Trump impeachment news: Ambassador gets standing ovation for her testimony after 'intimidation' attempt by president
Follow the latest updates from Washington, as it happened
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.As ex-Ukraine ambassador Marie Yovanovitch has testified before the House impeachment inquiry, just after the White House has released its transcript of the first call between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, seemingly an attempt to distract from the veteran diplomat's potentially explosive deposition.
Speaking in Louisiana last night, the president complained the inquiry has been “very hard” on his family as he took to the stage to muster support for Republican gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone, the plea for sympathy a marked change of tactic.
As security experts warn Mr Trump’s 26 July phone call with Gordon Sondland, ambassador to the EU, could have been picked up by Russian spies, the president is planning to take the battle to withhold his tax returns from investigators to the Supreme Court.
The Friday testimony proved to be an exciting one, with Mr Trump live tweeting the exchange until being called out directly by Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.
In doing so, Mr Schiff was able to check in with Ms Yovanovitch in real time, and hear from her that she believed his comments to be aimed at intimidation.
Many have now said that Mr Trump's attack may amount to witness tampering — which could add to the articles of impeachment facing the president.
Ms Yovanovitch also described publicly a conspiracy led by Rudy Giuliani to get her removed from her post as ambassador — which she said she did not understand the purpose of, since the president could have simply fired her if he wanted.
Please allow a moment for our live blog to load
The recess has ended and the hearing is back in session with Ohio Republican Jim Jordan questioning Marie Yovanovitch.
Here's Marie Yovanovitch testifying that she will continue to fight corruption abroad if she is once again called upon by the US government -
There was audible laughter in the room as Marie Yovanovitch responded to a rambling speech by Jim Jordan with: "Is there a question?"
Jim Jordan questioned the alleged "sinister scheme" to oust Marie Yovanovitch from office:
Ohio Republican Jim Jordan's questioning of Marie Yovanovitch did not exactly appear to go as planned:
"There are other people out there who can expect the Trump treatment if they come forward," says Peter Welch, noting that Ms Yovanovitch was not deterred from testifying in spite of the president's attacks.
Mr Trump has the following to say about whether he thinks his tweets this morning were intimidating: "I don’t think so at all.”
He continued, saying he believes impeachment to be "a disgrace, and an embarrassment to our nation.”
He also called the impeachment proceedings a "political process, not a legal process." He also argued his right to free speech.
Democrat Val Demings says she thinks "it is disgraceful to hear my colleagues refer to your sworn testimony as a performance" piece.
She also notes that Donald Trump has referred to Ms Yovanovitch as "the woman" and said she should be grateful for being left with anything at all after being fired.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments