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| Trump impeachment: John Bolton says he will testify in Senate trial if subpoenaed – live | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| ‘I am prepared to testify’ in the impeachment trial, Trump’s former national security adviser says – follow the latest live updates | |
| It appears John Bolton is currently dodging questions about whether he would comply with a new House subpoena seeking his testimony related to the Ukraine controversy. | |
| Trump’s former national security adviser said he would testify in the Senate impeachment trial if subpoenaed, but it’s unclear whether Democratic minority leader Chuck Schumer can attract enough Republican support to get a subpoena approved. | |
| After John Bolton issued a statement saying he would testify in the impeachment trial if the Senate issues a subpoena, some commentators wondered if Trump’s former national security adviser would similarly comply with a new subpoena from the Democratic-controlled House. | |
| The House previously issued a subpoena to Bolton, but the former official did not testify at the time, citing an ongoing lawsuit seeking a judge’s ruling on whether to comply with the congressional subpoena or the White House guidance not to cooperate with the investigation. | |
| It’s important to note that John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, is only saying he will testify if the Republican-controlled Senate issues a subpoena. | |
| Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer has called for a handful of Trump administration officials, including Bolton, to testify, but he would need four Republicans to sign on to his request to have it approved. | |
| “I hope, pray, and believe there’s a decent chance that four Republicans will join us. If they do, we will have a fair trial,” Schumer said yesterday. | |
| John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, has confirmed he intends to testify in the Senate impeachment trial if he is subpoenaed. | John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, has confirmed he intends to testify in the Senate impeachment trial if he is subpoenaed. |
| In a statement explaining his new position, Bolton noted that he previously joined a lawsuit seeking a judge’s ruling on whether to comply with a congressional subpoena or the White House’s guidance not to cooperate with the House impeachment inquiry. | In a statement explaining his new position, Bolton noted that he previously joined a lawsuit seeking a judge’s ruling on whether to comply with a congressional subpoena or the White House’s guidance not to cooperate with the House impeachment inquiry. |
| “The House has concluded its Constitutional responsibility by adopting Articles of Impeachment related to the Ukraine matter. It now falls to the Senate to fulfill its Constitutional obligation to try impeachments, and it does not appear possible that a final judicial resolution of the still-unanswered Constitutional questions can be obtained before the Senate acts,” Bolton said in the statement. | “The House has concluded its Constitutional responsibility by adopting Articles of Impeachment related to the Ukraine matter. It now falls to the Senate to fulfill its Constitutional obligation to try impeachments, and it does not appear possible that a final judicial resolution of the still-unanswered Constitutional questions can be obtained before the Senate acts,” Bolton said in the statement. |
| “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. I have concluded that, if the Senate issues a subpoena for my testimony, I am prepared to testify.” | “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. I have concluded that, if the Senate issues a subpoena for my testimony, I am prepared to testify.” |
| John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, has reportedly said he would testify in a Senate impeachment trial if he were subpoenaed. | John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, has reportedly said he would testify in a Senate impeachment trial if he were subpoenaed. |
| Bolton is one of four Trump administration officials that Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer listed as potential witnesses for the trial, but it’s unclear whether enough Republicans will sign on to Schumer’s request to get it approved. | Bolton is one of four Trump administration officials that Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer listed as potential witnesses for the trial, but it’s unclear whether enough Republicans will sign on to Schumer’s request to get it approved. |
| Bolton reportedly criticized other administration officials, including acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and US ambassador to the EU Gordon Sondland, for getting involved in efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden. | Bolton reportedly criticized other administration officials, including acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and US ambassador to the EU Gordon Sondland, for getting involved in efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden. |
| The department of defense and the state department reportedly plan to brief members of Congress Wednesday on the drone strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani. | The department of defense and the state department reportedly plan to brief members of Congress Wednesday on the drone strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani. |
