Trump news – live: Key impeachment witness gives 'extremely disturbing' testimony about Ukraine call
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Your support makes all the difference.Alexander Vindman, the top Ukraine expert at the US National Security Council, is testifying to the House impeachment inquiry over concerns he raised about Donald Trump’s 25 July phone call with Volodymyr Zelensky and the administration’s bid to pressure the country into investigating the son of domestic political rival Joe Biden.
The president has meanwhile taken to Twitter to join right-wing media pundits in questioning the patriotism and political loyalties of the decorated Iraq War veteran, branding Lieutenant Colonel Vindman a “Never Trumper”.
House Democrats announced on Monday they will hold a vote on taking the impeachment hearings public on Thursday in response to Republican criticism as Charles Kupperman, a former deputy to John Bolton, failed to appear on Capitol Hill to give a deposition of his own.
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Interesting catch by Vox's Aaron Rupar, on the beginnings of Donald Trump's bizarre ascendancy to the White House:
Congresswoman Liz Cheney has condemned attacks on Alexander Vindman, an Iraq war veteran who has been called to testify before the House impeachment probe.
“It really is shameful what the Democrats have been doing in terms of attempting to try to impeach a sitting president in the basement of the Capitol," Ms Cheney said at a press conference. "Now, I also want to say a word about something else that's been going on over the course of the last several hours and last night, which I think is also shameful.
“And that is questioning the patriotism, questioning the dedication to country of people like Mr Vindman, Lt Col Vindman who will be coming today, and others who have testified. I think that we need to show that we are better than that as a nation.”
On the 2020 campaign trail, Bernie Sanders is seeing some positive news in New Hampshire.
A new CNN-University of New Hampshire poll places Mr Sanders at the front of the pack in the state, with 21 per cent support. He is followed by senator Elizabeth Warren, at 18 per cent support.
Joe Biden, whose status as front-runner in the race has displayed some noticeable cracks in recent weeks, is in third place in the state, with 15 per cent support.
From inside the deposition of Lt Col Alexander Vindman, the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council, Democrats say the testimony has been "extremely disturbing".
Carolyn Maloney, the acting House Oversight chairwoman, told NBC that his remarks were "extremely, extremely, extremely disturbing" as she left. She did not provide any other details.
Debbie Wasserman Schutz, a member of the committee, said that Mr Vindman — who was expected to say that he was on two calls between Donald Trump and Ukrainian officials — was "very credible" as a witness, and that he "really drew a direct line to the president, and those around him and their interest in withholding foreign aid through Ukraine that was vital, as well as insisting on investigations into Biden."
If House Democrats make good on their commitment to impeach Donald Trump, then it will be up to Senate Republicans whether the president stays in office.
As things stand, it'd take a huge shift for Mr Trump to be removed — but even a loss could have a silver lining.
That's because an impeachment vote in the Senate would force several vulnerable Republicans to go on-record on the matter, including Martha McSally of Arizona, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Susan Collins of Maine, Joni Ernst of Iowa, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
Democrats need to gain around three seats to take control of the Senate in 2020, and, while it is not at all clear that all those listed above will actually be winnable... it's certainly cause for alarm for Republicans.
Here's an update on the situation in Alabama, where lawmakers attempted to pass a highly restrictive abortion ban earlier this year:
From an energy efficiency event today, that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attended alongside the governor of California.
Bernie Sanders is touting his endorsement from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, with this advert he hopes can help turn the tide in Iowa.
Joe Biden is among those to condemn Donald Trump for his attacks on Alexander Vindman, an Iraq war veteran who was on the infamous phone call between the president and his Ukrainian counterpart in July.
“Supposedly, according to the Corrupt Media, the Ukraine call ‘concerned’ today’s Never Trumper witness. Was he on the same call that I was?" Mr Trump had written, without proof of Mr Vindman's political allegiance. "Can’t be possible! Please ask him to read the Transcript of the call. Witch Hunt!”
Mr Biden has shot back: "This guy won the Purple Heart, this guy's a hero, this guy's a patriot. It's despicable to do this. ... This guy is a patriot."
"I've never met him, but he's a hell of a patriot."
Here's a copy of Mr Vindman's prepared remarks, which he submitted before testifying before the House impeachment inquiry.
Mr VIndman says he notified his superiors twice about concerns he had with Mr Trump's behaviour on phone calls with international leaders.
Vindman Statement by Regina Zilbermints on Scribd
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