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Trump impeachment: Pelosi says 'I know exactly when' to send articles to Senate – live Trump impeachment: Pelosi says 'I know exactly when' to send articles to Senate – live
(32 minutes later)
The House speaker said she won’t publicly set a deadline to send the articles of impeachment while a growing chorus of lawmakers say it’s timeThe House speaker said she won’t publicly set a deadline to send the articles of impeachment while a growing chorus of lawmakers say it’s time
Asked about John Bolton’s potential testimony during the impeachment trial, Trump again said the question of whether to subpoena his former national security adviser would be left up to the Senate.
“I always got along with him,” Trump said. “He didn’t get along with some of our people, but that’s really going to be up to the Senate.”
But the US president interestingly noted he would confer with his lawyers to determine how to “protect presidential privilege,” indicating the White House might seek to limit Bolton’s testimony.
“We have to protect presidential privilege for me but for future presidents,” Trump told reporters attending his environmental regulation event.
Speaking to reporters during his environmental regulation event, Trump said he had come up with a “beautiful” name for NATO Middle East, emphasizing his desire for the international alliance to get more involved in the region.
The US president also said that the name of the renegotiated North American trade deal -- USMCA to stand for for the United States, Mexico and Canada agreement -- was inspired by the song “YMCA.”
As reports emerged that US officials believe Iran struck down the Ukrainian airliner that went down yesterday, Trump said he thought the crash may have been the result of a “mistake” on the “other side.”
The Guardian’s Dan Sabbagh and Michael Safi have more details on the crash:
Speaking to reporters during an event regarding environmental regulation, Trump said the US targeted Iranian general Qassem Suleimani because he was “looking to blow up our embassy.”
“We did it because they were looking to blow up our embassy,” the US president said. “We also did it for other reasons that were very obvious. Somebody died, one of our military people died, people were badly wounded just a week before.”
US officials have said Suleimani was planning an “imminent” attack on Americans, but they have declined to provide further details about the threat.
It’s unclear whether the planned embassy strike Trump described was the same “imminent” attack that US officials have referenced.
US officials reportedly believe Iran shot down the Ukraine International Airlines plane that crashed yesterday, killing all 176 people on board.US officials reportedly believe Iran shot down the Ukraine International Airlines plane that crashed yesterday, killing all 176 people on board.
According to CBS News, the plane may have been mistakenly targeted just hours after Iran launched its missile attack in response to the US strike on Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.According to CBS News, the plane may have been mistakenly targeted just hours after Iran launched its missile attack in response to the US strike on Iranian general Qassem Suleimani.
Nancy Pelosi was wrapping up her news conference but came back to the podium to take a question about whether she would attend the San Francisco 49ers game this weekend.Nancy Pelosi was wrapping up her news conference but came back to the podium to take a question about whether she would attend the San Francisco 49ers game this weekend.
The House speaker also laughed along with reporters as she took a question about whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will move to California now that they’re stepping back from their royal duties.The House speaker also laughed along with reporters as she took a question about whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will move to California now that they’re stepping back from their royal duties.
Nancy Pelosi said it is “for sure” time to get rid of the Authorization for Use of Military Force in Iraq, which the Trump administration is using as its legal justification for launching military missions against Iran.Nancy Pelosi said it is “for sure” time to get rid of the Authorization for Use of Military Force in Iraq, which the Trump administration is using as its legal justification for launching military missions against Iran.
But the House speaker noted the complicated nature of crafting a new AUMF, which would have to determine the timing, geography and scope of conflict.But the House speaker noted the complicated nature of crafting a new AUMF, which would have to determine the timing, geography and scope of conflict.
Pelosi earlier criticized Trump for launching the strike against Iranian general Qassem Suleimani without seeking congressional authorization.Pelosi earlier criticized Trump for launching the strike against Iranian general Qassem Suleimani without seeking congressional authorization.
Nancy Pelosi’s comments this morning, saying she would “soon” transmit the articles of impeachment, cast doubt on the possibility of starting a Senate trial next week.Nancy Pelosi’s comments this morning, saying she would “soon” transmit the articles of impeachment, cast doubt on the possibility of starting a Senate trial next week.
A number of senators, including some Democrats, had said they hoped the trial could start next week, but Pelosi did not provide a specific timeline for when the articles would be sent over.A number of senators, including some Democrats, had said they hoped the trial could start next week, but Pelosi did not provide a specific timeline for when the articles would be sent over.
Although Nancy Pelosi said she would “soon” transmit the articles of impeachment, the House speaker did not provide a specific timeline.Although Nancy Pelosi said she would “soon” transmit the articles of impeachment, the House speaker did not provide a specific timeline.
“I think we should move smartly and strategically,” Pelosi said of Democrats’ thinking on holding back the articles.“I think we should move smartly and strategically,” Pelosi said of Democrats’ thinking on holding back the articles.
Asked how long she was willing to delay transmitting the articles of impeachment, Nancy Pelosi argued her stalling had been successful because of the developments that have unfolded in the past few weeks.Asked how long she was willing to delay transmitting the articles of impeachment, Nancy Pelosi argued her stalling had been successful because of the developments that have unfolded in the past few weeks.
The House speaker pointed to the release of administration emails revealing new details about the freeze on Ukraine’s military aid and former national security adviser John Bolton’s willingness to testify.The House speaker pointed to the release of administration emails revealing new details about the freeze on Ukraine’s military aid and former national security adviser John Bolton’s willingness to testify.
