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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 time | 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 time |
| Congressman Max Rose, a freshman Democrat from New York, has said he will oppose the War Powers Resolution aimed at limiting Trump’s military actions in Iran. | |
| “Unfortunately, today’s War Powers Resolution is a non-binding resolution that simply restates existing law and sends the message that war is imminent,” Rose said in a statement explaining his vote. “I refuse to play politics with questions of war and peace.” | |
| Trump has already encouraged Republicans to oppose the resolution, which faces an uncertain future in the Senate. | |
| Another Democratic lawmaker who had said it was time for Nancy Pelosi to transmit the articles of impeachment is now changing her tune. | |
| Senator Dianne Feinstein, a fellow California Democrat, previously said, “If we’re going to do it, she should send them over. I don’t see what good delay does.” | |
| Earlier today, another Democratic lawmaker, congressman Adam Smith, had to walk back comments he made indicating he believed it was time to send the articles to the Senate. | |
| Avenatti set for trial(s) | Avenatti set for trial(s) |
| Former thorn in Donald Trump’s side and very much ex-omnipresence on our television screens and at the side of former client and alleged past-Trumpian paramour Stormy Daniels - attorney Michael Avenatti - had a bad day in court today. | Former thorn in Donald Trump’s side and very much ex-omnipresence on our television screens and at the side of former client and alleged past-Trumpian paramour Stormy Daniels - attorney Michael Avenatti - had a bad day in court today. |
| A New York judge rejected Avenatti’s bid to dismiss a criminal charge that he defrauded a client whom he said knew about improper payments that sportswear giant Nike allegedly made to families of college basketball recruits. | A New York judge rejected Avenatti’s bid to dismiss a criminal charge that he defrauded a client whom he said knew about improper payments that sportswear giant Nike allegedly made to families of college basketball recruits. |
| US district judge Paul Gardephe in Manhattan ruled three days after refusing to dismiss two extortion charges accusing Avenatti of threatening a news conference about the payments unless Nike paid him up to $25 million.Nike has denied wrongdoing. | US district judge Paul Gardephe in Manhattan ruled three days after refusing to dismiss two extortion charges accusing Avenatti of threatening a news conference about the payments unless Nike paid him up to $25 million.Nike has denied wrongdoing. |
| “When the actual evidence is heard at trial rather than the baseless allegations in the indictment, I will be fully cleared because I did nothing wrong,” Avenatti, 48, said in a text message. “I am innocent,” Reuters reports. | “When the actual evidence is heard at trial rather than the baseless allegations in the indictment, I will be fully cleared because I did nothing wrong,” Avenatti, 48, said in a text message. “I am innocent,” Reuters reports. |
| The fraud count and one extortion count carry maximum 20-year prison terms, with the trial scheduled for January 21. | The fraud count and one extortion count carry maximum 20-year prison terms, with the trial scheduled for January 21. |
| Avenatti also faces an April 21 trial in Manhattan for allegedly cheating StormyDaniels out of proceeds from a book contract, and a May 19 trial in Santa Ana, California for allegedly defrauding clients out of millions of dollars and lying to the Internal Revenue Service. Avenatti denies all the charges. | Avenatti also faces an April 21 trial in Manhattan for allegedly cheating StormyDaniels out of proceeds from a book contract, and a May 19 trial in Santa Ana, California for allegedly defrauding clients out of millions of dollars and lying to the Internal Revenue Service. Avenatti denies all the charges. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| Nancy Pelosi said she would “soon” transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate, but the House speaker declined to provide a specific timeline for her next steps. | Nancy Pelosi said she would “soon” transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate, but the House speaker declined to provide a specific timeline for her next steps. |
| US officials are confident the Ukrainian passenger jet that crashed on Wednesday was accidentally shot down by Iran. | US officials are confident the Ukrainian passenger jet that crashed on Wednesday was accidentally shot down by Iran. |
| Trump claimed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani was “looking to blow up our embassy” when he was killed in a US drone strike, but he did not provide evidence for that. | Trump claimed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani was “looking to blow up our embassy” when he was killed in a US drone strike, but he did not provide evidence for that. |
| The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| A newly released poll found former Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg, former vice president Joe Biden and Vermont senator Bernie Sanders leading the Democratic presidential primary in New Hampshire. | A newly released poll found former Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg, former vice president Joe Biden and Vermont senator Bernie Sanders leading the Democratic presidential primary in New Hampshire. |
| According to the Monmouth University poll, Buttigieg is attracting the support of 20% of New Hampshire Democrats, putting him 1 point ahead of Biden and 2 points ahead of Sanders. Considering the margin of error of 4.9 points, the three candidates are in a statistical tie for the lead, while Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren trails slightly at 15%. | According to the Monmouth University poll, Buttigieg is attracting the support of 20% of New Hampshire Democrats, putting him 1 point ahead of Biden and 2 points ahead of Sanders. Considering the margin of error of 4.9 points, the three candidates are in a statistical tie for the lead, while Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren trails slightly at 15%. |
| New Hampshire will hold its primary on February 11, eight days after Iowa holds the first caucuses of the race. | New Hampshire will hold its primary on February 11, eight days after Iowa holds the first caucuses of the race. |
| Although the two states are viewed as critically important for helping presidential candidates to build momentum, they are both much whiter than the broader Democratic Party, raising questions about whether the results there will indicate the eventual nominee. | Although the two states are viewed as critically important for helping presidential candidates to build momentum, they are both much whiter than the broader Democratic Party, raising questions about whether the results there will indicate the eventual nominee. |
| The poll also does not help any additional candidates qualify for the next debate, which will be held Tuesday in Des Moines. Currently, only five candidates -- Biden, Sanders, Warren, Buttigieg and Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar -- have qualified. | The poll also does not help any additional candidates qualify for the next debate, which will be held Tuesday in Des Moines. Currently, only five candidates -- Biden, Sanders, Warren, Buttigieg and Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar -- have qualified. |
| 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. | 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.” | “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. | 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. | “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. | 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.” | 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.” | 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: | 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.” | 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.” | “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. | 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. | 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.” |