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| Trump fires second key impeachment witness Gordon Sondland in Friday purge – live | Trump fires second key impeachment witness Gordon Sondland in Friday purge – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Sondland recalled as US ambassador to the EU after Trump fired Lt Col Alexander Vindman, national security council adviser, earlier today | Sondland recalled as US ambassador to the EU after Trump fired Lt Col Alexander Vindman, national security council adviser, earlier today |
| Saturday Night Massacre Prompted Angry Telegrams | |
| Some more historical comparisons: 1973 was a different time. | |
| Do you remember what it was like when all major breaking news did not happen simultaneously? | |
| How good is the Saturday Night Massacre comparison? | |
| Curious how well the White House’s actions tonight compare to Nixon’s “Saturday Night Massacre” in 1973? | |
| You can look back at what Nixon did via: | |
| NPR’s Brief History of the ‘Saturday Night Massacre’ | |
| The Saturday Night Massacre episode of the hit Watergate podcast Slow Burn | |
| The original Sunday morning report on the massacre in the Washington Post | |
| On a Saturday evening in October 1973, in the midst of the scandal that would lead to his resignation, President Richard Nixon demanded that his attorney general fire the special counsel assigned to investigate Watergate. | |
| Nixon’s attorney general and deputy attorney general refused, and resigned. Then solicitor general Robert Bork became the acting attorney general, and he did what Nixon wanted: he fired special counsel Archibald Cox, who had refused to go along with the White House’s plan to turn over only summarized material from the White House Watergate tapes to Cox’s investigation. | |
| The forced resignation and firing became known as Nixon’s “Saturday Night Massacre.” | |
| Political pundits are already calling this Friday evening in Washington Trump’s “Friday Night Massacre,” with two of the witnesses who testified in the impeachment inquiry against Trump already fired by 7 p.m. in the evening. | |
| Other commentators, like Rachel Maddow, are arguing that it’s not quite an accurate comparison. | |
| Full statement from Second Fired Impeachment Witness | Full statement from Second Fired Impeachment Witness |
| The White House has moved to fire another person who testified in the House impeachment inquiry against President Trump: Gordon Sondland, who also testified about the president’s efforts to pressure top Ukranian officials to investigate his political rivals, the New York Times reports. | The White House has moved to fire another person who testified in the House impeachment inquiry against President Trump: Gordon Sondland, who also testified about the president’s efforts to pressure top Ukranian officials to investigate his political rivals, the New York Times reports. |
| “I was advised today that the president intends to recall me effective immediately as United States Ambassador to the European Union,” Sondland said in a statement just hours after the White House fired a top National Security expert on Ukraine, Lt Col Alexander Vindman, who had also testified, the Times reported. | “I was advised today that the president intends to recall me effective immediately as United States Ambassador to the European Union,” Sondland said in a statement just hours after the White House fired a top National Security expert on Ukraine, Lt Col Alexander Vindman, who had also testified, the Times reported. |
| Sondland expressed gratitude in the statement to Mr. Trump “for having given me the opportunity to serve.” | Sondland expressed gratitude in the statement to Mr. Trump “for having given me the opportunity to serve.” |
| In November, Sondland delivered what had been characterized as “bombshell” public testimony against Trump, saying, “Was there a ‘quid pro quo [with Ukraine]?’ As I testified previously, with regard to the requested White House call and White House meeting, the answer is yes.” | In November, Sondland delivered what had been characterized as “bombshell” public testimony against Trump, saying, “Was there a ‘quid pro quo [with Ukraine]?’ As I testified previously, with regard to the requested White House call and White House meeting, the answer is yes.” |
| Just a reminder: there are 269 days until the 2020 presidential election! | Just a reminder: there are 269 days until the 2020 presidential election! |
| Tonight, the Democratic presidential primary continues with a televised debate. My colleague Joan Greave has more details on our debate night live blog. | Tonight, the Democratic presidential primary continues with a televised debate. My colleague Joan Greave has more details on our debate night live blog. |
| In a week marked by impunity and vengeance in Washington, my colleague Ed Pilkington has a story on a black radical who has finally won his freedom. The release of the final incarcerated member of the Move 9 comes more than three decades after Philadelphia police dropped an incendiary bomb on a row house where black activists lived, resulting in the deaths of eleven people, including five children, and a fire that razed dozens of homes in a predominantly black neighborhood. | In a week marked by impunity and vengeance in Washington, my colleague Ed Pilkington has a story on a black radical who has finally won his freedom. The release of the final incarcerated member of the Move 9 comes more than three decades after Philadelphia police dropped an incendiary bomb on a row house where black activists lived, resulting in the deaths of eleven people, including five children, and a fire that razed dozens of homes in a predominantly black neighborhood. |
| Schumer Responds to White House firing Vindman | Schumer Responds to White House firing Vindman |
