@kyledcheney's Threads
10 added
The explanation they've given is that by identifying intel officials who spoke to other players involved, it would become easy to connect the dots and help ID the whistleblower.
Rep. PERRY, asked what the relevance is about what language Vindman spoke to Ukrainians in, says it's important that anyone in Vindman's position be able to speak Ukrainian.
Says to ask Castor why he asked the question.
Says to ask Castor why he asked the question.
VINDMAN brings receipts: Asked by Jordan why Morrison testified that he and others had concerns about Vindman's judgment, Vindman reads from his employment evaluation by Fiona Hill who called him "brilliant" and said he had excellent judgment.
IMPEACHMENT HEARING #3: Two witnesses with firsthand knowledge of the July 25 Trump-Zelensky call — and found it inappropriate — take their turn in the witness chairs. politico.com/news/2019/11/1… 
Follow me and fan favorite @AndrewDesiderio for updates all day (and night)
Day 3 GOP graphics include a blow-up quote from @CongressmanJVD, a NJ Democrat who’s already been retweeted by Trump for his Fox News commentary undermining the Dem message on impeachment.
NEW: I texted with Rudy about the frozen Ukraine aid before it was publicly known — and he denied knowing anything about it.
But the figures who Rudy dealt with on Ukraine - Volker/Sondland - had known for weeks. And it never came up?
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
But the figures who Rudy dealt with on Ukraine - Volker/Sondland - had known for weeks. And it never came up?
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
Volker and Sondland knew about the aid freeze on July 18 and both dealt routinely w/ Rudy in the coming days weeks. In fact, on July 19, Volker helped put Rudy in touch with a top Ukrainian official by text.
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
If Rudy knew about the aid, it would’ve given him a crucial point of leverage in his talks with Ukrainians over the next few weeks, including at his Aug. meeting w/ Yermak. politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
NEWS: David HOLMES will testify publicly alongside Fiona Hill on Thursday.
MORE: The Intel Committee is about to release the HOLMES transcript, which is remarkably fast since he just testified on Friday.
House lawyers said more than a month ago that they were investigating whether Trump lied to Mueller:
politico.com/story/2019/09/…
politico.com/story/2019/09/…
One of the reasons Dems went to court to get Mueller grand jury material was to test Trump's truthfulness.
“Those materials...have direct bearing on whether the president was untruthful...when ...he denied being aware of any communications between his campaign and WikiLeaks,”
“Those materials...have direct bearing on whether the president was untruthful...when ...he denied being aware of any communications between his campaign and WikiLeaks,”
WORTH NOTING: Democrats have known what's underneath the Mueller report redactions re: Roger Stone for months. They negotiated access to see the full report (except for grand jury material) a while back.
So Dems didn't learn a whole lot from the trial that they didn't know.
So Dems didn't learn a whole lot from the trial that they didn't know.
TRUMP says he'll testify in writing to Congress about the Ukraine situation >>>
Written responses to Congress carry the same legal weight as oral testimony: providing knowingly false information that impairs the investigation would constitute a crime.
FWIW: The House Intelligence Committee is declining to comment on Trump's consideration of written answers.
Trump continues to be alone in attacking the career foreign service officers — this one detailed to VP Pence — and hoping it somehow accrues to his benefit. No Rs backed up his attack on Yovanovitch.
On Trump’s isolation:
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
On Trump’s isolation:
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
And it was his stack on Yovanovitch in the July 25 call that inspired many of these current witnesses to speak out. Fiona Hill called it a “turning point.” politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
MORRISON says he didn't believe there was any sort of quid pro quo for military aide UNTIL he talked to Sondland on Sept. 1.
But even then he said he hoped it was just Sondland's idea, not anyone else's.
But even then he said he hoped it was just Sondland's idea, not anyone else's.
MORRISON says Sondland told him on Sept. 1 that he informed Ukrainians that they'd have better luck releasing the military aid if they opened the investigation inro Burisma (code for Biden).
NEW: MORRISON told investigators that Sondland claime dto be acting on Trump's orders when handling Ukraine.
And every time Morrison checked out whether Sondland had actually had a call with Trump as he claimed, it was true.
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
And every time Morrison checked out whether Sondland had actually had a call with Trump as he claimed, it was true.
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
JUST IN: The Intel Committee is about to release transcripts from Tim Morrison and Jennifer Williams. Happy Saturday!
HERE THEY ARE:
Morrison: intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/…
Williams: intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/…
Morrison: intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/…
Williams: intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/…
NOTBALE: Williams testified that Trump had mentioned Burisma during the call with Zelensky but sent a letter last week amending her testimony.
