of President Donald Trump now 
reporting George
Stephanopoulos
coverage of the Senate trial
of President Trump the senate 
about to convene right now
there you see the house 
managers Adam Schiff coming in
or just moments ago along with
the Chief Justice United
States John Roberts who will
preside after a late night
yesterday was the first full
day of this trial yesterday a 
fiery day where the Democrats 
offered 11 amendments trying
to get Republicans to agree to
Witnesses and documents 
subpoena Witnesses and
documents in this trial all 11
went down on strict Party Line
votes in this trial is a fiery
Furious start at the trial and
now it is set the stage is set
for the house manager of the
HILL.
YESTERDAY THAT LONG DAY, MORE 
THAN 12 HOURS.
TODAY NOT EXPECTED TO GO AS 
LONG, AND THERE WERE SOME 
CONCERNS AT THE END OF THOSE 
DEBATES AND VOTES YESTERDAY THAT
THIS WAS GETTING A LITTLE BIT 
OUT OF HAND. 
>> Reporter: YEAH, GEORGE, WE 
SAW THAT REMARKABLE MOMENT LATE 
LAST NIGHT, ACTUALLY EARLY THIS 
MORNING WHEN THE CHIEF JUSTICE, 
IS JOHN ROBERTS, HAD TO STEP IN 
AND ADMONISH BOTH SIDES, 
REMINDING THEM OF THE CHAMBER 
THAT THEY ARE IN, THAT THIS IS 
NOT A PLACE WHERE THAT HEATED 
RHETORIC IS WELCOME OR CONDONED.
GEORGE, MANY REPUBLICANS HEAR 
THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO THIS 
MORNING SAY THEY DIDN'T 
APPRECIATE THAT TONE, THAT THEY 
DON'T THINK THAT THE DEMOCRATS 
WERE DOING THEMSELVES ANY FAVORS
BECAUSE TODAY OF COURSE WHILE 
THEY MAKE THEIR CASE, THIS IS 
THEIR CHANCE UNINTERRUPTED, THEY
WILL HAVE 24 HOURS TO OUTLINE 
THEIR CASE TO THE AMERICAN 
PEOPLE BUT THEY ARE ALSO 
OUTLINING THEIR CASE BEFORE FOUR
KEY REPUBLICAN SENATORS.
THAT IS REALLY THE AUDIENCE IN 
MANY WAYS HERE TODAY.
THEY NEED TO MAKE A CONVINCING 
AND COMPELLING CASE TO TRY AND 
GET THEM ON BOARD BECAUSE FOUR 
IS THE MAGIC NUMBER THAT THEY 
WILL NEED IF THEY ULTIMATELY 
WANT TO CALL ANY ADDITIONAL 
WITNESSES.
ONE OF THOSE FOUR I'M TOLD, 
SUSAN COLLINS, REALLY DIDN'T 
APPRECIATE THE TONE LAST NIGHT.
IN FACT, SHE WAS ACTUALLY SEEN 
PASSING A NOTE TO THE 
PARLIAMENTARIAN EXPRESSING SOME 
OF HER CONCERNS ABOUT THE HEATED
RHETORIC ON THE FLOOR RIGHT 
BEFORE ROBERTS MADE THAT 
ADMONISHMENT, BEFORE HE TOLD 
ESSENTIALLY BOTH SIDES TO TONE 
IT DOWN.
SO I'LL BE WATCHING VERY CLOSELY
THE TONE FROM THESE SEVEN 
MANAGERS THROUGHOUT THE DAY 
BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO MAKE A 
COMPELLING CASE BUT ALSO NOT 
ALIENATE ANY OF THE REPUBLICAN 
SENATORS IN THE ROOM.
>> TERRY MORAN, IT IS A REMINDER
OF THAT OLD SAYING ALL POLITICS 
IS LOCAL EVEN THOUGH THE 
MANAGERS ARE GOING TO BE MAKING 
A CASE TO THE COUNTRY.
THEY ARE GOING TO BE MAKING A 
CASE TO THOSE SENATORS IN THE 
ROOM WHO THEY BELIEVE HOLD THE 
KEY VOTES ON WHETHER OR NOT TO 
HAVE WITNESSES AND DOCUMENTS.
WE SAW A SIGN YESTERDAY THAT 
COULD CUT EITHER WAY.
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS 
YESTERDAY, MITCH McCONNELL, THE 
SENATE LEADER, FORCED TO CHANGE 
HIS RESOLUTION UNDER PRESSURE 
FROM THE REPUBLICANS.
THE BIG QUESTION, IS THAT A SIGN
HE CAN'T CONTROL THE CAUCUS OR 
IF HE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT HE'S 
DOING, LETTING A LITTLE BIT OF 
THE PRESSURE OUT SO HE CAN HOLD 
THEM LATER. 
>> Reporter: I THINK YOU'RE 
ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, GEORGE, THAT 
THIS IS ABOUT AS LOCAL AS 
POLITICS GET.
THE FIRST PEOPLE THAT NEED TO BE
CONVINCED ARE THE 100 SENATORS 
SITTING IN FRONT, THE MANAGERS 
AND TRUMP'S DEFENSE LAWYERS AND 
THE WHOLE PROCESS SO FAR HAS 
BEEN TO TRY TO REMOVE THEM FROM 
POLITICS AS USUAL.
OF COURSE THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE.
THEY'RE POLITICIANS.
BUT TO TRY IT WITH THE CHIEF 
JUSTICE IN THE CHAIR ADMONISHING
THEM TO LIVE UP TO WHO THEY 
OUGHT TO BE AS UNITED STATES 
SENATORS AND ADVOCATES IN THE 
UNITED STATES SENATE AND THE 
OATH THAT THEY TAKE AND ALL OF 
THE TRAPPINGS OF AN IMPEACHMENT 
TRIAL IS AN EFFORT TO GET THEM 
TO FOCUS, TO FOCUS ON THOSE 
ARGUMENTS.
NOW, IT IS CLEAR THAT SOME OF 
THEM DO -- ARE TAKING THAT 
PRETTY SERIOUSLY.
THE MODERATES WHO DID PRESSURE 
MITCH McCONNELL INTO CHANGING 
HIS ORIGINAL PREFERENCE FOR A 
MUCH FASTER TRIAL AND MUCH LESS 
LIKELY TO HEAR WITNESSES AND 
DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE, THAT 
CHANGED.
WHETHER THAT WAS JUST A GESTURE 
OR WHETHER IT'S A SIGN THAT THIS
IMPEACHMENT TRIAL LIKE THE 15 
OTHERS THAT THE SENATE HAS 
CONDUCTED IN 231 YEARS WILL 
PRODUCE WITNESSES AND OTHER 
TESTIMONY REMAINS TO BE SEEN. 
>> CHIEF JUSTICE JUST BROUGHT 
THE GAVEL DOWN.
CHAPLAIN BARRY BLACK OF THE 
SENATE, RETIRED REAR ADMIRAL.
>> LET US PRAY.
SOVEREIGN GOD, AUTHOR OF 
LIBERTY, WE GATHER IN THIS 
HISTORIC CHAMBER FOR THE SOLEMN 
RESPONSIBILITY OF THESE 
IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS.
GIVE WISDOM TO THE DISTINGUISHED
CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS AS HE
PRESIDES.
LORD, YOU ARE ALL POWERFUL AND 
KNOW OUR THOUGHTS BEFORE WE FORM
THEM.
AS OUR LAWMAKERS HAVE BECOME 
JURORS, REMIND THEM OF ARE YOUR 
ADMONITION IN FIRST CORINTHIANS 
10:31 THAT WHATEVER THEY DO 
SHOULD BE DONE FOR YOUR GLORY.
HELP THEM REMEMBER THAT PATRIOTS
RESIDE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE 
AISLE, THAT WORDS HAVE 
CONSEQUENCES, AND THAT HOW 
SOMETHING IS SAID CAN BE AS 
IMPORTANT AS WHAT IS SAID.
GIVE THEM A CIVILITY BUILT UPON 
INTEGRITY THAT BRINGS 
CONSISTENCY IN THEIR BELIEFS AND
ACTIONS.
WE PRAY IN YOUR POWERFUL NAME, 
AMEN.
>> THE PRAYER WITH A POINTED 
MESSAGE FROM SENATE CHAT PLAIN 
BARRY BLACK.
NOW WE'LL HEAR THE PROCLAMATION.
>> PLEASE JOIN ME IN RECITING 
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE 
FLAG.
>> All: I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO 
THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR 
WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION 
UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH 
LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> WOULD YOU PLEASE BE SEATED.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE 
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
TRIAL ARE APPROVED DATE.
NO OBJECTION, SO ORDERED.
THE SERGEANT AT ARMS WILL MAKE 
THE PROCLAMATION.
>> HEAR YE, HEAR YE, ALL PERSONS
ARE COMMANDED TO KEEP SILENT ON 
PAIN OF IMPRISONMENT WHILE THE 
SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES IS 
SITTING FOR THE TRIAL OF THE 
ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT 
EXHIBITED BY THE HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES AGAINST DONALD 
JOHN TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE 
UNITED STATES.
>> THE MAJORITY LEADER IS 
RECOGNIZED.
>> OUR COLLEAGUES, NO MOTIONS 
WERE FILED THIS MORNING SO WE'LL
PROCEED TO THE HOUSE MANAGER'S 
PRESENTATION.
WE WILL GO FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO
HOURS AND TAKE A SHORT RECESS 
WHEN THERE IS AN APPROPRIATE 
BREAK TIME BETWEEN PRESENTERS.
>> PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF
SENATE RESOLUTION 48 3, THE 
MANAGERS FOR THE HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES HAVE 24 HOURS TO
MAKE THE PRESENTATION OF THEIR 
CASE.
THE SENATE WILL NOW HEAR YOU.
>>> MR. CHIEF JUSTICE, SENATORS,
COUNSEL FOR THE PRESIDENT AND MY
FELLOW HOUSE MANAGERS, I WANT TO
BEGIN BY THANKING YOU, CHIEF 
JUSTICE, FOR A VERY LONG DAY, 
FOR THE WAY YOU HAVE PRESIDED 
OVER THESE PROCEEDINGS, AND I 
WANT TO THANK THE SENATORS ALSO.
WE WENT WELL INTO THE MORNING AS
YOU KNOW, UNTIL I BELIEVE AROUND
2:00 IN THE MORNING, AND YOU 
PAID ATTENTION TO EVERY WORD AND
ARGUMENT THAT YOU HEARD FROM 
BOTH SIDES IN THIS IMPEACHMENT 
TRIAL, AND I KNOW WE ARE BOTH 
DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
IT WAS AN EXHAUSTING DAY FOR US 
CERTAINLY, BUT WE HAVE 
ADRENALINE GOING THROUGH OUR 
VEINS AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE 
REQUIRED TO SIT AND LISTEN, IT 
IS A MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TASK.
OF COURSE, WE KNOW OUR 
POSITIONS.
YOU HAVE THE ADDED DIFFICULTY OF
HAVING TO WEIGH THE FACTS AND 
THE LAW, SO I WANT TO BEGIN 
TODAY BY THANKING YOU FOR THE 
CONDUCT OF THE PROCEEDINGS 
YESTERDAY AND FOR INVITING YOUR 
PATIENCE AS WE GO FORWARD.
WE HAVE SOME VERY LONG DAYS YET 
TO COME.
SO LET US BEGIN.
WHEN A MAN UNPRINCIPLED IN 
PRIVATE LIFE, DESPERATE IN HIS 
FORTUNE, BOLD IN HIS TEMPER, 
POSSESSED OF CONSIDERABLE 
TALENTS, HAVING THE ADVANTAGE OF
MILITARY HABITS, DISPOTTIC IN 
HIS ORDINARY DEMEANOR, KNOWN TO 
HAVE SCOFFED AT THE PRINCIPLES 
OF LIBERTY, WHEN SUCH A MAN 
JOINS IN THE CRY OF DANGER TO 
LIBERTY, TO TAKE EVERY 
OPPORTUNITY OF EMBARRASSING THE 
GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND BRINGING 
IT UNDER SUSPICION TO FLATTER 
AND FALL IN WITH ALL THE 
NONSENSE OF THE ZEALOTS OF THE 
DAY, IT MAY JUSTLY BE SUSPECTED 
THAT HIS OBJECT IS TO THROW 
THINGS INTO CONFUSION, THAT HE 
MIGHT RIDE THE STORM AND DIRECT 
THE WHIRLWIND.
THOSE WORDS WERE WRITTEN BY 
ALEXANDER HAMILTON IN A LETTER 
TO PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON 
AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANIC OF 
1792.
A FINANCIAL CREDIT CRISIS THAT 
SHOOK OUR YOUNG NATION.
HAMILTON WAS RESPONDING TO 
SENTIMENTS RELAYED TO WASHINGTON
AS HE TRAVELED THE COUNTRY THAT 
AMERICA, IN THE FACE OF THAT 
CRISIS, MIGHT DISSENT FROM A 
REPUBLIC FORM OF GOVERNMENT 
PLUNGING INSTEAD TO THAT OF 
MONARCHY.
THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION 
WORRIED THEN AS WE WORRY TODAY 
THAT A LEADER MIGHT COME TO 
POWER NOT TO CARRY OUT THE WILL 
OF THE PEOPLE THAT HE WAS 
ELECTED TO REPRESENT BUT TO 
PURSUE HIS OWN INTERESTS.
THEY FEARED THAT A PRESIDENT 
WOULD SUBVERT OUR DEMOCRACY BY 
ABUSING THE AWESOME POWER OF HIS
OFFICE FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL OR 
POLITICAL GAIN.
AND SO THEY DEVISED A REMEDY AS 
POWERFUL AS THE EVIL IT WAS 
MEANT TO COMBAT, IMPEACHMENT.
AS CENTURIES HAVE PASSED, OUR 
FOUNDERS ACHIEVED ALMOST A 
MYTHICAL CHARACTER.
WE ARE AWARE OF THEIR FLAWS, 
CERTAINLY SOME VERY PAINFUL AND 
PRONOUNCED INDEED.
AND YET WHEN IT CAME TO THE 
DRAFTING OF A NEW SYSTEM OF 
GOVERNMENT NEVER SEEN BEFORE AND
WITH NO GUARANTEE IT WOULD 
SUCCEED, WE CANNOT HELP BUT BE 
IN AWE OF THEIR GENIUS, THEIR 
PRESENCE EVEN VEND KATED TIME 
AND TIME AGAIN.
STILL AND MAYBE BECAUSE OF THEIR
BRILLIANCE AND THE BRILLIANCE OF
THEIR WORDS WE FIND IT MORE AND 
MORE DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE THEM 
AS HUMAN BEINGS.
THIS IS NO LESS TRUE OF 
ALEXANDER HAMILTON, 
NOTWITHSTANDING HIS RECENT 
RETURN TO CELEBRITY.
BUT THEY WERE HUMAN BEINGS.
THEY UNDERSTOOD HUMAN FRAILTIES 
EVEN AS THEY EXHIBITED THEM.
THEY COULD APPRECIATE JUST AS WE
CAN HOW POWER CAN CORRUPT AND 
EVEN AS WE STRUGGLE TO 
UNDERSTAND HOW THE FRAMERS MIGHT
HAVE RESPONDED TO PRESIDENTIAL 
MISCONDUCT OF THE KIND AND 
CHARACTER THAT WE ARE HERE TO 
TRY, WE SHOULD NOT IMAGINE FOR 
ONE MOMENT THAT THEY LACKED 
BASIC COMMON SENSE OR REFUSE TO 
APPLY IT OURSELVES.
THEY KNEW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO 
LIVE UNDER A DESPOT AND THEY 
RISKED THEIR LIVES TO BE FREE OF
IT.
THEY KNEW THEY WERE CREATING AN 
ENORMOUSLY POWERFUL EXECUTIVE 
AND THEY KNEW THEY NEEDED TO 
CONSTRAIN IT.
THEY DID NOT INTEND FOR THE 
POWER OF IMPEACHMENT TO BE USED 
FREQUENTLY OR OVER MERE MATTERS 
OF POLICY, BUT THEY PUT IT IN 
THE CONSTITUTION FOR A REASON.
FOR A MAN WHO WOULD SUBVERT THE 
INTEREST OF THE NATION TO PURSUE
HIS OWN INTERESTS.
FOR A MAN WHO WOULD SEEK TO 
PERPETUATE HIMSELF IN OFFICE BY 
INVITING FOREIGN INTERFERENCE 
AND CHEATING IN AN ELECTION.
FOR A MAN WHO WOULD BE 
DISDAINMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL 
LIMIT, IGNORING THE OTHER 
BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT AND THEIR
CO-EQUAL POWERS.
FOR A MAN WHO BELIEVED THAT THE 
CONSTITUTION GAVE HIM THE RIGHT 
TO DO ANYTHING HE WANTED AND 
PRACTICED IN THE ART OF 
DECE
DECEPTION.
FOR A MAN WHO BELIEVED THAT HE 
WAS ABOVE THE LAW AND BEHOLDEN 
FOR NO ONE.
FOR A MAN IN SHORT WHO WOULD BE 
A KING.
WE ARE HERE TODAY IN THIS 
HALLOWED CHAMBER UNDERTAKING 
THIS SOLEMN ACTION FOR ONLY THE 
THIRD TIME IN HISTORY BECAUSE 
DONALD J. TRUMP, THE 45th 
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 
HAS ACTED PRECISELY AS HAMILTON 
AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES FEARED.
PRESIDENT TRUMP SOLICITED 
FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN OUR 
DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS, ABUSING 
THE POWER OF HIS OFFICE TO SEEK 
HELP FROM ABROAD TO IMPROVE HIS 
RE-ELECTION PROSPECTS AT HOME.
