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| Impeachment live updates: Bolton says he is prepared to testify in Senate trial if subpoenaed | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Former national security adviser John Bolton, highly sought by Democrats as an impeachment witness, said Monday that he is prepared to testify in a Senate trial if a subpoena is issued — a move that could be damaging to President Trump. | |
| The development came as Trump called for a quick end to the impeachment process and congressional Republicans stepped up pressure on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to transmit articles to the Senate, allowing a trial to begin in the chamber. Pelosi has been holding on to the documents as Democrats seek guarantees about the scope of a Senate trial, including witnesses. | |
| The crux of the Democrats’ case is the allegation that Trump tried to leverage a White House meeting and military aid, sought by Ukraine to combat Russian military aggression, to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to launch an investigation of former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, as well as a probe of an unfounded theory that Kyiv conspired with Democrats to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. | The crux of the Democrats’ case is the allegation that Trump tried to leverage a White House meeting and military aid, sought by Ukraine to combat Russian military aggression, to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to launch an investigation of former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, as well as a probe of an unfounded theory that Kyiv conspired with Democrats to interfere in the 2016 presidential election. |
| ●Top Republican suggests changing Senate rules to begin Trump impeachment trial within days. | ●Top Republican suggests changing Senate rules to begin Trump impeachment trial within days. |
| ●Escalating U.S.-Iran tensions scramble the politics of Trump’s impeachment. | ●Escalating U.S.-Iran tensions scramble the politics of Trump’s impeachment. |
| ●Least deliberative Senate faces weighty task of holding Trump’s impeachment trial. | ●Least deliberative Senate faces weighty task of holding Trump’s impeachment trial. |
| Which senators support removing Trump | Which House members voted to impeach Trump | House resolution impeaching Trump | Other key documents | Which senators support removing Trump | Which House members voted to impeach Trump | House resolution impeaching Trump | Other key documents |
| Trump returned to Twitter on Monday to share a pair of videos of a Fox News commentator defending the president’s conduct toward Ukraine and criticizing Democrats for the impeachment effort. | |
| Both clips featured Jesse Watters, host of “Watters’ World.” | |
| In one, from October, Watters defended Trump’s efforts to press for investigations of the Bidens in both Ukraine in China. In the other, from last month, Watters characterized the House impeachment inquiry as “impeachment lite,” suggesting that the underlying charges were not serious. | |
| Former national security adviser John Bolton said Monday that he is “prepared to testify” if called as a witness by the Senate. | |
| Bolton’s attorney previously said he would be guided by the courts on whether to testify in the impeachment proceedings. But Bolton said in a statement Monday that “a final judicial resolution” appears unlikely before a Senate trial. | |
| “Accordingly, since my testimony is once again at issue, I have had to resolve the serious competing issues as best I could, based on careful consideration and study,” he said. “I have concluded that, if the Senate issues a subpoena for my testimony, I am prepared to testify.” | |
| Bolton is among four witnesses that Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) is pressing to subpoena as part of a Senate trial of Trump. | |
| Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has resisted, saying senators should wait to determine which, if any, witnesses to call until after hearing opening statements from House impeachment managers and Trump’s lawyers. | |
| Bolton could be a powerful witness for Democrats: Top State Department and national security officials testified that he was deeply concerned about efforts by Trump and his allies to push Ukraine to open investigations into the Bidens while the Trump administration held up military aid to that country. | |
| Bolton, who abruptly left his post in September, would be expected to confirm those witnesses’ statements and describe his conversations with Trump, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the ongoing inquiry. | |
| With the impasse over a Senate trial continuing, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) on Monday suggested one way out: Let Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. decide which witnesses must testify. | With the impasse over a Senate trial continuing, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) on Monday suggested one way out: Let Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. decide which witnesses must testify. |