| “This action is not a sign of strength,” senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. | “This action is not a sign of strength,” senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. |
| Presenting this statement without comment, since the emoji I need is not available on this liveblog. | Presenting this statement without comment, since the emoji I need is not available on this liveblog. |
| White House Fires Twin Brother of Impeachment Witness | White House Fires Twin Brother of Impeachment Witness |
| The twin brother of Lt Col Alexander Vindman, a national security expert who testified during Trump’s impeachment trial about his concerns about the president pressuring Ukraine to investigate the Bidens, his political rivals, was also fired by the White House today, multiple news outlets reported. | The twin brother of Lt Col Alexander Vindman, a national security expert who testified during Trump’s impeachment trial about his concerns about the president pressuring Ukraine to investigate the Bidens, his political rivals, was also fired by the White House today, multiple news outlets reported. |
| Vindman’s twin brother, Lieutenant Colonel Yevgeny Vindman, was a lawyer at the National Security Council. | Vindman’s twin brother, Lieutenant Colonel Yevgeny Vindman, was a lawyer at the National Security Council. |
| The New York Times reported that President Donald Trump spoke publicly yesterday, at a prayer breakfast, about his antipathy toward “Lieutenant Colonel Vindman and his twin brother.” | The New York Times reported that President Donald Trump spoke publicly yesterday, at a prayer breakfast, about his antipathy toward “Lieutenant Colonel Vindman and his twin brother.” |
| Early GOP responses on Vindman’s firing | Early GOP responses on Vindman’s firing |
| Lois Beckett here in our West Coast office, taking over our live politics coverage at the end of a week that has been quite uneventful, really, just an impeachment vote and some lively discussions about democracy in Iowa. (Remember last Friday, when the UK left the European Union?) | Lois Beckett here in our West Coast office, taking over our live politics coverage at the end of a week that has been quite uneventful, really, just an impeachment vote and some lively discussions about democracy in Iowa. (Remember last Friday, when the UK left the European Union?) |
| Politico’s Kyle Cheney has some early reactions from GOP lawmakers to the White House’s choice to fire one of the key witnesses in Trump’s impeachment trial today. | Politico’s Kyle Cheney has some early reactions from GOP lawmakers to the White House’s choice to fire one of the key witnesses in Trump’s impeachment trial today. |
| In two words: “Good riddance.” | In two words: “Good riddance.” |
| Here’s what has happened this afternoon: | Here’s what has happened this afternoon: |
| Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, one of the key witnesses in the impeachment trial, was fired from his post on the national security counsel. His lawyer issued a statement saying that he was escorted out of the White House today. He “was asked to leave for telling the truth,” his lawyer said. | Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, one of the key witnesses in the impeachment trial, was fired from his post on the national security counsel. His lawyer issued a statement saying that he was escorted out of the White House today. He “was asked to leave for telling the truth,” his lawyer said. |
| Meanwhile, Bill Taylor, another witness in the impeachment trial, went on CNN to defend Marie Yovanovitch, former ambassador to Ukraine, who was subject to a smear campaign that led to her own firing. “It of course bothers me any time I see someone like Masha Yovanovitch or Alex Vindman unfairly attacked,” Taylor said. | Meanwhile, Bill Taylor, another witness in the impeachment trial, went on CNN to defend Marie Yovanovitch, former ambassador to Ukraine, who was subject to a smear campaign that led to her own firing. “It of course bothers me any time I see someone like Masha Yovanovitch or Alex Vindman unfairly attacked,” Taylor said. |
| Trump spoke at an event in North Carolina this afternoon where he mocked Democrats for messing up the Iowa caucus and said that he would continue to hold rallies even if he wins the 2020 election. | Trump spoke at an event in North Carolina this afternoon where he mocked Democrats for messing up the Iowa caucus and said that he would continue to hold rallies even if he wins the 2020 election. |
| The feud between Iowa front-runners Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg started to gear up today. Sanders slammed Buttigeg for having “the most exclusive billionaire donors of any Democrat.” #PetesBillionaires was trending on Twitter this afternoon. | The feud between Iowa front-runners Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg started to gear up today. Sanders slammed Buttigeg for having “the most exclusive billionaire donors of any Democrat.” #PetesBillionaires was trending on Twitter this afternoon. |
| Congressional Democrats are on Twitter expressing their shock at the news that Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was fired from his post on the national security counsel. | Congressional Democrats are on Twitter expressing their shock at the news that Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was fired from his post on the national security counsel. |
| Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, an adviser on the national security counsel who testified in the impeachment trial, was fired from his post. | Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, an adviser on the national security counsel who testified in the impeachment trial, was fired from his post. |
