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| Impeachment live updates: McConnell says Pelosi being ‘contemptuous of the American people’ for holding on to articles of impeachment | Impeachment live updates: McConnell says Pelosi being ‘contemptuous of the American people’ for holding on to articles of impeachment |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) of being “contemptuous of the American people” as tensions flared over the continuing impasse on President Trump’s impeachment trial. | Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) of being “contemptuous of the American people” as tensions flared over the continuing impasse on President Trump’s impeachment trial. |
| Pelosi has held on to the articles of impeachment as Democrats seek guarantees about the scope of a trial in the Senate, including whether witnesses will be allowed. Earlier Tuesday, Trump highlighted objections to the prospect of testimony from former national security adviser John Bolton, as Bolton’s announcement that he is prepared to appear at a trial continued to roil Capitol Hill. | |
| 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. |
| ●Bolton’s willingness to testify in Trump’s impeachment trial ramps up pressure on Senate Republicans. | ●Bolton’s willingness to testify in Trump’s impeachment trial ramps up pressure on Senate Republicans. |
| ●Bolton says he would testify to the Senate. So why not the House? | ●Bolton says he would testify to the Senate. So why not the House? |
| ●What does Bolton know? | ●What does Bolton know? |
| 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 |
| Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) pressed his case for calling witnesses in a Senate impeachment trial, warning in a floor speech that Republicans in the chamber would be part of a “large and awful coverup” if they prevent a full airing of the evidence. | Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) pressed his case for calling witnesses in a Senate impeachment trial, warning in a floor speech that Republicans in the chamber would be part of a “large and awful coverup” if they prevent a full airing of the evidence. |
| “A trial isn’t a trial without evidence,” Schumer said. “If the president is ultimately acquitted at the end of a sham trial, his acquittal will be meaningless.” | “A trial isn’t a trial without evidence,” Schumer said. “If the president is ultimately acquitted at the end of a sham trial, his acquittal will be meaningless.” |
| Schumer has been pushing for an agreement to subpoena Bolton and three other officials who did not participate in the House impeachment proceedings, while McConnell has said that decision should wait until after opening statements. | Schumer has been pushing for an agreement to subpoena Bolton and three other officials who did not participate in the House impeachment proceedings, while McConnell has said that decision should wait until after opening statements. |
| “Right now the Republican leader and I have very different ideas about what it means to conduct a fair trial,” Schumer said. | “Right now the Republican leader and I have very different ideas about what it means to conduct a fair trial,” Schumer said. |
| He said Bolton’s announcement on Monday that he is prepared to testify was telling, particularly given that Bolton has direct knowledge about Trump’s conduct toward Ukraine. | He said Bolton’s announcement on Monday that he is prepared to testify was telling, particularly given that Bolton has direct knowledge about Trump’s conduct toward Ukraine. |
| “Republicans were dodging and twisting themselves into pretzels on why Bolton should not testify,” Schumer said. | “Republicans were dodging and twisting themselves into pretzels on why Bolton should not testify,” Schumer said. |
| McConnell laid into Pelosi for continuing to hold on to the articles of impeachment during a floor speech Tuesday, saying the move was “inappropriate,” “embarrassing” and “contemptuous of the American people.” | McConnell laid into Pelosi for continuing to hold on to the articles of impeachment during a floor speech Tuesday, saying the move was “inappropriate,” “embarrassing” and “contemptuous of the American people.” |
| Pelosi has been holding the two charges — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — in the hope of strengthening the hand of Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) in negotiating with McConnell for witnesses in a Senate trial. | Pelosi has been holding the two charges — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — in the hope of strengthening the hand of Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) in negotiating with McConnell for witnesses in a Senate trial. |
| “I’ve had difficulty figuring out where the leverage is,” McConnell said, suggesting that Pelosi’s play is that unless the Senate changes its rules, “then they might never dump this mess in our lap.” | “I’ve had difficulty figuring out where the leverage is,” McConnell said, suggesting that Pelosi’s play is that unless the Senate changes its rules, “then they might never dump this mess in our lap.” |
