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| Pelosi: Trump had 'meltdown' during White House meeting on Syria – live | Pelosi: Trump had 'meltdown' during White House meeting on Syria – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Hey all, Vivian Ho with the west coast bureau here. Let’s see where the rest of today takes us. | |
| That’s it from me today. The Guardian’s west coast team will take over the blog for the next couple of hours. | |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | |
| The House overwhelmingly voted to condemn Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria, with about two-thirds of the chamber’s Republicans backing the resolution. | |
| Nancy Pelosi said Trump had a “meltdown” during a White House meeting on Syria, and Chuck Schumer added that the president called the House speaker “a third-rate politician.” | |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell intends to wrap up a trial on whether to remove Trump from office by the end of the year if the House votes to impeach him. | |
| Another associate of Rudy Giuliani’s was arrested for allegedly violating campaign-finance laws. | |
| Tax documents from the president’s company include major discrepancies, according to ProPublica. | |
| The Guardian team will have more on the news of the day, so stay tuned. | |
| According to a letter obtained by a Fox Business reporter, Trump wrote a letter last week to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urging him to avoid a humanitarian disaster in Syria. | |
| EXCLUSIVE: I have obtained a copy of @realDonaldTrump’s letter to #Erdogan. @POTUS warns him to not “be a tough guy! Don’t be a fool!” Says he could destroy Turkey’s economy if #Syria is not resolved in a humane way. Details tonight at 8pm #TrishRegan #FoxBusiness pic.twitter.com/9BoSGlbRyt | |
| The letter, which is dated October 9, begins: “Let’s work out a good deal! You don’t want to be responsible for slaughtering thousands of people, and I don’t want to be responsible for destroying the Turkish economy -- and I will.” | |
| Trump concludes the letter: “Don’t be a tough guy. Don’t be a fool! I will call you later.” | |
| The White House confirmed the letter’s authenticity to multiple reporters, and Trump referenced it earlier today when asked whether he was surprised by Erdogan’s actions. But one New York Times reporter expressed skepticism about when the letter was sent. | |
| Question then becomes - was it actually sent that day (3 days after Erdogan call)? | |
| An ABC News reporter noted that the Syria meeting marked the first face-to-face interaction between Trump and Nancy Pelosi since the House speaker formally launched an impeachment inquiry against the president late last month. | An ABC News reporter noted that the Syria meeting marked the first face-to-face interaction between Trump and Nancy Pelosi since the House speaker formally launched an impeachment inquiry against the president late last month. |
| Trump and Pelosi’s first face to face meeting since the impeachment inquiry began... and it did not go well. https://t.co/QSXvoWlWwD | Trump and Pelosi’s first face to face meeting since the impeachment inquiry began... and it did not go well. https://t.co/QSXvoWlWwD |
| Speaking to reporters after the White House meeting on Syria, Nancy Pelosi said senior lawmakers witnessed Trump having a “meltdown.” | Speaking to reporters after the White House meeting on Syria, Nancy Pelosi said senior lawmakers witnessed Trump having a “meltdown.” |
| “What we just witnessed on the part of the President was a meltdown,” says Speaker Pelosi. pic.twitter.com/4BT3wmM8pZ | “What we just witnessed on the part of the President was a meltdown,” says Speaker Pelosi. pic.twitter.com/4BT3wmM8pZ |
| The House speaker added that Trump was rattled after nearly two-thirds of the House GOP caucus voted to condemn his decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria. | The House speaker added that Trump was rattled after nearly two-thirds of the House GOP caucus voted to condemn his decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria. |
| Leaving a White House meeting on the situation in Syria, senator Chuck Schumer said that Trump was disrespectful to Nancy Pelosi and called the House speaker “a third-rate politician.” | Leaving a White House meeting on the situation in Syria, senator Chuck Schumer said that Trump was disrespectful to Nancy Pelosi and called the House speaker “a third-rate politician.” |
| Oop... Schumer says after Trump meeting on Syria: "he was insulting particularity to the speaker. He called her a third rate politician.... said there were communists involved. You guys might like that."Schumer says it wasn't a "dialog" it was a "diatribe." | Oop... Schumer says after Trump meeting on Syria: "he was insulting particularity to the speaker. He called her a third rate politician.... said there were communists involved. You guys might like that."Schumer says it wasn't a "dialog" it was a "diatribe." |
| The Senate minority leader also complained that Trump has no plan on how to contain ISIS now that he has withdrawn US troops from northern Syria. | The Senate minority leader also complained that Trump has no plan on how to contain ISIS now that he has withdrawn US troops from northern Syria. |
| WH meeting w/Trump & Congressional ldrs Syria/Turkey breaks up. Schumer says Trump "has no plan to contain ISIS, other than relying on the Syrians and the Turks." | WH meeting w/Trump & Congressional ldrs Syria/Turkey breaks up. Schumer says Trump "has no plan to contain ISIS, other than relying on the Syrians and the Turks." |
| Another poll has found that a narrow majority of Americans believe Trump should be removed from office. | Another poll has found that a narrow majority of Americans believe Trump should be removed from office. |
| According to the latest Gallup survey, 52 percent of Americans say Trump should be impeached and removed from office, while 46 percent say he should not. | According to the latest Gallup survey, 52 percent of Americans say Trump should be impeached and removed from office, while 46 percent say he should not. |
| Although public opinion remains very mixed on impeachment, it’s worth noting that this figure is significantly higher than the percentage of Americans who supported the impeachment of Bill Clinton and only slightly behind support for Richard Nixon’s removal prior to his resignation. | Although public opinion remains very mixed on impeachment, it’s worth noting that this figure is significantly higher than the percentage of Americans who supported the impeachment of Bill Clinton and only slightly behind support for Richard Nixon’s removal prior to his resignation. |
| Gallup has 52% of Americans supporting Trump's impeachment/removal from office.For Clinton, that never got higher than 35% before the GOP-led House voted to impeach him.For Nixon, it got to 58% by Aug 1974 https://t.co/DjTT7ZsDDq | Gallup has 52% of Americans supporting Trump's impeachment/removal from office.For Clinton, that never got higher than 35% before the GOP-led House voted to impeach him.For Nixon, it got to 58% by Aug 1974 https://t.co/DjTT7ZsDDq |
| 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. | 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: | 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. | 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. ... | 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’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. | 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. |