. |
| A US lawyer for Halkbank did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment. | A US lawyer for Halkbank did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment. |
| Some backstory here on how the bank relates to the ongoing Rudy Giuliani scandal: | Some backstory here on how the bank relates to the ongoing Rudy Giuliani scandal: |
| Giuliani under scrutiny over dealings involving Turkey and Ukraine | Giuliani under scrutiny over dealings involving Turkey and Ukraine |
| There is still plenty of action to come in the world of US politics, so do stay tuned. My colleague Sam Levin is taking over this blog for a short while and then, at 6.30ET, Guardian US’s Joan Greve will roll out tonight’s Democratic debate live blog. Stay tuned. | There is still plenty of action to come in the world of US politics, so do stay tuned. My colleague Sam Levin is taking over this blog for a short while and then, at 6.30ET, Guardian US’s Joan Greve will roll out tonight’s Democratic debate live blog. Stay tuned. |
| Here are the main events so far today: | Here are the main events so far today: |
| Mike Pence, in what looks like a hapless move to close the stable door after the horse has bolted, is traveling to Turkey tomorrow to give leaders there a piece of his mind about advancing on Kurdish territory in Syria after the US quit. | Mike Pence, in what looks like a hapless move to close the stable door after the horse has bolted, is traveling to Turkey tomorrow to give leaders there a piece of his mind about advancing on Kurdish territory in Syria after the US quit. |
| Rudy Giuliani has refused to comply with the congressional subpoena that demanded documents relating to the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry from his by a deadline of today. | Rudy Giuliani has refused to comply with the congressional subpoena that demanded documents relating to the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry from his by a deadline of today. |
| State department official George Kent is still testifying behind closed doors on Capitol Hill in the impeachment inquiry. | State department official George Kent is still testifying behind closed doors on Capitol Hill in the impeachment inquiry. |
| The parents of British teenager Harry Dunn, who died in a car crash involving the wife of a US diplomat, who then fled to America under the cloak of diplomatic immunity, were due to have a meeting at the White House this afternoon. Further details are yet to emerge, so stay tuned. | The parents of British teenager Harry Dunn, who died in a car crash involving the wife of a US diplomat, who then fled to America under the cloak of diplomatic immunity, were due to have a meeting at the White House this afternoon. Further details are yet to emerge, so stay tuned. |
| Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Ankara tomorrow, leading a US delegation to try to pressure the Turkish government to ceasefire and halt its aggressive military action in the Kurdish region of north-eastern Syria. | Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Ankara tomorrow, leading a US delegation to try to pressure the Turkish government to ceasefire and halt its aggressive military action in the Kurdish region of north-eastern Syria. |
| This is in addition to sanctions announced against Turkey by the president yesterday. | This is in addition to sanctions announced against Turkey by the president yesterday. |
| As a reminder, here’s what Republican Mitt Romney had to say about Donald Trump’s decision to pull US troops from that area, where they had allied with Kurdish forces to attack ISIS and keep hostile Turkish and semi-hostile Syrian forces at bay. | As a reminder, here’s what Republican Mitt Romney had to say about Donald Trump’s decision to pull US troops from that area, where they had allied with Kurdish forces to attack ISIS and keep hostile Turkish and semi-hostile Syrian forces at bay. |
| Reports indicate Turkey is predictably attacking the Kurdish allies we abandoned. It’s a tragic loss of life among friends shamefully betrayed. We can only hope the President’s decision does not lead to even greater loss of life and a resurgence of ISIS. | Reports indicate Turkey is predictably attacking the Kurdish allies we abandoned. It’s a tragic loss of life among friends shamefully betrayed. We can only hope the President’s decision does not lead to even greater loss of life and a resurgence of ISIS. |
| Last week Romney issued a bipartisan statement with Democratic Senator Chris Murphy. | Last week Romney issued a bipartisan statement with Democratic Senator Chris Murphy. |
| And today, Murphy issued a fresh statement that read, in part: “No one but Trump is to blame for the chaos Turkey has unleashed in Syria, and we all need to acknowledge it will be difficult to put the genie back in the bottle at this point. It’s absurd that Trump is now sanctioning Turkey for an invasion that he invited and announced. | And today, Murphy issued a fresh statement that read, in part: “No one but Trump is to blame for the chaos Turkey has unleashed in Syria, and we all need to acknowledge it will be difficult to put the genie back in the bottle at this point. It’s absurd that Trump is now sanctioning Turkey for an invasion that he invited and announced. |