AND WHEN HE WAS CAUGHT, HE USED 
THE POWERS OF THAT OFFICE TO 
OBSTRUCT THE INVESTIGATION INTO 
HIS OWN MISCONDUCT.
TO IMPLEMENT THIS CORRUPT 
SCHEME, PRESIDENT TRUMP 
PRESSURED THE PRESIDENT OF 
UKRAINE TO PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE 
INVESTIGATIONS INTO TWO 
DISCREDITED ALLEGATIONS THAT 
WOULD BENEFIT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S 
2020 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.
WHEN THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT DID
NOT IMMEDIATELY ASCENT, 
PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHHELD TWO 
OFFICIAL ACTS TO INDUCE THE 
UKRAINIAN LEADER TO COMPLY, A 
HEAD OF STATE MEETING IN THE 
OVAL OFFICE AND MILITARY 
FUNDING.
BOTH WERE OF GREAT CONSEQUENCE 
TO UKRAINE AND TO OUR NATIONAL 
INTEREST AND SECURITY, BUT ONE 
LOOMS LARGEST.
PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHHELD 
HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS 
IN MILITARY AID TO A STRATEGIC 
PARTNER AT WAR WITH RUSSIA TO 
SECURE FOREIGN HELP WITH HIS 
RE-ELECTION.
IN OTHER WORDS, TO CHEAT.
IN THIS WAY THE PRESIDENT USED 
OFFICIAL STATE POWERS AVAILABLE 
ONLY TO HIM AND UNAVAILABLE TO 
ANY POLITICAL OPPONENT TO 
ADVANTAGE HIMSELF IN A 
DEMOCRATIC ELECTION.
HIS SCHEME WAS UNDERTAKEN FOR A 
SIMPLE BUT CORRUPT REASON, TO 
HELP HIM WIN RE-ELECTION IN 
2020.
BUT THE EFFECT OF HIS SCHEME WAS
TO UNDERMINE OUR FREE AND FAIR 
ELECTIONS AND TO PUT OUR 
NATIONAL SECURITY AT RISK.
IT WAS NOT EVEN NECESSARY THAT 
UKRAINE UNDERTAKE THE POLITICAL 
INVESTIGATIONS THE PRESIDENT WAS
SEEKING.
THEY MERELY HAD TO ANNOUNCE 
THEM.
THIS IS SIGNIFICANT FOR 
PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD NO INTEREST 
IN FIGHTING CORRUPTION AS HE 
WOULD CLAIM AFTER HE WAS CAUGHT.
RATHER, HIS INTEREST WAS IN 
FURTHERING CORRUPTION BY THE 
ANNOUNCEMENT OF INVESTIGATIONS 
THAT WERE COMPLETELY WITHOUT 
MERIT.
THE FIRST SHAM INVESTIGATION 
THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP DESIRED WAS
INTO FORMER VICE PRESIDENT JOE 
BIDEN WHO HAD SOUGHT THE REMOVAL
OF A CORRUPT UKRAINIAN 
PROSECUTOR DURING THE PREVIOUS 
U.S. ADMINISTRATION.
THE VICE PRESIDENT ACTED IN 
ACCORDANCE WITH U.S. OFFICIAL 
POLICY AT THE TIME AND WAS 
SUPPORTED ANONYMOUSLY BY OUR 
EUROPEAN ALLIES AND KEY GLOBAL 
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS 
THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND 
THAT SHARED THE CONCERN OVER 
CORRUPTION.
DESPITE THIS FACT IN THE COURSE 
OF THIS SCHEME PRESIDENT TRUMP 
AND HIS AGENTS PRESSED THE 
UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT TO ANNOUNCE 
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE FALSE 
CLAIM THAT VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN 
WANTED THE CORRUPT PROSECUTOR 
REMOVED FROM POWER IN ORDER TO 
STOP AN INVESTIGATION INTO 
BURISMA HOLDINGS, A COMPANY ON 
WHOSE BOARD BIDEN'S SON HUNTER 
SAT.
THIS ALLEGATION IS SIMPLY 
UNTRUE, AND IT HAS BEEN WIDELY 
DEBUNKED BY UKRAINIAN AND 
AMERICAN EXPERTS ALIKE.
THAT REALITY MATTERED NOT TO 
PRESIDENT TRUMP.
TO HIM THE VALUE IN PROMOTING A 
NEGATIVE TALE ABOUT FORMER VICE 
PRESIDENT BIDEN, TRUE OR FALSE, 
WAS ITS USEFULNESS TO HIS 
RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN.
IT WAS A SMEAR TACTIC AGAINST A 
POLITICAL OPPONENT THAT 
PRESIDENT TRUMP APPARENTLY 
FEARED.
REMARKABLY BUT PREDICTABLY, 
RUSSIA TOO HAS SOUGHT TO SUPPORT
THIS EFFORT TO SMEAR MR. BIDEN, 
REPORTEDLY HACKING INTO THE 
UKRAINIAN ENERGY COMPANY AT THE 
CENTER OF THE PRESIDENT'S 
DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN ONLY 
LAST WEEK.
RUSSIA ALMOST CERTAINLY WAS 
LOOKING FOR INFORMATION RELATED 
TO THE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT'S 
SON SO THAT THE KREMLIN COULD 
ALSO WEAPONIZE IT AGAINST 
MR. BIDEN JUST LIKE IT DID 
AGAINST HILLARY CLINTON IN 2016 
WHEN RUSSIA HACKED AND RELEASED 
EMAILS FROM HER PRESIDENTIAL 
CAMPAIGN.
PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS MADE IT 
ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT HE WOULD 
LIKE NOTHING MORE THAN TO MAKE 
USE OF SUCH DIRT AGAINST 
MR. BIDEN JUST AS HE MADE USE OF
SECRETARY CLINTON'S HACKED AND 
RELEASED EMAILS IN HIS PREVIOUS 
PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.
WHICH BRINGS US TO THE OTHER 
SHAM INVESTIGATION THAT 
PRESIDENT TRUMP DEMANDED THAT 
THE UKRAINIAN LEADER ANNOUNCE.
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS RELATED 
TO A DEBUNKED CONSPIRACY THEORY 
ALLEGING THAT UKRAINE, NOT 
RUSSIA, INTERFERED IN THE 2016 
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
THIS NARRATIVE PROPAGATED BY THE
RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE SERVICES 
CONTENDS THAT UKRAINE SOUGHT TO 
HELP HILLARY CLINTON AND HARM 
THEN CANDIDATE TRUMP AND THAT A 
COMPUTER SERVER PROVIDING THIS 
FICTION IS HIDDEN SOMEWHERE IN 
UKRAINE.
THAT IS THE SO-CALLED 
CROWDSTRIKE CONSPIRACY THEORY.
THIS TALE IS ALSO PATENTLY FALSE
AND REMARKABLY, IT IS THE 
INVERSE OF WHAT THE U.S. 
INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY'S 
UNANIMOUS ASSESSMENT WAS THAT 
RUSSIA INTERFERED IN THE 2016 
ELECTION IN SWEEPING AND 
SYSTEMATIC FASHION IN ORDER TO 
HURT HILLARY CLINTON AND TO HELP
DONALD TRUMP.
NEVERTHELESS, THE PRESIDENT 
EVIDENTLY BELIEVED THAT A PUBLIC
ANNOUNCEMENT LENDING CREDENCE TO
THESE ALLEGATIONS BY THE UKRAINE
PRESIDENT COULD PUT TO REST ANY 
DOUBT THE AMERICANS HAD OVER THE
JLEGITIMACY OF HIS FIRST ELECTIN
EVEN AS HE INVITED FOREIGN 
INTERFERENCE TO THE NEXT.
AMERICANS MAY BE MOST FAMILIAR 
WITH HIS TREATY TO THE UKRAINIAN
PRESIDENT ON THE NOW INFAMOUS 
JULY 25th CALL TO DO US A FAVOR 
THOUGH AND INVESTIGATION BIDEN 
AND THE 2016 CONSPIRACY THEORY.
BUT THAT CALL WAS NOT THE 
BEGINNING OF THE STORY OF THE 
PRESIDENT'S CORRUPT SCHEME, NOR 
WAS IT THE END.
RATHER, IT WAS MERELY PART, 
ALTHOUGH A SIGNIFICANT PART OF A
MO
MONTHS' LONG EFFORT BY PRESIDENT
TRUMP AND HIS ALLIES AND 
ASSOCIATES WHO PLIED SIGNIFICANT
AND INCREASING PRESSURE ON 
UKRAINE TO ANNOUNCE THESE TWO 
POLITICALLY MOTIVATED 
INVESTIGATIONS.
KEY FIGURES IN THE TRUMP 
ADMINISTRATION WERE AWARE OR 
DIRECTLY INVOLVED OR 
PARTICIPATED IN THE SCHEME.
AS WE SAW YESTERDAY, ONE 
WITNESS, A MILLION DOLLAR DONOR 
TO THE PRESIDENT'S INAUGURAL 
CH
COMMITTEE PUT IT THIS WAY, 
EVERYONE WAS IN THE LOOP.
AFTER TWICE INVITING UKRAINE'S 
NEW PRESIDENT TO THE WHITE HOUSE
WITHOUT PROVIDING A SPECIFIC 
DATE FOR THE PROPOSED VISIT, 
PRESIDENT TRUMP CONDITIONED THIS
COVETED HEAD OF STATE MEETING ON
THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THESE SHAM 
INVESTIGATIONS.
FOR UKRAINE'S NEW AND UNTESTED 
LEADER, AN OFFICIAL MEETING WITH
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED 
STATES IN THE OVAL OFFICE WAS 
CRITICAL.
IT WOULD HELP BESTOW ON HIM 
IMPORTANT DOMESTIC AND 
INTERNATIONAL LEGITIMACY AS HE 
SOUGHT TO IMPLEMENT AN AMBITIOUS
ANTI-CORRUPTION PLATFORM.
SUPPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF 
THE UNITED STATES WOULD ALSO 
STRENGTHEN HIS POSITION AS HE 
SOUGHT TO NEGOTIATE A PEACE 
AGREEMENT WITH RUSSIA'S 
PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN AND 
CONTINUED MILITARY OCCUPATION OF
PARTS OF UKRAINE.
BUT MOST PERNICIOUS, PRESIDENT 
TRUMP CONDITIONED HUNDREDS OF 
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN 
CONGRESSIONAL APPROPRIATED, 
TAXPAYER FUNDED MILITARY 
ASSISTANCE FOR THE SAME PURPOSE,
TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE ON 
UKRAINE'S LEADER TO ANNOUNCE THE
INVESTIGATIONS.
THIS MILITARY AID WHICH HAS LONG
ENJ
ENJOYED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT WAS 
DESIGNED TO HELP UKRAINE FROM 
THE KREMLIN'S AGGRESSION.
MORE THAT 15,000 UKRAINIANS HAVE
DIED FIGHTING RUSSIAN FORCES AND
THEIR PROXIES, 15,000.
AND THE MILITARY AID WAS FOR 
SUCH ESSENTIALS AS SNIPER 
RIFLES, ROCKET PROPELLED RADAR 
LAUNCHERS, NIGHT VISION GOGGLES 
AND OTHER SUPPORT FOR THE WAR 
EFFORT.
MOST CRITICALLY, THE MILITARY 
AID THAT WE PROVIDE UKRAINE 
HELPS TO PROTECT AND ADVANCE 
AMERICAN NATIONAL SECURITY 
INTERESTS IN THE REGION AND 
BEYOND.
AMERICA HAS AN ABIDING INTEREST 
IN STEMMING RUSSIAN EXPANSIONISM
AND RESISTING ANY NATION'S 
EFFORTS TO REMAKE THE MAP OF 
EUROPE BY MILITARY FORCE EVEN AS
WE HAVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF 
TROOPS STATIONED THERE.
MOREOVER, AS ONE WITNESS PUT IT 
DURING OUR IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY, 
THE UNITED STATES AIDES UKRAINE 
AND HER PEOPLE SO THAT WE CAN 
FIGHT RUSSIA OVER THERE AND WE 
DON'T HAVE TO FIGHT RUSSIA HERE.
NOW, WHEN THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEME
WAS EXPOSED AND THE HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES PROPERLY 
PERFORMED ITS CONSTITUTIONAL 
RESPONSIBILITY TO INVESTIGATE 
THE MATTER, PRESIDENT TRUMP USED
SAME UNRIVALED AUTHORITY AT HIS 
DISPOSAL AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 
TO COVER UP HIS WRONGDOING.
IN UNPRECEDENTED FASHION, THE 
PRESIDENT ORDERED THE ENTIRE 
EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE UNITED 
STATES OF AMERICA TO 
CATEGORICALLY REFUSE AND 
COMPLETELY OBSTRUCT THE HOUSE'S 
IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION.
SUCH A WHOLESALE OBSTRUCTION OF 
CONGRESSIONAL IMPEACHMENT HAS 
NEVER BEFORE OCCURRED IN OUR 
DEMOCRACY.
IT REPRESENTS ONE OF THE MOST 
BLATANT EFFORTS AT A COVERUP IN 
HISTORY.
IF NOT REMEDIED BY HIS 
CONVICTION IN THE SENATE AND 
REMOVAL FROM OFFICE, PRESIDENT 
TRUMP'S ABUSE OF HIS OFFICE AND 
OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS WILL 
PERMANENTLY ALTER THE BALANCE OF
POWER AMONG THE BRANCHES OF 
GOVERNMENT INVITING FUTURE 
PRESIDENTS TO OPERATE AS IF THEY
ARE ALSO BEYOND THE REACH OF 
ACCOUNTABILITY, CONGRESSIONAL 
OVERSIGHT, AND THE LAW.
ON THE BASIS OF THIS EGREGIOUS 
MISCONDUCT, THE HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES RETURNED TWO 
ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST 
THE PRESIDENT.
THE FIRST CHARGING THAT 
PRESIDENT TRUMP CORRUPTLY ABUSED
THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCY SO 
SOLICIT FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN 
THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL 
ELECTION FOR HIS PERSONAL 
POLITICAL BENEFIT, AND SECOND, 
THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP OBSTRUCTED 
AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY INTO THAT
ABUSE OF POWER IN ORDER TO COVER
UP HIS MISCONDUCT.
THE HOUSE DID NOT TAKE THIS 
EXTRAORDINARILY -- EXTRAORDINARY
STEP LIGHTLY.
AS WE WILL DISCUSS, IMPEACHMENT 
EXISTS FOR CASES IN WHICH THE 
CONDUCT OF THE PRESIDENT RISES 
BEYOND MERE POLICIES, DISPUTES 
TO BE DECIDED OTHERWISE AND 
WITHOUT URGENCY AT THE BALLOT 
BOX.
INSTEAD, WE ARE HERE TODAY TO 
CONSIDER A MUCH MORE GRAVE 
MATTER, AND THAT IS AN ATTEMPT 
TO USE THE POWERS OF THE 
PRESIDENCY TO CHEAT IN AN 
ELECTION FOR PRECISELY THIS 
REASON.
THE PRESIDENT'S MISCONDUCT 
CANNOT BE DECIDED AT THE BALLOT 
BOX.
WE CANNOT BE ASSURED THAT THE 
VOTE WILL BE FAIRLY WON.
CORRUPTLY USING HIS OFFICE TO 
GAIN A POLITICAL ADVANTAGE AND 
ABUSING THE POWERS OF THAT 
OFFICE IN SUCH A WAY TO 
JEOPARDIZE OUR NATIONAL SECURITY
AND THE INTEGRITY OF OUR 
ELECTIONS IN OBSTRUCTING THE 
INVESTIGATION INTO HIS OWN 
WRONGDOING, THE PRESIDENT HAS 
SHOWN THAT HE BELIEVES THAT HE'S
ABOVE THE LAW AND SCORNFUL OF 
CONSTRAINT.
AS WE SAW YESTERDAY ON THE 
SCREEN THAT UNDER ARTICLE TWO HE
COULD DO ANYTHING HE WANTS.
MOREOVER, GIVEN THE SERIOUSNESS 
OF THE CONDUCT AT ISSUE AND ITS 
PERSISTENCE, THIS MATTER CANNOT 
AND MUST NOT BE DECIDED BY THE 
COURTS WHICH, APART FROM THE 
PRESIDENTS OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE 
HERE TODAY, ARE GIVEN NO ROLE IN
IMPEACHMENTS IN EITHER THE HOUSE
OR THE SENATE.
BEING DRAWN INTO LITIGATION 
TAKING MANY MONTHS OR YEARS TO 
COMPLETE WOULD PROVIDE THE 
PRESIDENT WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO
CONTINUE HIS MISCONDUCT.
HE WOULD REMAIN SECURE IN THE 
KNOWLEDGE THAT HE MAY TIE UP THE
CONGRESS AND THE COURTS 
INDEFINITELY AS HE HAS WITH DON 
McGAHN, RENDERING THE 
IMPEACHMENT POWER EFFECTIVELY 
MEANINGLESS.
WE ALSO TOOK THIS STEP WITH THE 
KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS WAS NOT THE 
FIRST TIME THE PRESIDENT 
SOLICITED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE 
IN OUR ELECTIONS.
IN 2016 THEN CANDIDATE TRUMP 
IMPLORED RUSSIA TO HACK HIS 
OPPONENT'S EMAIL ACCOUNT, 
SOMETHING THAT THE RUSSIAN 
MILITARY AGENCY DID ONLY HOURS 
LATER, ONLY HOURS LATER.
WHEN THE PRESIDENT SAID, HEY 
RUSSIA, IF YOU'RE LISTENING, 
THEY WERE LISTENING.
ONLY HOURS LATER, THEY HACKED 
HIS OPPONENT'S CAMPAIGN.
AND THE PRESIDENT HAS MADE IT 
CLEAR THIS WOULD ALSO NOT BE THE
LAST TIME, ASKING CHINA ONLY 
RECENTLY TO JOIN UKRAINE IN 
INVESTIGATING HIS POLITICAL 
OPPONENT.
