This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2019/oct/16/trump-news-today-live-elizabeth-warren-bernie-sanders-impeachment-latest
The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 12 | Version 13 |
|---|---|
| House votes to condemn Trump's Syria withdrawal – live news | |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell is planning to keep the chamber in session six days a week to conclude an impeachment trial against Trump by the end of the year, the Kentucky Republican told reporters on Capitol Hill. | |
| Politico has more: | |
| McConnell told Senate Republicans on Wednesday that he expects Speaker Nancy Pelosi to approve articles of impeachment as early as Thanksgiving, according to five people familiar with Wednesday’s party lunch. McConnell then surmised that the Senate could deal with the trial by Christmas, concluding the impeachment proceedings before the Democratic presidential primaries begin. | |
| While they said there’s no deal between Pelosi and McConnell, Republican senators believe it’s in both parties’ interest to move quickly. ... | |
| McConnell’s comments and PowerPoint presentation on Wednesday were in part an acknowledgment that impeachment is exceedingly likely to come to the Senate, and much of the discussion centered on the ins and outs of Senate procedure. | |
| McConnell told senators they would be unable to speak during the trial and that only the chief justice of the Supreme Court, the president’s defenders and the House managers could talk, said one person familiar with the meeting. | |
| The blog is following news on multiple fronts right now. In addition to the House vote to condemn Trump’s withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria, there is impeachment-related news. | The blog is following news on multiple fronts right now. In addition to the House vote to condemn Trump’s withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria, there is impeachment-related news. |
| Michael McKinley, the former senior adviser to secretary of state Mike Pompeo, has concluded his closed-door testimony after speaking to House investigators for about five hours. | Michael McKinley, the former senior adviser to secretary of state Mike Pompeo, has concluded his closed-door testimony after speaking to House investigators for about five hours. |
| McKinley, former senior adviser to Pompeo, departs closed door impeachment inquiry deposition after about 5 hours pic.twitter.com/hufFd1Y8gm | McKinley, former senior adviser to Pompeo, departs closed door impeachment inquiry deposition after about 5 hours pic.twitter.com/hufFd1Y8gm |
| McKinley reportedly told lawmakers that he was disappointed in Pompeo’s silence as far-right commentators smeared the reputation of Maria Yovanovitch, the former US ambassador to Ukraine. | McKinley reportedly told lawmakers that he was disappointed in Pompeo’s silence as far-right commentators smeared the reputation of Maria Yovanovitch, the former US ambassador to Ukraine. |
| It’s worth noting, given how partisan congressional politics have become, that about two-thirds of House Republicans voted to condemn Trump’s withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria. | It’s worth noting, given how partisan congressional politics have become, that about two-thirds of House Republicans voted to condemn Trump’s withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria. |
| The Republicans who backed the president’s widely criticized decision largely come from some of the most conservative districts in the country. | The Republicans who backed the president’s widely criticized decision largely come from some of the most conservative districts in the country. |
| Here’s the roll call vote on a resolution opposing the U.S. abandoning Kurdish forces in Syria. Adopted 354-60, with four members voting present.The 60 Republicans who voted with Trump are, by and large, from some pretty Trump-y districts.https://t.co/bgB55au2dN pic.twitter.com/JDhDKYdvHm | Here’s the roll call vote on a resolution opposing the U.S. abandoning Kurdish forces in Syria. Adopted 354-60, with four members voting present.The 60 Republicans who voted with Trump are, by and large, from some pretty Trump-y districts.https://t.co/bgB55au2dN pic.twitter.com/JDhDKYdvHm |
| Meanwhile, senator Lindsey Graham, who is usually closely aligned with the president, is pleading with Trump to listen to his national security team and reconsider his stance on Syria. | Meanwhile, senator Lindsey Graham, who is usually closely aligned with the president, is pleading with Trump to listen to his national security team and reconsider his stance on Syria. |
| Mr. President, forget about what I’m saying about Syria. Listen to your own national security team who are telling you the consequences of your decision and the impact it will have on our nation. | Mr. President, forget about what I’m saying about Syria. Listen to your own national security team who are telling you the consequences of your decision and the impact it will have on our nation. |
| House speaker Nancy Pelosi is also complaining that the administration has canceled a classified briefing for lawmakers on the situation in Syria. | House speaker Nancy Pelosi is also complaining that the administration has canceled a classified briefing for lawmakers on the situation in Syria. |
| I am deeply concerned that the White House has canceled an all-Member classified briefing on the dangerous situation the President has caused in Syria, denying the Congress its right to be informed as it makes decisions about our national security. | I am deeply concerned that the White House has canceled an all-Member classified briefing on the dangerous situation the President has caused in Syria, denying the Congress its right to be informed as it makes decisions about our national security. |
| The House vote to condemn Trump’s troop withdrawal from northern Syria came just hours after the president called the widely criticized decision “strategically brilliant.” | The House vote to condemn Trump’s troop withdrawal from northern Syria came just hours after the president called the widely criticized decision “strategically brilliant.” |
| Wild splitscreen right now as Trump essentially brags about his Syria decision as Republican and Democratic House members are literally lining up on the floor to condemn it | Wild splitscreen right now as Trump essentially brags about his Syria decision as Republican and Democratic House members are literally lining up on the floor to condemn it |
| Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate majority leader, also opened his weekly press conference by thanking the Kurds shortly after Trump said the American allies were “no angels.” | Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate majority leader, also opened his weekly press conference by thanking the Kurds shortly after Trump said the American allies were “no angels.” |
| After @realDonaldTrump says Kurds are “no angels,” @senatemajldr McConnell opens weekly presser w/this:“I want to express my gratitude to the Kurds. We had a great alliance...I’m sorry that we are where we are. I hope the VP and the Sec of State can somehow repair the damage.” | After @realDonaldTrump says Kurds are “no angels,” @senatemajldr McConnell opens weekly presser w/this:“I want to express my gratitude to the Kurds. We had a great alliance...I’m sorry that we are where we are. I hope the VP and the Sec of State can somehow repair the damage.” |
| The distinctly different messaging coming from Trump and congressional Republicans on this crucial matter of foreign policy could threaten the party unification that the president desperately needs in order to ward off impeachment. | The distinctly different messaging coming from Trump and congressional Republicans on this crucial matter of foreign policy could threaten the party unification that the president desperately needs in order to ward off impeachment. |
| In a rare showing of bipartisan agreement, the House has just overwhelmingly voted to condemn Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria. | In a rare showing of bipartisan agreement, the House has just overwhelmingly voted to condemn Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria. |
| The final vote was 354-60. | The final vote was 354-60. |
| Representative Eliot Engel, the Democratic chairman of the House foreign affairs committee who introduced the resolution, said: “At President Trump’s hands, American leadership has been laid low, and American foreign policy has become nothing more than a tool to advance his own interests. | Representative Eliot Engel, the Democratic chairman of the House foreign affairs committee who introduced the resolution, said: “At President Trump’s hands, American leadership has been laid low, and American foreign policy has become nothing more than a tool to advance his own interests. |
| “Today we make clear that the Congress is a coequal branch of government and we want nothing to do with this disastrous policy.” | “Today we make clear that the Congress is a coequal branch of government and we want nothing to do with this disastrous policy.” |
| Federal authorities investigating ties between Rudy Giuliani and allegedly corrupt Ukrainian figures are reportedly exploring whether those wealthy foreigners tried to exploit their connection to the president’s personal lawyer to gain political influence. | Federal authorities investigating ties between Rudy Giuliani and allegedly corrupt Ukrainian figures are reportedly exploring whether those wealthy foreigners tried to exploit their connection to the president’s personal lawyer to gain political influence. |
| CNN reports: | CNN reports: |
| Kenneth McCallion, a New York attorney, says that investigators first approached him earlier this year to ask about Giuliani’s ties to Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, two Giuliani associates indicted last week on campaign-finance related charges. | Kenneth McCallion, a New York attorney, says that investigators first approached him earlier this year to ask about Giuliani’s ties to Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, two Giuliani associates indicted last week on campaign-finance related charges. |
| McCallion says FBI counterintelligence agents in February or March asked questions about some of Giuliani’s Ukrainian business dealings. | McCallion says FBI counterintelligence agents in February or March asked questions about some of Giuliani’s Ukrainian business dealings. |
| The counterintelligence probe hinges in part on whether a foreign influence operation was trying to take advantage of Giuliani’s business ties in Ukraine and with wealthy foreigners to make inroads with the White House, according to one person briefed on the matter. | The counterintelligence probe hinges in part on whether a foreign influence operation was trying to take advantage of Giuliani’s business ties in Ukraine and with wealthy foreigners to make inroads with the White House, according to one person briefed on the matter. |
| Bill Taylor asked to testify | Bill Taylor asked to testify |
| House Democratic committee leaders have asked Bill Taylor, acting ambassador to Ukraine, to appear for a Congressional deposition next week. | House Democratic committee leaders have asked Bill Taylor, acting ambassador to Ukraine, to appear for a Congressional deposition next week. |
| NEWS: State Dept. official Bill Taylor has been asked to appear at a deposition next TUESDAY, according to the letter obtained by NBC News w/ @HeidiNBC Taylor is critical to Dems case. He wrote in a text that it was “crazy” to hold military aid for a political investigation pic.twitter.com/CKjN9I2vBT | NEWS: State Dept. official Bill Taylor has been asked to appear at a deposition next TUESDAY, according to the letter obtained by NBC News w/ @HeidiNBC Taylor is critical to Dems case. He wrote in a text that it was “crazy” to hold military aid for a political investigation pic.twitter.com/CKjN9I2vBT |
| Taylor, a career diplomat, will likely be a critical piece to the House’s impeachment investigation. “I think it’s crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign,” Taylor wrote in messages between US and Ukraine diplomatic officials that were released earlier this month. | Taylor, a career diplomat, will likely be a critical piece to the House’s impeachment investigation. “I think it’s crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign,” Taylor wrote in messages between US and Ukraine diplomatic officials that were released earlier this month. |
| Kurds are ‘no angels’ | Kurds are ‘no angels’ |
| Trump laid out some bewildering talking points about Turkey at the White House press conference with Italian president Sergio Mattarella just moments ago. | Trump laid out some bewildering talking points about Turkey at the White House press conference with Italian president Sergio Mattarella just moments ago. |
| Besides saying the Kurdish PKK is worse than Isis, the president was asked about whether he was concerned about the spread of Isis. He continued to defend his decision to pull troops by saying the Kurds are “no angels”. | Besides saying the Kurdish PKK is worse than Isis, the president was asked about whether he was concerned about the spread of Isis. He continued to defend his decision to pull troops by saying the Kurds are “no angels”. |
| Trump: "I'm not going to get involved in a war between Turkey and Syria... If you look at the Kurds, I say this with great respect, they're no angels." We've paid a tremendous amount of money to the Kurds. | Trump: "I'm not going to get involved in a war between Turkey and Syria... If you look at the Kurds, I say this with great respect, they're no angels." We've paid a tremendous amount of money to the Kurds. |
| Trump also hit back at his allies-turned-critics, particularly Lindsey Graham, who publicly criticized Trump’s decision. | Trump also hit back at his allies-turned-critics, particularly Lindsey Graham, who publicly criticized Trump’s decision. |
| Trump: "Lindsey Graham would like to stay in the Middle East for the next thousand years... I think Lindsey should focus on judiciary... That's what the people of South Carolina want him to focus on." | Trump: "Lindsey Graham would like to stay in the Middle East for the next thousand years... I think Lindsey should focus on judiciary... That's what the people of South Carolina want him to focus on." |
| Trump: PKK is ‘worse than Isis’ | Trump: PKK is ‘worse than Isis’ |