| “They want to invent a new sort of pretrial hostage negotiation, where the House gets to run the show over here in the Senate,” McConnell said. | “They want to invent a new sort of pretrial hostage negotiation, where the House gets to run the show over here in the Senate,” McConnell said. |
| McConnell reiterated his desire to wait to decide about calling witnesses until after opening statements from House impeachment managers and lawyers for the president and a chance for senators to ask written questions of both sides — a procedure followed during the Senate impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton in 1999. | |
| “The speaker of the House is not going to handwrite new rules for the Senate,” McConnell said. | “The speaker of the House is not going to handwrite new rules for the Senate,” McConnell said. |
| White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham accused Pelosi of obstructing justice because she has yet to send the Senate the articles of impeachment. | White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham accused Pelosi of obstructing justice because she has yet to send the Senate the articles of impeachment. |
| “I’ll tell you the irony here,” Grisham said during an appearance on Fox News. “One of the articles of impeachment is obstruction of Congress. I’d argue Nancy Pelosi is obstructing Congress right now because she’s not sending the articles over.” | “I’ll tell you the irony here,” Grisham said during an appearance on Fox News. “One of the articles of impeachment is obstruction of Congress. I’d argue Nancy Pelosi is obstructing Congress right now because she’s not sending the articles over.” |
| Grisham’s comment was made in response to a question about Bolton’s willingness to testify in a Senate trial. Grisham said she wouldn’t speak to “who or if people” should testify because the articles hadn’t been sent yet. | Grisham’s comment was made in response to a question about Bolton’s willingness to testify in a Senate trial. Grisham said she wouldn’t speak to “who or if people” should testify because the articles hadn’t been sent yet. |
| Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) pushed back Tuesday on a plan by McConnell to delay a decision about witnesses at a Senate trial until after opening arguments, saying it “doesn’t pass the smell test.” | Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) pushed back Tuesday on a plan by McConnell to delay a decision about witnesses at a Senate trial until after opening arguments, saying it “doesn’t pass the smell test.” |
| “My hope again will be that we get a chance to hear from everyone who’s got firsthand knowledge,” Warner told reporters. “These are individuals who could clear the president. I don’t understand why they’re not being allowed to present their facts, and I find that very concerning. And this notion that we’re going to go through the whole proceeding and then potentially have a chance to then decide whether we call witnesses or not doesn’t pass the smell test.” | “My hope again will be that we get a chance to hear from everyone who’s got firsthand knowledge,” Warner told reporters. “These are individuals who could clear the president. I don’t understand why they’re not being allowed to present their facts, and I find that very concerning. And this notion that we’re going to go through the whole proceeding and then potentially have a chance to then decide whether we call witnesses or not doesn’t pass the smell test.” |
| McConnell has said the plan he is advocating is consistent with the approach taken during the Senate impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton in 1999. | McConnell has said the plan he is advocating is consistent with the approach taken during the Senate impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton in 1999. |
| Warner also responded to a question about Pelosi’s decision to hold on to the articles of impeachment. | Warner also responded to a question about Pelosi’s decision to hold on to the articles of impeachment. |
| “I may not always agree with her approaches, but nine times out of 10, they’ve worked out,” he said. “I think we’ll get to a trial.” | “I may not always agree with her approaches, but nine times out of 10, they’ve worked out,” he said. “I think we’ll get to a trial.” |
| The campaign arm for Senate Democrats has created a website devoted to knocking Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) on impeachment. | The campaign arm for Senate Democrats has created a website devoted to knocking Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) on impeachment. |
| The site, WhatChangedSusan.com, focuses on statements the senator made during President Bill Clinton’s impeachment vs. today. In 1999, the site says, Collins pressed for more witnesses and more evidence, but hasn’t made the same demands of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for Trump’s trial. | The site, WhatChangedSusan.com, focuses on statements the senator made during President Bill Clinton’s impeachment vs. today. In 1999, the site says, Collins pressed for more witnesses and more evidence, but hasn’t made the same demands of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for Trump’s trial. |
