Trump news: Republicans 'stop defending president off the record' as impeachment crisis deepens amid new Ukraine scandal revelations
Follow the latest updates from Washington, as they 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.Republicans are reportedly backing away from opportunities to defend Donald Trump after the impeachment inquiry took another dramatic turn on Thursday night when the House Intelligence Committee released 25 pages of damning text messages from US special envoy Kurt Volker exposing the extent of American diplomatic pressure on Ukraine in the run-up to the notorious Volodymyr Zelensky call on 25 July.
The texts reveal the administration suggested Mr Trump would not meet face-to-face with Mr Zelensky without a commitment from his country that it would investigate his domestic political rival Joe Biden, a step Ukrainian officials had begun to prepare for.
The situation has since been branded a “constitutional crisis” by an ex-director of the US Office of Government Ethics as the president continues to lash out angrily over the the affair, declaring he has “an absolute right, perhaps even a duty” to investigate graft even if it involves seeking foreign insistence.
Mr Trump, for his part, has doubled down on his belief that is within his power fo ask foreign powers to launch investigations, even amid the criticism he has received.
Meanwhile, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has fought back accusations that she went easy on a "supporter" who claimed people need to start eating babies in order to fight climate change.
Ms Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent liberal in the House, has charged that the person was actually a Trump supporter keen on making her look bad.
Please allow a moment for our live blog to load
Donald Trump's calls for investigations into his rivals aren't even being received well by many in his own party. That includes Republican Will Hurd, who had the following to say on CNN New Day:
"These are allegations...but these are serious enough that warrant some of the hearings we've been having," Hurd said. "I'm interested in hearing from more of the State Department officials and looking forward to the transcript of [former Ukraine special envoy Kurt] Volker that happened yesterday."
Mitch McConnell has signaled that he would move fast on any impeachment that passes the House.
He noted in an interview on CNBC earlier this week that he would be compelled by Senate rules to take up the impeachment at some point, but noted that he could move at any pace he wanted. That means that Trump could face a relatively tame trial in the Senate.
“I would have no choice but to take it up. How long you’re on it is a whole different matter,” he said Monday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments