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| Mulvaney's quid pro quo walkback isn't 'the least bit credible', says Schiff – live | Mulvaney's quid pro quo walkback isn't 'the least bit credible', says Schiff – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Hey all, Vivian Ho with the west coast bureau, taking over for Joan Greve. Happy Friday. | |
| Here’s Cory Booker responding in gif form to Tulsi Gabbard calling Hillary Clinton the “queen of warmongers” over allegations that the Russians are grooming Gabbard. | |
| https://t.co/wS8OHq1au0 pic.twitter.com/3l6GEm3Wa2 | |
| That’s it from me this week. My west coast colleague, Vivian Ho, will take over the blog for the next few hours. | That’s it from me this week. My west coast colleague, Vivian Ho, will take over the blog for the next few hours. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| Trump said that Mick Mulvaney had “clarified” his quid pro comments, but Democrats said that they found the acting White House chief of staff’s walkback to be woefully lacking. Mulvaney told reporters yesterday that Trump withheld military aid from Ukraine to pressure the country to investigate the Democrats. | Trump said that Mick Mulvaney had “clarified” his quid pro comments, but Democrats said that they found the acting White House chief of staff’s walkback to be woefully lacking. Mulvaney told reporters yesterday that Trump withheld military aid from Ukraine to pressure the country to investigate the Democrats. |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell wrote a Washington Post op-ed criticizing the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria, while senator Lindsey Graham said America’s agreement with Turkey could lead to an “ethnic cleansing” of the Kurds. | Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell wrote a Washington Post op-ed criticizing the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria, while senator Lindsey Graham said America’s agreement with Turkey could lead to an “ethnic cleansing” of the Kurds. |
| Hillary Clinton hinted that she believed Russia was “grooming” Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard to launch a third-party White House bid. Gabbard responded by labeling Clinton “the queen of warmongers” and calling on her to enter the Democratic primary race so they could sort out their differences directly. | Hillary Clinton hinted that she believed Russia was “grooming” Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard to launch a third-party White House bid. Gabbard responded by labeling Clinton “the queen of warmongers” and calling on her to enter the Democratic primary race so they could sort out their differences directly. |
| Trump announced he would nominate Dan Brouillette, the deputy secretary of energy, to lead the department following Rick Perry’s resignation. | Trump announced he would nominate Dan Brouillette, the deputy secretary of energy, to lead the department following Rick Perry’s resignation. |
| Vivian will have more on the news of the day, so stay tuned – and have a wonderful weekend. | Vivian will have more on the news of the day, so stay tuned – and have a wonderful weekend. |
| Meanwhile, House Democrats are preparing a resolution to condemn the Trump administration’s announcement that the June G7 summit would be held at the president’s resort in Doral, Florida. | Meanwhile, House Democrats are preparing a resolution to condemn the Trump administration’s announcement that the June G7 summit would be held at the president’s resort in Doral, Florida. |
| JUST IN: The House is teeing up a vote on a resolution to condemn holding the G7 at Trump's Doral resort and "rejecting his practice of accepting foreign government Emoluments without obtaining Congress’ affirmative consent"Rules Committee plans to mark it up on Tuesday. | JUST IN: The House is teeing up a vote on a resolution to condemn holding the G7 at Trump's Doral resort and "rejecting his practice of accepting foreign government Emoluments without obtaining Congress’ affirmative consent"Rules Committee plans to mark it up on Tuesday. |
| The news immediately sparked complaints that Trump was using the office of the presidency to benefit his businesses, and a number of ethic experts lambasted the decision as a textbook case of self-dealing. | The news immediately sparked complaints that Trump was using the office of the presidency to benefit his businesses, and a number of ethic experts lambasted the decision as a textbook case of self-dealing. |
| Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard has responded – in a very forceful way – to Hillary Clinton’s insinuation that the Russians are “grooming” her to launch a third-party White House bid. | Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard has responded – in a very forceful way – to Hillary Clinton’s insinuation that the Russians are “grooming” her to launch a third-party White House bid. |
| Calling Clinton “the queen of warmongers,” Gabbard accused Clinton of leading “a concerted campaign to destroy my reputation.” | Calling Clinton “the queen of warmongers,” Gabbard accused Clinton of leading “a concerted campaign to destroy my reputation.” |
| The Hawaii congresswoman then demanded that Clinton “join the race directly” to sort out their differences on the matter. | The Hawaii congresswoman then demanded that Clinton “join the race directly” to sort out their differences on the matter. |
| Great! Thank you @HillaryClinton. You, the queen of warmongers, embodiment of corruption, and personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic Party for so long, have finally come out from behind the curtain. From the day I announced my candidacy, there has been a ... | Great! Thank you @HillaryClinton. You, the queen of warmongers, embodiment of corruption, and personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic Party for so long, have finally come out from behind the curtain. From the day I announced my candidacy, there has been a ... |