| “If Senator McConnell agrees that Justice Roberts should make the rules of who gets to testify — a Bush appointee — he would have absolutely no debate from any of the Democrats,” Khanna said, referring to Roberts’s 2005 nomination by then-President George W. Bush, a Republican. | “If Senator McConnell agrees that Justice Roberts should make the rules of who gets to testify — a Bush appointee — he would have absolutely no debate from any of the Democrats,” Khanna said, referring to Roberts’s 2005 nomination by then-President George W. Bush, a Republican. |
| Under the Constitution, the chief justice presides over presidential impeachment trials, but the rules traditionally have been set by the senators. | Under the Constitution, the chief justice presides over presidential impeachment trials, but the rules traditionally have been set by the senators. |
| Democrats are seeking an upfront guarantee that several witnesses who declined to participate in the House impeachment proceedings, including acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, will be called during a Senate trial. | Democrats are seeking an upfront guarantee that several witnesses who declined to participate in the House impeachment proceedings, including acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, will be called during a Senate trial. |
| Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has said a decision about witnesses should be made after opening statements by House impeachment managers and Trump’s lawyers. | Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has said a decision about witnesses should be made after opening statements by House impeachment managers and Trump’s lawyers. |
| White House counselor Kellyanne Conway on Monday chided Pelosi for the delay in transmitting articles of impeachment, saying, “Let’s get on with it already.” | White House counselor Kellyanne Conway on Monday chided Pelosi for the delay in transmitting articles of impeachment, saying, “Let’s get on with it already.” |
| Speaking to reporters at the White House, Conway suggested a contradiction between previous claims by Democrats that Trump poses an immediate threat and their current posture. | Speaking to reporters at the White House, Conway suggested a contradiction between previous claims by Democrats that Trump poses an immediate threat and their current posture. |
| “Which is it?” Conway said. “Is the president an imminent threat to the republic, a clear and present danger who must be removed immediately? Or did [Pelosi] take a little mini-sabbatical over the break?” | “Which is it?” Conway said. “Is the president an imminent threat to the republic, a clear and present danger who must be removed immediately? Or did [Pelosi] take a little mini-sabbatical over the break?” |
| Conway said Trump has no interest in delaying a trial. | Conway said Trump has no interest in delaying a trial. |
| “He knows the trial is going nowhere,” she said. “He wants a full and fair trial, but that doesn’t mean a lengthy one. Those articles of impeachment are very thin.” | “He knows the trial is going nowhere,” she said. “He wants a full and fair trial, but that doesn’t mean a lengthy one. Those articles of impeachment are very thin.” |
| Democrats, Conway added, “know their case was very obtuse, was very weak, very specious … So delay a trial for what reason? I mean, let’s get on with it already.” | |
| Trump called for a quick end to the impeachment process on Monday, as it remained unclear when Pelosi might send articles of impeachment to the Senate, allowing for a trial to begin. | Trump called for a quick end to the impeachment process on Monday, as it remained unclear when Pelosi might send articles of impeachment to the Senate, allowing for a trial to begin. |
| “The Impeachment Hoax, just a continuation of the Witch Hunt which started even before I won the Election, must end quickly,” Trump, who has been focused on tensions with Iran, said in a tweet. | “The Impeachment Hoax, just a continuation of the Witch Hunt which started even before I won the Election, must end quickly,” Trump, who has been focused on tensions with Iran, said in a tweet. |
| His demand reflected a change in thinking that has taken shape in recent weeks. Trump had called for a long Senate trial that would allow his lawyers to call several witnesses, including the Bidens and the anonymous whistleblower whose complaint sparked the inquiry. | His demand reflected a change in thinking that has taken shape in recent weeks. Trump had called for a long Senate trial that would allow his lawyers to call several witnesses, including the Bidens and the anonymous whistleblower whose complaint sparked the inquiry. |
| “Congress & the President should not be wasting their time and energy on a continuation of the totally partisan Impeachment Hoax when we have so many important matters pending,” Trump said in one tweet Monday morning. | “Congress & the President should not be wasting their time and energy on a continuation of the totally partisan Impeachment Hoax when we have so many important matters pending,” Trump said in one tweet Monday morning. |