| Collins, who is considered the Senate Republicans’ most moderate member, is also a top target for Democrats to unseat this year. | Collins, who is considered the Senate Republicans’ most moderate member, is also a top target for Democrats to unseat this year. |
| Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) suggested Tuesday that Senate testimony from Bolton could actually help Trump’s case, not hurt it. | Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) suggested Tuesday that Senate testimony from Bolton could actually help Trump’s case, not hurt it. |
| “He’s a very smart guy, as you know, and I’m sure he would not have said what he said without gaming this thing out,” Cornyn told radio host Hugh Hewitt on his syndicated show. “And it could well be, if he is called as a witness at some point, that his testimony would be enormously helpful to President Trump. And I’m not sure that’s what the Democrats have in mind.” | “He’s a very smart guy, as you know, and I’m sure he would not have said what he said without gaming this thing out,” Cornyn told radio host Hugh Hewitt on his syndicated show. “And it could well be, if he is called as a witness at some point, that his testimony would be enormously helpful to President Trump. And I’m not sure that’s what the Democrats have in mind.” |
| Hewitt said that he thinks Democrats assume Bolton, who departed in September, is mad at Trump. | Hewitt said that he thinks Democrats assume Bolton, who departed in September, is mad at Trump. |
| “They’re talking, they think of John Bolton as other than the patriot that he is,” Hewitt said. “And he may have had disagreements with people, but there is no way he is going to go up there and advocate for Democratic results and advocate to avoid the actual policy conducted against Ukraine, which I believe you’ll agree was far tougher under President Trump in support of Ukraine than President Obama.” | “They’re talking, they think of John Bolton as other than the patriot that he is,” Hewitt said. “And he may have had disagreements with people, but there is no way he is going to go up there and advocate for Democratic results and advocate to avoid the actual policy conducted against Ukraine, which I believe you’ll agree was far tougher under President Trump in support of Ukraine than President Obama.” |
| “I do, I do agree,” Cornyn replied. | “I do, I do agree,” Cornyn replied. |
| Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) chuckled during a television interview Tuesday when asked about Pelosi’s delay in transmitting the articles of impeachment. | Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) chuckled during a television interview Tuesday when asked about Pelosi’s delay in transmitting the articles of impeachment. |
| “It’s still hard for me to fathom how she thinks she’s going to punish Republicans by withholding the impeachment, which none of us favor,” Paul said during an appearance on Fox News. “So she’s punishing us by not sending us the impeachment. I’m happy to be so punished for as long as it takes. She can keep the impeachment over there forever, as far as I’m concerned.” | “It’s still hard for me to fathom how she thinks she’s going to punish Republicans by withholding the impeachment, which none of us favor,” Paul said during an appearance on Fox News. “So she’s punishing us by not sending us the impeachment. I’m happy to be so punished for as long as it takes. She can keep the impeachment over there forever, as far as I’m concerned.” |
| Rep. Will Hurd (R-Tex.), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, said he has no say in whether Bolton testifies before the Senate but would like to have heard from Trump’s former national security adviser during the House impeachment proceedings. | Rep. Will Hurd (R-Tex.), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, said he has no say in whether Bolton testifies before the Senate but would like to have heard from Trump’s former national security adviser during the House impeachment proceedings. |
| “I would have loved to see John Bolton in the House hearing,” Hurd said during an appearance on CNN. | “I would have loved to see John Bolton in the House hearing,” Hurd said during an appearance on CNN. |
| Hurd said that he believes House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) will eventually summon Bolton to a hearing, adding, “I’d participate in the hearing, for sure.” | Hurd said that he believes House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) will eventually summon Bolton to a hearing, adding, “I’d participate in the hearing, for sure.” |
| During the House impeachment proceedings, Hurd was critical of the Trump administration’s actions toward Ukraine, saying it amounted to “bungling foreign policy.” But Hurd said he had not seen sufficient evidence to vote for impeaching Trump. | During the House impeachment proceedings, Hurd was critical of the Trump administration’s actions toward Ukraine, saying it amounted to “bungling foreign policy.” But Hurd said he had not seen sufficient evidence to vote for impeaching Trump. |