| Donald Trump is speaking at a press conference at the White House now with Italian President Sergio Mattarella. | Donald Trump is speaking at a press conference at the White House now with Italian President Sergio Mattarella. |
| In remarks, Trump defended his decision to pull troops from northern Syria saying that the Kurdish PKK, which had been receiving US support, is “worse at terror and more of a terrorist threat, in many ways, than Isis”. | In remarks, Trump defended his decision to pull troops from northern Syria saying that the Kurdish PKK, which had been receiving US support, is “worse at terror and more of a terrorist threat, in many ways, than Isis”. |
| Trump: "The PKK, which is a part of the Kurds...is probably worse at terror, more of a terrorist threat in many ways, than ISIS." (?) | Trump: "The PKK, which is a part of the Kurds...is probably worse at terror, more of a terrorist threat in many ways, than ISIS." (?) |
| ProPublica got their hands on documents that show Donald Trump’s company gave a lender and New York City tax authorities two different set of numbers for two of the company’s Manhattan buildings – 40 Wall Street and the Trump International Hotel and Tower. | ProPublica got their hands on documents that show Donald Trump’s company gave a lender and New York City tax authorities two different set of numbers for two of the company’s Manhattan buildings – 40 Wall Street and the Trump International Hotel and Tower. |
| The documents show questionable differences in some expense, profit and occupancy figures. For example, the company told lenders that 40 Wall Street was 58.9% leased in 2012 but then rose to 95% a few years later. It told tax officials the building was 81% leased in 2013. | The documents show questionable differences in some expense, profit and occupancy figures. For example, the company told lenders that 40 Wall Street was 58.9% leased in 2012 but then rose to 95% a few years later. It told tax officials the building was 81% leased in 2013. |
| Trump’s company technically doesn’t own 40 Wall Street, rather it pays the wealthy German family that owns it a sum of money to rent it out to tenants. In 2015, Trump’s company told tax authorities that it paid the family $1.65 million to use the building, while it told told lenders it paid $1.24 million the same year. | Trump’s company technically doesn’t own 40 Wall Street, rather it pays the wealthy German family that owns it a sum of money to rent it out to tenants. In 2015, Trump’s company told tax authorities that it paid the family $1.65 million to use the building, while it told told lenders it paid $1.24 million the same year. |
| Don Jr.’s girlfriend says he ‘likes it when I play nurse’ | Don Jr.’s girlfriend says he ‘likes it when I play nurse’ |
| Kimberly Guilfoyle, Donald Trump Jr.’s girlfriend, who joined Trump’s reelection campaign in April as a senior advisor, said at a Texas panel discussion support Trump’s reelection that Don Jr. “likes it when I play nurse,” according to a report from the Washington Examiner. | Kimberly Guilfoyle, Donald Trump Jr.’s girlfriend, who joined Trump’s reelection campaign in April as a senior advisor, said at a Texas panel discussion support Trump’s reelection that Don Jr. “likes it when I play nurse,” according to a report from the Washington Examiner. |
| “I know Donald Trump Jr. a little better, let’s just get that out of the way right now,” she told the crowd. | “I know Donald Trump Jr. a little better, let’s just get that out of the way right now,” she told the crowd. |
| Try to hold on to your lunch because ewww. | Try to hold on to your lunch because ewww. |
| Giuliani associate turned himself in | Giuliani associate turned himself in |
| Back to our last post on the arrest of David Correia, an associate of Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Correia was arrested at a New York City airport this morning for breaking campaign finance laws, and reports said Correia flew into New York to turn himself in. | Back to our last post on the arrest of David Correia, an associate of Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Correia was arrested at a New York City airport this morning for breaking campaign finance laws, and reports said Correia flew into New York to turn himself in. |
| Correia joins two men, both associated with Giuliani, who were charged with making illegal contributions to a political action committee supporting Trump in hopes of getting support for a recreational marijuana business. | Correia joins two men, both associated with Giuliani, who were charged with making illegal contributions to a political action committee supporting Trump in hopes of getting support for a recreational marijuana business. |
| Giuliani has said he has no knowledge of illegal donations. The four defendants are expected to appear in federal court tomorrow. | Giuliani has said he has no knowledge of illegal donations. The four defendants are expected to appear in federal court tomorrow. |