| “Congress now has a decision to make: do something in haste that makes us feel powerful or do something strategic that accounts for the fact that much of the harm Trump has done cannot be reversed...Congress needs to make sure America does its part to alleviate the humanitarian nightmare caused by Trump’s unconscionable double crossing of the Kurds.” | “Congress now has a decision to make: do something in haste that makes us feel powerful or do something strategic that accounts for the fact that much of the harm Trump has done cannot be reversed...Congress needs to make sure America does its part to alleviate the humanitarian nightmare caused by Trump’s unconscionable double crossing of the Kurds.” |
| He also called for Congress to require the Trump administration to take increased numbers of Kurdish refugees into the United States, and provide countries such as Iraq with humanitarian aid to help deal with a new influx of refugees. | He also called for Congress to require the Trump administration to take increased numbers of Kurdish refugees into the United States, and provide countries such as Iraq with humanitarian aid to help deal with a new influx of refugees. |
| Rudy Giuliani has formally notified the House that he won’t submit documents requested by the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry, which had a deadline of today. | Rudy Giuliani has formally notified the House that he won’t submit documents requested by the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry, which had a deadline of today. |
| In the letter to the relevant committee chairmen from his erstwhile lawyer, Jon Sale, the inquiry is condemned as “an unconstitutional, baseless and illegitimate ‘impeachment inquiry’” and that the subpoena is “overbroad and unduly burdensome”. | In the letter to the relevant committee chairmen from his erstwhile lawyer, Jon Sale, the inquiry is condemned as “an unconstitutional, baseless and illegitimate ‘impeachment inquiry’” and that the subpoena is “overbroad and unduly burdensome”. |
| The government budget office has also just said that it will not comply with the demand for documents, either. | The government budget office has also just said that it will not comply with the demand for documents, either. |
| The subpoena issued to the office of management and budget related to the delay in military funds to Ukraine. | The subpoena issued to the office of management and budget related to the delay in military funds to Ukraine. |
| Trump-Ukraine impeachment scandal: timeline of key events | Trump-Ukraine impeachment scandal: timeline of key events |
| That issue is at the heart of the impeachment inquiry, in relation to allegations that Donald Trump held back congressionally-approved aid to Ukraine as a form of pressure to persuade the new president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, to investigate Trump’s Democratic rival, Joe Biden, and son Hunter Biden. | That issue is at the heart of the impeachment inquiry, in relation to allegations that Donald Trump held back congressionally-approved aid to Ukraine as a form of pressure to persuade the new president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, to investigate Trump’s Democratic rival, Joe Biden, and son Hunter Biden. |
| Article 1 of the United States constitution gives the House of Representatives the sole power to initiate impeachment and the Senate the sole power to try impeachments of the president. A president can be impeached if they are judged to have committed "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors" – although the constitution does not specify what “high crimes and misdemeanors” are. | Article 1 of the United States constitution gives the House of Representatives the sole power to initiate impeachment and the Senate the sole power to try impeachments of the president. A president can be impeached if they are judged to have committed "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors" – although the constitution does not specify what “high crimes and misdemeanors” are. |
| The process starts with the House of Representatives passing articles of impeachment. A simple majority of members need to vote in favour of impeachment for it to pass to the next stage. Democrats currently control the house, with 235 representatives. | The process starts with the House of Representatives passing articles of impeachment. A simple majority of members need to vote in favour of impeachment for it to pass to the next stage. Democrats currently control the house, with 235 representatives. |
| The chief justice of the US supreme court then presides over the proceedings in the Senate, where the president is tried, with senators acting as the jury. For the president to be found guilty two-thirds of senators must vote to convict. Republicans currently control the Senate, with 53 of the 100 senators. | The chief justice of the US supreme court then presides over the proceedings in the Senate, where the president is tried, with senators acting as the jury. For the president to be found guilty two-thirds of senators must vote to convict. Republicans currently control the Senate, with 53 of the 100 senators. |
| Two presidents have previously been impeached, Bill Clinton in 1998, and Andrew Johnson in 1868, though neither was removed from office as a result. Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before there was a formal vote to impeach him. | Two presidents have previously been impeached, Bill Clinton in 1998, and Andrew Johnson in 1868, though neither was removed from office as a result. Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before there was a formal vote to impeach him. |