It was Zelensky, not Trump, that mentioned Burisma.
It was Zelensky, not Trump, that mentioned Burisma.
Number two House Democrat calls Trump's attack on Yovanovitch "witness intimidation."
YOVANOVITCH was asked whether a top Ukrainian's Twitter criticism of Trump could have fairly created the impression that an influential Ukrainian was "out to get" him.
She replies knowingly: "Sometimes that happens on social media."
She replies knowingly: "Sometimes that happens on social media."
YOVANOVITCH goes on offense: She interjects Wenstrup's questioning to say she agrees Trump camp recall an ambassador at any time for any reason, but:
"I do wonder why it was necessary to smear my reputation."
"I do wonder why it was necessary to smear my reputation."
AND WE'RE BACK: Yovanovitch is back in the witness chair for the GOP round of questioning.
NUNES intentionally violates the impeachment inquiry rules by yielding to STEFANIK. They know this violates the process set out for the impeachment inquiry and then pretend to be shocked when Schiff gavels them down.
The hearing rules: 45 minutes for Schiff/counsel followed by 45 minutes for Nunes/counsel. No other members in this round.
Then 5 minutes for each member, alternating D and R.
The House voted these rules into effect last month.
Then 5 minutes for each member, alternating D and R.
The House voted these rules into effect last month.
BREAKING: Per @dsamuelsohn Roger STONE *CONVICTED* on all counts.
@dsamuelsohn Proof that this is a simulation and not real life:
Stone was convicted of obstructing a congressional investigation. Lawmakers just accused Trump of doing the same by attacking Yovanovitch mid-hearing, which she described as "intimidating."
Stone was convicted of obstructing a congressional investigation. Lawmakers just accused Trump of doing the same by attacking Yovanovitch mid-hearing, which she described as "intimidating."
@dsamuelsohn THE DETAILS: politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
Yovanovitch is sworn in
IN HER STATEMENT: Yovanovitch goes one by one denying a series of unsubstantiated allegations:
-That she told Ukrainians who they could and could not prosecute
-That she ever ordered embassy officials to ignore Trump's orders
-That she was asked to aid the Clinton campaign.
-That she told Ukrainians who they could and could not prosecute
-That she ever ordered embassy officials to ignore Trump's orders
-That she was asked to aid the Clinton campaign.
YOVANOVITCH: "Our Ukraine policy has been thrown into disarray, and shady interests the world over have learned how little it take sot remove an American Ambassador who does not give them what they want."
YOVANOVITCH has arrived
NUNES says closed hearings in the basement SCIF of the Capitol are like "a cult." When he ran the Intel Committee, they held dozens of hearings in the same room as part of the Russia investigation.
SCHIFF says he's "grateful" Trump released the new call record but says Trump should also order the State Department to release thousands of documents and "stop obstructing the impeachment inquiry."
FOR YOVANOVITCH UPDATES check here and @AndrewDesiderio
Here’s the view for the second day of public impeachment hearings.
More scenes from the hearing room
NEW: Yovanovitch stood in the way of the Trump-Giuliani campaign to get Ukraine to investigate the Bidens. So they steamrolled her.
Today, she tells her story to impeachment investigators. Preview w/ @AndrewDesiderio
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
Today, she tells her story to impeachment investigators. Preview w/ @AndrewDesiderio
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
It was Yovanovitch’s ouster by Trump from her post in Ukraine that infuriated thr senior ranks of the State Dept. and National Security Council. Fiona Hill called it a “turning point” and “devastating” shot to morale.
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
But it was when Trump’s July 25 Ukraine transcript came out and he was seen disparaging her directly to Zelensky that struck a nerve.
Yovanovitch was the most senior diplomat in Europe and one of the few women in such a prominent spot.
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
Yovanovitch was the most senior diplomat in Europe and one of the few women in such a prominent spot.
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
JUST IN: Trump moves to force dismissal of lawsuit brought by Bolton aide seekign to determine whether to testify in House impeachment proceedings.
This is the same suit Mulvaney sought to jon before rescinding his effort and siding with Trump.
INTERESTING: Trump's effort to force Kupperman to drop his suit includes a lengthy explanation of why Kupperman is too close to Trump to be allowed to testify >>>
NEW: Democrats’ impeachment strategy came into focus today — Keep Trump’s words and actions under a microscope and sideline the byzantine drama of little-known bureaucrats.