OVER THE COMING DAYS WE WILL 
PRESENT TO YOU AND TO THE 
AMERICAN PEOPLE THE EXTENSIVE 
EVIDENCE COLLECTED DURING THE 
HOUSE'S IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY INTO
THE PRESIDENT'S ABUSE OF POWER, 
OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE.
NOTWITHSTANDING HIS 
UNPRECEDENTED AND WHOLESALE 
OBSTRUCTION OF THE INVESTIGATION
INTO THAT MISCONDUCT.
YOU WILL HEAR AND READ TESTIMONY
FROM COURAGEOUS PUBLIC SERVANTS 
WHO UPHELD THEIR OATH TO THE 
CONSTITUTION AND THEIR LEGAL 
OBLIGATIONS TO COMPLY WITH 
CONGRESSIONAL ACTION DESPITE A 
CATEGORICAL ORDER BY PRESIDENT 
TRUMP NOT TO COOPERATE WITH THE 
IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.
THESE ARE COURAGEOUS AMERICANS 
WHO WERE TOLD BY THE PRESIDENT 
OF THE UNITED STATES NOT TO 
COOPERATE, NOT TO APPEAR, NOT TO
TESTIFY, BUT WHO HAD THE SENSE 
OF DUTY TO DO SO.
BUT MORE THAN THAT, YOU WILL 
HEAR FROM WITNESSES WHO HAVE NOT
YET TESTIFIED, LIKE JOHN BOLTON 
AND MICK MULVANEY, MR. BLAIR AND
MR. DUFFEY.
AND IF YOU CAN BELIEVE THE 
PRESIDENT'S WORDS LAST MONTH, 
YOU WILL ALSO HEAR FROM 
SECRETARY POMPEO.
YOU WILL HEAR THEIR TESTIMONY AT
THE SAME TIME AS THE AMERICAN 
PEOPLE.
THAT IS, IF YOU ALLOW IT.
IF WE HAVE A FAIR TRIAL.
DURING OUR PRESENTATION YOU WILL
SEE DOCUMENTARY RECORDS, THOSE 
THE PRESIDENT WAS UNABLE TO 
SUPPRESS THAT EXPOSED THE 
PRESIDENT'S SCHEME IN DETAIL.
YOU WILL LEARN OF FURTHER 
EVIDENCE THAT HAS BEEN REVEALED 
IN THE DAYS SINCE THE HOUSE 
VOTED TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP
EVEN AS THE PRESIDENT AND HIS 
AGENTS HAVE PERSISTED IN THEIR 
EFFORTS TO COVER UP THEIR 
WRONGDOING FROM CONGRESS AND THE
PUBLIC.
AND YOU WILL SEE DOZENS OF NEW 
DOCUMENTS PROVIDING NEW AND 
CRITICAL EVIDENCE OF THE 
PRESIDENT'S GUILT THAT REMAIN AT
THIS TIME IN THE PRESIDENT'S 
HANDS AND IN THE HANDS OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND THE 
DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND THE 
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET,
EVEN THE WHITE HOUSE.
YOU WILL SEE THEM AND SO WILL 
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IF YOU ALLOW
IT.
IF, IN THE NAME OF A FAIR TRIAL,
YOU WILL DEMAND IT.
THESE ARE POLITICALLY CHARGED 
TIMES.
TEMPERS CAN RUN HIGH, 
PARTICULARLY WHERE THIS 
PRESIDENT IS CONCERNED.
BUT THESE ARE NOT UNIQUE TIMES.
DEEP DIVISIONS AND DISAGREEMENTS
WERE HARDLY ALIEN CONCEPTS TO 
THE FRAMERS SO THEY DESIGNED THE
IMPEACHMENT POWER IN SUCH A WAY 
SO AS TO INSULATE IT FROM THE 
CRUSH OF PARTISAN POLITICS.
THE FRAMERS PLACED THE QUESTION 
OF REMOVAL BEFORE THE UNITED 
STATES SENATE, A BODY ABLE TO 
RISE ABOVE THE FRAY, SO SOBERLY 
JUDGE THE PRESIDENT'S CONDUCT OR
MISCONDUCT FOR WHAT IT WAS, 
NOTHING MORE AND NOTHING LESS.
IN FEDERALIST 65 HAMILTON WROTE,
WHERE ELSE THAN IN THE SENATE 
COULD HAVE BEEN FOUND A TRIBUNAL
SUFFICIENTLY DIGNIFIED OR 
SUFFICIENTLY INDEPENDENT.
WHAT OTHER BODY WOULD BE LIKELY 
TO FEEL CONFIDENCE ENOUGH IN 
THIS OWN SITUATION TO PRESERVE 
UNAWED AND UNINFLUENCED THE 
NECESSARY IMPARTIALITY BETWEEN 
THE INDIVIDUAL ACCUSED AND THE 
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE, 
HIS ACCUSER.
IT IS UP TO YOU TO BE THE 
TRIBUNAL THAT HAMILTON 
ENVISIONED.
IT IS UP TO YOU TO SHOW THE 
AMERICAN PEOPLE AND YOURSELVES 
THAT HIS CONFIDENCE AND THAT OF 
THE OTHER FOUNDERS WAS RIGHTLY 
PLACED.
THE CONSTITUTION ENTRUSTS YOU TO
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ACTING AS 
IMPARTIAL JURORS, TO HOLD A FAIR
AND THOROUGH TRIAL AND TO WEIGH 
THE EVIDENCE BEFORE YOU, NO 
MATTER WHAT YOUR PARTY 
AFFILIATION OR YOUR VOTE IN THE 
PREVIOUS ELECTION OR THE NEXT.
OUR DUTY IS TO THE CONSTITUTION 
AND TO THE RULE OF LAW.
I RECOGNIZE THERE WILL BE TIMES 
DURING THE TRIAL THAT YOU MAY 
LONG TO RETURN TO THE BUSINESS 
OF THE SENATE.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE LOOK FORWARD
TO THE SAME.
BUT NOT BEFORE YOU DECIDE WHAT 
KIND OF DEMOCRACY THAT YOU 
BELIEVE WE OUGHT TO BE AND WHAT 
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT
TO EXPECT IN THE CONDUCT OF 
THEIR PRESIDENT.
THE HOUSE BELIEVES THAT AN 
IMPARTIAL JUROR UPON HEARING THE
EVIDENCE THAT THE MANAGERS WILL 
LAY OUT IN THE COMING DAYS WILL 
FIND THAT THE CONSTITUTION 
DEMANDS THE REMOVAL OF DONALD J.
TRUMP FROM HIS OFFICE AS 
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
BUT THAT WILL BE FOR YOU TO 
DECIDE.
WITH THE WEIGHT OF HISTORY UPON 
YOU AND AS PRESIDENT KENNEDY 
ONCE SAID, A GOOD CONSCIENCE 
YOUR ONLY SURE REWARD.
IN DRAFTING OUR CONSTITUTION, 
THE FRAMERS DESIGNED A NEW AND 
UNTESTED FORM OF GOVERNMENT.
IT WOULD BE BASED ON FREE AND 
FAIR ELECTIONS TO ENSURE THAT 
OUR POLITICAL LEADERS WOULD BE 
CHOSEN DEMOCRATICALLY AND BY 
CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTRY ALONE.
HAVING BROKEN FREE FROM A KING 
WITH UNBRIDLED AUTHORITY WHO 
OFTEN PLACED HIS OWN INTERESTS 
ABOVE THAT OF THE PEOPLE, THE 
FRAMERS ESTABLISHED A STRUCTURE 
THAT WOULD GUARANTEE THAT THE 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S POWER FLOWED 
ONLY FROM HIS OBLIGATION TO THE 
PEOPLE RATHER THAN FROM A 
SOVEREIGN WHOSE POWER WAS 
CONFERRED ON HIM BY DIVINE 
RIGHT.
IN THIS NEW ARCHITECTURE NO 
BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT OR 
INDIVIDUAL WOULD PREDOMINATE 
OVER ANOTHER.
IN THIS WAY THE FOUNDERS ENSURED
THAT THEIR ELECTED LEADERS AND 
THEIR PRESIDENT WOULD USE THE 
POWERS OF OFFICE ONLY TO 
UNDERTAKE THAT WHICH THE PEOPLE 
DESIRED AND NOT FOR THEIR 
PERSONAL GRAN DIESMENT OR 
ENRICHMENT.
WHAT DID THOSE WHO REBELLED AND 
THOUGHT A REVOLUTION DESIRE?
NO DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE, THE 
GENERATIONS THAT HAVE FOLLOWED, 
DESIRE, THAT NO PERSON INCLUDING
AND ESPECIALLY THE PRESIDENT 
WOULD BE ABOVE THE LAW.
NOTHING COULD BE MORE DANGEROUS 
TO A DEMOCRACY THAN A 
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WHO BELIEVED 
THAT HE COULD OPERATE WITH 
IMPUNITY, FREE FROM 
ACCOUNTABILITY.
NOTHING THAT IS EXCEPT A 
CONGRESS THAT IS WILLING TO LET 
IT BE SO.
TO ENSURE THAT NO SUCH THREAT 
COULD TAKE ROOT AND SUBVERT OUR 
FLEDGING DEMOCRACY, THE FRAMERS 
DIVIDED POWER AMONG THREE 
CO-EQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT,
THE EXECUTIVE, THE LEGISLATIVE 
AND THE JUDICIAL BRANCHES.
SO THAT AMBITION MAY BE MADE TO 
COUNTER AMBITION.
THEY PROVIDED FOR PRESIDENTIAL 
ELECTIONS EVERY FOUR YEARS AND 
THE FRAMERS REQUIRED THAT THE 
PRESIDENT SWEAR AN OATH TO 
FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE LAW AND 
TO PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND 
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED 
STATES.
EVEN WITH THESE GUARDRAILS IN 
PLACE, THE FRAMERS UNDERSTOOD 
THAT AN INDIVIDUAL COULD COME TO
POWER WHO DEFIED THAT SOLEMN 
OATH, WHO PURSUED HIS OWN 
INTERESTS RATHER THAN THOSE OF 
THE COUNTRY HE LED.
FOR THAT REASON THE FRAMERS 
ADOPTED A TOOL USED BY THE 
BRITISH PARLIAMENT TO CONSTRAIN 
ITS OFFICIALS, THE POWER OF 
IMPEACHMENT.
RATHER THAN A MECHANISM TO 
OVERTURN AN ELECTION, 
IMPEACHMENT WOULD BE A REMEDY OF
LAST RESORT.
UNLIKE IN ENGLAND, THE FRAMERS 
APPLIED THIS ULTIMATE CHECK TO 
THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE LAND, 
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED 
STATES.
IMPEACHMENT AND REMOVAL OF A 
DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT WAS NOT 
INTENDED FOR POLICY DISPUTES OR 
POOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE 
STATE.
INSTEAD, THE FRAMERS HAD IN MIND
THE MOST SERIOUS OF OFFENSES, 
THOSE AGAINST THE PUBLIC ITSELF.
HAMILTON EXPLAINED THAT 
IMPEACHMENT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO 
COVER ONLY STATUTORY OR COMMON 
LAW CRIMES BUT INSTEAD CRIMES 
AGAINST THE BODY POLITIC.
HAMILTON WROTE, THE SUBJECTS OF 
ITS JURISDICTION ARE THOSE 
OFFENSES WHICH PROCEED FROM THE 
MISCONDUCT OF PUBLIC MEN, OR IN 
OTHER WORDS, FROM THE ABUSE OR 
VIOLATION OF SOME PUBLIC TRUST.
THEY ARE OF A NATURE WHICH MAY 
WITH PECULIAR PROPRIETY BE DMOM 
NATED POLITICAL AS THEY RELATE 
CHIEFLY TO INJURIES DONE 
IMMEDIATELY TO SOCIETY ITSELF.
IN OTHER WORDS, IMPEACHMENT 
WOULD BE CONFINED TO ABUSES OF 
PEOPLE'S TRUST AND TO THE 
SOCIETY ITSELF.
THIS IS PRECISELY THE ABUSE THAT
HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN BY OUR 
CURRENT PRESIDENT WHEN HE 
WITHHELD MONEY IN SUPPORT FOR AN
ALLY AT WAR TO SECURE A 
POLITICAL BENEFIT.
THE PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE CRIMES 
WOULD FIT THE POLITICAL NATURE 
OF THE OFFENSE.
AS JAMES WILSON, A DELEGATE AT 
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION 
AND A FUTURE ASSOCIATE JUSTICE 
OF THE SUPREME COURT REASONED, 
IMPEACHMENTS ARE CONFINED TO 
POLITICAL CHARACTERS, TO 
POLITICAL CRIMES AND 
MISDEMEANORS AND TO POLITICAL 
PUNISHMENTS.
THAT PUNISHMENT, THE FRAMERS 
DETERMINED, WOULD BE NEITHER 
PRISON NOR FINES BUT INSTEAD 
LIMITED TO REMOVAL FROM OFFICE 
AND DISQUALIFICATION FROM 
HOLDING FUTURE OFFICE.
THE FRAMERS CHOSE TO UNDERTAKE 
IMPEACHMENT FOR TREASON, BRIBERY
OR OTHER HIGH CRIMES AND 
MISDEMEANORS TO UNDERSCORE THE 
REQUIREMENT OF AN OFFENSE 
AGAINST SOCIETY.
IN THIS PHRASE, HIGH MODIFIES 
BOTH THE CRIMES AND THE 
MISDEMEANORS IN THAT BOTH RELATE
TO A HIGH INJUSTICE, A 
TRANSGRESSION COMMITTED AGAINST 
THE PEOPLE AND TO THE PUBLIC 
TRUST.
THE FRAMERS HAD TWO BROAD 
CATEGORIES IN MIND, THOSE 
ACTIONS THAT ARE FACIALLY 
PERMISSIBLE UNDER THE 
PRESIDENT'S AUTHORITY BUT ARE 
BASED ON CORRUPT MOTIVES SUCH AS
SEEKING TO OBTAIN A PERSONAL 
BENEFIT THROUGH PUBLIC OFFICE 
AND THOSE THAT FAR EXCEED THE 
PRESIDENT'S CONSTITUTIONAL 
AUTHORITY OR VIOLATE THE LEGAL 
LIMITS ON THAT AUTHORITY.
IN ARTICLE ONE WE DEAL WITH THE 
FIRST EVIL WHICH THE FRAMERS 
WISHED TO GUARD AGAINST, THAT IS
CASES IN WHICH A PRESIDENT 
CORRUPTLY MISUSE THE POWER 
OTHERWISE BESTOWED ON HIM TO 
SECURE A PERSONAL REWARD.
GUARDING AGAINST A PRESIDENT WHO
UNDERTAKES OFFICIAL ACTS WITH A 
CORRUPT MOTIVE OF HELPING 
HIMSELF IS AT THE HEART OF THE 
IMPEACHMENT POWER.
AS ONE SCHOLAR EXPLAINED, THE 
PRESIDENT'S DUTY TO FAITHFULLY 
EXECUTE THE LAW REQUIRES THAT HE
UNDERTAKES ACTIONS ONLY WHEN 
MOTIVATED IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST
RATHER THAN IN THEIR PRIVATE 
SELF-INTEREST.
EFFORTS TO WITHHOLD OFFICIAL 
ACTS FOR PERSONAL GAIN COUNTER 
THE PRESIDENT'S SACRED OATH AND 
THEREFORE CONSTITUTE IMPEACHABLE
BEHAVIOR AS IT WAS CONCEIVED OF 
BY THE FRAMERS.
IN ARTICLE TWO WE ALSO DEAL WITH
A SECOND EVIL CONTEMPLATED BY 
THE FOUNDERS WHO MADE IT CLEAR 
THAT THE PRESIDENT OUGHT NOT 
OPERATE BEYOND THE LIMITS PLACED
ON HIM BY LEGISLATIVE AND 
JUDICIAL BRANCHES.
IMPEACHMENT WAS WARRANTED FOR A 
PRESIDENT WHO YUSURPED THE POWE 
OF THE CONSTITUTION NOT GRANTED 
TO HIM, SUCH AS TO DEFY CONGRESS
TO DETERMINE THE RIGHT TO 
PROP
PROPRIETY, THE SCOPE AND NATURE 
OF AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY INTO 
HIS OWN MISCONDUCT.
THE FRAMERS FASHIONED A POWER 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE BUT NOT ONE 
BEYOND ACCOUNTABILITY OF LAW.
WHEN A PRESIDENT WIELDS POWER IN
WAYS THAT ARE INAPPROPRIATE AND 
SEEKS TO EXTINGUISH THE RIGHTS 
OF THE CONGRESS, HE EXCEEDS THE 
POWER OF HIS CONSTITUTIONAL 
AUTHORITY AND VIOLATES THE 
LIMITS PLACED ON HIS CONDUCT.
OBSTRUCTION OF A SEPARATE AND 
CO-EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT 
FOR THE PURPOSES OF COVERING UP 
AN ABUSE OF POWER NOT ONLY 
IMPLIES A CORRUPT INTENT BUT 
ALSO DEMONSTRATES A REMARKABLE 
AN ANTIPATHY TOWARDS THE BALANCE
OF POWER CONTEMPLATED AND 
ENSHRINED IN OUR CONSTITUTION.
IT IS A BETRAYAL OF THE 
PRESIDENT'S SACRED OATH OF 
OFFICE AND OF HIS DUTY TO PUT 
THE COUNTRY BEFORE HIMSELF.