| House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) sharply criticized Pelosi during a morning television interview, accusing her of holding on to the articles of impeachment because “she’s realizing what a weak case she has.” | House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) sharply criticized Pelosi during a morning television interview, accusing her of holding on to the articles of impeachment because “she’s realizing what a weak case she has.” |
| Pelosi has been holding the two charges — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — in the hope of strengthening the hand of Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) in negotiating with McConnell for witnesses in a Senate trial. | Pelosi has been holding the two charges — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — in the hope of strengthening the hand of Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) in negotiating with McConnell for witnesses in a Senate trial. |
| “She’s got no leverage on Mitch McConnell, and the House has no leverage over the Senate,” McCarthy said during an appearance on Fox News’s “Fox & Friends.” | “She’s got no leverage on Mitch McConnell, and the House has no leverage over the Senate,” McCarthy said during an appearance on Fox News’s “Fox & Friends.” |
| McCarthy also argued that the Senate should not call witnesses who were not part of the House impeachment proceedings — a posture that would rule out testimony from Bolton. | McCarthy also argued that the Senate should not call witnesses who were not part of the House impeachment proceedings — a posture that would rule out testimony from Bolton. |
| “It’s not a place for the Senate to have more witnesses,” McCarthy said. | “It’s not a place for the Senate to have more witnesses,” McCarthy said. |
| There is no rule that would prevent the Senate from doing so. | There is no rule that would prevent the Senate from doing so. |
| Trump went on Twitter shortly after the interview to praise McCarthy’s performance. | Trump went on Twitter shortly after the interview to praise McCarthy’s performance. |
| “Great interview with @GOPLeader Kevin McCarthy on @foxandfriends,” he tweeted. | “Great interview with @GOPLeader Kevin McCarthy on @foxandfriends,” he tweeted. |
| Trump on Tuesday highlighted the view of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) that a Senate impeachment trial should be limited to the same testimony and evidence considered by the House — a standard that would preclude hearing testimony from Bolton. | Trump on Tuesday highlighted the view of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) that a Senate impeachment trial should be limited to the same testimony and evidence considered by the House — a standard that would preclude hearing testimony from Bolton. |
| “Worth repeating,” Rubio said in a tweet retweeted by the president to his nearly 70 million followers. “The testimony & evidence considered in a Senate impeachment trial should be the same testimony & evidence the House relied upon when they passed the Articles of Impeachment. Our job is to vote on what the House passed, not to conduct an open ended inquiry.” | “Worth repeating,” Rubio said in a tweet retweeted by the president to his nearly 70 million followers. “The testimony & evidence considered in a Senate impeachment trial should be the same testimony & evidence the House relied upon when they passed the Articles of Impeachment. Our job is to vote on what the House passed, not to conduct an open ended inquiry.” |
| Bolton’s surprise announcement on Monday that he is willing to testify in the Senate complicated the political calculus for Republicans, many of whom have rallied around the idea of a quick trial with few, if any, witnesses. | Bolton’s surprise announcement on Monday that he is willing to testify in the Senate complicated the political calculus for Republicans, many of whom have rallied around the idea of a quick trial with few, if any, witnesses. |
| But Bolton’s announcement bolstered Senate Democrats, who want to subpoena Trump’s former national security adviser and several other officials who declined to participate in the House impeachment proceedings. | But Bolton’s announcement bolstered Senate Democrats, who want to subpoena Trump’s former national security adviser and several other officials who declined to participate in the House impeachment proceedings. |
| Amid a spate of other morning tweets and retweets focused on impeachment and tensions with Iran, Trump also highlighted posts by Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) complaining about “stunts” by Pelosi. | Amid a spate of other morning tweets and retweets focused on impeachment and tensions with Iran, Trump also highlighted posts by Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) complaining about “stunts” by Pelosi. |
