Practically no name, other than President Trump’s, has been mentioned more than Rudy Giuliani’s at the impeachment hearings. Step by step, the president’s man on the ground has escorted Trump to the brink of impeachment. nyti.ms/2PE51OP
Trump and Giuliani have known each other for decades. After backing Trump when most Republicans stayed away, and doing dirty work no one else would, Giuliani wanted to be secretary of state. He didn’t get the job, but he’s now more prominent than ever in national affairs. 
Giuliani showed years ago that working with virtually nothing, he could use the mere existence of investigations for his benefit. He did so as New York City mayor, when facing criticism over patronage hires. He did it again in 2016, over Hillary Clinton's emails.
Late last year, aiming to help Paul Manafort and Trump, Giuliani began pursuing theories that the Mueller inquiry was built on a false premise and Ukraine had interfered in the 2016 election. The project expanded to include vilifying Joe Biden and Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch.
By this fall, as a whistle-blower's complaint brought the Ukraine pressure campaign to light, the foundations of Giuliani's work there were crumbling. And his efforts to monetize his access were being revealed.
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Giuliani is now under investigation by federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York, the office he once headed, and possibly facing 7-figure legal fees. "These morons. When this is over," he told The Atlantic, "I will be the hero." nyti.ms/2PE51OP