ON SEPTEMBER 24th, 2019, SPEAKER
OF THE HOUSE NANCY PELOSI 
ANNOUNCED THAT THE HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES WOULD MOVE 
FORWARD WITH AN OFFICIAL 
IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY INTO 
PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWED PUBLIC
REPORTING IN THE UNITED STATES 
AND UKRAINE THAT THE PRESIDENT 
AND HIS AGENTS SOUGHT UKRAINE'S 
HELP IN HIS RE-ELECTION EFFORT 
AND REVELATIONS THAT THE WHITE 
HOUSE WAS BLOCKING FROM CONGRESS
AN INTELLIGENT COMMUNITY 
WHISTLE-BLOWER COMPLAINT 
POSSIBLY RELATED TO THIS GRAVE 
OFFENSE.
THE NEXT DAY, ON SEPTEMBER 25th,
UNDER EXTRAORDINARY PRESSURE, 
THE WHITE HOUSE RELEASED 
PUBLICLY THE RECORD OF THE JULY 
25th CALL BETWEEN PRESIDENT 
TRUMP AND UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT 
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY.
THE CALL RECORD REVEALED THAT 
PRESIDENT TRUMP EXPLICITLY 
REQUESTED THAT THE NEW LEADER 
UNDERTAKE INVESTIGATIONS 
BENEFICIAL TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S 
RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN.
UPON RELEASE OF THE RECORD OF 
THE CALL, PRESIDENT TRUMP 
CLAIMED THAT THE CALL WAS 
PERFECT.
FAR FROM PERFECT, THE CALL 
RECORD REVEALED A PRESIDENT WHO 
USED HIS HIGH OFFICE TO 
PERSONALLY AND DIRECTLY PRESS 
THE LEADER OF A FOREIGN COUNTRY 
TO DO HIS POLITICAL DIRTY WORK.
ASKING FOR A FAVOR, PRESIDENT 
TRUMP INSISTED THAT PRESIDENT 
ZELENSKY INVESTIGATE A FORM 
MIDIBLE POTENTIAL POLITICAL 
OPPONENT, JOE BIDEN, TO ASSIST 
THEN CANDIDATE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S
OPPONENT.
WITNESSES WHO LISTENED TO THE 
CALL AS IT TRANSPIRED TESTIFIED 
THAT THEY IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED
THESE REQUESTS DID NOT REPRESENT
OFFICIAL U.S. POLICY AND INSTEAD
WERE POLITICALLY CHARGED APPEALS
NOT APPROPRIATE FOR A PRESIDENT 
TO MAKE.
KEY WITNESSES EMPHASIZED IT WAS 
NOT NECESSARY THAT UKRAINE 
ACTUALLY UNDERTAKE THE 
INVESTIGATIONS, ONLY THAT THE 
UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT ANNOUNCE 
THEM.
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S OBJECTIVE WAS 
NOT TO ENCOURAGE A FOREIGN 
GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE 
LEGITIMATE ALLEGATIONS OF 
MISCONDUCTED OR WRONGDOING 
ABROAD, MADE CLEAR AS WELL BY 
THE FACT THAT THE INVESTIGATIONS
HE WANTED ANNOUNCED HAVE BEEN 
DISCREDITED ENTIRELY.
RATHER, THE PRESIDENT SIMPLY 
WANTED TO REAP A POLITICAL 
BENEFIT BY TARNISHING A 
POLITICAL RIVAL AND HE ATTEMPTED
TO ERASE FROM HISTORY HIS 
PREVIOUS ELECTION MISCONDUCT.
TO COMPEL THE UKRAINIAN 
PRESIDENT TO DO HIS POLITICAL 
DIRTY WORK, PRESIDENT TRUMP 
WITHHELD FROM PRESIDENT ZELENSKY
TWO OFFICIAL ACTS OF GREAT 
IMPORTANCE, THAT COVETED WHITE 
HOUSE MEETING TO WHICH THE 
PRESIDENT ZELENSKY HAD ALREADY 
BEEN INVITED, AND $391 MILLION 
IN MILITARY ASSISTANCE UKRAINE 
NEEDED TO FIGHT THE RUSSIANS.
FOR A STRATEGIC PARTNER OF THE 
UNITED STATES IN A HOT WAR WITH 
RUSSIAN-BACKED FORCES INSIDE ITS
OWN BORDERS, THE SYMBOLIC 
SUPPORT CONFERRED ON IT BY AN 
OVAL OFFICE VISIT WITH THE 
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 
AND THE LIFE SAVING SUPPORT OF 
OUR MILITARY AID WAS ESSENTIAL.
AS THE HOUSE'S PRESENTATION WILL
MAKE CLEAR IN DIRECTLY 
SOLICITING FOREIGN INTERFERENCE 
AND WITHHOLDING THOSE OFFICIAL 
ACTS IN EXCHANGE FOR THE 
ANNOUNCEMENT OF POLITICAL 
INVESTIGATIONS BENEFICIAL TO HIS
RE-ELECTION, THE PRESIDENT PUT 
HIS OWN INTERESTS ABOVE THE 
NATIONAL INTEREST.
PRESIDENT TRUMP UNDERMINED THE 
INTEGRITY OF OUR FREE AND FAIR 
ELECTIONS BY PRESSING A FOREIGN 
POWER TO INFLUENCE OUR MOST 
SACRED RIGHT AS CITIZENS, OUR 
RIGHT TO FREELY CHOOSE OUR 
LEADERS.
AND HE THREATENED OUR NATIONAL 
SECURITY BY WITHHOLDING CRITICAL
AID FROM A PARTNER ON THE FRONT 
LINES OF WAR WITH RUSSIA, AN 
AGGRESSOR THAT HAS THREATENED 
PEACE AND STABILITY ON AN ENTIRE
CONTINENT.
IN SO DOING, THE PRESIDENT 
SACRIFICED NOT ONLY THE SECURITY
OF OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES BUT ALSO 
OUR NATION'S CORE NATIONAL 
SECURITY INTERESTS.
PRESIDENT TRUMP UNDERTOOK THIS 
PRESSURE CAMPAIGN THROUGH HAND 
PICKED AGENTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE
OF GOVERNMENT WHO CIRCUMSTANCE 
CO
 -- CIRCUMVENTED CHANNELS WITH A
RESPONSIBILITY OVER UKRAINE AND 
ADVANCED HIS SCHEME PRIMARILY 
THROUGH THE EFFORT OF HIS 
PERSONAL ATTORNEY, RUDY 
GIULIANI.
PRESIDENT TRUMP CARRIED OUT THIS
SCHEME WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF 
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS 
INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT'S ACTING
CHIEF OF STAFF, MICK MULVANEY, 
SECRETARY OF STATE MIKE POMPEO, 
VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE, 
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL LEGAL 
ADVISER JOHN IEISENBERG, AND 
WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL PAT 
CIPOL
CIPOLLONE.
WHEN THE PRESIDENT BECAME AWARE 
THE SCHEME WAS UNCOVERED, HE 
UNDERTOOK TO HIDE THE 
IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY FROM PUBLIC 
AND FROM CONGRESS, INCLUDING ALL
EVIDENCE RELATED TO HIS 
MISCONDUCT.
THAT COVERUP CONTINUES TODAY AS 
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT 
PROVIDED A SINGLE DOCUMENT PU
T
PURSUANT TO SUBPOENAS BY THE 
HOUSE.
THE ADMINISTRATION ALSO 
CONTINUES TO PREVENT WITNESSES 
FROM COOPERATING, FURTHER 
OBSTRUCTING THE HOUSE, EFFORTS 
THE PRESIDENT IS NO DOUBT PROUD 
OF BUT WHICH THREATEN THE 
INTEGRITY OF THIS INSTITUTION, 
OF THIS CONGRESS AS A CO-EQUAL 
BRANCH OF POWER.
OUR ABILITY NOT ONLY TO DO 
OVERSIGHT BUT TO HOLD A 
PRESIDENT WHO IS UNINDICTABLE 
ACCOUNTABLE.
BUT DESPITE THESE EFFORTS TO 
OBSTRUCT OUR INQUIRY, THE HOUSE 
OF REPRESENTATIVES UNCOVERED 
OVERWHELMING OF THE PRESIDENT'S 
CONDUCT THROUGH INTERVIEWS WITH 
17 WITNESSES WHO APPEARED BEFORE
THE INTELLIGENCE, OVERSIGHT AND 
REFORM AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
COMMITTEES.
MANY OF THESE WITNESSES BRAVELY 
DEFIED WHITE HOUSE'S ORDERS NOT 
TO COMPLY WITH DULY AUTHORIZED 
CONGRESSIONAL SUBPOENAS.
AND WERE IT NOT FOR THEM, WERE 
IT NOT FOR AMBASSADOR MARIE 
YOVANOVITCH WHO WAS THE FIRST 
THROUGH THE BREACH, WE MAY NEVER
HAVE KNOWN OF THE PRESIDENT'S 
SCHEME.
I WANT YOU TO IMAGINE FOR A 
MINUTE WHAT KIND OF COURAGE THAT
TOOK.
FOR AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH, THE 
SUBJECT OF THAT VICIOUS SMEAR 
CAM
CAMPAIGN, TO RISK HER REPUTATION
AND HER CAREER TO STAND UP TO 
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED 
STATES WHO IS INSTRUCTING HER 
THROUGH HIS AGENTS, YOU WILL NOT
COOPERATE.
YOU WILL NOT TESTIFY.
YOU WILL THEM NOTHING.
OR BILL TAYLOR, WEST POINT 
GRADUATE, VIETNAM VETERAN WITH A
BRONZE STAR AND SOMETHING HE WAS
EVEN MORE PROUD OF, THE COMBAT 
INFANTRY MEN'S BADGE, HE KNOWS 
WHAT COURAGE IS.
HE SHOWED A DIFFERENT KIND OF 
COURAGE IN VIETNAM, BUT HE ALSO 
SHOWED COURAGE AS DID OTHERS IN 
COMING FORWARD IN DEFYING THE 
PRESIDENT'S ORDER THAT HE 
OBSTRUCT TO TELL THE AMERICAN 
PEOPLE WHAT HE KNEW.
BUT FOR THE COURAGE OF PEOPLE 
LIKE THIS AND LIEUTENANT COLONEL
VINDMAN, A PURPLE HEART 
RECIPIENT, BUT FOR THEIR COURAGE
WE WOULD HAVE KNOWN NOTHING OF 
THE PRESIDENT'S MISCONDUCT.
NOTHING.
WHEN THE PRESIDENT DIRECTS HIS 
IRE TOWARDS THESE PEOPLE, THIS 
IS WHY.
BECAUSE THEY SHOWED THE COURAGE 
TO COME FORWARD.
NOW, WE HELD IN THE INTELLIGENCE
COMMITTEE SEVEN OPEN HEARINGS 
WITH 12 FACT WITNESSES.
SEPARATELY THE JUDICIARY 
COMMITTEE HELD PUBLIC HEARINGS 
WITH CONSTITUTIONAL LAW EXPERTS 
AND COUNSEL FROM THE 
INTELLIGENCE -- HOUSE 
INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE AS IT 
SOUGHT TO DETERMINE WHETHER TO 
DRAFT AND CONSIDER ARTICLES OF 
IMPEACHMENT.
THE HOUSE ALSO COLLECTED TEXT 
MESSAGES RELATED TO THE 
PRESIDENT'S SCHEME FROM A 
WITNESS WHO PROVIDED LIMITED 
PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS.
SINCE THE CONCLUSION OF OUR 
INQUIRY, NEW EVIDENCE HAS 
CONTINUED TO COME TO LIGHT 
THROUGH COURT ORDERED RELEASES 
OF ADMINISTRATION DOCUMENTS AND 
PUBLIC REPORTING, UNDERSCORING 
THAT THERE IS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE
EVIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT'S 
GUILT WHICH HE CONTINUES TO 
BLOCK FROM CONGRESS, INCLUDING 
THE SENATE.
NEVERTHELESS, THE DOCUMENTS AND 
TESTIMONY THAT WE WERE ABLE TO 
COLLECT PAINTS AN OVERWHELMING 
AND DAMNING PICTURE OF THE 
PRESIDENT'S EFFORTS TO USE THE 
POWERS OF HIS OFFICE TO 
CORRUPTLY SOLICIT FOREIGN HELP 
IN HIS RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN AND 
WITHHOLD OFFICIAL ACTS AND 
MILITARY AID TO COMPEL THAT 
SUPPORT.
OVER THE COMING DAYS YOU WILL 
HEAR REMARKABLY CONSISTENT 
EVIDENCE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S 
CORRUPT SCHEME AND COVERUP.
WHEN YOU FOCUS ON THE EVIDENCE 
UNCOVERED DURING THE 
INVESTIGATION YOU WILL 
APPRECIATE THERE IS NO SERIOUS 
DISPUTE ABOUT THE FACTS 
UNDERLYING THE PRESIDENT'S 
CONDUCT.
AND THIS IS WHY YOU WILL HEAR 
THE PRESIDENT'S LAWYERS MAKE THE
ASTOUNDING CLAIM THAT YOU CAN'T 
IMPEACH A PRESIDENT FOR ABUSING 
THE POWERS OF HIS OFFICE, 
BECAUSE THEY CAN'T SERIOUSLY 
CONTEST THAT THAT IS EXACTLY, 
EXACTLY WHAT HE DID.
AND SO THEY MUST GO FIND A 
LAWYER SOMEWHERE.
APPARENTLY THEY COULD NOT GO TO 
THEIR OWN ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO 
WAS JUST REPORTED IN A MEMO HE 
WROTE IN WHICH HE OPINED THAT A 
PRESIDENT CAN BE IMPEACHED FOR 
ABUSING THE PUBLIC TRUST.
COULDN'T GO TO BILL BARR FOR 
THAT OPINION.
COULDN'T GO TO EVEN JONATHAN 
MAT
TURLEY, THEIR EXPECT IN THE 
HOUSE FOR THAT OPINION.
NO, THEY HAD TO GO TO A CRIMINAL
DEFENSE LAWYER AND PROFESSOR.
AND WHY?
BECAUSE THEY CAN'T CONTEST THE 
FACTS.
THE PRESIDENT WAS THE KEY PLAYER
IN THIS SCHEME.
EVERYONE WAS IN THE LOOP.
HE DIRECTED THE ACTIONS OF HIS 
TEAM.
HE PERSONALLY ASKED A FOREIGN 
GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE HIS 
OPPONENT.
THESE FACTS ARE NOT IN DISPUTE.
ULTIMATELY THE QUESTION FOR YOU 
IS WHETHER THE PRESIDENT'S 
UNDISPUTED ACTIONS REQUIRE THE 
REMOVAL OF THE 45th PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES FROM OFFICE 
BECAUSE HE ABUSED HIS OFFICE AND
THE PUBLIC TRUST BY USING HIS 
POWER FOR PERSONAL GAIN BY 
SEEKING ILLICIT FOREIGN 
ASSISTANCE IN HIS RE-ELECTION 
AND COVERING IT UP.
OTHER THAN VOTING ON WHETHER TO 
SEND OUR MEN AND WOMEN TO WAR, 
THIS IS -- THERE IS I THINK NO 
GREATER RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE 
YOU THAN THE ONE BEFORE YOU NOW.
THE OATH THAT YOU'VE TAKEN TO 
IMPARTIALLY WEIGH THE FACTS AND 
EVIDENCE REQUIRES SERIOUS AND 
OBJECTIVE CONSIDERATION, 
DECISIONS THAT ARE ABOUT 
COUNTRY, NOT PARTY, ABOUT THE 
CONSTITUTION, NOT POLITICS, 
ABOUT WHAT IS RIGHT AND WHAT IS 
WRONG.
AFTER YOU CONSIDER THE EVIDENCE 
AND WEIGH YOUR OATH TO RENDER A 
FAIR AND IMPARTIAL VERDICT, I 
SUGGEST TO YOU TODAY THE ONLY 
CONCLUSION CONSISTENT WITH THE 
FACTS AND LAW, NOT JUST THE LAW 
BUT THE CONSTITUTION, IS CLEAR 
AS DESCRIBED BY A CONSTITUTIONAL
LAW EXPERT'S TESTIMONY BEFORE 
THE HOUSE, IF THIS CONDUCT IS 
NOT IMPEACHABLE, THEN NOTHING 
IS.
LET ME TAKE A MOMENT TO DESCRIBE
TO YOU HOW WE INTEND TO PRESENT 
THE CASE OVER THE COMING DAYS.
TODAY YOU WILL HEAR THE DETAILS 
OF THE PRESIDENT'S CORRUPT 
SCHEME IN NARRATIVE FORM 
ILLUSTRATING THE TIMELINE OF THE
EFFORT THROUGH THE TESTIMONY OF 
NUMEROUS WITNESSES WHO CAME 
BEFORE THE HOUSE, AS WELL AS THE
DOCUMENTS AND MATERIALS WE 
COLLECTED AS EVIDENCE DURING THE
INVESTIGATION.
AFTER YOU HEAR THE FACTUAL 
CHRO
CHRONOLOGY, WE WILL THEN DISCUSS
THE CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK OF 
IMPEACHMENT AS IT WAS ENVISIONED
BY THE FOUNDERS.
BEFORE WE ANALYZE HOW THE FACTS 
OF THE PRESIDENT'S MISCONDUCT 
AND COVERUP LEAD TO THE 
CONCLUSION THAT THE PRESIDENT 
UNDERTOOK THE SORT OF CORRUPT 
CONDUCT THAT IMPEACHMENT WAS 
INTENDED TO REMEDY, LET ME START
WITH A PREVIEW OF THE 
PRESIDENT'S SCHEME, THE DETAILS 
OF WHICH YOU'LL HEAR DURING THE 
COURSE OF THIS DAY.
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S MONTH-LONG 
SCHEME, MONTHS-LONG SCHEME TO 
EXTRACT FROM HIS 2020 ELECTION 
CAMPAIGN FROM THE UKRAINIAN 
PRESIDENT IN AN EFFORT TO 
SOLICIT AND COMPEL THE NEW 
LEADER TO ANNOUNCE POLITICAL 
INVESTIGATIONS, THE ANNOUNCEMENT
WOULD REFERENCE TWO SPECIFIC 
INVESTIGATIONS.