| After news of the strike broke, Democratic leaders in Congress complained that they were not given advance notice of the strike. | After news of the strike broke, Democratic leaders in Congress complained that they were not given advance notice of the strike. |
| Even members of the “Gang of Eight,” the group of lawmakers who are supposed to be regularly briefed on classified intelligence matters, do not appear to have received information about the strike before it occurred. | Even members of the “Gang of Eight,” the group of lawmakers who are supposed to be regularly briefed on classified intelligence matters, do not appear to have received information about the strike before it occurred. |
| Senator Lindsey Graham, a close congressional ally of Trump’s, said he would oppose a War Powers resolution aimed at limiting the president’s military actions in Iran. | Senator Lindsey Graham, a close congressional ally of Trump’s, said he would oppose a War Powers resolution aimed at limiting the president’s military actions in Iran. |
| House speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a letter to colleagues yesterday that members would soon vote on a War Powers resolution, similar to the one proposed by Democratic senator Tim Kaine. | House speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a letter to colleagues yesterday that members would soon vote on a War Powers resolution, similar to the one proposed by Democratic senator Tim Kaine. |
| “Last week, the Trump administration conducted a provocative and disproportionate military airstrike targeting high-level Iranian military officials,” Pelosi wrote in the letter. “This action endangered our servicemembers, diplomats and others by risking a serious escalation of tensions with Iran. | “Last week, the Trump administration conducted a provocative and disproportionate military airstrike targeting high-level Iranian military officials,” Pelosi wrote in the letter. “This action endangered our servicemembers, diplomats and others by risking a serious escalation of tensions with Iran. |
| “As members of Congress, our first responsibility is to keep the American people safe. For this reason, we are concerned that the administration took this action without the consultation of Congress and without respect for Congress’s war powers granted to it by the Constitution.” | “As members of Congress, our first responsibility is to keep the American people safe. For this reason, we are concerned that the administration took this action without the consultation of Congress and without respect for Congress’s war powers granted to it by the Constitution.” |
| The Constitution clearly gives Congress the power to declare war, which makes Graham’s comment about “535 Commanders in Chief” all the more curious. | The Constitution clearly gives Congress the power to declare war, which makes Graham’s comment about “535 Commanders in Chief” all the more curious. |
| Echoing comments he made Friday on the Senate floor, majority leader Mitch McConnell said senators would “continue the ordinary business of the Senate” as they await the transmission of the articles of impeachment. | Echoing comments he made Friday on the Senate floor, majority leader Mitch McConnell said senators would “continue the ordinary business of the Senate” as they await the transmission of the articles of impeachment. |
| It’s unclear when Nancy Pelosi will transmit the two articles of impeachment passed by the House last month, but many expect the speaker to do so later this week. | It’s unclear when Nancy Pelosi will transmit the two articles of impeachment passed by the House last month, but many expect the speaker to do so later this week. |
| While campaigning in Iowa this weekend, former vice president Joe Biden once again falsely represented his past support for the Iraq War. | While campaigning in Iowa this weekend, former vice president Joe Biden once again falsely represented his past support for the Iraq War. |
| The former Delaware senator’s 2002 vote in favor of using force in Iraq has been back in the news this month, following the US drone strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani. | The former Delaware senator’s 2002 vote in favor of using force in Iraq has been back in the news this month, following the US drone strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani. |
| CNN reports: | CNN reports: |
| Republican senator Josh Hawley is expected to introduce a measure today aimed at dismissing the impeachment charges that the House has approved against Trump. | Republican senator Josh Hawley is expected to introduce a measure today aimed at dismissing the impeachment charges that the House has approved against Trump. |
| According to Axios, Hawley’s resolution “would allow the Senate to dismiss for lack of prosecution any articles of impeachment that the House of Representatives has delayed transmitting for 25 calendar days or more.” | According to Axios, Hawley’s resolution “would allow the Senate to dismiss for lack of prosecution any articles of impeachment that the House of Representatives has delayed transmitting for 25 calendar days or more.” |
| But it’s worth noting that the Senate has been out of session since the House passed the articles of impeachment, and House speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to transmit the articles at some point this week. | But it’s worth noting that the Senate has been out of session since the House passed the articles of impeachment, and House speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to transmit the articles at some point this week. |