| In another tweet, Trump repeated his argument that rough transcripts of his calls with Zelensky showed “NO PRESSURE” to conduct investigations that would benefit him politically. | In another tweet, Trump repeated his argument that rough transcripts of his calls with Zelensky showed “NO PRESSURE” to conduct investigations that would benefit him politically. |
| “It is a con game by the Dems to help with the Election!” Trump said of the impeachment process. | “It is a con game by the Dems to help with the Election!” Trump said of the impeachment process. |
| Trump on Monday criticized Democrats for spending time on impeachment when “I am so busy,” seemingly a reference to the hostilities with Iran. | Trump on Monday criticized Democrats for spending time on impeachment when “I am so busy,” seemingly a reference to the hostilities with Iran. |
| “The great Scam continues,” Trump said in a morning tweet. “To be spending time on this political Hoax at this moment in our history, when I am so busy, is sad!” | “The great Scam continues,” Trump said in a morning tweet. “To be spending time on this political Hoax at this moment in our history, when I am so busy, is sad!” |
| In his tweet, Trump also quoted Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) from an television appearance over the weekend in which he criticized House Democrats for being “so weak and so pathetic” for holding on to the articles of impeachment. | In his tweet, Trump also quoted Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) from an television appearance over the weekend in which he criticized House Democrats for being “so weak and so pathetic” for holding on to the articles of impeachment. |
| Rep. Katherine M. Clark (D-Mass.) chided Senate Republicans on Monday, saying they are acting like a “lap dog” to Trump. | Rep. Katherine M. Clark (D-Mass.) chided Senate Republicans on Monday, saying they are acting like a “lap dog” to Trump. |
| Democrats are seeking guarantees that a Senate trial will include documents relevant to Trump’s conduct toward Ukraine and several witnesses, including acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, who declined to participate in the House impeachment proceedings. | Democrats are seeking guarantees that a Senate trial will include documents relevant to Trump’s conduct toward Ukraine and several witnesses, including acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, who declined to participate in the House impeachment proceedings. |
| Senate leaders have resisted, saying the chamber should wait to vote on calling witnesses until after House managers and lawyers for Trump make opening statements. | Senate leaders have resisted, saying the chamber should wait to vote on calling witnesses until after House managers and lawyers for Trump make opening statements. |
| “We have impeached in the House, and the Senate needs to stop being a lap dog to this president and remember that their oath is to the Constitution and the American people,” Clark said during an appearance on CNN. | “We have impeached in the House, and the Senate needs to stop being a lap dog to this president and remember that their oath is to the Constitution and the American people,” Clark said during an appearance on CNN. |
| Amy Kennedy, a former public school teacher and the wife of former congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.), announced Monday that she is running for the congressional seat occupied by Rep. Jeff Van Drew, the freshman Democratic lawmaker from New Jersey who opposed impeachment and switched his party affiliation to Republican. She lives in the congressional district. | Amy Kennedy, a former public school teacher and the wife of former congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.), announced Monday that she is running for the congressional seat occupied by Rep. Jeff Van Drew, the freshman Democratic lawmaker from New Jersey who opposed impeachment and switched his party affiliation to Republican. She lives in the congressional district. |
| In an announcement video, Kennedy included footage of Van Drew meeting with Trump in the Oval Office of the White House to announce he was no longer a Democrat. | In an announcement video, Kennedy included footage of Van Drew meeting with Trump in the Oval Office of the White House to announce he was no longer a Democrat. |
| “Too many of our leaders have lost their moral compass,” Amy Kennedy said in the video. “Trump and Van Drew are symptoms of a bigger sickness infecting our country and our politics.” | “Too many of our leaders have lost their moral compass,” Amy Kennedy said in the video. “Trump and Van Drew are symptoms of a bigger sickness infecting our country and our politics.” |
| Read more here. | Read more here. |
| Former House speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) sharply criticized Pelosi on Monday for holding on to the articles of impeachment, saying she is devaluing the impeachment process. | Former House speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) sharply criticized Pelosi on Monday for holding on to the articles of impeachment, saying she is devaluing the impeachment process. |