| Martin Belam | Martin Belam |
| Giuliani stonewalls | Giuliani stonewalls |
| And sticking with Giuliani, subpoenas and lawyers... | And sticking with Giuliani, subpoenas and lawyers... |
| Rudy Giuliani parted ways today with his attorney Jon Sale. | Rudy Giuliani parted ways today with his attorney Jon Sale. |
| Rudy Giuliani is parting ways with the personal attorney representing him so far in matters related to the impeachment inquiry. Giuliani confirmed to CNN Tuesday that his current attorney, Jon Sale, is ending his representation of the former New York City mayor shortly. | Rudy Giuliani is parting ways with the personal attorney representing him so far in matters related to the impeachment inquiry. Giuliani confirmed to CNN Tuesday that his current attorney, Jon Sale, is ending his representation of the former New York City mayor shortly. |
| But, apparently on the cusp of not being his lawyer, Sale put his pen to this refusal of Giuliani to comply with the congressional subpoena seeking documents in the impeachment inquiry. | But, apparently on the cusp of not being his lawyer, Sale put his pen to this refusal of Giuliani to comply with the congressional subpoena seeking documents in the impeachment inquiry. |
| JUST IN: Here’s the letter from GIULIANI’s (now former) attorney denying the House’s subpoena for documents. Calls the request “unduly burdensome.” pic.twitter.com/bMXkeJFtvD | JUST IN: Here’s the letter from GIULIANI’s (now former) attorney denying the House’s subpoena for documents. Calls the request “unduly burdensome.” pic.twitter.com/bMXkeJFtvD |
| Sale, former Watergate prosecutor and a former assistant US attorney in the Southern District of New York, was only hired a couple of weeks ago. | Sale, former Watergate prosecutor and a former assistant US attorney in the Southern District of New York, was only hired a couple of weeks ago. |
| Rudy Giuliani was paid $500,000 for work he did for a company co-founded by the Ukrainian-American businessman arrested last week on campaign finance charges, Giuliani has told Reuters today. | Rudy Giuliani was paid $500,000 for work he did for a company co-founded by the Ukrainian-American businessman arrested last week on campaign finance charges, Giuliani has told Reuters today. |
| The businessman, Lev Parnas, is a close associate of Giuliani and was involved in his effort to investigate Trump’s political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden. | The businessman, Lev Parnas, is a close associate of Giuliani and was involved in his effort to investigate Trump’s political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden. |
| Giuliani said Parnas’ company, “Fraud Guarantee”, based in Boca Raton, Florida, whose website says it aims to help clients “reduce and mitigate fraud”, engaged Giuliani Partners, a management and security consulting firm, around August 2018. | Giuliani said Parnas’ company, “Fraud Guarantee”, based in Boca Raton, Florida, whose website says it aims to help clients “reduce and mitigate fraud”, engaged Giuliani Partners, a management and security consulting firm, around August 2018. |
| Giuliani said he was hired to consult on Fraud Guarantee’s technologies and provide legal advice on regulatory issues. | Giuliani said he was hired to consult on Fraud Guarantee’s technologies and provide legal advice on regulatory issues. |
| Federal prosecutors are “examining Giuliani’s interactions” with Parnas and another Giuliani associate, Igor Fruman, who was also indicted on campaign finance charges, a law enforcement source told Reuters on Sunday. | Federal prosecutors are “examining Giuliani’s interactions” with Parnas and another Giuliani associate, Igor Fruman, who was also indicted on campaign finance charges, a law enforcement source told Reuters on Sunday. |
| The New York Times reported last week that Parnas had told associates he paid Giuliani hundreds of thousands of dollars for what Giuliani said was business and legal advice. Giuliani said for the first time on Monday that the total amount was $500,000. | The New York Times reported last week that Parnas had told associates he paid Giuliani hundreds of thousands of dollars for what Giuliani said was business and legal advice. Giuliani said for the first time on Monday that the total amount was $500,000. |
| Giuliani told Reuters the money came in two payments made within weeks of each other. He said he could not recall the dates of the payments. He said most of the work he did for Fraud Guarantee was completed in 2018 but that he had been doing follow-up for over a year. | Giuliani told Reuters the money came in two payments made within weeks of each other. He said he could not recall the dates of the payments. He said most of the work he did for Fraud Guarantee was completed in 2018 but that he had been doing follow-up for over a year. |
| Parnas and Fruman were arrested at Dulles Airport outside Washington last week on charges they funneled foreign money to unnamed U.S. politicians in a bid to influence US-Ukraine relations in violation of US campaign finance laws. The men were preparing to board a plane to Europe. | Parnas and Fruman were arrested at Dulles Airport outside Washington last week on charges they funneled foreign money to unnamed U.S. politicians in a bid to influence US-Ukraine relations in violation of US campaign finance laws. The men were preparing to board a plane to Europe. |