| ... powerful allies in the corporate media and war machine, afraid of the threat I pose. It’s now clear that this primary is between you and me. Don’t cowardly hide behind your proxies. Join the race directly. | ... powerful allies in the corporate media and war machine, afraid of the threat I pose. It’s now clear that this primary is between you and me. Don’t cowardly hide behind your proxies. Join the race directly. |
| Clinton seemed to reference Gabbard in an earlier interview, saying: “I’m not making any predictions, but I think [the Russians have] got their eye on someone who’s currently in the Democratic primary and are grooming her to be the third-party candidate. She’s the favorite of the Russians. They have a bunch of sites and bots and other ways of supporting her so far.” | Clinton seemed to reference Gabbard in an earlier interview, saying: “I’m not making any predictions, but I think [the Russians have] got their eye on someone who’s currently in the Democratic primary and are grooming her to be the third-party candidate. She’s the favorite of the Russians. They have a bunch of sites and bots and other ways of supporting her so far.” |
| Reports have emerged that Russian state media frequently mention Gabbard, but the congresswoman has slammed claims that she is a “Russian asset” as “smears.” | Reports have emerged that Russian state media frequently mention Gabbard, but the congresswoman has slammed claims that she is a “Russian asset” as “smears.” |
| The Washington Post has just published an op-ed from Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, who argued that Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria was a “grave strategic mistake.” | The Washington Post has just published an op-ed from Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, who argued that Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria was a “grave strategic mistake.” |
| The Kentucky Republican writes: | The Kentucky Republican writes: |
| Withdrawing U.S. forces from Syria is a grave strategic mistake. It will leave the American people and homeland less safe, embolden our enemies, and weaken important alliances. Sadly, the recently announced pullout risks repeating the Obama administration’s reckless withdrawal from Iraq, which facilitated the rise of the Islamic State in the first place. ... | Withdrawing U.S. forces from Syria is a grave strategic mistake. It will leave the American people and homeland less safe, embolden our enemies, and weaken important alliances. Sadly, the recently announced pullout risks repeating the Obama administration’s reckless withdrawal from Iraq, which facilitated the rise of the Islamic State in the first place. ... |
| To keep pressure on Islamic State terrorists, deter Iranian aggression and buy our local partners more leverage to negotiate with Bashar al-Assad to end the underlying conflict, we should retain a limited military presence in Syria and maintain our presence in Iraq and elsewhere in the region. We must also work closely with allies threatened by this chaos, such as Israel and Jordan, and redouble international efforts to pressure the Assad regime. And Congress must finally pass the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act to hold the regime accountable for its atrocities. | To keep pressure on Islamic State terrorists, deter Iranian aggression and buy our local partners more leverage to negotiate with Bashar al-Assad to end the underlying conflict, we should retain a limited military presence in Syria and maintain our presence in Iraq and elsewhere in the region. We must also work closely with allies threatened by this chaos, such as Israel and Jordan, and redouble international efforts to pressure the Assad regime. And Congress must finally pass the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act to hold the regime accountable for its atrocities. |
| McConnell interestingly never mentions Trump by name, but the escalation of Republican opposition to the troop withdrawal could signal trouble for the president as he seeks to keep his party unified in the face of the impeachment inquiry. | McConnell interestingly never mentions Trump by name, but the escalation of Republican opposition to the troop withdrawal could signal trouble for the president as he seeks to keep his party unified in the face of the impeachment inquiry. |
| Senator Lindsey Graham, who has become one of the fiercest Republican critics of Trump’s Syria policy, has voiced concern about the proposed “ceasefire” (which Turkey has said is actually just a “pause” in operations). | Senator Lindsey Graham, who has become one of the fiercest Republican critics of Trump’s Syria policy, has voiced concern about the proposed “ceasefire” (which Turkey has said is actually just a “pause” in operations). |
| General Mazloum is concerned about the cease-fire holding and was emphatic that he will never agree to the ethnic cleansing of Kurds that is being proposed in Ankara. (2/4) | General Mazloum is concerned about the cease-fire holding and was emphatic that he will never agree to the ethnic cleansing of Kurds that is being proposed in Ankara. (2/4) |
| I hope we can find a win-win situation, but I share General Mazloum’s concerns. I also told him that Congress will stay very involved and is extremely sympathetic to the plight of the Kurds. (4/4) | I hope we can find a win-win situation, but I share General Mazloum’s concerns. I also told him that Congress will stay very involved and is extremely sympathetic to the plight of the Kurds. (4/4) |
