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Rick Perry: Trump energy secretary resigns amid Ukraine scandal – live Rick Perry: Trump energy secretary resigns amid Ukraine scandal – as it happened
(about 1 hour later)
Wrapping up another day of he-said-and-then-denied-he-said in Washington, here’s today’s updated politics news summary:
Mick Mulvaney, the president’s acting chief of staff, confirmed during a televised press conference that there was a political quid pro quo involved in the delay of military aid to Ukraine, contradicting the president’s repeated denials. After angry reactions from Trump advisers and allies, as well as the Justice Department, Mulvaney attempted to walk his comments back. The White House released a statement from Mulvaney claiming “there was absolutely no quid pro quo between Ukrainian military aid and any investigation into the 2016 election.”
Mulvaney also announced the June G7 summit would be held at Trump’s resort in Doral, Florida, raising concerns that the president is trying to personally profit off his office.
Rick Perry, Trump’s energy secretary who has become a central figure in questions over whether the president sought to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, is resigning and will step down by the end of the year. Trump said Perry’s replacement has already been chosen, and will be announced soon.
Mike Pence announced the US and Turkey had agreed to a five-day ceasefire in Syria, but Turkey quickly clarified that it was actually just a “pause” in operations. Experts also criticized the deal for being overly deferential to the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The former commander of US special forces operations argued in an op-ed that Trump is a threat to American democracy, and wrote that US military personnel feel “frustration, humiliation, anger and fear” that America is “under attack, not from without, but from within”, because of Trump’s lack of leadership.
The US ambassador to the EU, Gordon Sondland, testified in the impeachment inquiry, privately telling House investigators that Trump delegated oversight of Ukraine policy to Rudy Giuliani, his personal lawyer.
Fewer than half of Republicans believe that Trump has “definitely not” done things that are grounds for impeachment, according to a new poll from Pew Research Center.
In his comments today about Kurds living along the Turkish border, Trump “is using the language of ethnic cleansing,” representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez argued.
Fox News host and Trump ally Sean Hannity called acting chief of staff Mulvaney “dumb” and “idiotic” after he said in a press conference that there was a political quid pro quo involved in the Trump administration’s holdup of military aid to Ukraine.Fox News host and Trump ally Sean Hannity called acting chief of staff Mulvaney “dumb” and “idiotic” after he said in a press conference that there was a political quid pro quo involved in the Trump administration’s holdup of military aid to Ukraine.
“I don’t even think he knows what he’s talking about. That’s my take on it,” Hannity said on his radio show, Mediaite reported.“I don’t even think he knows what he’s talking about. That’s my take on it,” Hannity said on his radio show, Mediaite reported.
The mayor of Doral, Florida, a small town outside of Miami, was taken by surprise by the White House’s announcement that the G7 summit would be held at one of Trump’s own resorts there, the Washington Post reports.The mayor of Doral, Florida, a small town outside of Miami, was taken by surprise by the White House’s announcement that the G7 summit would be held at one of Trump’s own resorts there, the Washington Post reports.
The announcement, a clear example of using the power of the presidency to benefit Trump’s private interests, has sparked anger and widespread criticism.The announcement, a clear example of using the power of the presidency to benefit Trump’s private interests, has sparked anger and widespread criticism.
I just talked to the mayor of Doral — who now needs to plan to host 8 world leaders and thousands of diplomats.He learned this when we did, by watching Mulvaney on TV. He still hasn’t gotten a call from the White House. https://t.co/7A9AekUhoyI just talked to the mayor of Doral — who now needs to plan to host 8 world leaders and thousands of diplomats.He learned this when we did, by watching Mulvaney on TV. He still hasn’t gotten a call from the White House. https://t.co/7A9AekUhoy
In his final hours, Elijah Cummings, the son of sharecroppers who became an influential Democratic congressman from Baltimore, was still working to help immigrants with chronic medical conditions.In his final hours, Elijah Cummings, the son of sharecroppers who became an influential Democratic congressman from Baltimore, was still working to help immigrants with chronic medical conditions.