| Foreign nationals are prohibited from making contributions and other expenditures in connection with US elections, and from making contributions in someone else’s name. | Foreign nationals are prohibited from making contributions and other expenditures in connection with US elections, and from making contributions in someone else’s name. |
| Giuliani would not say where the money came from, only adding: “I know beyond any doubt the source of the money is not any questionable source. The money did not come from foreigners. I can rule that out 100%.” | Giuliani would not say where the money came from, only adding: “I know beyond any doubt the source of the money is not any questionable source. The money did not come from foreigners. I can rule that out 100%.” |
| Subpoena deadlines today | Subpoena deadlines today |
| Rudy Giuliani has a deadline of today to turn over documents related to the impeachment inquiry, after he was subpoenaed, aka legally ordered, to do so last month. | Rudy Giuliani has a deadline of today to turn over documents related to the impeachment inquiry, after he was subpoenaed, aka legally ordered, to do so last month. |
| The three House committees leading the inquiry, intelligence, foreign affairs and oversight, demanded the material from Giuliani, alleging that he “pressed the Ukrainian government to pursue two politically motivated investigations.” | The three House committees leading the inquiry, intelligence, foreign affairs and oversight, demanded the material from Giuliani, alleging that he “pressed the Ukrainian government to pursue two politically motivated investigations.” |
| The chances of him turning over the material on deadline are, perhaps, slim to medium, given that he has been scathing about the political integrity of the inquiry. | The chances of him turning over the material on deadline are, perhaps, slim to medium, given that he has been scathing about the political integrity of the inquiry. |
| Vice president Mike Pence has also been subpoenaed to submit documents by today, and the chances of him doing so appear to be slim to zero. | Vice president Mike Pence has also been subpoenaed to submit documents by today, and the chances of him doing so appear to be slim to zero. |
| And defense secretary Mark Esper, likewise, has a today deadline to comply with a subpoena for related documents from the Pentagon, and has indicated the department will cooperate. | And defense secretary Mark Esper, likewise, has a today deadline to comply with a subpoena for related documents from the Pentagon, and has indicated the department will cooperate. |
| However, he added on Fox News Sunday at the weekend that Donald Trump and other officials may yet create complications for the compliance | However, he added on Fox News Sunday at the weekend that Donald Trump and other officials may yet create complications for the compliance |
| “I don’t know what restrictions we may have internally in regard to releasing them,” Esper said. “The White House has a say on the release of documents as well.” | “I don’t know what restrictions we may have internally in regard to releasing them,” Esper said. “The White House has a say on the release of documents as well.” |
| As state department official George Kent continues his testimony behind closed doors to the House intelligence committee on Capitol Hill, crumbs of info are tumbling out in the ongoing impeachment inquiry. | As state department official George Kent continues his testimony behind closed doors to the House intelligence committee on Capitol Hill, crumbs of info are tumbling out in the ongoing impeachment inquiry. |
| Kent said he warned colleagues as far back as March, the New York Times reports, about Donald Trump’s personal lawyer/human “hand grenade” Rudy Giuliani’s role in what Kent described as a “disinformation” campaign - using a Ukrainian prosecutor to smear Trump’s Democratic rival in the 2020 presidential race, Joe Biden, and the ousted ambassador to the Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch. | Kent said he warned colleagues as far back as March, the New York Times reports, about Donald Trump’s personal lawyer/human “hand grenade” Rudy Giuliani’s role in what Kent described as a “disinformation” campaign - using a Ukrainian prosecutor to smear Trump’s Democratic rival in the 2020 presidential race, Joe Biden, and the ousted ambassador to the Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch. |
| Yovanovitch, who was reportedly told that she had “done nothing wrong” but was being withdrawn from her post anyway (following an apparent political campaign against her because she was seen as anti-Trump - and possibly, for those on the make in the swamp, too zealously anti-corruption) defied White House non-cooperation with the impeachment inquiry and testified in Washington last week. | Yovanovitch, who was reportedly told that she had “done nothing wrong” but was being withdrawn from her post anyway (following an apparent political campaign against her because she was seen as anti-Trump - and possibly, for those on the make in the swamp, too zealously anti-corruption) defied White House non-cooperation with the impeachment inquiry and testified in Washington last week. |