| Graham said he spoke to a commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, who voiced fear that Turkey was effectively proposing an ethic cleansing of the Kurdish people. | Graham said he spoke to a commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, who voiced fear that Turkey was effectively proposing an ethic cleansing of the Kurdish people. |
| The South Carolina Republican said: “A buffer zone is acceptable to the Kurds but a military occupation that displaces hundreds of thousands is not a safe zone. It is ethnic cleansing.” | The South Carolina Republican said: “A buffer zone is acceptable to the Kurds but a military occupation that displaces hundreds of thousands is not a safe zone. It is ethnic cleansing.” |
| Graham, who has worked with Democratic senator Chris Van Hollen to introduce a bill that would enact sanctions against Turkey, promise to continue congressional efforts to help America’s Kurdish allies. | Graham, who has worked with Democratic senator Chris Van Hollen to introduce a bill that would enact sanctions against Turkey, promise to continue congressional efforts to help America’s Kurdish allies. |
| Confirming widespread speculation, Trump announced that he would nominate Dan Brouillette, the deputy secretary of energy, to take over the department. | Confirming widespread speculation, Trump announced that he would nominate Dan Brouillette, the deputy secretary of energy, to take over the department. |
| ....He is also my friend! At the same time, I am pleased to nominate Deputy Secretary Dan Brouillette to be the new Secretary of Energy. Dan’s experience in the sector is unparalleled. A total professional, I have no doubt that Dan will do a great job! | ....He is also my friend! At the same time, I am pleased to nominate Deputy Secretary Dan Brouillette to be the new Secretary of Energy. Dan’s experience in the sector is unparalleled. A total professional, I have no doubt that Dan will do a great job! |
| News broke yesterday that energy secretary Rick Perry intended to resign, and the former Texas governor seemed to have been grooming Brouillette as a potential successor in recent months. | News broke yesterday that energy secretary Rick Perry intended to resign, and the former Texas governor seemed to have been grooming Brouillette as a potential successor in recent months. |
| Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer is calling on Nancy Pelosi and other senior House Democrats to hold public hearings in the impeachment inquiry. | Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer is calling on Nancy Pelosi and other senior House Democrats to hold public hearings in the impeachment inquiry. |
| .@TomSteyer calls on House to hold public impeachment hearings so the American people can see the full extent of Donald Trump's crimes. pic.twitter.com/SaKI9rs46o | .@TomSteyer calls on House to hold public impeachment hearings so the American people can see the full extent of Donald Trump's crimes. pic.twitter.com/SaKI9rs46o |
| The billionaire activist, who has been calling for Trump’s impeachment since shortly after the president took office, said in a statement: “While I am relieved that an impeachment inquiry is finally underway, Speaker Pelosi and House Democratic Leadership need to start public hearings immediately so that the American people can see the full extent of Donald Trump’s crimes, corruption, and cover-ups. | The billionaire activist, who has been calling for Trump’s impeachment since shortly after the president took office, said in a statement: “While I am relieved that an impeachment inquiry is finally underway, Speaker Pelosi and House Democratic Leadership need to start public hearings immediately so that the American people can see the full extent of Donald Trump’s crimes, corruption, and cover-ups. |
| “Every single day, the scandals surrounding Trump’s disastrous presidency continue to reveal the shameless lengths he is willing to go to put his own financial and political interests ahead of the interests of our country.” | “Every single day, the scandals surrounding Trump’s disastrous presidency continue to reveal the shameless lengths he is willing to go to put his own financial and political interests ahead of the interests of our country.” |
| House Republicans have similarly complained that the impeachment inquiry is largely taking place behind closed doors, but their Democratic colleagues have insisted that private interviews are necessary to prevent witnesses from coordinating testimony. | House Republicans have similarly complained that the impeachment inquiry is largely taking place behind closed doors, but their Democratic colleagues have insisted that private interviews are necessary to prevent witnesses from coordinating testimony. |
| Trump’s re-election campaign is standing by Mick Mulvaney’s quid pro quo admission, so much so that it is now selling t-shirts with a quote from the acting White House chief of staff: “Get over it.” | Trump’s re-election campaign is standing by Mick Mulvaney’s quid pro quo admission, so much so that it is now selling t-shirts with a quote from the acting White House chief of staff: “Get over it.” |
| Inbox: Trump campaign is selling "GET OVER IT" T-shirts. pic.twitter.com/73CnAnKFDO | Inbox: Trump campaign is selling "GET OVER IT" T-shirts. pic.twitter.com/73CnAnKFDO |
| Brad Parscale, the president’s campaign manager, said in a statement announcing sale of the shirts: “Life isn’t a movie and there are real issues facing Americans today that Washington politicians are not addressing because they’re obsessed with theatrical witch hunts against their political rivals. The President has been fully transparent and it’s time for Democrats to get over it.” | Brad Parscale, the president’s campaign manager, said in a statement announcing sale of the shirts: “Life isn’t a movie and there are real issues facing Americans today that Washington politicians are not addressing because they’re obsessed with theatrical witch hunts against their political rivals. The President has been fully transparent and it’s time for Democrats to get over it.” |