That’s what members of his staff told Massachusetts congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, she tweeted today.That’s what members of his staff told Massachusetts congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, she tweeted today.
Cummings was 68.Cummings was 68.
As I was paying my respects to our forever Chairman, his staff told me that in his final hours he signed subpoenas to USCIS and ICE, pursuing justice for immigrants in my district & across the country with chronic medical conditions. A man of his word every moment of his life. pic.twitter.com/igzUPl1yPFAs I was paying my respects to our forever Chairman, his staff told me that in his final hours he signed subpoenas to USCIS and ICE, pursuing justice for immigrants in my district & across the country with chronic medical conditions. A man of his word every moment of his life. pic.twitter.com/igzUPl1yPF
There’s been a lot of news, but the New York congresswoman wants to make sure that nobody forgets one of the president’s casual comments today.There’s been a lot of news, but the New York congresswoman wants to make sure that nobody forgets one of the president’s casual comments today.
The President of the United States is using the language of ethnic cleansing.If we allow him to continue, who would he use it on next? https://t.co/waSuNK2n3yThe President of the United States is using the language of ethnic cleansing.If we allow him to continue, who would he use it on next? https://t.co/waSuNK2n3y
Elon Musk tweets that he is “going offline.” Sounds nice, doesn’t it?Elon Musk tweets that he is “going offline.” Sounds nice, doesn’t it?
Going offline for a few daysGoing offline for a few days
Even in the new White House statement denying that he said what he said, acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney doesn’t quite say that there was no political quid pro quo at all involved in the holdup of military aid to Ukraine, journalist Laura Rozen notes:Even in the new White House statement denying that he said what he said, acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney doesn’t quite say that there was no political quid pro quo at all involved in the holdup of military aid to Ukraine, journalist Laura Rozen notes:
The careful language suggests that the walk back was motivated in particular by the Justice Department’s concerns about what Mulvaney said, Rozen argues.The careful language suggests that the walk back was motivated in particular by the Justice Department’s concerns about what Mulvaney said, Rozen argues.
Even in the walkback, Mulvaney does not say there was no quid pro quo. He says unblocking military aid was not conditioned on DNC server pic.twitter.com/0fka73G4OLEven in the walkback, Mulvaney does not say there was no quid pro quo. He says unblocking military aid was not conditioned on DNC server pic.twitter.com/0fka73G4OL
Fewer than half of Republicans believe that Trump has “definitely not” done things that are grounds for impeachment, according to a new poll from Pew Research Center.Fewer than half of Republicans believe that Trump has “definitely not” done things that are grounds for impeachment, according to a new poll from Pew Research Center.
And a full 20% of Republicans said they believe that Trump had “probably” or “definitely” done things that are grounds for impeachment.And a full 20% of Republicans said they believe that Trump had “probably” or “definitely” done things that are grounds for impeachment.
Over the past month, most Americans have not changed their opinion on whether the House should conduct impeachment proceedings against the president, according to new Pew Research Center results/Over the past month, most Americans have not changed their opinion on whether the House should conduct impeachment proceedings against the president, according to new Pew Research Center results/
Overall, 54% of Americans support House Democrats’ decision to open an impeachment inquiry. The split is largely along partisan lines, with Democrats supportive and Republicans in opposition.Overall, 54% of Americans support House Democrats’ decision to open an impeachment inquiry. The split is largely along partisan lines, with Democrats supportive and Republicans in opposition.
But there has been some movement: nearly 1 in 10 adults who opposed impeachment proceedings last month have changed their views to support an inquiry, Pew found.But there has been some movement: nearly 1 in 10 adults who opposed impeachment proceedings last month have changed their views to support an inquiry, Pew found.