| Hawley’s resolution seems unlikely to gain momentum, but it underscores the possible political perils of House Democrats continuing to delay a Senate trial. | Hawley’s resolution seems unlikely to gain momentum, but it underscores the possible political perils of House Democrats continuing to delay a Senate trial. |
| Trump has just sent out another tweet, this one claiming that Iran will “never” have a nuclear wepon after the country’s top general was killed by a US drone strike. | Trump has just sent out another tweet, this one claiming that Iran will “never” have a nuclear wepon after the country’s top general was killed by a US drone strike. |
| In response to the Suleimani strike, Tehran announced yesterday that it would no longer limit itself to the restrictions of the 2015 nuclear deal, which the Trump administration had already been chipping away at by reimposing strict sanctions. | In response to the Suleimani strike, Tehran announced yesterday that it would no longer limit itself to the restrictions of the 2015 nuclear deal, which the Trump administration had already been chipping away at by reimposing strict sanctions. |
| The announcement sparked concerns that Iran would race toward ramping up their nuclear development, but Tehran did not entirely abandon the deal. | The announcement sparked concerns that Iran would race toward ramping up their nuclear development, but Tehran did not entirely abandon the deal. |
| In a statement, Iran said it would “continue to work with international nuclear agencies and will return to JCPOA limits once all sanctions are removed from the country.” | In a statement, Iran said it would “continue to work with international nuclear agencies and will return to JCPOA limits once all sanctions are removed from the country.” |
| Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren has announced she will appear alongside Julián Castro tomorrow, after her former primary opponent endorsed her White House bid. | Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren has announced she will appear alongside Julián Castro tomorrow, after her former primary opponent endorsed her White House bid. |
| The pair will host an event at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York, tomorrow evening. The event will come less than a week after Castro suspended his own presidential campaign. | The pair will host an event at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York, tomorrow evening. The event will come less than a week after Castro suspended his own presidential campaign. |
| Castro announced this morning that he was endorsing Warren. “Theres one candidate I see who’s unafraid to fight like hell to make sure America’s promise will be there for everyone,” Castro said in a new video. “Who will make sure that no matter where you live in America or where your family came from in the world, you have a path to opportunity too. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Elizabeth Warren for president.” | Castro announced this morning that he was endorsing Warren. “Theres one candidate I see who’s unafraid to fight like hell to make sure America’s promise will be there for everyone,” Castro said in a new video. “Who will make sure that no matter where you live in America or where your family came from in the world, you have a path to opportunity too. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Elizabeth Warren for president.” |
| Trump has again weighed in on the looming impeachment trial over Twitter, dismissing the controversy as a “con game” and calling for a rapid end to the matter. | Trump has again weighed in on the looming impeachment trial over Twitter, dismissing the controversy as a “con game” and calling for a rapid end to the matter. |
| House speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet transmitted the aricles of impeachment to the Senate, but many expect her to do so this week. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has made clear the delay will not affect his handling of the trial. | House speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet transmitted the aricles of impeachment to the Senate, but many expect her to do so this week. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has made clear the delay will not affect his handling of the trial. |
| Once the articles are transmitted, the Republican-controlled Senate will need to determine the parameters of the trial, which is expected to end in the president’s acquittal. | Once the articles are transmitted, the Republican-controlled Senate will need to determine the parameters of the trial, which is expected to end in the president’s acquittal. |
| Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer has been demanding that White House advisers testify during the trial, but that request will not be approved unless he can get four Republican senators to sign on to it. | Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer has been demanding that White House advisers testify during the trial, but that request will not be approved unless he can get four Republican senators to sign on to it. |
| Julián Castro, the former Democratic presidential candidate who ended his White House bid last week, announced he is endorsing Elizabeth Warren in the race. | Julián Castro, the former Democratic presidential candidate who ended his White House bid last week, announced he is endorsing Elizabeth Warren in the race. |