| The decision to advertise the quote is somewhat perplexing, considering Mulvaney later walked back his admission that the delaying of military aid to Ukraine was linked to a quid pro quo. | The decision to advertise the quote is somewhat perplexing, considering Mulvaney later walked back his admission that the delaying of military aid to Ukraine was linked to a quid pro quo. |
| While speaking to reporters at the White House yesterday, Mulvaney acknowledged that Trump had held back the military aid to pressure Ukraine to open an investigation into the Democrats. Mulvaney said: “I have news for everybody: Get over it. There is going to be political influence in foreign policy.” | While speaking to reporters at the White House yesterday, Mulvaney acknowledged that Trump had held back the military aid to pressure Ukraine to open an investigation into the Democrats. Mulvaney said: “I have news for everybody: Get over it. There is going to be political influence in foreign policy.” |
| However, the White House official later walked that back in a statement, saying: “The only reasons we were holding the money was because of concern about lack of support from other nations and concerns over corruption.” | However, the White House official later walked that back in a statement, saying: “The only reasons we were holding the money was because of concern about lack of support from other nations and concerns over corruption.” |
| Joe Biden has just rolled out 51 new endorsements from current and former lawmakers in Massachusetts, the home state of fellow Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren. | Joe Biden has just rolled out 51 new endorsements from current and former lawmakers in Massachusetts, the home state of fellow Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren. |
| Biden’s campaign manager said in a statement announcing the endorsements: “The Bay Staters who’ve joined with us today are ready for that fight, and know that Joe Biden can unite the country across party lines to defeat Donald Trump.” | Biden’s campaign manager said in a statement announcing the endorsements: “The Bay Staters who’ve joined with us today are ready for that fight, and know that Joe Biden can unite the country across party lines to defeat Donald Trump.” |
| Many of those endorsing Biden similarly backed his unsuccessful presidential bid in 2008, according to a Politico reporter. | Many of those endorsing Biden similarly backed his unsuccessful presidential bid in 2008, according to a Politico reporter. |
| Biden has deep ties to Massachusetts -- many of these people endorsed Biden in the 2007-08 primary. https://t.co/QcJFfoE0nA | Biden has deep ties to Massachusetts -- many of these people endorsed Biden in the 2007-08 primary. https://t.co/QcJFfoE0nA |
| However, after Trump captured the Republican nomination in 2016 with virtually no party backing, there has been increased skepticism that endorsements actually matter all that much in primary contests, as a Bloomberg News reporter noted. | However, after Trump captured the Republican nomination in 2016 with virtually no party backing, there has been increased skepticism that endorsements actually matter all that much in primary contests, as a Bloomberg News reporter noted. |
| Do endorsements from party insiders matter anymore (save for rare exceptions like a Barack Obama)?Among 2020 Dems, Biden keeps racking up endorsements, Warren lags far behind yet has caught up to him in polls."Party Decides" theory took a savage beating in the '16 GOP race. | Do endorsements from party insiders matter anymore (save for rare exceptions like a Barack Obama)?Among 2020 Dems, Biden keeps racking up endorsements, Warren lags far behind yet has caught up to him in polls."Party Decides" theory took a savage beating in the '16 GOP race. |
| John Kasich, the former Republican governor of Ohio, said he thought that Trump should be impeached. | John Kasich, the former Republican governor of Ohio, said he thought that Trump should be impeached. |
| John Kasich tells Ana Cabrera that Trump should be impeached. "I say it with great sadness. This is not something that I really wanted to do. ...But this behavior, in my opinion, cannot be tolerated." pic.twitter.com/12YjAGPErM | John Kasich tells Ana Cabrera that Trump should be impeached. "I say it with great sadness. This is not something that I really wanted to do. ...But this behavior, in my opinion, cannot be tolerated." pic.twitter.com/12YjAGPErM |
| Kasich, who sought the 2016 Republican presidential nomination against Trump, told CNN that he thought the president had “crossed the Rubicon” and deserved to be impeached. | Kasich, who sought the 2016 Republican presidential nomination against Trump, told CNN that he thought the president had “crossed the Rubicon” and deserved to be impeached. |
| Kasich added: “I say it with great sadness. This is not something that I really wanted to do. ... But this behavior, in my opinion, cannot be tolerated.” | Kasich added: “I say it with great sadness. This is not something that I really wanted to do. ... But this behavior, in my opinion, cannot be tolerated.” |
| The former governor has repeatedly criticized Trump in the past and recently said that he would not vote for the president in the 2020 election. | The former governor has repeatedly criticized Trump in the past and recently said that he would not vote for the president in the 2020 election. |