Trump has confirmed that Rick Perry is resigning as energy secretary, and said that Perry’s replacement is a man and “we’ll be be announcing it very shortly.”Trump has confirmed that Rick Perry is resigning as energy secretary, and said that Perry’s replacement is a man and “we’ll be be announcing it very shortly.”
The confirmation came as Trump took questions during a visit to a Louis Vuitton workshop in Texas.The confirmation came as Trump took questions during a visit to a Louis Vuitton workshop in Texas.
An earlier version of this post, based on updates from the White House pool reporter, said that Trump was going to announce Perry’s replacement at his rally tonight in Dallas, Texas. It’s not clear if that’s the case: Trump did say that he had planned to announce Perry’s resignation at the rally tonight.An earlier version of this post, based on updates from the White House pool reporter, said that Trump was going to announce Perry’s replacement at his rally tonight in Dallas, Texas. It’s not clear if that’s the case: Trump did say that he had planned to announce Perry’s resignation at the rally tonight.
Perry will step down “toward” or “at” the end of the year, Trump said. But the new energy secretary will not be the current governor of Texas, or the current governor of Alaska, he said.Perry will step down “toward” or “at” the end of the year, Trump said. But the new energy secretary will not be the current governor of Texas, or the current governor of Alaska, he said.
Acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney’s comments during a press conference today about the Trump administration’s political reason for delaying military aid to Ukraine sparked pushback from the Department of Justice, angry reactions from Trump advisers, and concern from a key Republican senator.Acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney’s comments during a press conference today about the Trump administration’s political reason for delaying military aid to Ukraine sparked pushback from the Department of Justice, angry reactions from Trump advisers, and concern from a key Republican senator.
“[Mulvaney] literally said the thing the president and everyone else said did not happen,” an unnamed Trump advisor had told the Washington Post earlier today.“[Mulvaney] literally said the thing the president and everyone else said did not happen,” an unnamed Trump advisor had told the Washington Post earlier today.
Now, the White House has released a statement claiming that Mulvaney did not say what he said.Now, the White House has released a statement claiming that Mulvaney did not say what he said.
“Once again, the media has decided to misconstrue my comments to advance a biased and political witch hunt against President Trump. Let me be clear, there was absolutely no quid pro quo between Ukrainian military aid and any investigation into the 2016 election,” Mulvaney said in a statement emailed to the White House press corps.“Once again, the media has decided to misconstrue my comments to advance a biased and political witch hunt against President Trump. Let me be clear, there was absolutely no quid pro quo between Ukrainian military aid and any investigation into the 2016 election,” Mulvaney said in a statement emailed to the White House press corps.
According to Mulvaney’s new statement:According to Mulvaney’s new statement:
“The president never told me to withhold any money until the Ukrainians did anything related to the server. The only reasons we were holding the money was because of concern about lack of support from other nations and concerns over corruption.“The president never told me to withhold any money until the Ukrainians did anything related to the server. The only reasons we were holding the money was because of concern about lack of support from other nations and concerns over corruption.
“There was never any connection between the funds and the Ukrainians doing anything with the server - this was made explicitly obvious by the fact that the aid money was delivered without any action on the part of the Ukrainians regarding the server.”“There was never any connection between the funds and the Ukrainians doing anything with the server - this was made explicitly obvious by the fact that the aid money was delivered without any action on the part of the Ukrainians regarding the server.”
“There never was any condition on the flow of the aid related to the matter of the DNC server.”“There never was any condition on the flow of the aid related to the matter of the DNC server.”
The comments from Trump’s acting chief staff Mick Mulvaney earlier today about a political quid pro quo involved in the delay of military aid to Ukraine are “absolutely a concern,” Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said, according to CNN’s Shimon Prokupecz.The comments from Trump’s acting chief staff Mick Mulvaney earlier today about a political quid pro quo involved in the delay of military aid to Ukraine are “absolutely a concern,” Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said, according to CNN’s Shimon Prokupecz.