| “Speaker Pelosi argued to the American people it was imperative that impeachment move forward ASAP because @realDonaldTrump was a threat to the country,” Graham tweeted. “Now she is sitting on the Articles and trying to run the Senate — denying President Trump his day in court. President Trump and America deserve better!” | “Speaker Pelosi argued to the American people it was imperative that impeachment move forward ASAP because @realDonaldTrump was a threat to the country,” Graham tweeted. “Now she is sitting on the Articles and trying to run the Senate — denying President Trump his day in court. President Trump and America deserve better!” |
| The spotlight on Pelosi will intensify as the House reconvenes for its new session Tuesday night. | The spotlight on Pelosi will intensify as the House reconvenes for its new session Tuesday night. |
| Democratic officials last week predicted Pelosi would deliver the articles of impeachment to the Senate as soon as this week, though the speaker has kept her plans quiet and her office has refused to detail her timeline. | Democratic officials last week predicted Pelosi would deliver the articles of impeachment to the Senate as soon as this week, though the speaker has kept her plans quiet and her office has refused to detail her timeline. |
| Pelosi has been holding the two charges — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — in hopes of strengthening the hand of Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) in negotiating with McConnell for witnesses. | Pelosi has been holding the two charges — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — in hopes of strengthening the hand of Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) in negotiating with McConnell for witnesses. |
| Bolton’s statement on Monday that he is prepared to testify in the Senate seemed to create a shift in leverage in favor of the Democrats. | Bolton’s statement on Monday that he is prepared to testify in the Senate seemed to create a shift in leverage in favor of the Democrats. |
| Under current rules, the House must pass a resolution naming its impeachment managers before a Senate trial begins. Pelosi has indicated the focus of the House this week will be on a war powers resolution to limit Trump’s military actions against Iran. | Under current rules, the House must pass a resolution naming its impeachment managers before a Senate trial begins. Pelosi has indicated the focus of the House this week will be on a war powers resolution to limit Trump’s military actions against Iran. |
| But with lawmakers back in Washington, a barrage of questions is likely about her intentions on delivering the articles of impeachment. | But with lawmakers back in Washington, a barrage of questions is likely about her intentions on delivering the articles of impeachment. |
| Trump is scheduled to welcome Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the White House on Tuesday afternoon. The visit includes an Oval Office meeting, part of which will be open to the press. | Trump is scheduled to welcome Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the White House on Tuesday afternoon. The visit includes an Oval Office meeting, part of which will be open to the press. |
| Trump has used similar meetings with world leaders to air grievances about the impeachment process and discuss other news of the day. | Trump has used similar meetings with world leaders to air grievances about the impeachment process and discuss other news of the day. |
| Trump has no other public events on his schedule Tuesday. | Trump has no other public events on his schedule Tuesday. |
| Trump late Monday night highlighted a suggestion by the Washington Examiner’s Byron York that testimony by Bolton could be less consequential than some think because the White House could assert executive privilege to limit his answers. | Trump late Monday night highlighted a suggestion by the Washington Examiner’s Byron York that testimony by Bolton could be less consequential than some think because the White House could assert executive privilege to limit his answers. |
| “The White House can assert executive privilege,” York said in a tweet retweeted by Trump. “It’s not Bolton’s privilege; it’s the president’s. If executive privilege covers anything, it is a talk between president and top adviser on matters of foreign policy.” | “The White House can assert executive privilege,” York said in a tweet retweeted by Trump. “It’s not Bolton’s privilege; it’s the president’s. If executive privilege covers anything, it is a talk between president and top adviser on matters of foreign policy.” |
| York attached a piece he wrote for the Examiner in which he called Bolton’s statement on Monday that he is prepared to testify in the Senate “an important development.” | York attached a piece he wrote for the Examiner in which he called Bolton’s statement on Monday that he is prepared to testify in the Senate “an important development.” |
| But, York wrote: “Testimony that is billed as dramatic, and even explosive, might be somewhat less exciting in reality.” | But, York wrote: “Testimony that is billed as dramatic, and even explosive, might be somewhat less exciting in reality.” |
| Trump’s retweet included no commentary of his own. | Trump’s retweet included no commentary of his own. |