Schiff says how proceedings unfold will impact the “the future of the presidency itself” and what is the appropriate conduct of the commander-in-chief. He then details the role of Giuliani, the withholding of aid and denying a meeting with Zelensky as Trump sought probes
Schiff: “Some have argued in the President’s defense that the aid was ultimately released. That is true. But only after Congress began an investigation; only after the President’s lawyers learned of a whistleblower complaint; and only after“ lawmakers asked questions
Schiff leans in a bit further after detailing the actions on Ukraine: “Is that what Americans should now expect from their president? If this is not impeachable conduct, what is?”
Nunes begins opening statement railing on Russia investigation, and says the controversy over Ukraine is “a carefully orchestrated media smear campaign”
Nunes says among the questions he has: What was the whistleblower’s connections with Democrats, Hunter Biden’s role in Ukraine and any Ukraine’s interference in the 2016 elections. He ridicules Kent and Taylor for passing the “audition” and the “low rent” sequel to Russia probe
Rep. Stefanik asks if Schiff will prevent GOP members from asking questions, prompting Schiff to say: “We will not permit the outing of the whistleblower.” Schiff denies to Jordan he knows whistleblower: “I do not know the identity of the whistleblower.”
Here’s George Kent’s opening statement. “In mid-August, it became clear to me that Giuliani’s efforts to gin up politically motivated investigations were now infecting U.S. engagement with Ukraine, leveraging President Zelensky’s desire for a WH meeting” intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/…
Kent says he raised concerns with Biden’s office in 2015 that Hunter Biden serving on Burisma board could “create the perception of a conflict of interest.” But he adds: “I did not witness any effort by any US official to shield Burisma from scrutiny.”
Kent says he was “alarmed” by efforts (led by Giuliani) to target Ambassador Yovanovitch, saying it “hampered efforts” to build rapport with new Zelensky administration
New: Bill Taylor reveals new information in his opening statement. “Ambassador Sondland responded that President Trump cares more about the investigations of Biden, which Giuliani was pressing for," Taylor said. cnn.com/2019/11/13/pol…
Taylor detailing the timeframe when he learned of his “astonishment” as he learned that Trump had issued a directive to hold vital aid to Ukraine. “The irregular policy channel was running contrary to the goals of longstanding policy.” cnn.com/2019/11/13/pol…
Taylor testifying that Sondland told him that Zelensky needed to make clear that he was “not standing in the way” of investigations. Taylor says he was growing increasingly alarmed because “more Ukrainians would undoubtedly die without the US assistance.”
Taylor says it was not clear until Sept. 1 that “the security assistance - not just the White Hoise meeting - was conditioned on the investigations.” Sondland told him that Trump said he wanted Zelensky in a “public box” to announce probes before roughly $400M in aid was released
While Trump insisted there was no “quid pro quo,” he told Sondland that Zelensky should go to a “microphone” and say he is opening investigations of “Biden and 2016 election interference.” This is what Morrison relayed to Taylor
Trump was speaking loud enough so Taylor’s staff could overhear Trump talking to Sondland at a restaurant. They were discussing “the investigations,” which Taylor says was in reference to Burisma/Bidens and 2016. Sondland told Trump “the Ukrainians were ready to move forward.”
Kent describes how critical it is for new leaders to meet with a US president, saying doing so would “boost” Zelensky’s leverage to negotiate with Putin. But Kent says the WH was leveraging the meeting until political investigations were announced by Ukraine
Taylor testimony puts more pressure on Sondland’s testimony next week. In closed session, Sondland didn’t recall details of his conversations with Trump - and Taylor provides much more detail about Sondland’s explicit calls for Ukraine to announce probes, at the request of Trump.
The upshot from Taylor: Trump may have been saying no quid pro quo, but the message being delivered repeatedly by Trump’s emissary was just that: No military aid, no WH meeting until Biden and 2016 investigations were announced by Ukraine
“My knowledge there is no factual basis” that Ukraine interfered in 2016 elections, Kent says, after being asked by Dem counsel Goldman about Trump asking Ukraine to probe the matter
Nunes ridicules the US officials who dismissed that there was no Ukrainian 2016 election interference
Taylor said it is “inflammatory” to “all Ukrainians” when Trump suggested as a candidate that Russia would take Crimea. Nunes responds by asking if it was equally inflammatory when Obama asked Medvedvev in 2012 that he would have more flexibility. Taylor: “I don’t know sir.”
Under questioning from GOP counsel, Taylor says he was with Zelensky the day after the Trump-Zelensky call, and Zelensky told him that the call was “fine”
“Its business record is mixed,” Kent says of Burisma, the company that Hunter Biden served on the board of. Asked by GOP counsel Castor if he had any business experience in Ukraine, Kent says: “I don’t.”
“I have no idea” what Biden’s office did when “I reported my concern to the office of the Vice President” about the appearance of a conflict. He testified earlier he had not seen any US official shield Burisma from scrutiny
Schiff asks George Kent if Trump sought an investigation into Burisma about corruption that occurred in 2012-2014 timeframe, before Hunter Biden joined the board. Kent makes clear that he didn’t see that mentioned in the call record between Trump and Zelensky
”He said he was more interested in the Bidens,” Sondland told a Taylor aide about his conversation with Trump, according to Taylor testimony
“And you’re their star witness,” Jordan says derisively after going after Taylor for not having first-hand knowledge of Trump’s decision to halt the aid. Nunes, GOP side chuckle
“Restore time to 1 minute,” Ratcliffe demands. “No, but you may proceed with your 22 seconds,” Schiff responds, prompting laughter in hearing room
Kent and Taylor testify that Zelensky could have been hurt back home or may have been concerned aid could be at risk if he raised concerns about Trump’s ask. “That’s a fair assessment,” Kent says. “He cannot afford to be seen to be deferring to any foreign leader,” Taylor says
Kent says he documented his concerns about how WH blocked a meeting with Ukraine until political investigations were announced, but he turned over that memo to State, which has refused to comply with a subpoena to turn over documents
“The American people have been lied to again and again,” GOP Rep. Chris Stewart says, adding that “all” the witnesses can provide is their “opinion” of Trump’s phone call, which Stewart says comes down to one sentence. The two have testified about a broader effort beyond one call
Bill Taylor rejects Mick Mulvaney comments at press briefing that “we do that all the time” when he said military aid had been withheld as Trump sought probe. Taylor adds: “Our holding up of security assistance ... for no good policy reason ... is wrong.”
“Ambassador Taylor, are you a Never Trumper?” Swalwell asks. “No sir,” he responds
“Is attempted murder a crime?” Castro asks Bill Taylor.
“Only Chairman Schiff gets to know who the whistleblower is,” Jordan says. Schiff denied to Jordan this morning that he knows the identity of the whistleblower
Rep. Welch responds to Jordan’s demands that the person who started it all (whistleblower) come and testify. “I’d be happy to have the guy who started it all come to testify. President Trump is welcome to take a seat.”
Hearing over. Vote upcoming on GOP motion to subpoena whistleblower, which will fail
By a 13-9 vote, Dems kill GOP motion to subpoena whistleblower