“You don’t hold up foreign aid that we had previously appropriated for a political initiative. Period,” Murkowski said.“You don’t hold up foreign aid that we had previously appropriated for a political initiative. Period,” Murkowski said.
The Alaska Republican, who has broken with the Trump administration at key moments, including on a crucial Obamacare vote, has been labeled “one of eight Republican senators to watch on impeachment,” according to Vox.The Alaska Republican, who has broken with the Trump administration at key moments, including on a crucial Obamacare vote, has been labeled “one of eight Republican senators to watch on impeachment,” according to Vox.
!! Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski: “yes, absolutely that’s a concern,” when she was told about Mulvaney. "You don’t hold up foreign aid that we had previously appropriated for a political initiative. Period,” she said.!! Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski: “yes, absolutely that’s a concern,” when she was told about Mulvaney. "You don’t hold up foreign aid that we had previously appropriated for a political initiative. Period,” she said.
The youngest child of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King was not impressed by Mark Zuckerberg’s reference to her civil rights leader father in his speech today defending Facebook’s policies on political misinformation.The youngest child of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King was not impressed by Mark Zuckerberg’s reference to her civil rights leader father in his speech today defending Facebook’s policies on political misinformation.
“I’d like to help Facebook better understand the challenges #MLK faced from disinformation campaigns launched by politicians,” Bernice King wrote on Twitter. “These campaigns created an atmosphere for his assassination.”“I’d like to help Facebook better understand the challenges #MLK faced from disinformation campaigns launched by politicians,” Bernice King wrote on Twitter. “These campaigns created an atmosphere for his assassination.”
I heard #MarkZuckerberg's ‘free expression’ speech, in which he referenced my father. I'd like to help Facebook better understand the challenges #MLK faced from disinformation campaigns launched by politicians. These campaigns created an atmosphere for his assassination. pic.twitter.com/h97gvVmtSZI heard #MarkZuckerberg's ‘free expression’ speech, in which he referenced my father. I'd like to help Facebook better understand the challenges #MLK faced from disinformation campaigns launched by politicians. These campaigns created an atmosphere for his assassination. pic.twitter.com/h97gvVmtSZ
“A feigned concern for free expression.”“A feigned concern for free expression.”
That’s how former Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign is responding to Mark Zuckerberg’s speech today at Georgetown, in which the Facebook CEO defended the company’s decision to allow misinformation in political advertising on the platform.That’s how former Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign is responding to Mark Zuckerberg’s speech today at Georgetown, in which the Facebook CEO defended the company’s decision to allow misinformation in political advertising on the platform.
“Zuckerberg attempted to use the Constitution as a shield for his company’s bottom line, and his choice to cloak Facebook’s policy in a feigned concern for free expression demonstrates how unprepared his company is for this unique moment in our history and how little it has learned over the past few years,” Bill Russo, a campaign spokesman, told The Hill.“Zuckerberg attempted to use the Constitution as a shield for his company’s bottom line, and his choice to cloak Facebook’s policy in a feigned concern for free expression demonstrates how unprepared his company is for this unique moment in our history and how little it has learned over the past few years,” Bill Russo, a campaign spokesman, told The Hill.
This is Lois Beckett, in The Guardian’s California office, taking over this evening’s live politics coverage.This is Lois Beckett, in The Guardian’s California office, taking over this evening’s live politics coverage.
“I don’t like the Democrats, but Trump is destroying the Republic!” a retired four-star general reportedly exclaimed to another retired commander last week on the parade field at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.“I don’t like the Democrats, but Trump is destroying the Republic!” a retired four-star general reportedly exclaimed to another retired commander last week on the parade field at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
That’s what retired Admiral William H. McRaven, who led the United States Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014, writes in a new op-ed in the New York Times that calls Trump a threat to American democracy.That’s what retired Admiral William H. McRaven, who led the United States Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014, writes in a new op-ed in the New York Times that calls Trump a threat to American democracy.