| “Today, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman was escorted out of the White House where he has dutifully served his country and his President,” said his attorney, David Pressman in a statement. “LTC Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth.” | “Today, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman was escorted out of the White House where he has dutifully served his country and his President,” said his attorney, David Pressman in a statement. “LTC Vindman was asked to leave for telling the truth.” |
| The news comes just hours after Donald Trump told reporters that he is “not happy with him” and made vague comments saying “they’ll make that decision” about whether he would be keeping his job. | The news comes just hours after Donald Trump told reporters that he is “not happy with him” and made vague comments saying “they’ll make that decision” about whether he would be keeping his job. |
| Later, Trump retweeted posts on Twitter that called on him to fire Vindman. | Later, Trump retweeted posts on Twitter that called on him to fire Vindman. |
| Vindman was considered the top expert on Ukraine on the national security counsel. During his testimony in Congress, Vindman expressed concerns about a call Trump had with the president of Ukraine where he demanded an investigation into Joe Biden. | Vindman was considered the top expert on Ukraine on the national security counsel. During his testimony in Congress, Vindman expressed concerns about a call Trump had with the president of Ukraine where he demanded an investigation into Joe Biden. |
| “It was improper for the president of the United States to demand a foreign government investigation of a US citizen and a political opponent,” Vindman said during the testimony in November. | “It was improper for the president of the United States to demand a foreign government investigation of a US citizen and a political opponent,” Vindman said during the testimony in November. |
| Vindman is largely respected as a veteran who came to the United States when he was three after his family fled Ukraine. He served multiple tours overseas and was wounded by a roadside bomb during a combat deployment in Iraq, earning him a Purple Heart. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Russian from Harvard and served at US embassies in Kyiv and Moscow. | Vindman is largely respected as a veteran who came to the United States when he was three after his family fled Ukraine. He served multiple tours overseas and was wounded by a roadside bomb during a combat deployment in Iraq, earning him a Purple Heart. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Russian from Harvard and served at US embassies in Kyiv and Moscow. |
| During his testimony, Vindman outlined why he felt comfortable coming forward with the information he had through a message to his father. | During his testimony, Vindman outlined why he felt comfortable coming forward with the information he had through a message to his father. |
| “Dad, my sitting here today, in the US Capitol talking to our elected officials is proof that you made the right decision 40 years ago to leave the Soviet Union and come here to the United States of America in search of a better life for our family,” he said. “Do not worry. I will be fine for telling the truth.” | “Dad, my sitting here today, in the US Capitol talking to our elected officials is proof that you made the right decision 40 years ago to leave the Soviet Union and come here to the United States of America in search of a better life for our family,” he said. “Do not worry. I will be fine for telling the truth.” |
| Bill Taylor: Smears against Marie Yovanovitch ‘unconscionable’ | Bill Taylor: Smears against Marie Yovanovitch ‘unconscionable’ |
| Bill Taylor, a former acting ambassador to Ukraine who testified in the impeachment trial, told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview that the smear campaign against Marie Yavonovitch, former US ambassador to Ukraine who also testified in the impeachment trial is “unconscionable”. | Bill Taylor, a former acting ambassador to Ukraine who testified in the impeachment trial, told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an interview that the smear campaign against Marie Yavonovitch, former US ambassador to Ukraine who also testified in the impeachment trial is “unconscionable”. |
| Yovanovitch was removed from her post after attacks from Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, went on a smear campaign with the goal of removing her from office so the investigation into Hunter Biden could continue. | Yovanovitch was removed from her post after attacks from Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, went on a smear campaign with the goal of removing her from office so the investigation into Hunter Biden could continue. |
| While Tapper did not reference Donald Trump specifically in his question, the president lashed out against Yovanovitch on Twitter in November, seemingly as backlash against her testifying in front of Congress. “Everywhere Marie Yovanovitch went turned bad,” he wrote. | While Tapper did not reference Donald Trump specifically in his question, the president lashed out against Yovanovitch on Twitter in November, seemingly as backlash against her testifying in front of Congress. “Everywhere Marie Yovanovitch went turned bad,” he wrote. |
| Defending Yovanovitch, Taylor said he believes the former ambassador’s credibility. “It of course bothers me any time I see someone like Masha Yovanovitch or Alex Vindman unfairly attacked,” Taylor said, referring to Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, an adviser on the national security counsel who testified in the impeachment trial. | Defending Yovanovitch, Taylor said he believes the former ambassador’s credibility. “It of course bothers me any time I see someone like Masha Yovanovitch or Alex Vindman unfairly attacked,” Taylor said, referring to Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, an adviser on the national security counsel who testified in the impeachment trial. |