| NEW: GEORGE KENT, a career @StateDept official who is now testifying on the Hill, warned colleagues as far back as March about RUDY GIULIANI's role in what he called a “disinformation” campaign using a Ukrainian prosecutor to smear BIDEN, YOVANOVITCH, etc. https://t.co/KvMLoN2AoY | NEW: GEORGE KENT, a career @StateDept official who is now testifying on the Hill, warned colleagues as far back as March about RUDY GIULIANI's role in what he called a “disinformation” campaign using a Ukrainian prosecutor to smear BIDEN, YOVANOVITCH, etc. https://t.co/KvMLoN2AoY |
| Warren goes full-on SNL | Warren goes full-on SNL |
| Democratic front-runner Elizabeth Warren is on an absolute tweet storm today, linking America’s big dollar election donation system corrupt, calling out pay-for-play - and taking full advantage of comedy actor Kate McKinnon’s most recent depiction of her on Saturday Night Live. | Democratic front-runner Elizabeth Warren is on an absolute tweet storm today, linking America’s big dollar election donation system corrupt, calling out pay-for-play - and taking full advantage of comedy actor Kate McKinnon’s most recent depiction of her on Saturday Night Live. |
| McKinnon has Warren’s bright-eyed, brisk and breathless earnestness down and raised laughs with her impression of the Senator and 2020 candidate’s tactic of calling small-dollar donors personally to thank them for giving to her campaign. | McKinnon has Warren’s bright-eyed, brisk and breathless earnestness down and raised laughs with her impression of the Senator and 2020 candidate’s tactic of calling small-dollar donors personally to thank them for giving to her campaign. |
| But for Warren, 70, it’s pure gold. | But for Warren, 70, it’s pure gold. |
| I don't spend call time asking rich donors to throw big dollar fundraisers or underwrite my campaign. My call time is spent with grassroots donors, thanking them for chipping in whatever they can. Mind if I make just a few more? pic.twitter.com/TDo9EkNpA1 | I don't spend call time asking rich donors to throw big dollar fundraisers or underwrite my campaign. My call time is spent with grassroots donors, thanking them for chipping in whatever they can. Mind if I make just a few more? pic.twitter.com/TDo9EkNpA1 |
| Action in the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry is taking place behind closed doors today, so we’ll wait breathlessly for any revelations via participating lawmakers on Capitol Hill committees taking testimony from state department official George Kent. | Action in the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry is taking place behind closed doors today, so we’ll wait breathlessly for any revelations via participating lawmakers on Capitol Hill committees taking testimony from state department official George Kent. |
| Meanwhile, there is plenty else afoot in US politics. | Meanwhile, there is plenty else afoot in US politics. |
| The British parents of 19-year-old Harry Dunn have suddenly been invited to the White House this afternoon in connection with the diplomatic row over their son’s death in August. | The British parents of 19-year-old Harry Dunn have suddenly been invited to the White House this afternoon in connection with the diplomatic row over their son’s death in August. |
| Kent is just one of a string of key witnesses testifying behind closed doors in Congress this week, much to Donald Trump’s chagrin. | Kent is just one of a string of key witnesses testifying behind closed doors in Congress this week, much to Donald Trump’s chagrin. |
| The US Congress is back in session after a two week recess. Apart from impeachment action in the House, Senate Democrats aim to force votes on a number of issues, including the climate crisis and gun control. | The US Congress is back in session after a two week recess. Apart from impeachment action in the House, Senate Democrats aim to force votes on a number of issues, including the climate crisis and gun control. |
| Elizabeth Warren will be hoping to cement her position as Democratic front-runner in the primary debate in Ohio tonight - only just over a year to the presidential election now! And how will Bernie Sanders do, just coming back from a heart attack? In an unprecedented format, it’s one stage, one night 12 candidates tonight. The Guardian’s crack team of politics reporter Lauren Gambino and live blogger Joan Greve will be there. National affairs correspondent Tom McCarthy will train his eagle-eye from New York and bring you the main “take aways”. | Elizabeth Warren will be hoping to cement her position as Democratic front-runner in the primary debate in Ohio tonight - only just over a year to the presidential election now! And how will Bernie Sanders do, just coming back from a heart attack? In an unprecedented format, it’s one stage, one night 12 candidates tonight. The Guardian’s crack team of politics reporter Lauren Gambino and live blogger Joan Greve will be there. National affairs correspondent Tom McCarthy will train his eagle-eye from New York and bring you the main “take aways”. |
| As US troops are pulling back from Kurdish territory in north-eastern Syria, Russian forces are moving in amid violence and extreme tension between Turkish, Kurdish and Syrian interests, in a pickle that threatens a new wave of Middle Eastern geo-political instability. | As US troops are pulling back from Kurdish territory in north-eastern Syria, Russian forces are moving in amid violence and extreme tension between Turkish, Kurdish and Syrian interests, in a pickle that threatens a new wave of Middle Eastern geo-political instability. |