ONE WAS INTENDED TO UNDERMINE 
UNANIMOUS CONSENSUS OF OUR 
INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES, CONGRESS,
AND SPECIAL COUNSEL ROBERT 
MUELLER THAT RUSSIA INTERFERED 
IN THE 2016 ELECTION TO HELP 
THEN CANDIDATE TRUMP AND ANOTHER
TO HURT THE PRESIDENCY OF FORMER
VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.
THE KREMLIN ITSELF HAS BEEN 
RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRST 
PROPAGATING ONE OF THE TWO FALSE
NARRATIVES THAT THE PRESIDENT 
DESIRED.
IN FEBRUARY 2017, LESS THAN A 
MONTH AFTER THE U.S. 
INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY RELEASED 
ITS ASSESSMENT THAT RUSSIA ALONE
WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR A COVERT 
INFLUENCE CAMPAIGN DESIGNED TO 
HELP PRESIDENT TRUMP WIN THE 
2016 ELECTION, PRESIDENT PUTIN 
S
SAID, AS WE ALL KNOW, DURING THE
PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IN THE 
UNITED STATES, THE UKRAINIAN 
GOVERNMENT ADOPTED A UNILATERAL 
POSITION IN FAVOR OF ONE OF THE 
CANDIDATES, IN FAVOR OF ONE 
CANDIDATE.
MORE THAN THAT, CERTAIN 
OLIGARCHS CERTAINLY WITH THE 
APPROVAL OF POLITICAL LEADERSHIP
FUNDED THIS CANDIDATE OR FEMALE 
CANDIDATE TO BE MORE PRECISE.
THOSE WERE PUTIN'S WORDS 
FEBRUARY 2, 2017.
OF COURSE THIS IS FALSE AND IS 
PART OF A RUSSIAN COUNTER 
NARRATIVE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP 
AND SOME OF HIS ALLIES HAVE 
ADOPTED.
FIONA HILL, SENIOR DIRECTOR FOR 
EUROPE AND RUSSIA AT THE 
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL 
DESCRIBED RUSSIA'S EFFORTS TO 
PROMOTE THIS BASELESS THEORY. 
>> BASED ON QUESTIONS AND 
STATEMENTS I'VE HEARD, SOME OF 
YOU ON THIS COMMITTEE APPEAR TO 
BELIEVE THAT RUSSIA AND ITS 
SECURITY SERVICES DID NOT 
CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN AGAINST OUR 
COUNTRY AND THAT PERHAPS SOMEHOW
FOR SOME REASON UKRAINE DID.
THIS IS A FICTIONAL NARRATIVE 
THAT HAS BEEN PERPETRATED AND 
PROPAGATED BY THE RUSSIAN 
SECURITY SERVICES THEMSELVES.
THE UNFORTUNATE TRUTH IS THAT 
RUSSIA WAS THE FOREIGN POWER 
THAT SYSTEMATICALLY ATTACKED OUR
DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IN 2016.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC CONCLUSION OF
OUR INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES, 
CONFIRMED IN BIPARTISAN AND 
CONGRESSIONAL REPORTS.
IT IS BEYOND DISPUTE.
EVEN IF SOME OF THE UNDERLYING 
DETAILS MUST REMAIN CLASSIFIED.
>> THIS OF COURSE WAS NOT THE 
FIRST TIME THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP 
EMBRACED RUSSIAN ACTIVITY AND 
DISINFORMATION.
ON JULY 24 OF LAST YEAR, SPECIAL
COUNSEL ROBERT MUELLER TESTIFIED
BEFORE CONGRESS THAT RUSSIA 
INTERFERED IN THE 2016 ELECTION 
IN A, QUOTE, SWEEPING AND 
SYSTEMIC FASHION TO BENEFIT 
DONALD TRUMP'S POLITICAL 
CAMPAIGN.
MUELLER AND HIS TEAM FOUND THAT,
QUOTE, THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT 
PERCEIVED THAT IT WOULD BENEFIT 
FROM A TRUMP PRESIDENCY AND 
WORKED TO SECURE THAT OUTCOME.
THEY ALSO FOUND THAT THE TRUMP 
CAMPAIGN EXPECTED IT WOULD 
BENEFIT ELECTORALLY FROM 
INFORMATION STOLEN AND RELEASED 
THROUGH RUSSIAN EFFORTS.
AND JUST AS HE SOLICITED HELP 
FROM THE UKRAINE IN 2019, IN 
2016 THEN CANDIDATE TRUMP ALSO 
SOLICITED HELP FROM RUSSIA IN 
HIS ELECTION EFFORT.
AS YOU WILL RECALL AT A RALLY IN
FLORIDA, HE SAID THE FOLLOWING.
>> RUSSIA, IF YOU'RE LISTENING, 
I HOPE YOU'RE ABLE TO FIND THE 
30,000 EMAILS THAT ARE MISSING.
I THINK YOU WILL PROBABLY BE 
REWARDED MIGHTILY BY OUR PRESS.
LET'S SEE IF THAT HAPPENS.
>> FOLLOWING SPECIAL COUNSEL 
MUELLER'S TESTIMONY DURING WHICH
HE WARNED AGAINST FUTURE 
INTERFERENCE IN OUR ELECTIONS, 
DID THE PRESIDENT RECOGNIZE THE 
THREAT POSED TO OUR DEMOCRACY 
AND RENOUNCE RUSSIAN 
INTERFERENCE IN OUR DEMOCRACY?
DID HE CHOOSE TO STAND WITH HIS 
OWN INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES, BOTH 
HOUSES OF CONGRESS AND THE 
SPECIAL COUNSEL'S INVESTIGATION 
IN AFFIRMING THAT RUSSIA 
INTERFERED IN OUR LAST ELECTION?
HE DID NOT.
INSTEAD, ONLY ONE DAY AFTER 
SPECIAL COUNSEL MUELLER 
TESTIFIED BEFORE CONGRESS, 
EMPOWERED IN THE BELIEF THAT HE 
HAD EVADED ACCOUNTABILITY FOR 
MAKING USE OF FOREIGN SUPPORT IN
OUR LAST ELECTION, PRESIDENT 
TRUMP WAS ON THE PHONE WITH THE 
PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE PRESSING 
HIM TO INTERVENE ON PRESIDENT 
TRUMP'S BEHALF IN THE NEXT 
ELECTION.
LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO LET THAT 
SINK IN.
JULY 24 BOB MUELLER CONCLUDES A 
LENGTHY INVESTIGATION.
HE COMES BEFORE THE CONGRESS.
HE TESTIFIES THAT RUSSIA 
SYSTEMICALLY INTERFERED IN OUR 
ELECTION TO HELP ELECT DONALD 
TRUMP, THAT THE CAMPAIGN 
UNDERSTOOD THAT AND THEY WIL
L
WILLFULLY MADE USE OF THAT HELP.
JULY 24th, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS.
THE VERY NEXT DAY, THE VERY NEXT
DAY HE'S ON THE PHONE -- 
PRESIDENT TRUMP IS ON THE PHONE 
WITH A DIFFERENT FOREIGN POWER, 
THIS TIME UKRAINE, TRYING TO GET
UKRAINE TO INTERFERE IN THE NEXT
ELECTION, THE NEXT DAY.
THAT SHOULD TELL US SOMETHING.
THAT SHOULD TELL US SOMETHING.
HE DID NOT FEEL SHAMED BY WHAT 
THE SPECIAL COUNSEL FOUND.
HE DID NOT FEEL DETERRED BY WHAT
THE SPECIAL COUNSEL FOUND.
HE FELT EMBOLDENED BY ESCAPING 
ACCOUNTABILITY.
THE VERY NEXT DAY HE'S ON THE 
PHONE SOLICITING FOREIGN 
INTERFERENCE AGAIN.
NOW, THAT JULY 25 PHONE CALL 
BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND 
PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WAS A KEY 
PART OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DIRECT
AND CORRUPT SOLICITATION OF 
FOREIGN HELP IN THE 2020 
ELECTION.
THE REQUEST LIKELY SOUNDED 
FAMILIAR TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY 
WHO HAD BEEN SWEPT INTO OFFICE 
IN A LAND SLIDE VICTORY ON THE 
CAMPAIGN OF ROOTING OUT JUST THE
TYPE OF CORRUPTION HE WAS BEING 
ASKED TO UNDERTAKE ON THIS CALL 
WITH
>>>. 
>> Ed: LENS HE CAMPAIGNED AS A 
REFORMER, SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF 
POLITICS.
WHO WOULD CLEAN UP CORRUPTION, 
WHO WOULD END THE POLITICAL 
PROSECUTIONS.
END THE POLITICAL 
INVESTIGATIONS.
AND WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT AND 
POWERFUL, ASKING HIM TO DO, TO 
DO EXACTLY WHAT HE CAMPAIGNED 
AGAINST.
NO WONDER HE RESISTED THIS 
PRESSURE CAMPAIGN.
NOW, PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD BEEN 
PROVIDED TALKING POINTS FOR 
DISCUSSION BY THE NATIONAL 
SECURITY COUNCIL STAFF 
BEFOREHAND.
INCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO 
ENCOURAGE PRESIDENT 
>> Ed:ZELENSKY TO 
PROMOTE THOSE IN UKRAINE.
THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL 
UNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS IN THE 
INTERESTS.
THAT WAS ROOTING OUT CORRUPTION.
AND THEY ENCOURAGED THE 
PRESIDENT TO TALK ABOUT IT.
BUT AS YOU SEE FROM THE RECORD 
OF THE CALL, AND I JOIN THE 
PRESIDENT SAYING READ THE CALL, 
THAT TOPIC WAS NEVER ADDRESSED.
THE WORD CORRUPTION NEVER 
ESCAPES HIS LIPS.
INSTEAD, PRESIDENT TRUMP OPENLY 
PRESSED PRESIDENT ZELENSKY TO 
PURSUE WHAT BENEFITED HIM.
HIS GRATITUDE FOR THE 
SIGNIFICANT MILITARY SUPPORT, 
THE UNITED STATES PROVIDED TO 
UKRAINE, PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID I 
WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO US A FAVOR,
THOUGH.
BECAUSE OUR COUNTRY HAS BEEN 
THROUGH A LOT AND UKRAINE KNOWS 
A LOT ABOUT IT.
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO FIND OUT 
WHAT HAPPENED WITH THIS WHOLE 
SITUATION WITH UKRAINE.
THEY SAY CROWD STRIKE.
I GUESS YOU HAVE ONE OF YOUR 
WEALTHY PEOPLE, THE SERVER, THEY
SAY UKRAINE HAS IT.
THAT'S THAT CRAZY CONSPIRACY 
THEORY I TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, 
THAT THERE'S THIS SERVER 
SOMEWHERE IN UKRAINE THAT SHOWS 
THAT, IN FACT, IT WAS UKRAINE 
THAT HACKED THE DNC, NOT THE 
RUSSIANS.
THAT'S A RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA 
CONSPIRACY THEORY.
AND HERE IT IS BEING PROMULGATED
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED 
STATES AND MORE THAN 
PROMULGATED, HE'S PRESSURING AN 
ALLY TO FURTHER THIS RUSSIAN 
PROPAGANDA.
.
BECAUSE HE WAS REFERRING TO THIS
EXTENSIVELILY DISCREDITED 
CONSPIRACY THEORY THAT KRUKRAIN 
HACKED THE SERVERS IN 2016 AND 
THAT REFERENCE TO CROWD STRIKE 
IS AN AMERICAN CYBER SECURITY 
FIRM AND THE THEORY, THIS KOOKY 
CONSPIRACY THEORY IS THAT CROWD 
STIEK MOVED THE SERVERS TO 
UKRAINE TO KEEP LAW ENFORCEMENT 
FROM GETTING THEM.
IF UKRAINE ANNOUNCED 
INVESTIGATION INTO THIS 
FABRI
FABRICATION, PRESIDENT TRUMP 
WHO -- THE LEGITIMACY OF HIS 
LAST ELECTION.
RUSSIA'S ASSISTANCE WITH HIS 
CAMPAIGN AND SUGGESTS IT WAS THE
DEMOCRATIC PARTY THE REAL 
BENEFICIARY OF HELP.
ON THE CALL PRESIDENT TRUMP TOLD
ZELENSKY, WHATEVER YOU CAN DO, 
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT YOU DO IT, 
IF THAT'S POSSIBLE.
PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AGREED HE 
WOULD DO THE INVESTIGATION 
SAYING YES, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT
FOR ME AND EVERYTHING YOU JUST 
MENTIONED EARLIER.
PRESIDENT TRUMP THEN TURNED TO A
SECOND REQUEST ASKING HIM TO 
LOOK INTO THE ALLEGATION INTO 
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN.
HE SAID TO ZELENSKY, THE OTHER 
THING, THERE'S A LOT OF TALK 
ABOUT BIDEN'S SON, THAT BIDEN 
STOPPED THE PROSECUTION AND A 
LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO FIND OUT 
ABOUT THAT.
SO WHATEVER YOU CAN DO WITH THE 
ATTORNEY GENERAL WOULD BE GREAT.
BIDEN WENT AROUND BRAGGING THAT 
HE STOPPED THE PROSECUTION, SO 
IF YOU COULD LOOK INTO IT, IT 
SOUNDS HORRIBLE TO ME.
THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT 
PRESIDENT TRUMP INTENDED TO 
PRESS THE UKRAINE LEADER TO LOOK
INTO HIS POLITICAL RIVAL, EVEN 
AFTER THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY 
BEGAN, HE CONFIRMED ON THE SOUTH
LAWN OF THE WHITE HOUSE 
DECLARING THAT UKRAINE SHOULD 
INVESTIGATE BIDEN BUT THAT CHINA
SHOULD DO THE SAME.
LET'S SEE WHAT HE SAID.
>> MR. PRESIDENT, WHAT EXACTLY 
DID YOU HOPE ZELENSKY WOULD DO 
ABOUT THE BIDENS AFTER YOUR 
PHONE CALL?
>> WELL, I WOULD THINK THAT IF 
THEY WERE HONEST ABOUT IT, START
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE 
BIDENS.
IT'S A VERY SIMPLE ANSWER.
THEY SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE 
BIDENS.
HOW DOES A COMPANY THAT'S NEWLY 
FORMED AND ALL THESE COMPANIES, 
IF YOU LOOK -- BY THE WAY, 
LIKEWISE, CHINA SHOULD START AN 
INVESTIGATION INTO THE BIDENS.
BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENED IN CHINA 
IS JUST ABOUT AS BAD AS WHAT 
HAPPENED WITH -- WITH UKRAINE.
>> NOW THE DAY AFTER THAT JULY 
25th PHONE CALL, PRESIDENT TRUMP
SOUGHT CONFIRMATION THAT 
PRESIDENT ZELENSKY UNDERSTOOD 
HIS REQUEST TO ANNOUNCE THE 
POLITICALLY LOADED 
INVESTIGATIONS AND THAT HE WOULD
FOLLOW THROUGH.
AFTER MEETING WITH UKRAINIAN 
OFFICIALS, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY 
AND HIS TOP AIDE AND THE 
AMBASSADOR TO THE EUROPEAN 
UNION, GORDON SONDLAND CALLED 
HIM TO REPORT BACK.
THIS WAS THE SECOND CONVERSATION
BETWEEN THE TWO ABOUT UKRAINE IN
AS MANY DAYS.
DAVID HOLMES, AN AMERICAN 
DIPLOMAT DINING WITH SONDLAND 
SDW
OVERHEARD THE CALL.
I DESCRIBED PART OF THAT DAHL 
LAST NIGHT.
HOLMES TESTIFIED THAT HE ASKED 
SONDLAND, SO HE'S GOING TO DO 
THE INVESTIGATION?
SONDLAND REPLIED THAT HE'S GOING
TO DO IT.
ADDING THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY 
WILL DO ANYTHING YOU ASK HIM TO.
AFTER THE PHONE CALL, HOLMES 
TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK 
AMBASSADOR SONDLAND FOR HIS 
CANDID IMPRESSION OF THE 
PRESIDENT'S VIEWS ON UKRAINE.
ACCORDING TO HOLMES -- 
>> IN PARTICULAR I ASKED 
AMBASSADOR SONDLAND IF IT WAS 
TRUE THAT THE PRESIDENT DID NOT 
GIVE AN EXPLETIVE ABOUT UKRAINE.
AMBASSADOR SONDLAND AGREED THAT 
THE PRESIDENT DID NOT GIVE AN 
EXPLETIVE ABOUT UKRAINE.
I ASKED WHY NOT?
HE SAID THE PRESIDENT ONLY CARES
ABOUT BIG STUFF.
I NOTED, THERE WAS BIG STUFF 
GOING ON IN UKRAINE.
LIKE A WAR WITH RUSSIA.
AMBASSADOR SONDLAND REPLIED HE 
MEANT BIG STUFF THAT BENEFITS 
THE PRESIDENT, LIKE THE BIDEN 
INVESTIGATION THAT MR. GIULIANI 
WAS PUSHING.
THE CONVERSATION THEN MOVED ON 
TO OTHER TOPICS.
>> THOSE THREE DAYS IN JULY, THE
24th, THE 25th AND THE 26th, 
REVEAL A LOT ABOUT PRESIDENT 
TRUMP'S EFFORT TO SOLICIT HELP 
FROM A FOREIGN COUNTRY IN 
ASSISTING HIS OWN RE-ELECTION.
ON THE 24th, SPECIAL COUNSEL 
MUELLER TESTIFIES THAT RUSSIA 
INTERFEARED IN OUR 2016 -- 
INTERFERED IN OUR 2016 ELECTION 
TO ASSIST THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN, 
KNEW ABOUT THE INTERFERENCE, 
WELL COMED AND IN UTILIZED IT.