| If you see your local influencer gushing about former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg on Instagram anytime soon, here’s why: Bloomberg is turning to social media influencers to help him gain traction in the 2020 election, according to the Daily Beast. | If you see your local influencer gushing about former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg on Instagram anytime soon, here’s why: Bloomberg is turning to social media influencers to help him gain traction in the 2020 election, according to the Daily Beast. |
| The Bloomberg campaign is using Tribe, a platform that connects influencers with brands for advertising purposes. Bloomberg’s campaign is specifically targeting “micro-influencers” – users who have between 1,000 and 1,000 – for $150 posts on why they support the mayor. | The Bloomberg campaign is using Tribe, a platform that connects influencers with brands for advertising purposes. Bloomberg’s campaign is specifically targeting “micro-influencers” – users who have between 1,000 and 1,000 – for $150 posts on why they support the mayor. |
| The campaign’s posting on Tribe asks influencers to “Show+Tell why Mike the candidate who can change our country for the better, state why YOU think he’s a great candidate”. | The campaign’s posting on Tribe asks influencers to “Show+Tell why Mike the candidate who can change our country for the better, state why YOU think he’s a great candidate”. |
| Trump just ridiculed Democrats during a speech he delivered in North Carolina, saying, “They can’t count simple votes, but they want to fix your healthcare system,” he told the crowd at the Opportunity Now Summit in Charlotte. | Trump just ridiculed Democrats during a speech he delivered in North Carolina, saying, “They can’t count simple votes, but they want to fix your healthcare system,” he told the crowd at the Opportunity Now Summit in Charlotte. |
| Donald Trump is now giving a speech at the North Carolina Opportunity Now Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina. Here’s a little cheery nugget from his speech: | Donald Trump is now giving a speech at the North Carolina Opportunity Now Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina. Here’s a little cheery nugget from his speech: |
| Reminder that rallies are typically for presidential candidates looking to run for office, which a president cannot do if they just served for two terms. | Reminder that rallies are typically for presidential candidates looking to run for office, which a president cannot do if they just served for two terms. |
| With Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders still neck and neck amid the ongoing Iowa debacle (still no official winner), and Buttigieg surging into a position as surprise threat in New Hampshire, Sanders has been chewing the fat at the traditional Politics & Eggs breakfast in event the Granite State. | With Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders still neck and neck amid the ongoing Iowa debacle (still no official winner), and Buttigieg surging into a position as surprise threat in New Hampshire, Sanders has been chewing the fat at the traditional Politics & Eggs breakfast in event the Granite State. |
| “I’m reading some headlines from newspapers about Pete Buttigieg,” he said. “Pete Buttigieg has most exclusive billionaire donors of any Democrats, that was from Forbes. The Hill: Pete Buttigieg tops billionaire donor list. Fortune: Pete Buttigieg takes lead as big business candidate in 2020 field. Washington Post: Pete Buttigieg lures even closer look from Wall Street donors following strong Iowa caucus performance. Forbes magazine: here are the billionaires backing Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign,” Time reports. | “I’m reading some headlines from newspapers about Pete Buttigieg,” he said. “Pete Buttigieg has most exclusive billionaire donors of any Democrats, that was from Forbes. The Hill: Pete Buttigieg tops billionaire donor list. Fortune: Pete Buttigieg takes lead as big business candidate in 2020 field. Washington Post: Pete Buttigieg lures even closer look from Wall Street donors following strong Iowa caucus performance. Forbes magazine: here are the billionaires backing Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign,” Time reports. |
| “I like Pete Buttigieg, nice guy,” he added. “But we are in a moment where billionaires control not only our economy but our political life.” | “I like Pete Buttigieg, nice guy,” he added. “But we are in a moment where billionaires control not only our economy but our political life.” |
| And this: | And this: |
| Sanders must have thought he was a shoo-in for a strong win in New Hampshire, being a left-wing fixture for decades in next-door Vermont. | Sanders must have thought he was a shoo-in for a strong win in New Hampshire, being a left-wing fixture for decades in next-door Vermont. |
| Buttigieg is nipping at Sanders’s heels in the latest opinion poll in New Hampshire. | Buttigieg is nipping at Sanders’s heels in the latest opinion poll in New Hampshire. |
| The Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk University poll showed Sanders just in the lead in New Hampshire at 24 percent, with Buttigieg at 23 percent. Then a gap before the third-placed Elizabeth Warren, also a New England politician as the Senator for nearby Massachusetts, but now in danger of stalling in the middle of the leading group despite a solid performance in Iowa. Warren received 13 percent support, ahead of the flagging Joe Biden on 11 percent. | The Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk University poll showed Sanders just in the lead in New Hampshire at 24 percent, with Buttigieg at 23 percent. Then a gap before the third-placed Elizabeth Warren, also a New England politician as the Senator for nearby Massachusetts, but now in danger of stalling in the middle of the leading group despite a solid performance in Iowa. Warren received 13 percent support, ahead of the flagging Joe Biden on 11 percent. |