| Here is video of that exchange between Biden and Warren. | Here is video of that exchange between Biden and Warren. |
| Perhaps the most memorable moment of the debate was a split-second pause delivered by US senator and Democratic hopeful Elizabeth Warren. | Perhaps the most memorable moment of the debate was a split-second pause delivered by US senator and Democratic hopeful Elizabeth Warren. |
| Former vice president Joe Biden had just cut into Warren detailing her accomplishments, raising his voice and pointing a hand toward her: “I went on the floor and got you votes! I got votes for that bill!” | Former vice president Joe Biden had just cut into Warren detailing her accomplishments, raising his voice and pointing a hand toward her: “I went on the floor and got you votes! I got votes for that bill!” |
| Biden’s interjection – his interruption of Warren to give credit to himself – was met with eyerolls on Twitter. | Biden’s interjection – his interruption of Warren to give credit to himself – was met with eyerolls on Twitter. |
| joe biden: i did it, you owe me everything. elizabeth warren: pic.twitter.com/UTUVtiUzUn | joe biden: i did it, you owe me everything. elizabeth warren: pic.twitter.com/UTUVtiUzUn |
| Elizabeth Warren having to talk slow and quiet to Biden like you do the aggressive asshole at your job who is all, "I MADE YOU" is making my PTSD act up. | Elizabeth Warren having to talk slow and quiet to Biden like you do the aggressive asshole at your job who is all, "I MADE YOU" is making my PTSD act up. |
| Turns out Biden’s role in the creation of the CFPB was negligible at best. Not worth the interjection that, for many, came off as mansplaining. | Turns out Biden’s role in the creation of the CFPB was negligible at best. Not worth the interjection that, for many, came off as mansplaining. |
| The fact that Biden yelled at Warren, “I got you the votes!” speaks to everything we know about peak white male fragility. #DemDebate | The fact that Biden yelled at Warren, “I got you the votes!” speaks to everything we know about peak white male fragility. #DemDebate |
| Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg is on the attack following last night’s debate – a shift in position for the mayor who largely avoided attacking his rivals. | Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg is on the attack following last night’s debate – a shift in position for the mayor who largely avoided attacking his rivals. |
| Pete Buttigieg, continuing his criticism of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, says his 2020 rival has been "more specific and forthcoming about the number of selfies she's taken" than about laying out details of how she'd pay for "Medicare for All." https://t.co/nzy3E5BYfV | Pete Buttigieg, continuing his criticism of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, says his 2020 rival has been "more specific and forthcoming about the number of selfies she's taken" than about laying out details of how she'd pay for "Medicare for All." https://t.co/nzy3E5BYfV |
| Buttigieg got a lot of early interest by saying things like “the compromise position is single payer” and “Republicans are going to call us socialists anyway.” It’s a real question whether the same voters who liked that approach will like his new one. https://t.co/Yu2tQfbUSr | Buttigieg got a lot of early interest by saying things like “the compromise position is single payer” and “Republicans are going to call us socialists anyway.” It’s a real question whether the same voters who liked that approach will like his new one. https://t.co/Yu2tQfbUSr |
| Just to add on to our earlier post – Trump said his troop withdrawal from northern Syria would leave the conflict between Syria and Turkey. What we didn’t catch earlier was his comment that the Kurds are “not angels”. | Just to add on to our earlier post – Trump said his troop withdrawal from northern Syria would leave the conflict between Syria and Turkey. What we didn’t catch earlier was his comment that the Kurds are “not angels”. |
| "It's not our problem," Trump says in Oval Office of Turkey's invasion into Syria. He adds that the Kurds are "not angels." Also, he says this: "They've got a lot of sand over there.... There's a lot of sand they can play with." | "It's not our problem," Trump says in Oval Office of Turkey's invasion into Syria. He adds that the Kurds are "not angels." Also, he says this: "They've got a lot of sand over there.... There's a lot of sand they can play with." |
| The Guardian’s podcast Today in Focus describes the fall-out from Trump’s decision. Listen here: | The Guardian’s podcast Today in Focus describes the fall-out from Trump’s decision. Listen here: |
| On the frontline as US troops leave northern Syria – podcast | On the frontline as US troops leave northern Syria – podcast |