| “It’s hard for me to explain what Speaker Pelosi thinks she’s doing,” said Gingrich, who presided over the impeachment of President Bill Clinton in 1998. “The more she plays games, the more she devalues the impeachment process and turns it from an historic event to just politics.” | “It’s hard for me to explain what Speaker Pelosi thinks she’s doing,” said Gingrich, who presided over the impeachment of President Bill Clinton in 1998. “The more she plays games, the more she devalues the impeachment process and turns it from an historic event to just politics.” |
| “Every day that she drags this out, she makes it look more political, less serious,” Gingrich added. … I don’t understand her strategy … The longer this goes on, the stronger President Trump is getting.” | “Every day that she drags this out, she makes it look more political, less serious,” Gingrich added. … I don’t understand her strategy … The longer this goes on, the stronger President Trump is getting.” |
| Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) pressed the case for a resolution he plans to introduce Monday that would change the Senate rules to allow it to dismiss the impeachment case against Trump if Pelosi does not send articles of impeachment to the chamber. | Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) pressed the case for a resolution he plans to introduce Monday that would change the Senate rules to allow it to dismiss the impeachment case against Trump if Pelosi does not send articles of impeachment to the chamber. |
| “Nancy Pelosi is attempting to obstruct a Senate trial. That’s all there is to it,” Hawley, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said during an appearance on Fox News’s “Fox & Friends.” “It’s time for us to take action to say if you’re not going to prosecute your case, we’re throwing it out.” | “Nancy Pelosi is attempting to obstruct a Senate trial. That’s all there is to it,” Hawley, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said during an appearance on Fox News’s “Fox & Friends.” “It’s time for us to take action to say if you’re not going to prosecute your case, we’re throwing it out.” |
| Hawley’s appearance Monday came a day after Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) suggested that Republicans should try to change Senate rules to begin a trial in coming days without receiving the documents. | Hawley’s appearance Monday came a day after Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) suggested that Republicans should try to change Senate rules to begin a trial in coming days without receiving the documents. |
| Hawley said he considers Graham’s idea “another option.” | Hawley said he considers Graham’s idea “another option.” |
| “The Senate has to act. We have to say, ‘Send up these articles, or we’re moving on without you,’ ” said Hawley, who accused Pelosi of “trying to be the leader of the Senate and control what we do.” | “The Senate has to act. We have to say, ‘Send up these articles, or we’re moving on without you,’ ” said Hawley, who accused Pelosi of “trying to be the leader of the Senate and control what we do.” |
| In reality, both proposals face long odds. It would take 60 votes to pass a resolution on impeachment outside a trial and 67 votes to change the impeachment rules. That threshold would require Democratic support, since Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has only 53 Republicans — and Democrats would be loath to undercut Pelosi. | In reality, both proposals face long odds. It would take 60 votes to pass a resolution on impeachment outside a trial and 67 votes to change the impeachment rules. That threshold would require Democratic support, since Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has only 53 Republicans — and Democrats would be loath to undercut Pelosi. |
| Rep. Mikie Sherrill (N.J.), a freshman Democrat elected in a district carried by Trump in 2016, said Monday that she is hopeful that Pelosi transmits the two articles of impeachment soon. | Rep. Mikie Sherrill (N.J.), a freshman Democrat elected in a district carried by Trump in 2016, said Monday that she is hopeful that Pelosi transmits the two articles of impeachment soon. |
| “I would anticipate it wouldn’t be too long,” Sherrill said during an appearance on CNN. | “I would anticipate it wouldn’t be too long,” Sherrill said during an appearance on CNN. |
| Asked if she would like Pelosi to transmit the articles soon, Sherill said: “I do. I think I want, I think my district wants, I think the nation wants some resolution to this.” | Asked if she would like Pelosi to transmit the articles soon, Sherill said: “I do. I think I want, I think my district wants, I think the nation wants some resolution to this.” |
| Sherrill said the timing of hostilities with Iran should not affect the timing, arguing that an impeachment trial would not undermine Trump’s authority. | Sherrill said the timing of hostilities with Iran should not affect the timing, arguing that an impeachment trial would not undermine Trump’s authority. |