Analysis w/ @AndrewDesiderio
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
Analysis w/ @AndrewDesiderio
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
Dems’ efforts to keep their gaze on Trump was aided by explosive new evidence from Taylor, who said an aide overheard Trump directly inquire about the Biden investigation a day after his Zelensky call. politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
“There is an effort apparently to — by the president’s allies..throw anybody under the bus in an effort to protect the president. But what this call indicates..is that the instructions are coming from the president on down,” Schiff said after the hearing.
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
???: This is wild.
As many have pointed out, the first letter in each of the top 23 tweets on @RepGosar's account spell "Epstein Didn't Kill Himself."
As many have pointed out, the first letter in each of the top 23 tweets on @RepGosar's account spell "Epstein Didn't Kill Himself."
@RepGosar The 23 tweets were about today's impeachment hearing. But that's beside the point.
🙄
Problem for this argument: Sondland is testifying Tuesday and can affirm what Taylor is saying.
Plus, as Dems will point out: White House is blocking all witnesses who could give most direct knowledge of Trump's actions/statements.
Plus, as Dems will point out: White House is blocking all witnesses who could give most direct knowledge of Trump's actions/statements.
In addition to blocking witnesses, the White House and State are refusing to share documents that Taylor, Kent and other witnesses say exist that can provide contemporaneous documentation of a lot of what they're discussing.
SONDLAND's lawyer says he won't comment on Taylor's new detail:
"Ambassador Sondland will address whatever Mr. Taylor's aide said when he testifies next week."
"Ambassador Sondland will address whatever Mr. Taylor's aide said when he testifies next week."
WOW: Mid-hearing impeachment inquiry officials announce two new closed depositions.
Friday: David Holmes
Saturday: Mark Sandy, an OMB official who refused to appear last week.
Friday: David Holmes
Saturday: Mark Sandy, an OMB official who refused to appear last week.
Sandy would the first of 5 OMB officials sought by Democrats to testify and could provide the first crack in their effort to digure out how the hold on military aid was handled at the highest levels of the WH budget office.
HOLMES, who now works for Bill Taylor, may be the aide Taylor just described who overheard Trump call w/ Sondland on July 26, when Sondland indicated Ukraine was ready to move forward with Biden/2016 investigations.
PUBLIC IMPEACHMENT begins today. Check here and with @AndrewDesiderio for updates.
To start, an official working on the impeachment inquiry confirms that Daniel Goldman, Senior Advisor and Director of Investigations for House Intelligence Committee will be handling questioning during the extended rounds.
Heavy media presence outside the hearing room, where security is currently conducting a sweep.
NEWS: Democrats have sequenced the rest of their public impeachment hearings. Nearly all of the closed-door witnesses they deposed will return.
Just 3 of 9 GOP witness requests were deemed relevant and approved. (Hunter Biden was not one of them).
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
Just 3 of 9 GOP witness requests were deemed relevant and approved. (Hunter Biden was not one of them).
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
5 Days:
11/13: William Taylor, George Kent
11/15: Marie Yovanovitch
11/19 (AM): Jennifer Williams, Alexander Vindman
11/19 (PM): Kurt Volker, Timothy Morrison
11/20 (AM): Gordon Sondland
11/20 (PM): Laura Cooper, David Hale
11/21 (AM): Fiona Hill
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
11/13: William Taylor, George Kent
11/15: Marie Yovanovitch
11/19 (AM): Jennifer Williams, Alexander Vindman
11/19 (PM): Kurt Volker, Timothy Morrison
11/20 (AM): Gordon Sondland
11/20 (PM): Laura Cooper, David Hale
11/21 (AM): Fiona Hill
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
Just four of the witnesses investigators interviewed privatley are NOT on the list, all from the State Department:
Michael McKinley
Phil Reeker
Chris Anderson
Catherine Croft
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
Michael McKinley
Phil Reeker
Chris Anderson
Catherine Croft
politico.com/news/2019/11/1…
BREAKING: House impeachment investigators announce schedule of public hearings for next week:
THREE of the new witnesses were requested by Republicans: Morrison (NSC), Volker (State Dept.) and Hale (State Dept.)
It's unclear what will happen with the GOP's other witness requests, though Schiff seems disinclined to call Hunter Biden and others who would divert the focus.
It's unclear what will happen with the GOP's other witness requests, though Schiff seems disinclined to call Hunter Biden and others who would divert the focus.
IT APPEARS: Democrats want Fiona HILL, Trump's former Russia adviser, to be their closer.
She was a fiery witness who pleaded with Republicans to stop fomenting conspiracies about Ukraine. She also spoke to the national security ramifications of Trump's Ukraine gambit.
She was a fiery witness who pleaded with Republicans to stop fomenting conspiracies about Ukraine. She also spoke to the national security ramifications of Trump's Ukraine gambit.
