Rep. Adam Schiff says Republicans' 'objection is that (Trump) got caught. Their objection is that someone blew the whistle.' 'Their defense is well, he ended up releasing the aid. Yes, after he got caught. That doesn't make this any less odious'
Day 3 of the House impeachment hearings wrapped on Tuesday evening after the committee questioned four witnesses over the course of more than nine hours.
Earlier Tuesday, two White House national security aides on the July phone call who expressed concerns about the statements Trump made to Ukraine's leader became the first current White House officials to testify publicly in the Democrats' impeachment investigation. "My Republican colleagues all they seem to be upset with this -- not that the president sought an investigation of his political rival, not that he withheld a White House meeting and $400 million in aid -- their objection is he got caught. Their objection is someone blew the whistle and they would like this whistle blower identified, and the president wants this whistle-blower punished. That's their objection. Not the president engaged in this conduct, but that he got caught.
Volker’s impassioned declaration came towards the closing of Tuesday night’s public testimony before the House Intelligence Committee. He testified that"Russia is trying to upend security in Europe," making clear the reason why withholding aid to Ukraine is against American interests. Recounting a conversation he had with Andriy Yermak, an aide to Zelenskiy, Volker said when he"cautioned [Yermak] to say that pursuing prosecution … risks deepening the divisions in the country."
"Among the discussions with Dr. Hill were about Ambassador Sondland – I think she might have coined it ‘the Gordon problem,’" Morrison said. "I did not remember that at the time of my October 3rd testimony," Volker answered."I read the account by Alex [Vindman] and that jogged my memory. I said yes, that's right. That did happen. I do not, still to this point, remember it being an abrupt end to the meeting," Volker said."The meeting was essentially over. And we got up, we went out to the little circle in front of the white house. We took a photograph. It did not strike me as abrupt.
During his testimony this morning, Vindman said he went straight to the NSC legal staff after listening to the president’s phone call with Ukraine’s leader. Vindman said he"attempted to report [his concern] to Mr. Morrison," but that Morrison"didn't avail himself."Morrison recounted his concern with Ambassador Sondland’s conduct with regard to"requirements" the Ukrainians needed to meet in order to receive the U.S. security aid.
He testified that he was concerned about"potential political fallout" if the call's contents were leaked. Asked whether he found it improper that the president advocated for an investigation into the Bidens, Morrison said,"It’s not what we recommended the president discuss." Volker says he also didn't believe accusations against Marie Yovanovitch, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. He says those were not credible either.
"At the time I was connecting [Ukrainian chief of staff Andriy] Yermak and Mr. Giuliani, and discussing with Mr. Yermak and Amb. Sondland a possible statement that could be made by the Ukrainian President, I did not know of any linkage between the hold on security assistance and Ukraine pursuing investigations," Volker said.
Former special envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker delivers opening statement:"At no time was I aware of or knowingly took part in any effort to urge Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Biden." https://t.co/xAXyojJvAX pic.twitter.com/HULBW9WHPk When exactly Ukraine knew the money was on hold is a key point for Republicans, who contend that Trump can't be accused of personally imposing a"quid pro quo" in his July 25 phone call because, they say, Ukraine had no idea that military aid was on hold at that time.As the first part of Tuesday's hearing ended, Schiff thanked Williams and Vindman for their testimony.
Rep. Schiff to Lt. Col. Vindman:"We have courageous people like yourself who come forward, who report things, who do what they should do, who have a sense...of duty. Of duty! Not the the person of the president but to the presidency and to the country." https://t.co/wJIckfThSv pic.twitter.com/DZgOMhcuhm
Vindman says his father"deeply worried" about him testifying about the president, but"this is America ... and here, right matters." https://t.co/xAXyojJvAX pic.twitter.com/ddj1q7DSqiDemocratic Rep. Sean Maloney lamented the political attacks against Vindman in the hearing during his time for questioning.
Vindman told Stewart he felt the attacks against him have"marginalized" him as a military officer. A spokesperson for the Army told ABC News they are supporting Vindman with concerns around his family's security as he testifies in the impeachment inquiry.
"I don't know him, as he says Lieutenant Colonel, I understand someone had the misfortune of calling him 'mister' and he corrected them. I never saw the man, I understand now he wears his uniform when he goes in. No, I don't know Vindman at all," Trump said during a Cabinet meeting, ABC's Jordyn Phelps reports.