| Trump, who returned to Washington on Sunday night after spending the holidays at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, has no public appearances planned on Monday. | Trump, who returned to Washington on Sunday night after spending the holidays at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, has no public appearances planned on Monday. |
| He is scheduled to participate in a ceremony for newly appointed ambassadors to Washington late Monday morning. That event is closed to the press. | He is scheduled to participate in a ceremony for newly appointed ambassadors to Washington late Monday morning. That event is closed to the press. |
| As they return to Washington this week after the holiday recess, congressional Republicans are preparing to step up pressure on Pelosi to transmit the articles of impeachment, a strategy they highlighted Sunday. | As they return to Washington this week after the holiday recess, congressional Republicans are preparing to step up pressure on Pelosi to transmit the articles of impeachment, a strategy they highlighted Sunday. |
| “It’s now been almost three weeks, and she hasn’t taken any action,” Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Tex.) told Fox News. “She’s let that progressive, socialist, Democratic mob walk her into a box canyon. She’s put a gun to her own head and she’s looking for Mitch McConnell to give her a way out, and he’s not going to do that.” | “It’s now been almost three weeks, and she hasn’t taken any action,” Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Tex.) told Fox News. “She’s let that progressive, socialist, Democratic mob walk her into a box canyon. She’s put a gun to her own head and she’s looking for Mitch McConnell to give her a way out, and he’s not going to do that.” |
| Multiple Democratic officials expect Pelosi to transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate as soon as this week — though Pelosi’s office said Friday that no decision has been made and declined to detail her plans. | Multiple Democratic officials expect Pelosi to transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate as soon as this week — though Pelosi’s office said Friday that no decision has been made and declined to detail her plans. |
| In a letter to colleagues late Sunday, Pelosi said that the House would vote on a war powers resolution this week to limit Trump’s military actions against Iran, warning that his order last week for a lethal strike against a top Iranian commander risked a serious escalation of tensions in the Middle East. She made no mention of plans related to impeachment. | In a letter to colleagues late Sunday, Pelosi said that the House would vote on a war powers resolution this week to limit Trump’s military actions against Iran, warning that his order last week for a lethal strike against a top Iranian commander risked a serious escalation of tensions in the Middle East. She made no mention of plans related to impeachment. |
| Senior Democrats, including two who appeared on the Sunday shows before lawmakers returned from the two-week congressional recess, have defended the delay in transmitting the articles. | Senior Democrats, including two who appeared on the Sunday shows before lawmakers returned from the two-week congressional recess, have defended the delay in transmitting the articles. |
| House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) said on CNN’s “State of the Union” that the maneuver has been successful in highlighting the positions of Senate Republicans on the trial — and holding them accountable. | House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) said on CNN’s “State of the Union” that the maneuver has been successful in highlighting the positions of Senate Republicans on the trial — and holding them accountable. |
| “One success this has already had is flushing out McConnell, showing he is working in cahoots with the president — that he has made himself an active participant in the president’s coverup,” said Schiff, who is expected to be named as an impeachment manager. “So the American people needed to see that, and now they do.” | “One success this has already had is flushing out McConnell, showing he is working in cahoots with the president — that he has made himself an active participant in the president’s coverup,” said Schiff, who is expected to be named as an impeachment manager. “So the American people needed to see that, and now they do.” |
| Likewise, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) — said on ABC’s “This Week” that Pelosi “has done a very good job here,” predicting that if she’d sent the articles in December, “McConnell could have well just voted for dismissal the day before or after Christmas.” | Likewise, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) — said on ABC’s “This Week” that Pelosi “has done a very good job here,” predicting that if she’d sent the articles in December, “McConnell could have well just voted for dismissal the day before or after Christmas.” |