However, Pelosi said she did not plan to hold the articles indefinitely. “I’ll send them over when I’m ready,” the speaker said. “And that’ll probably be soon.”However, Pelosi said she did not plan to hold the articles indefinitely. “I’ll send them over when I’m ready,” the speaker said. “And that’ll probably be soon.”
Speaking to reporters at her weekly press conference, Nancy Pelosi repeated her desire to understand the parameters of a Senate trial before transmitting the articles of impeachment.Speaking to reporters at her weekly press conference, Nancy Pelosi repeated her desire to understand the parameters of a Senate trial before transmitting the articles of impeachment.
“As I’ve said right from the start: we need to see the arena in which we are sending our managers,” Pelosi said. “Is that too much to ask?”“As I’ve said right from the start: we need to see the arena in which we are sending our managers,” Pelosi said. “Is that too much to ask?”
The speaker added that she was concerned senators would not live up to their oath to hold an impartial trial to determine whether Trump should be removed from office.The speaker added that she was concerned senators would not live up to their oath to hold an impartial trial to determine whether Trump should be removed from office.
“Nonetheless, at some point, we would hope that we would see from them what the terms of engagement will be,” Pelosi said. “We are ready, we are proud of our defense of the Constitution of the United States.”“Nonetheless, at some point, we would hope that we would see from them what the terms of engagement will be,” Pelosi said. “We are ready, we are proud of our defense of the Constitution of the United States.”
Nancy Pelosi told reporters that the House would today pass a war powers resolution aimed at limiting Trump’s military actions in Iran.
Trump has told Republicans to vote against the resolution, and it faces an uncertain future in the Senate.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi has taken the podium for her weekly press conference at the Capitol.
She opened her remarks by saying lawmakers would be celebrating the recent wedding of congresswoman Barbara Lee, who was married on new year’s eve in California.
Entering the Capitol this morning, House speaker Nancy Pelosi said she knows “exactly when” to transmit the articles of impeachment.
But Pelosi added, “I won’t be telling you right now.″
The speaker said her thinking on the matter has not changed. “Same thing I’ve said before,” Pelosi told the AP. “We’d like to see how we’re going to proceed, and then we’ll know who to send.
“I have an obligation to my members, especially those on the committees, to do justice to their work.”
Pelosi is expected to speak to reporters at her weekly press conference in the next couple minutes.
Trump was the target of some Twitter jokes after he mistakenly referred to the common retirement fund 401K as a “409K.”
The typo immediately set off a round of Twitter jokes about needing to set up a 409K.
Democratic congressman Adam Smith, the chairman of the House armed services committee, walked back his comments this morning about Nancy Pelosi transmitting the articles of impeachment.
Smith said this morning that he believed the time had come for the House speaker to send the articles to the Senate.
“I think it was perfectly advisable for the speaker to leverage that, get a better deal,” Smith told CNN. “At this point, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen, and yes, I think it is time to send the impeachment to the Senate, and let Mitch McConnell be responsible for the fairness of the trial. He ultimately is.”
Another House Democrat, freshman Ben McAdams of Utah, has joined the growing chorus of lawmakers saying it’s time for Nancy Pelosi to transmit the articles of impeachment.
Pelosi has previously shown a high level of concern for freshman lawmakers like McAdams, who will face difficult reelection races later this year.
Asked about Democratic congressman Adam Smith’s comments this morning on transmitting the articles of impeachment, Nancy Pelosi offered no comment.
Smith, the chairman of the armed services committee, told CNN this morning that he believed the time had come to send the articles to the Senate.
Pelosi has a press conference scheduled for 10:45 a.m. ET, where she will likely address her timeline for transmitting the articles.
Some Senate Democrats have said they think it’s time for House speaker Nancy Pelosi to transmit the articles of impeachment.
“If we’re going to do it, she should send them over. I don’t see what good delay does,” senator Dianne Feinstein said.
Senator Chris Murphy predicted the impeachment trial would soon get underway. “My expectation is that we’ll be able to start this trial next week,” Murphy said. “The leverage over Republicans exists in the votes we take inside the trial.”
And senator Joe Manchin similarly said it was time to send over the articles, but he said Pelosi’s delay strategy had at lease one success, pointing to former national security adviser John Bolton’s statement about his willingness to testify if subpoenaed.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell again made clear yesterday that he had no intention of allowing Nancy Pelosi’s decision to delay sending the articles of impeachment to affect the parameters of the Senate trial.
The Senate leader reportedly met with Trump yesterday to discuss the looming impeachment trial.
CNN reports:
Democrats have previously complained about improper coordination between the White House and McConnell’s office as the Senate moves toward the impeachment trial, and this meeting with Trump will only intensify those gripes.
Good morning, live blog readers!
House speaker Nancy Pelosi is coming under increasing pressure to transmit the articles of impeachment, as even some of her own Democratic caucus members say it’s time to advance the issue to the Senate.
Democratic congressman Adam Smith, the chair of the armed services committee, said this morning that he thought the time had come to send the articles to the Senate.
“I think it was perfectly advisable for the speaker to leverage that, get a better deal,” Smith told CNN. “At this point, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen, and yes, I think it is time to send the impeachment to the Senate, and let Mitch McConnell be responsible for the fairness of the trial. He ultimately is.”
Pelosi will hold her weekly press conference later this morning, which could provide some clues on when the Senate might be able to hold a trial on whether to remove Donald Trump from office.
Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on:
Trump will announce proposed National Environmental Policy Act regulations and receive his intelligence briefing before traveling to Toledo, Ohio, for a campaign rally alongside Pence.
The House will vote on a resolution to limit Trump’s military actions in Iran.
Joe Biden is campaigning in California, touring the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project in Long Beach and holding a fundraiser.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.