THE 25th IS THE DAY OF THE CALL 
WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP BELIEVED HE
ESCAPED ACCOUNTABILITY FOR 
RUSSIAN MEDDLING IN THE FIRST 
ELECTION AND HIS WELCOMING OF 
IT.
ASKED THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT TO
UNDERMINE THE SPECIAL COUNSEL'S 
CONCLUSION AND HELP THEM SMEAR A
POLITICAL OPPONENT, FORMER VICE 
PRESIDENT BIDEN.
THE THIRD DAY IN A ROW IN JULY, 
PRESIDENT TRUMP SOUGHT TO ENSURE
THAT UKRAINE HAD RECEIVED HIS 
REQUEST AND UNDERSTOOD IT AND 
WOULD TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS 
TO ANNOUNCE THE INVESTIGATIONS 
THAT HE WANTED.
THREE DAYS IN JULY.
IN MANY WAYS, THOSE THREE DAYS 
IN JULY TELL SO MUCH OF THE 
STORY.
THIS COURSE OF CONDUCT ALONE 
SHOULD ASTOUND ALL OF US WHO 
VALUE THE SANCTITY OF OUR 
ELECTIONS.
THE VAST POWERS OF THE 
PRESIDENCY ARE RESERVED ONLY FOR
ACTIONS WHICH BENEFIT THE 
COUNTRY AS A WHOLE, RATHER THAN 
THE POLITICAL FORTUNES OF ANY 
ONE INDIVIDUAL.
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EFFORT TO USE 
AN OFFICIAL HEAD OF STATE PHONE 
CALL TO SOLICIT THE ANNOUNCEMENT
OF INVESTIGATIONS HELPFUL TO HIS
RE-ELECTION IS NOT ONLY CONDUCT 
UNBECOMING A PRESIDENT, BUT IT 
IS CONDUCT OF ONE WHO BELIEVES 
THAT THE POWERS OF HIS HIGH 
OFFICE ARE POLITICAL TOOLS TO BE
WIELDED AGAINST HIS OPPONENTS, 
INCLUDING BY ASKING A FOREIGN 
GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE A 
UNITED STATES CITIZEN AND FOR A 
CORRUPT PURPOSE.
THAT ALONE IS GROUNDS FOR 
REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OF THE 45th 
PRESIDENT.
BUT THESE THREE DAYS IN JULY 
WERE NEITHER THE BEGINNING NOR 
THE END OF THE SCHEME.
PRESIDENT TRUMP ACTING THROUGH 
AGENTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE
U.S. GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING HIS 
PERSONAL ATTORNEY, RUDY 
GIULIANI, SOUGHT TO COMPEL 
UKRAINE TO ANNOUNCE THE 
INVESTIGATIONS BY WITHHOLDING 
THE HEAD OF STATE MEETING IN THE
OVAL OFFICE UNTIL THE PRESIDENT 
OF UKRAINE COMPLIED.
HOSTING AN OVAL OFFICE MEETING 
FOR A FOREIGN LEADER IS AN 
OFFICIAL ACT AVAILABLE ONLY TO 
ONE PERSON, THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES.
IT IS AN OFFICIAL ACT THAT 
PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD OFFERED TO 
PRESIDENTS ZELENSKY DURING THEIR
FIRST PHONE CALL ON APRIL 21st 
AND IN A SUBSEQUENT LETTER TO 
THE UKRAINIAN LEADER.
MULTIPLE WITNESSES TESTIFIED 
ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF A WHITE 
HOUSE MEETING FOR UKRAINE.
FOR EXAMPLE, DEPUTY ASSISTANT 
SECRETARY GEORGE KENT EXPLAINED 
THAT A WHITE HOUSE MEETING WAS 
VERY IMPORTANT FOR UKRAINIANS TO
DEMONSTRATE THE STRENGTH OF 
THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH 
UKRAINE'S STRONGEST SUPPORTER.
DR. FIONA HILL OF THE NATIONAL 
SECURITY COUNCIL EXPLAINED A 
WHITE HOUSE MEETING WOULD SUPPLY
THE NEW UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT 
WITH, QUOTE THE LEGITIMACY IT 
NEEDED, ESPECIALLY VIS-A-VIS THE
RUSSIANS.
AND THAT THE UKRAINIANS VIEWED A
WHITE HOUSE MEETING AS A 
RECOGNITION OF THEIR LEGITIMACY 
AS A SOVEREIGN STATE.
THIS WHITE HOUSE MEETING WOULD 
ALSO PROVE TO BE IMPORTANT FOR 
THREE HAND PICKED AGENTS WHO 
PRESIDENT TRUMP PLACED IN CHARGE
OF U.S. UKRAINE ISSUES.
AMBASSADOR SONDLAND, AMBASSADOR 
VOLKER AND ENERGY SECRETARY RICK
PERRY.
THE SO-CALLED THREE AMIGOS.
THEY HOPED TO HOLD ON OVAL 
OFFICE MEETING WITH ZELENSKY.
DURING A MEETING OF THE THREE 
AMIGOS ON MAY 23rd, PRESIDENT 
TRUMP TOLD THEM THAT UKRAINE HAD
TRIED TO TAKE HIM DOWN IN 2016.
HE THEN DIRECTED THEM, TALK TO 
RUDE -- RUDY GIULIANI ABOUT 
UKRAINE.
IT WAS IMMEDIATELY CLEAR THAT 
GIULIANI, PURSUING THE 
DISCREDITED INVESTIGATIONS ON 
THE PRESIDENT'S BEHALF WAS THE 
KEY TO UNLOCKING AN OVAL OFFICE 
MEETING FOR PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.
GIULIANI BY THEN HAD SAID 
PUBLICLY HE WAS ACTIVELY 
PURSUING INVESTIGATIONS 
PRESIDENT TRUMP CORRUPTLY 
DESIRED AND PLANNING A TRIP TO 
UKRAINE.
GIULIANI ADMITTED, QUOTE, WE'RE 
NOT MEDDLING IN AN ELECTION.
WE'RE MEDDLING IN AN 
INVESTIGATION.
ON MAY 10, HOWEVER, GIULIANI 
CANCELED THE TRIP TO UKRAINE TO 
DIG UP DIRT ON FORMER VICE 
PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THE 2016 
CONSPIRACY THEORY.
JUST AS PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WON 
ELECTIONS FOR THE PRESIDENCY IN 
PARLIAMENT.
FACED WITH A CHOICE BETWEEN 
WORKING WITH GIULIANI TO PURSUE 
AN OVAL OFFICE MEETING, 
UNDERSTANDING IT MEANT TAKING 
PART IN A CORRUPT EFFORT TO 
SECURE THE POLITICAL 
INVESTIGATIONS OR ABANDONING 
EFFORT TO SUPPORT OUR UKRAINIAN 
ALLY, THE PRESIDENT'S AGENTS 
FELL INTO LINE.
THEY WOULD PURSUE THE WHITE 
HOUSE MEETING AND EXPLAIN TO 
UKRAINE THAT ANNOUNCEMENTS OF 
THE INVESTIGATIONS WAS THE PRICE
OF ADMISSION.
AS AMBASSADOR SONDLAND MADE 
CLEAR -- 
>> I KNOW THAT MEMBERS OF THIS 
COMMITTEE FREQUENTLY FRAME THESE
COMPLICATED ISSUES IN THE FORM 
OF A SIMPLE QUESTION.
WAS THERE A QUID PRO QUO?
AS I TESTIFIED PREVIOUSLY, WITH 
REGARD TO THE REQUESTED WHITE 
HOUSE CALL AND THE WHITE HOUSE 
MEETING, THE ANSWER IS YES.
>> THIS QUID PRO QUO WAS 
NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THE 
PRESIDENT'S AGENTS, RUDY 
GIULIANI AND UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS
THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER OF 2019 IN
NUMEROUS TELEPHONE CALLS, TEXT 
MESSAGES AND MEETINGS INCLUDING 
A MEETING WITH JOHN BOLTON ON 
JULY 10th.
NEAR THE END OF THAT JULY 10th 
MEETING, AFTER THE UKRAINIANS 
AGAIN RAISED THE ISSUE OF A 
WHITE HOUSE ADVIVISIT, AMBASSAD 
SONDLAND BLURTED OUT THERE WOULD
BE AGREEMENT FOR -- ONCE THE 
INVESTIGATIONS BEGAN.
AT THAT POINT, BOLTON 
IMMEDIATELY STIFFENED AND 
ABRUPTLY ENDED THE MEETING.
DURING A SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION 
THAT DAY, SONDLAND WAS EVEN MORE
EXPLICIT.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL ALEX VINDMAN,
A DIRECTOR FOR EUROPE AND 
UKRAINE TESTIFIED THAT SONDLAND 
BEGAN TO DISCUSS THE DELIVERABLE
REQUIRED TO GET THE WHITE HOUSE 
MEETING WHICH SONDLAND MENTIONED
WAS INVESTIGATION OF THE BIDENS.
THIS IS, AGAIN, IN THAT MEETING 
IN THE WHITE HOUSE WITH 
UKRAINIAN AND THE UKRAINIAN 
DELEGATION AND AN AMERICAN 
DELEGATION.
SONDLAND EXPLAINED IN THAT 
MEETING, HE HAD AN AGREEMENT 
WITH ACTING CHIEF OF STAFF MICK 
MULVANEY WHEREBY PRESIDENT 
ZELENSKY WOULD BE GRANTED THE 
OVAL OFFICE MEETING IF HE WENT 
FORWARD WITH THE INVESTIGATIONS.
AFTER THE MEETING VINDMAN'S 
SUPERVISOR, DR. HILL, REPORTED 
BACK TO BOLTON WHO TOLD HER TO 
TELL JOHN EISENBERG, THE LEGAL 
ADVISER, NATIONAL SECURITY 
COUNCIL, HE WAS NOT PART OF ANY 
DRUG DEAL SONDLAND AND MULVANEY 
ARE COOKING UP ON THIS.
SHE REPORTED HER CONCERNS, AS 
DID VINDMAN.
IT REMAINS UNCLEAR WHAT ACTION, 
IF ANY BOLTON OR EISENBERG TOOK.
ONCE THEY WERE MADE AWARE OF 
MULVANEY AND SONDLAND'S DRUG 
DEAL.
BOTH REFUSED TO TESTIFY IN OUR 
INQUIRY.
HOWEVER, DR. HILL TESTIFIED THAT
SHE UNDERSTOOD THAT MR. 
EISENBERG INFORMED MR. CIPOLLONE
I OF HER CONCERNS ABOUT THE DRUG
DEAL.
IF THIS BODY IS SERIOUS ABOUT A 
FAIR TRIAL, ONE THAT IS FAIR TO 
THE PRESIDENT AND TO THE 
AMERICAN PEOPLE, WE AGAIN URGE 
YOU TO ALLOW THE HOUSE TO CALL 
BOTH EISENBERG AND BOLTON, AS 
WELL AS OTHER KEY WITNESSES WITH
FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE WHO REFUSE 
TO TESTIFY BEFORE THE HOUSE ON 
THE ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT.
ADDITIONAL TESTIMONY AND 
DOCUMENTS ARE PARTICULARLY 
IMPORTANT BECAUSE ADOREDING TO 
SONDLAND, EVERYONE WAS IN THE 
LOOP WHEN IT CAME TO THE 
PRESIDENT'S SELF-SERVING EFFORT.
IN PART, RELYING ON EMAIL 
EXCERPTS, SONDLAND EXPLAINED 
THAT THE PRESIDENT'S SENIOR 
AIDES AND CABINET OFFICIALS KNEW
THAT THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING WAS
PREDICATED ON UKRAINE'S 
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 
INVESTIGATIONS BENEFICIAL TO THE
PRESIDENT'S POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.
HILL CHARACTERIZED THE QUIT PRO 
COE SUCCINCTLY.
>> BUT IT STRUCK ME YESTERDAY 
WHEN YOU PUT UP ON THE SCREEN 
AMBASSADOR SONDLAND'S EMAILS AND
WHO WAS ON THESE EMAILS AND HE 
SAID THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO 
NEED TO KNOW HE WAS ABSOLUTELY 
RIGHT.
BECAUSE HE WAS BEING INVOLVED IN
A DOMESTIC POLITICAL ERRAND.
AND WE WERE BEING INVOLVED IN 
NATIONAL SECURITY FOREIGN POLICY
AND THOSE TWO THINGS HAD JUST 
DIVERGED. 
>> IN EFFECT, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY
WAS BEING DRAWN INTO THIS 
DOMESTIC POLITICAL ERRAND.
HE GREW WARY OF BECOMING 
INVOLVED IN ANOTHER COUNTRY'S 
ELECTION AND DOMESTIC AFFAIRS.
BILL TAYLOR, THE ACTING 
AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE AT THE 
TIME DESCRIBED A CONVERSATION HE
HAD WITH A SENIOR AIDE TO THE 
UKRAINIAN LEADER.
HE SAID -- 
>> ALSO ON JULY 20th, I HAD A 
PHONE CONVERSATION WITH 
ALEXANDER -- PRESIDENT 
ZELENSKY'S NATIONAL SECURITY 
ADVISER WHO EMPHASIZED THAT 
PRESIDENT ZELENSKY DID NOT WANT 
TO BE USED AS AN INSTRUMENT IN A
U.S. RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN.
>> REMEMBER THAT CONVERSATION 
WHEN YOU HEAR COUNSEL SAY THAT 
THE UKRAINIANS FELT NO PRESSURE 
TO BE INVOLVED IN A U.S. 
RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN.
BUT THAT CONCERN DID NOT DETER 
PRESIDENT TRUMP.
IN HIS CONVERSATION WITH 
SONDLAND SHORTLY BEFORE THE 25th
OF JULY CALL, THE PRESIDENT MADE
CLEAR THAT HE NOT ONLY WANTED 
UKRAINE TO DO THE INVESTIGATIONS
OR ANNOUNCE THEM BUT ALSO A 
WHITE HOUSE MEETING WOULD ONLY 
BE SCHEDULED IF PRESIDENT ZEL EN
S
SKI CONFIRMED THESE 
INVESTIGATIONS.
AS VOLKER COMMUNICATED BY TEXT 
LESS THAN 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE 
PHONE CALL BETWEEN TRUMP AND 
ZELENSKY AND, AGAIN, WE'RE 
TALKING ABOUT JULY 25th IN A 
TEXT 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE 
TRUMP/ZELENSKY PHONE CALL.
HERE'S WHAT IS SAID.
WITH VOEKER TEXTING -- GOOD 
LUNCH.
THANKS.
HEARD FROM WHITE HOUSE.
ASSUMING PRESIDENT Z CONVINCES 
TRUMP HE WILL INVESTIGATE.
QUOTE, GET TO THE POBOTTOM OF WT
HAPPENED IN 2016.
WE WILL NAIL DOWN VISIT TO 
WASHINGTON.
GOOD LUCK, SEE YOU TOMORROW.
KURT.
WELL, THOSE WORDS COULDN'T BE 
MUCH CLEARER.
ASSUMING PRESIDENT Z CONVINCES 
TRUMP HE WILL INVESTIGATE, GET 
TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT HAPPENED 
IN 2016, WE'LL NAIL DOWN THE 
VISIT TO WASHINGTON.
THAT'S A TEXT 30 MINUTES BEFORE 
THAT CALL.
COUNSEL FOR THE PRESIDENT WOULD 
LIKE YOU TO THINK THIS IS JUST 
ABOUT THAT CALL.
YOU DON'T GET TO LOOK OUTSIDE 
THE FOUR CORNERS OF THAT CALL.
THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO LOOK AT 
THE MONTHS THAT WENT INTO 
PREPARING FOR THAT CALL OR THE 
MONTHS OF PRESSURE THAT FOLLOWED
IT.
BUT YOU CAN JUST LOOK AT RIGHT 
NOW WHAT HAPPENED 30 MINUTES 
BEFORE THAT CALL.
IN THIS TEXT MESSAGE.
HEARD FROM WHITE HOUSE.
ASSUMING PRESIDENT Z CONVINCES 
TRUMP HE WILL INVESTIGATE AND 
GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT 
HAPPENED IN 2016.
IF YOU WERE WONDERING HOW IT 
SEEMED THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY 
WAS AWARE OF WHAT HE WAS GOING 
TO BE ASKED ON THAT CALL, THIS 
IS HOW YOU CAN TELL.
HE WAS PREPPED.
OF COURSE, HE WAS PREPPED.
IN FACT, THE MISSING REFERENCE 
IN THE CALL RECORD TO BURISMA 
WAS A SIGNAL COLONEL VINDMAN 
RECOGNIZED.
THAT CLEARLY HE HAD BEEN PREPPED
FOR THAT CALL.
WHY ELSE WOULD THE NAME OF THIS 
PARTICULAR ENERGY COMPANY COME 
UP IN THAT CONVERSATION?
WELL, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY CLEARLY
GOT THE MESSAGE.
TOWARD THE END OF THE CALL WITH 
PRESIDENT TRUMP, PRESIDENT 
ZELENSKY SAID, I ALSO WANT TO 
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVITATION TO
VISIT THE YOU STATE, 
SPECIFICALLY, WASHINGTON, D.C.
ON THE OTHER HAND, I ALSO WANT 
TO ENSURE YOU THAT WE WILL BE 
VERY SERIOUS ABOUT THE CASE AND 
WE WILL WORK ON THE 
INVESTIGATION.
THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION.
ON THE OTHER HAND, I WANT TO 
ASSURE YOU THAT WE WILL BE VERY 
SERIOUS ABOUT THE CASE AND WE'LL
WORK ON THE INVESTIGATION.