Ratcliffe, piling copies of all the deposition transcripts on the desk in front of him, claimed that not once have any witnesses used that word to describe what the president did, even if they were concerned."I want to make one thing clear for folks watching today. Bribery does involve a quid pro quo. Bribery involves the conditioning of a specific act for something of value," Schiff said.
"And I want people to understand what that was all about. It's the kind of attack -- it's the kind of thing you say when you're defending the indefensible," Himes said."Representative, I'd call myself 'Never Partisan'" Vindman replied.Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman:"Representative, I'd call myself 'Never Partisan.'" https://t.co/xAXyojJvAX pic.twitter.
"That is preposterous that I would do that," Vindman shot back."I can’t say why Mr. Morrison questioned my judgment." "I'm an American. I came here when I was a toddler and I immediately dismissed these offers. Did not entertain them," he said. In a lengthy series of questions about the whistleblower – and whether Vindman knew the person’s identity – Nunes grew frustrated when Vindman appeared to avoid answering directly.
It's clear the GOP suspects that Vindman tipped off the whistleblower, although Vindman says he's not sure who the whistleblower is. He also said there was a discussion among NSC lawyers about how to handle the transcript and keep it to a"smaller group" to avoid the sensitive information from being leaked, but that he didn't see it as"nefarious."
ABC's Ben Siegel reports from the hearing room that Vindman also said, as he did in private testimony, that he warned Zelenskiy against involvement in U.S. domestic politics.In describing President Trump’s asking Ukraine’s leader to launch investigations that may help his 2020 reelection effort, Vindman relayed his experience in the military to describe why he understood Trump’s overture as"an order," not a"request.
"We do not serve any particular political party, we serve the nation. I am humbled to come before you today as one of many who serve in the most distinguished and able military in the world," Vindman says. "As a career officer, I am committed to serving the American people and advancing American interests abroad, in support of the President’s foreign policy objectives," Williams said Tuesday.
"Ms. Williams, we all saw the President’s tweet about you on Sunday afternoon and the insults he hurled at Ambassador Yovanovich last Friday. You are here today, and the American people are grateful," Schiff says."Col. Vindman, we have seen far more scurrilous attacks on your character, and watched as certain personalities on Fox have questioned your loyalty. I note that you have shed blood for America, and we owe you an immense debt of gratitude.
Tuesday's hearing starts off an important week in the impeachment inquiry after the first two days of public testimony last week. He also said he attempted to get nearly $400 million in military aid to Ukraine restored after it was put on hold over the summer, drafting a memo that the president refused to sign.Williams said in a separate closed session with lawmakers that she found the mention of investigations into the 2016 election and unsubstantiated theories of Ukraine's meddling in the race, and a probe into the Biden family's dealings in Ukraine"unusual and inappropriate.
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Impeachment hearings live updates Day 3: Alexander Vindman, Jennifer Williams testifyTwo White House national security aides who expressed concerns about a July phone call between President Donald Trump and Ukraine's leader are appearing on Capitol Hill Tuesday, becoming the first current White House officials testify publicly in the Democrats' impeachment investigation. Lt.
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Impeachment hearings live updates Day 3: Alexander Vindman, Jennifer Williams testify'Today we are going to be hearing from witnesses who were on that phone call that sparked this entire impeachment inquiry—and they have described what they heard as unusual and inappropriate,' marykbruce tells TomLlamasABC. ImpeachmentHearings
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Impeachment hearings live updates Day 3: Alexander Vindman, Jennifer Williams testify'The reason we don't ask...fact witnesses to make the judgment about whether a crime of bribery has been committed,' Rep. Adam Schiff says, 'is you're fact witnesses. It will be our job to decide whether the impeachable act of bribery has occurred.'
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Trump impeachment live updates: Vindman saw pressure campaign on Ukraine begin in early JulyHearings in the impeachment inquiry resume with witnesses who have direct knowledge of Trump's call with Zelensky. Follow our live coverage:
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'I never heard of him': Donald Trump says he doesn't know Lt. Col. Alexander VindmanPresident Donald Trump says he doesn&39;t know the National Security Council aide who listened to his July 25 call with Ukraine President Zelensky.
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