At two high-profile events for American military personnel last week, McRaven writes, “there was an underlying current of frustration, humiliation, anger and fear that echoed across the sidelines. The America that they believed in was under attack, not from without, but from within.”At two high-profile events for American military personnel last week, McRaven writes, “there was an underlying current of frustration, humiliation, anger and fear that echoed across the sidelines. The America that they believed in was under attack, not from without, but from within.”
“If this president doesn’t demonstrate the leadership that America needs, both domestically and abroad, then it is time for a new person in the Oval Office — Republican, Democrat or independent — the sooner, the better. The fate of our Republic depends upon it,” McRaven argues.“If this president doesn’t demonstrate the leadership that America needs, both domestically and abroad, then it is time for a new person in the Oval Office — Republican, Democrat or independent — the sooner, the better. The fate of our Republic depends upon it,” McRaven argues.
McRaven is known as the architect of the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden. He has publicly attacked the president before, in a 2018 open letter to the president that ran in the Washington Post, criticizing his decision to revoke the clearance of former CIA director John Brennan, who has criticized Trump’s behavior as “treasonous” and called him “wholly in the pocket of Putin.”McRaven is known as the architect of the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden. He has publicly attacked the president before, in a 2018 open letter to the president that ran in the Washington Post, criticizing his decision to revoke the clearance of former CIA director John Brennan, who has criticized Trump’s behavior as “treasonous” and called him “wholly in the pocket of Putin.”
“Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation,” McRaven wrote of Trump last year. “If you think for a moment that your McCarthy-era tactics will suppress the voices of criticism, you are sadly mistaken.”“Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation,” McRaven wrote of Trump last year. “If you think for a moment that your McCarthy-era tactics will suppress the voices of criticism, you are sadly mistaken.”
We’re turning over the blog to our west coast colleague, Lois Beckett, for the next hours to cover more of this very eventful Thursday.We’re turning over the blog to our west coast colleague, Lois Beckett, for the next hours to cover more of this very eventful Thursday.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Rick Perry, Trump’s energy secretary who has become a central figure in questions over whether the president sought to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, is reportedly resigning.Rick Perry, Trump’s energy secretary who has become a central figure in questions over whether the president sought to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, is reportedly resigning.
Mick Mulvaney, the president’s acting chief of staff, confirmed that there was a quid pro quo involved in the delay of military aid to Ukraine, contradicting the president’s repeated denials. But Mulvaney dubiously argued the quid pro quo was acceptable because Trump was seeking an investigation of the 2016 election, not a probe of Biden.Mick Mulvaney, the president’s acting chief of staff, confirmed that there was a quid pro quo involved in the delay of military aid to Ukraine, contradicting the president’s repeated denials. But Mulvaney dubiously argued the quid pro quo was acceptable because Trump was seeking an investigation of the 2016 election, not a probe of Biden.
Mulvaney announced the June G7 summit would be held at Trump’s resort in Doral, Florida, raising concerns that the president is trying to profit off his office.Mulvaney announced the June G7 summit would be held at Trump’s resort in Doral, Florida, raising concerns that the president is trying to profit off his office.
Mike Pence announced the US and Turkey had agreed to a five-day ceasefire in Syria, but Turkey quickly clarified that it was actually just a “pause” in operations. Experts also criticized the deal for being overly deferential to the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.Mike Pence announced the US and Turkey had agreed to a five-day ceasefire in Syria, but Turkey quickly clarified that it was actually just a “pause” in operations. Experts also criticized the deal for being overly deferential to the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The US ambassador to the EU, Gordon Sondland, testified in the impeachment inquiry, privately telling House investigators that Trump delegated oversight of Ukraine policy to Rudy Giuliani, his personal lawyer.The US ambassador to the EU, Gordon Sondland, testified in the impeachment inquiry, privately telling House investigators that Trump delegated oversight of Ukraine policy to Rudy Giuliani, his personal lawyer.
Lois will have more on the news of the day, so stay tuned.Lois will have more on the news of the day, so stay tuned.