PRESIDENT ZELENSKY CLEARLY 
UNDERSTOOD THE QUID PRO QUO.
FOR THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING ON 
JULY 25th.
BUT HIS RETICENCE TO BE USED AS 
A POLITICAL PAWN KEPT PRESIDENT 
TRUMP FROM MOVING FORWARD WITH A
PROMISE TO SCHEDULE THE MEETING.
AND SO THE PRESIDENT AND HIS 
AGENTS PRESSED ON.
IN AUGUST GIULIANI MET WITH A 
TOP UKRAINIAN AIDE AND MADE IT 
CLEAR THAT UKRAINE MUST ISSUE A 
PUBLIC STATEMENT ANNOUNCING THE 
INVESTIGATIONS IN ORDER TO GET 
THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING.
FEARFUL OF GETTING INVOLVED IN 
U.S. DOMESTIC POLITICS AND 
HAVING ENTERED OFFICE WITH A 
PROMISE TO CLEAN UP GOVERNMENT 
AND CORRUPTION, PRESIDENT ZEL EN
SKIP AND HIS AIDES PREFERRED A 
GENERIC STATEMENT ABOUT 
INVESTIGATIONS.
BUT GIULIANI INSISTED, NO, THE 
STATEMENT MUST INCLUDE TWO 
SPECIFIC INVESTIGATIONS THAT 
WOULD BENEFIT PRESIDENT TRUMP.
LET'S LOOK AT A COMPARISON 
BETWEEN THE STATEMENT UKRAINIANS
PREFERRED AND THE ONE THAT 
GIULIANI REQUIRED.
SO ON THE LEFT AND I WILL READ 
IT IN CASE YOU CAN'T SEE THE 
SCREENS.
THE DRAFT -- THEIER MACK DRAFT, 
THE YOIN CRAN DRAFT SAYS WE 
INTEND TO INITIATE AND COMPLETE 
A TRANSPARENT UNBIASED 
INVESTIGATION OF ALL AVAILABLE 
FACT AND EPISODES WHICH IN TURN 
WILL PREVENT THE RECURRENCE OF 
THIS PROBLEM.
PRETTY GENERIC.
HERE'S THE GIULIANI, VOLKER 
SONDLAND RESPONSE.
THIS IS WHAT HAD TO BE INCLUDED.
WE INTEND TO INITIATE AND 
COMPLETE A TRANSPARENT AND 
UNBIASED INVESTIGATION OF ALL 
AVAILABLE FACTS AND EPISODES, UP
TO THAT POINT IT'S EXACTLY THE 
SAME UNTIL YOU GET TO, INCLUDING
THOSE INVOLVING BURISMA AND THE 
2016 U.S. ELECTIONS.
AND THEN IT GOES BACK TO THE 
UKRAINIAN DRAFT.
WHICH IN TURN WILL PREVENT THE 
RECURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM IN 
THE FUTURE.
YOU CAN SEE IN THIS SUCH GRAPHIC
EVIDENCE, UKRAINIANS DID NOT 
WANT TO DO THIS.
THEY DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO MENTION
THIS.
GIULIANI HAD TO INSIST, NO, NO, 
NO.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE SATISFIED 
WITH A GENERIC STATEMENT.
AFTER ALL, I THINK WE CAN SEE, 
THIS ISN'T ABOUT CORRUPTION.
THIS IS ABOUT ANNOUNCING 
INVESTIGATIONS TO DAMAGE BIDEN 
AND TO PROMOTE THIS FICTION 
ABOUT THE LAST ELECTION.
SO HERE IN THESE TEXTS YOU SEE 
THAT GIULIANI, VOLKER AND 
SONDLAND ADDED THESE REFERENCES 
ABOUT BURISMA.
A REFERENCE TO BIDEN AND THE 
2016 ELECTION.
THEY WISH TO ENSURE THE 
UKRAINIANS MENTION THE SHAM 
INVESTIGATIONS PRESIDENT TRUMP 
REQUIRED.
NOW, THE UKRAINIANS RECOILED AT 
THE NEW STATEMENT.
RECOGNIZING THAT RELEASING IT 
WOULD RUN DIRECTLY COUNTER TO 
THE ANTI-CORRUPTION PLATFORM 
THAT ZELENSKY CAMPAIGNED ON AND 
WOULD EMBROIL THEM IN U.S. 
ELECTION POLITICS.
AS A RESULT, ZELENSKY DIDN'T GET
HIS WHITE HOUSE MEETING.
HE STILL HASN'T GOTTEN HIS WHITE
HOUSE MEETING.
SENATORS, WITNESS TESTIMONY, 
TEXT MESSAGES, EMAILS AND THE 
CALL RECORD ITSELF CONFIRM A 
CORRUPT QUID PRO QUO FOR THE 
WHITE HOUSE MEETING.
AN OFFICIAL ACT AVAILABLE ONLY 
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED 
ST
STATES, ANNOUNCEMENT OF 
POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS, WHOSE 
ALLIES OFFERED NO EXPLANATION 
FOR THIS EFFORT.
EXCEPT THE PRESIDENT CAN ABUSE 
HIS OFFICE ALL HE LIKES AND 
THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT
IT.
CAN'T INDICT HIM, CAN'T IMPEACH 
HIM.
THAT IS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T 
SERIOUSLY DISPUTE THAT PRESIDENT
TRUMP CORRUPTLY USED AN OFFICIAL
WHITE HOUSE VISIT FOR A FOREIGN 
LEADER TO COMPEL THE UKRAINIAN 
PRESIDENT INTO HELPING HIM CHEAT
IN THE NEXT ELECTION.
THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING, OF 
COURSE, WAS NOT THE ONLY 
OFFICIAL ACT THAT PRESIDENT 
TRUMP CONDITIONED ON THE 
ANNOUNCEMENT OF INVESTIGATIONS 
INTO BIDEN AND THE CONSPIRACY 
THEORY MEANT TO EXXONERATE 
PRESIDENT TRUMP FROM RUSSIA'S 
INTERFERENCE ON HIS BEHALF IN 
THE LAST ELECTION.
IN A FAR MORE DRACONIAN STEP, AS
WEAVE DISCUSSED, THE PRESIDENT 
WITHHELD $391 MILLION OF 
MILITARY AID.
SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THIS PHONE 
CALL WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY, 
BUT AFTER GIULIANI WAS PRESSING 
UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS, PRESIDENT 
TRUMP ORDERED THE HOLD ON 
UKRAINE'S MILITARY AID.
SIGNIFICANTLY, THIS WAS AFTER 
CONGRESS HAD ALREADY BEEN 
NOTIFIED THAT MOST OF IT WAS 
PREPARED TO BE SPENT.
UKRAINE HAD MET ALL OF THE 
CRITICAL CONDITIONS FOR 
ANTI-CORRUPTION AND DEFENSE 
REFORMS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE 
FUNDS.
WE CONDITION THE FUNDS, THEY MET
THE CONDITIONS.
THE FUNDS WERE READY TO GO.
AT THE TIME AND EVEN TODAY 
WITNESSES UNIFORMLY TESTIFIED 
THAT THE ORDER TO HOLD THE 
FUNDING CAME WITHOUT EXPLANATION
TO THE FOREIGN POLICY AND 
NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICIALS 
RESPONSIBLE FOR UKRAINE.
THE ONLY MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE
OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET WAS 
THAT THE HOLD WAS IMPLEMENTED AT
THE DIRECTION OF THE PRESIDENT.
SINCE RUSSIA'S ILLEGAL INCURSION
INTO UKRAINE IN 2014, THE U.S. 
MAINTAINED A BIPARTISAN POLICY 
OF DELIVERING HUNDREDS OF 
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF MILITARY 
AID TO UKRAINE EACH YEAR.
WITH SEVERAL SENATORS HERE HAVE 
PERSONALLY INVESTED SIGNIFICANT 
TIME AND EFFORT TO ENSURE.
AND IT WAS PRESIDENT TRUMP 
HIMSELF WHO ORIGINALLY 
AUTHORIZED ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL 
SUPPORT FOR MILITARY ASSISTANCE 
TO UKRAINE IN 2017 AND 2018.
WITHOUT RESERVATION.
MAKING HIS ABRUPT DECISION TO 
WITHHOLD ASSISTANCE IN 2019 
WITHOUT EXPLANATION ALL THE MORE
SURPRISING TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE 
FOR UKRAINE POLICY.
THAT CONFUSION, HOWEVER, WOULD 
SOON DISAPPEAR.
THE PRESIDENT USED THE HOLD ON 
MILITARY AID AS LEVERAGE TO 
PRESSURE UKRAINE TO ANNOUNCE 
THESE INVESTIGATIONS THAT HE 
HOPED WOULD HELP HIS RE-ELECTION
CAMPAIGN.
THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 
PRIOR YEARS WHEN THE PRESIDENT 
APPROVED THE AID WITHOUT 
QUESTION AND THE INEXPLICABLE 
AID ON HOLD IN 2019 WAS THE 
EMERGENCE OF JOE BIDEN AS A 
POTENTIALLY FORMIDABLE OBSTACLE 
TO THE PRESIDENT'S RE-ELECTION.
THESE FUNDS THAT THE PRESIDENT 
WIT
WITHHELD, THESE FUNDS, THEY 
DON'T JUST BENEFIT UKRAINE.
THEY BENEFIT THE SECURITY OF THE
UNITED STATES.
BY ENSURING THAT UKRAINE IS 
EQUIPPED TO DEFEND ITS OWN 
BORDERS AGAINST RUSSIAN 
AGGRESSION.
AS AMBASSADOR TAYLOR NOTED IN 
HIS DEPOSITION, UNITED STATES 
PROVIDES UKRAINE WITH RADAR AND 
WEAPONS AND SNIPER RIFLES.
COMMUNICATION THAT SAVE LIVES.
IT MAKES UKRAINIANS MORE 
EFFECTIVE.
IT MIGHT EVEN SHORTEN THE WAR.
THAT'S WHAT OUR HOPE IS TO SHOW 
THE UKRAINIANS CAN DEFEND 
THEMSELVES AND THE RUSSIANS IN 
THE END WILL SAY, OKAY, WE'RE 
GOING TO STOP.
THAT'S IN OUR INTEREST.
THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT UKRAINE OR
ITS NATIONAL SECURITY.
IT'S ABOUT OUR NATIONAL 
SECURITY.
THIS ISN'T CHARITY.
IT'S ABOUT OUR DEFENSE AS MUCH 
AS UKRAINE'S.
AMBASSADOR TAYLOR ALSO SAID THAT
THE AMERICAN AID WAS A CONCRETE 
DEMONSTRATION OF THE UNITED 
STATES COMMITMENT TO RESIST 
AGGRESSION AND TO DEFEND 
FREEDOM.
THAT'S WHAT THIS COUNTRY IS 
SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT, RIGHT?
RESISTING AGGRESSION, DEFENDING 
FREEDOM.
NOT EXPORTING CORRUPT IDEAS.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE
OUT, RIGHT?
IT WAS AGAINST THIS BACKDROP 
THAT AMERICAN OFFICIALS 
RESPONSIBLE FOR UKRAINE POLICY 
SAT IN ASTONISHMENT ACCORDING TO
AMBASSADOR TAYLOR WHEN THEY 
LEARNED ABOUT THE HOLD.
OFFICIALS IMMEDIATELY EXPRESSED 
CONCERNS ABOUT THE LEGALITY OF 
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S HOLD ON THE 
ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE.
THEIR CONCERNS WERE WELL 
WARRANTED AS THE GOVERNMENT 
ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WHICH WAS 
JUST LAST NIGHT POO POOED BY THE
PRESIDENT'S COUNSEL.
THAT'S SOME INSTITUTION OF 
CONGRESS.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE INHERENTLY 
BIASED, RIGHT?
WELL, THEY'RE A NONPARTISAN 
ORGANIZATION THAT BOTH PARTIES 
HAVE COME TO RELY UPON.
BUT I'M NOT SURPRISED THEY DON'T
LIKE THE INCLUSION OF THE GAO, 
THEY WERE WARNED THIS WAS WOULD 
THE CONCLUSION.
THE HOLD ON AID WAS NOT ONLY 
WRONG, IT WAS NOT ONLY IMMORAL, 
IT WAS ALSO ILLEGAL.
IT VIOLATED THE LAW.
A LAW THAT WE PASSED SO THAT 
PRESIDENTS COULD NOT REFUSE TO 
SPEND THAT WE ALLOCATED FOR THE 
DEFENSE OF OTHERS AND FOR 
OURSELVES.
THE EMPOWERMENT CONTROL ACT 
PREVENTS THE PRESIDENT AND OTHER
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM 
UNILATERALLY MAKING FUNDING 
DECISIONS WHEN CONGRESS MADE ITS
INTENT CLEAR.
IN FACT, THE ACT EXISTS 
PRECISELY BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS 
PRESIDENTIAL ABUSES OF 
CONGRESS'S POWER OF THE PURSE 
DURING THE NIXON ERA.
THE NONPARTISAN GAO RULED THAT 
THE HOLD ON MILITARY AID WAS NOT
ONLY ILLEGAL BUT THAT HOLDING 
UNDER SCORES THE PRESIDENT'S 
EFFORTS TO GO TO ANY LENGTHS TO 
ENSURE HIS OWN PERSONAL BENEFIT,
RATHER THAN TAKE CARE THAT THE 
LAWS BE FAITHFULLY EXECUTED AS 
HE SWORE HE WOULD DO WHEN HE 
TOOK HIS OATH OF OFFICE.
NOW, BECAUSE OF RECENT FREEDOM 
OF INFORMATION ACT RESPONSES AND
MEDIA REPORTS, WE NOW NOAH DIGS 
AL DETAILS ABOUT HOW SENIOR 
OFFICIALS EXPRESS SERIOUS 
RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE LEGALITY 
OF THE HOLD AT THE TIME.
THIS IS NOT LIKE SOME NEW 
SURPRISE.
THIS IS NOT LIKE SOMETHING THAT 
JUST CAME OUT OF THE BLUE.
OH, AN INDEPENDENT WATCHDOG 
AGENCY FOUND THIS WAS ILLEGAL.
NO, THEY KNEW IT WAS ILLEGAL AT 
THE TIME.
THESE CONCERNS WERE RAISED AT 
THE TIME.
CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY HAVE
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE 
HOLD HAVE REFUSED TO TESTIFY.
THE PRESIDENT'S DIRECTION.
INCLUDING HIS CHIEF OF STAFF, 
MICK MULVANEY, HIS DEPUTY ROBERT
BLAIR.
O AND B OFFICIAL, MICHAEL DUFFY.
DEFIED CONGRESSIONAL SUBPOENAS.
BUT EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS HAVE 
BEEN MADE PUBLIC ONLY RECENTLY.
AS YOU KNOW, THESE AND MANY 
OTHER CATEGORIES OF DOCUMENTS 
FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, DEFENSE 
DEPARTMENT WERE SUBPOENAED BY 
THE HOUSE.
AND NONE WAS PRODUCED.
NONE.
AT THE PRESIDENT'S DIRECTION AND
THROUGH MR. CIPOLLONE'S 
INTER
INTERVENTION.
ALTHOUGH IT HAD A OVERWHELMING 
BODY OF EVIDENCE THAT PROVES 
THAT THE PRESIDENT HAD -- TO 
ANNOUNCE INVESTIGATIONS, THE 
FULL STORY BEHIND THE HOLD, THE 
FULL AND COMPLETE STORY IS 
WITHIN YOUR POWER TO REQUEST.
AS YOU CONSIDER THE EVIDENCE WE 
PRESENT TO YOU, ASK YOURSELVES 
WHETHER THE DOCUMENTS AND 
WITNESSES THAT HAVE BEEN DENIED 
BY THE PRESIDENT'S COMPLETE AND 
UNPRECEDENTED OBSTRUCTION COULD 
SHED MORE LIGHT ON THIS CRITICAL
TOPIC.
YOU MAY AGREE WITH THE HOUSE 
MANAGERS THAT THE EVIDENCE OF 
THE PRESIDENT'S WITHHOLDING OF 
MILITARY AID TO UKRAINE IS 
SUPPORTED BY OVERWHELMING 
EVIDENCE AND NO FURTHER INSIGHT 
IS NECESSARY TO CONVICT THE 
PRESIDENT.
BUT IF THE PRESIDENT'S LAWYERS 
ATTEMPT TO CONTEST THESE OR 
OTHER FACTUAL MATTERS, YOU ARE 
LEFT WITH NO CHOICE BUT TO 
DEMAND TO HEAR FROM EACH WITNESS
WITH FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE.
A FAIR TRIAL REQUIRES NOTHING 
LESS.
LET'S LOOK AT SOME OF THE 
EVIDENCE WE GATHERED, 
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS 
OBSTRUCTION.
FIRST, PRESIDENT WITHHELD THE 
AID WITHOUT EXPLANATION AND 
AGAINST THE ADVICE OF HIS OWN 
AGENCIES.
CABINET OFFICIALS, NATIONAL 
SECURITY EXPERTS, INCLUDING 
SECRETARY POMPEO, SECRETARY 
ESPER, AMBASSADOR BOLTON AND 
OTHERS.
ONLY MICK MULVANEY, A CENTRAL 
FIGURE IN THIS EFFORT, 
REPORTEDLY SUPPORTED THE HOLD 
AND HE TOLD US WHY.
DURING A PRESS BRIEFING, 
MULVANEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE 
HOLD WAS ORDERED AS PART OF A 
QUID PRO QUO DESIGNED TO GET 
UKRAINE TO UNDERTAKE THE 
INVESTIGATION OF PRESIDENT 
TRUMP'S SON.
SECOND, THE REASON FOR THE SDURT
ASSISTANCE HOLD WAS UNDOUBTEDLY 
ON THE PRESIDENT'S MIND DURING 
THE TELEPHONE CALL WITH 
PRESIDENT ZELENSKY ON JULY 25th.