| A newly released video showed Castro and Warren having a conversation at the Massachusetts senator’s home, alongside her golden retriever Bailey. | A newly released video showed Castro and Warren having a conversation at the Massachusetts senator’s home, alongside her golden retriever Bailey. |
| Warren applauded Castro for the way he ran his campaign, and he in turn said his bid was driven by the “same vision that I see in you and your campaign.” “Nobody is working harder than you are,” Castro told Warren. | Warren applauded Castro for the way he ran his campaign, and he in turn said his bid was driven by the “same vision that I see in you and your campaign.” “Nobody is working harder than you are,” Castro told Warren. |
| Judge Judy Sheindlin, the star of the popular daytime court show “Judge Judy,” has announced she is endorsing Michael Bloomberg in the Democratic presidential primary. | Judge Judy Sheindlin, the star of the popular daytime court show “Judge Judy,” has announced she is endorsing Michael Bloomberg in the Democratic presidential primary. |
| “I like to say you can judge someone’s character by what they’ve done. Mike Bloomberg has done amazing things and will be a truly great president,” Sheindlin says in a new video released by the billionaire candidate’s campaign. “No one comes close to Mike Bloomberg’s executive achievement, government experience, and impactful philanthropy.” | “I like to say you can judge someone’s character by what they’ve done. Mike Bloomberg has done amazing things and will be a truly great president,” Sheindlin says in a new video released by the billionaire candidate’s campaign. “No one comes close to Mike Bloomberg’s executive achievement, government experience, and impactful philanthropy.” |
| The former New York mayor will run the ad, which is titled “Judge Him,” across 26 states. Bloomberg has already spent more than $100 million on advertising, and that figure is expected to increase to between $300 million and $400 million by the time Super Tuesday states vote in early March. | The former New York mayor will run the ad, which is titled “Judge Him,” across 26 states. Bloomberg has already spent more than $100 million on advertising, and that figure is expected to increase to between $300 million and $400 million by the time Super Tuesday states vote in early March. |
| Good morning, live blog readers! | Good morning, live blog readers! |
| Members of Congress have returned to Washington to resume work, but the impeachment of Donald Trump remains stalled, as House speaker Nancy Pelosi has still not transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate. | Members of Congress have returned to Washington to resume work, but the impeachment of Donald Trump remains stalled, as House speaker Nancy Pelosi has still not transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate. |
| Pelosi has delayed transmitting the articles in the hope of gaining leverage over the procedures adopted for the trial, but Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has shown no sign of allowing the strategy to affect his approach to impeachment. | Pelosi has delayed transmitting the articles in the hope of gaining leverage over the procedures adopted for the trial, but Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has shown no sign of allowing the strategy to affect his approach to impeachment. |
| Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer has been trying to pressure McConnell to call White House advisers to testify during the trial, but the New York Democrat would need four Republican senators to join his cause to have that request approved. | Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer has been trying to pressure McConnell to call White House advisers to testify during the trial, but the New York Democrat would need four Republican senators to join his cause to have that request approved. |
| “I hope, pray, and believe there’s a decent chance that four Republicans will join us. If they do, we will have a fair trial,” Schumer said yesterday. | “I hope, pray, and believe there’s a decent chance that four Republicans will join us. If they do, we will have a fair trial,” Schumer said yesterday. |
| Pelosi could transmit the articles as soon as tomorrow, but it remains entirely unclear whether she will. Until then, Democrats and Republicans will continue to clash over a trial that currently lacks a timeline. | Pelosi could transmit the articles as soon as tomorrow, but it remains entirely unclear whether she will. Until then, Democrats and Republicans will continue to clash over a trial that currently lacks a timeline. |
| Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on: | Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on: |
| Trump will participate in a credentialing ceremony for newly appointed ambassadors to Washington and have lunch with the vice president. | Trump will participate in a credentialing ceremony for newly appointed ambassadors to Washington and have lunch with the vice president. |
| Republican senator Josh Hawley is expected to introduce a resolution to dismiss the impeachment charges against Trump, but that seems unlikely to gain momentum. | Republican senator Josh Hawley is expected to introduce a resolution to dismiss the impeachment charges against Trump, but that seems unlikely to gain momentum. |
| Progressive groups will hold a Washington protest calling for Trump’s removal from office at 12 p.m. ET. | Progressive groups will hold a Washington protest calling for Trump’s removal from office at 12 p.m. ET. |
| The blog will have much more coming up, so stay tuned. | The blog will have much more coming up, so stay tuned. |