NEAR THE BEGINNING OF THEIR 
CONVERSATION, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY
EXPRESSES GRATITUDE FOR U.S. 
MILITARY ASSISTANCE, NOTING THE 
UNITED STATES, "GREAT SUPPORT IN
THE AREA OF DEFENSE," 
IMMEDIATELY AFTER PRESIDENT 
ZELENSKY'S REFERENCE TO DEFENSE 
AND MILITARY SUPPORT, PRESIDENT 
TRUMP RESPONDED BY SAYING, I 
WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO US A FAVOR,
THOUGH.
BECAUSE OUR COUNTRY HAS BEEN 
THROUGH A LOT AND UKRAINE KNOWS 
A LOT ABOUT IT.
PRESIDENT TRUMP THEN PROCEEDED 
TO OPENLY PRESS UKRAINE TO 
CONDUCT THESE INVESTIGATIONS.
THIRD, NUMEROUS OFFICIALS WERE 
AWARE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS 
WITHHOLDING THE WHITE HOUSE 
MEETING UNTIL THE UKRAINIAN 
PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED THE 
INVESTIGATIONS.
THAT THE PRESIDENT WOULD RATCHET
UP PRESSURE ON UKRAINE TO COMPEL
ITS ACTION STUNNED UKRAINE 
EXPERTS LIKE AMBASSADOR TAYLOR, 
BUT FOLLOWED LOGICALLY FOR THOSE
ENGAGED IN THE PRESIDENT'S 
CORRUPT SCHEME.
FOURTH, BY THE END OF AUGUST, 
THERE WAS STILL NO EXPLANATION 
FOR THE HOLD DESPITE ONGOING 
EFFORTS FROM NUMEROUS OFFICIALS 
TO PERSUADE THE PRESIDENT TO 
RELEASE THE MONEY.
AND THE LEVERAGE OF THE WHITE 
HOUSE MEETING HAD NOT SUCCEEDED 
IN COERCING UKRAINE TO ANNOUNCE 
THE INVESTIGATIONS.
PROVIDING THE PRESIDENT AND HIS 
AGENTS EVERY REASON TO USE THE 
MOST AGGRESSIVE LEVER OF 
INFLUENCE, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS 
OF DOLLARS OF MILITARY SUPPORT, 
TO COMPEL UKRAINE TO ACT.
THEY DIDN'T FEEL PRESSURE, THEY 
WOULD HAVE DONE IT.
THEY WOULD HAVE DONE IT.
BUT, OF COURSE, THEY DID.
IMAGINE IF THIS COUNTRY WERE 
DEPENDENT ON A MORE POWERFUL 
COUNTRY FOR OUR DEFENSE.
IMAGINE IF WE WERE AT WAR, 
IMAGINE WE WERE WAITING FOR 
WEAPONS TO DEFEND OURSELVES.
SOMETHING OUR FRAMERS COULD HAVE
UNDERSTOOD.
IMAGINE THAT WE FOUND OURSELVES 
IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES AND MUCH 
TO OUR ASTONISHMENT, WE COULDN'T
EVEN GET A MEETING WITH OUR 
ALLY, THEY WERE WITHHOLDING AID 
FROM US.
YOU THINK WE'D FEEL PRESSURE?
OF COURSE WE WOULD.
THE FRAMERS HAD COMMON SENSE AND
SO MUST WE.
ARE WE TO ACCEPT, WELL, THE 
PRESIDENT SAID THERE WAS NO QUID
PRO QUO.
I GUESS THAT CLOSES THE CASE.
IN EVERY COURTROOM IN AMERICA, 
JURORS AND I KNOW YOU'RE NOT 
JUST JURORS.
I -- YOU'RE JURORS AND JUDGES.
JURORS ALL OVER AMERICA ARE TOLD
YOU DON'T LEAVE YOUR COMMON 
SENSE AT THE DOOR.
WE DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE OUR 
COMMON SENSE AT THE DOOR HERE, 
TOO.
TWO PLUS TWO EQUALS FOUR.
THE AID IS WITHHELD, YOU'RE 
ASKING FOR IT, WE'RE ASKING FOR 
IT, HIS OWN AIDES ARE ASKING FOR
IT.
NO ONE CAN GET AN EXPLANATION.
UKRAINIANS CAN'T GET AN 
EXPLANATION.
ALL THE UKRAINIANS GET IS, WE 
WANT YOU TO DO THESE 
INVESTIGATIONS.
THEY'RE PROMISED A WHITE HOUSE 
MEETING.
THEY WANT A WHITE HOUSE MEETING.
THEY NEED IT.
THEY'RE GOING INTO NEGOTIATIONS 
WITH PUTIN, THEY WANT TO SHOW 
STRENGTH.
THEY CAN'T GET IN THE DOOR.
THEY SEE THE RUSSIAN FOREIGN 
MINISTER GET IN THE DOOR OF THE 
WHITE HOUSE, WE SEE THE PHOTOS 
OF THE PRESIDENT AND THE 
AMBASSADOR, WHAT A GREAT TIME 
THEY'RE HAVING.
BUT THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINIAN, 
OUR ALLY CAN'T GET IN THE DOOR.
THEY'RE NOT STUPID.
THEY KNOW TWHAES GOING ON HERE.
THEY'RE NOT STUPID.
THAT CONVERSATION I REFERENCED 
YESTERDAY WHEN THE DRUKRAINIANS 
THREW IT RIGHT BACK IN OUR FACE.
WHEN AMBASSADOR VOLKER SAID YOU 
SHOULDN'T INVESTIGATE THE FORMER
PRESIDENT.
WE SHOULDN'T ENGAGE IN THOSE 
POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS.
OH, THE UKRAINIAN RESPONSE WAS, 
YOU MEAN LIKE THE ONE YOU WANT 
US TO DO OF THE BIDENS AND THE 
CLINTONS?
THEY'RE NOT STUPID.
BY THE END OF AUGUST, THERE WAS 
STILL NO EXPLANATION FOR THE 
HOLD DESPITE EFFORTS BY NUMEROUS
PEOPLE TO SEEK THE RELEASE OF 
THE FUNDING.
THE LEVERAGE HADN'T SUCCEEDED IN
GETTING THE PRESIDENT TO ENFORCE
UKRAINE TO ANNOUNCE THE 
INVESTIGATIONS.
AND SO THE AID WAS WITHHELD.
TWO WITNESSES PRIVY TO THE 
SCHEME SAID THE ONLY LOGICAL 
CONCLUSION TO REACH ABOUT THE 
CONTINUED HOLD ON THE AID WAS 
THAT IT WAS INTENDED TO PUT MORE
PRESSURE ON UKRAINE TO ANNOUNCE 
THE INVESTIGATIONS.
AS I SAID, THEY TESTIFIED IT WAS
AS SIMPLE AS TWO PLUS TWO EQUALS
FOUR.
WE CAN DO MATH.
AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, SO CAN THE
UKRAINIANS.
MORE IMPORTANTLY THAN THAT, SO 
CAN THE RUSSIANS.
MULTIPLE SENIOR OFFICIALS, 
INCLUDING PRESIDENT TRUMP 
HIMSELF HAVE CONFIRMED THIS 
LOGICAL CONCLUSION.
ON SEPTEMBER 7th, AMBASSADOR 
SONDLAND SPOKE DIRECTLY TO 
PRESIDENT TRUMP WHO BY THAT 
POINT WAS AWARE THAT A 
WHISTLE-BLOWER COMPLAINT WAS 
CIRCULATING THAT ALLEGED THE 
CONTOURS OF HIS SCHEME.
AND THAT CONGRESS AND THE PUBLIC
WERE BEGINNING TO ASK PROBING 
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HOLD ON AID,
INCLUDING WHETHER THE 
WITHHOLDING OF THE AID WAS IN 
EXCHANGE FOR RE-ELECTION HELP.
DURING THAT CALL, SEPTEMBER 7th,
SO JULY, YOU'VE GOT MUELLER'S 
TESTIMONY, YOU'VE GOT THE CALL 
ITSELF, YOU'VE GOT THE FOLLOW-UP
CALL THE NEXT DAY WHERE THE 
PRESIDENT IS SPEAKING TO 
SONDLAND AND WANTS TO MAKE SURE 
THEY'RE GOING TO DO THE 
INVESTIGATION.
YOU'VE GOT AUGUST WHILE THEY'RE 
TRYING TO HAMMER OUT A STATEMENT
AND THE UKRAINIANS ARE STILL 
RESISTING.
AND THEN YOU HAVE SEPTEMBER.
SEPTEMBER 7th.
AMBASSADOR SONDLAND.
ON THE PHONE WITH PRESIDENT 
TRUMP.
AT THAT POINT HE'S AWARE THAT A 
WHISTLE-BLOWER HAS FILED A 
COMPLAINT ALLEGE WILLING THE 
CONTOURS OF THIS SCHEME AND 
CONGRESS AND THE PUBLIC ARE 
BEGINNING TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT
THE HOLD ON AID, INCLUDING 
WHETHER THIS WAS TO GET HELP IN 
HIS RE-ELECTION.
AND DURING THAT CALL BETWEEN THE
PRESIDENT AND AMBASSADOR 
SONDLAND, WITHOUT A PROMPT, 
PRESIDENT TRUMP TOLD SONDLAND, 
THERE'S NO QUID PRO QUO.
NOW, WHY WOULD HE DO THAT?
THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT COMES 
UP IN NORMAL CONVERSATION, 
RIGHT?
HELLO MR. PRESIDENT HOW ARE YOU 
TODAY?
NO QUID PRO QUO.
THAT'S THE KIND OF THING THAT 
COMES UP IN A CONVERSATION IF 
YOU'RE TRYING TO PUT YOUR ALIBI 
OUT THERE.
IF YOU HEARD ABOUT A 
WHISTLE-BLOWER COMPLAINT, IF 
YOU'VE SEEN ALLEGATIONS, IF YOU 
KNOW CONGRESS IS STARTING TO 
SNIFF AROUND, NO QUID PRO QUO.
BUT AND I KNOW THIS IS 
ASTONISHING -- SO MUCH OF THE 
LAST THREE YEARS HAS BEEN A 
COMBINATION OF SHOCK AND YET NO 
SURPRISE.
AND YET, EVEN WHILE THE 
PRESIDENT IS SAYING NO QUID PRO 
QUO, WHAT DOES HE SAY?
ZELENSKY MUST PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE 
THE TWO POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS
AND HE SHOULD WANT TO DO IT.
NO QUID PRO QUO, EXCEPT THIS 
QUID PRO QUO.
SONDLAND IMMEDIATELY RELAYED THE
MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.
INFORMING HIM THAT WITHOUT THE 
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE POLITICAL 
INVESTIGATIONS, THEY WOULD BE AT
A STALEMATE.
SONDLAND MADE CLEAR THAT THIS 
REFERENCE TO A STALEMATE MEANT 
THE RELEASE OF THE SECURITY 
ASSISTANCE.
PRESIDENT ZELENSKY, AFTER 
HESITATING FOR WEEKS TO JOIN THE
PRESIDENT'S CORRUPT SCHEME, 
FINALLY RELENTED.
PRESIDENT ZELENSKY INFORMED 
SONDLAND THAT HE AGREED TO DO A 
CNN INTERVIEW AND SONDLAND 
UNDERSTOOD THAT HE WOULD USE 
THAT OCCASION TO MENTION THESE 
ITEMS, MEANING THE TWO 
INVESTIGATIONS AT THE HEART OF 
THIS SCHEME.
THE CANDIDATE ZELENSKY SWEPT 
INTO OFFICE WITH A LANDSLIDE 
VICTORY ON A PROMISE OF FIGHTING
CORRUPTION WOULD BE FORCED TO 
UNDERTAKE JUST THE SAME KIND OF 
CORRUPT ACT HE HAD BEEN ELECTED 
TO CLEAN UP.
UPON LEARNING THIS, AMBASSADOR 
TAYLOR CALLED SONDLAND TO 
REGISTER HIS DEEP CONCERN, 
TELLING HIM THAT IT WAS CRAZY, 
CRAZY.
TAYLOR LATER TEXTED SONDLAND TO 
REINFORCE THE POINT.
AS I SAID ON THE PHONE, I THINK 
IT'S CRAZY TO WITHHOLD SECURITY 
ASSISTANCE FOR HELP WITH A 
POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.
AS I SAID ON THE PHONE.
CLEARLY, THEY HAD DISCUSSED IT.
AS I SAID ON THE PHONE.
TAYLOR TESTIFIED ABOUT THE 
MESSAGE AND THE EVENTS LEADING 
UP TO IT.
TAYLOR SAID THAT SECURITY SYSTEM
WAS -- ASSISTANCE WAS SO -- I'M 
SORRY.
SECURITY SYSTEM WAS SO IMPORTANT
FOR UKRAINE AS WELL AS OUR OWN 
NATIONAL INTEREST TO WITHHOLD 
THAT ASSISTANCE FOR NO GOOD 
REASON OTHER THAN HELP WITH A 
POLITICAL CAMPAIGN MADE NO 
SENSE.
IT WAS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO ALL 
OF WHAT WE HAD BEEN TRYING TO 
DO.
IT WAS ILLOGICAL.
IT COULD NOT BE EXPLAINED.
IT WAS CRAZY.
WHAT'S MORE, AMBASSADOR TAYLOR 
ALSO CAME TO LEARN THAT 
PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTED ZELENSKY 
IN A PUBLIC BOX.
HE TESTIFIED -- MR. GOLD MAN 
ASKING THE QUESTION.
NOW YOU REFERENCED THE 
TELEVISION INTERVIEW AND A 
DESIRE FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP TO 
PUT ZELENSKY IN A PUBLIC BOX 
WHICH YOU ALSO HAVE IN QUOTES.
WAS THAT IN YOUR NOTES?
NOW, THIS IS A REFERENCE, I 
THINK, TO HIS WRITTEN TESTIMONY.
WAS THAT REFERENCE TO IN A 
PUBLIC BOX IN HIS NOTES?
YOU REMEMBER HE KEPT DETAILED 
NOTES.
TAYLOR'S ANSWER, IT WAS IN MY 
NOTES.
AND WHAT DID YOU UNDERSTAND TO 
MEAN TO PUT ZELENSKY IN A PUBLIC
BOX?
AND TAYLOR RESPONDS, I 
UNDERSTOOD THAT TO MEAN THAT 
PRESIDENT TRUMP, THROUGH 
AMBASSADOR SONDLAND WAS ASKING 
FOR PRESIDENT ZELENSKY TO 
PUBLICLY COMMIT TO THESE 
INVESTIGATIONS THAT IT WAS NOT 
SUFFICIENT TO DO THIS IN 
PRIVATE, THAT THIS NEEDED TO BE 
DONE -- THIS NEEDED TO BE A VERY
PUBLIC STATEMENT.
SO WE SAW EARLIER THE SIDE BY 
SIDE COMPARISON, RIGHT OF WHAT 
THE UKRAINIANS WANTED TO SAY.
THEY WANTED TO MAKE NO MENTION 
OF THESE SPECIFIC INVESTIGATIONS
AND NOW GIULIANI AND INSISTED, 
NO, NO, NO, THIS ISN'T GOING TO 
BE CREDIBLE UNLESS YOU MENTION 
THE SPECIFIC INVESTIGATION.
THIS IS WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE.
AND NOW YOU SEE AMBASSADOR 
SONDLAND HAS ACKNOWLEDGED TO 
AMBASSADOR TAYLOR THAT NOT 
ENOUGH TO USE EVEN THE RIGHT 
LANGUAGE APPARENTLY.
GOT TO BE DONE PUBLIC.
NOT GOING TO TAKE ANY PRIVATE 
COMMITMENT.
GOT TO BE DONE IN PUBLIC.
AS WE WOULD LATER COME TO 
UNDERSTAND, THIS IS BECAUSE 
PRESIDENT TRUMP DIDN'T CARE 
ABOUT THE INVESTIGATIONS BEING 
DONE.
HE JUST WANTED THEM ANNOUNCED.
HE WANTED ZELENSKY IN A PUBLIC 
BOX.
HE WANTED IT ANNOUNCED PUBLICLY.
AMBASSADOR TAYLOR UNDERSTOOD 
FROM SONDLAND THAT BECAUSE 
PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS A 
BUSINESSMAN, HE WOULD EXPECT TO 
GET SOMETHING IN RETURN BEFORE 
SIGNING A CHECK.
DURING OUR MEETING, DURING OUR 
CALL ON SEPTEMBER 8th, 
AMBASSADOR SONDLAND TRIED TO 
EXPLAIN TO ME THAT PRESIDENT 
TRUMP IS A BUSINESSMAN.
WHEN A BUSINESSMAN IS 
APPROXIMATE TO SIGN A CHECK TO 
SOMEONE WHO OWES HIM SOMETHING, 
THE BUSINESSMAN ASKS THAT PERSON
TO PAY UP BEFORE SIGNING THE 
CHECK.
VOEKER USED THE SAME LANGUAGE AT
THE CONFERENCE.
I ARGUED TO BOTH THAT THE 
EXPLANATION MADE NO SENSE.
UKRAINIANS DID NOT OWE PRESIDENT
TRUMP ANYTHING.
>> I -- THIS IS VERY TELLING.
AMBASSADOR TAYLOR VIETNAM 
VETERAN, WEST POINT GRADUATE, 
UKRAINIANS DIDN'T OWE US 
ANYTHING.
CLEARLY, DONALD TRUMP FELT THE 
UKRAINIANS OWED HIM.
RIGHT?
THIS IS NOT ABOUT UKRAINE'S 
NATIONAL SECURITY.
IT'S NOT ABOUT OUR NATIONAL 
SECURITY.
IT'S NOT ABOUT CORRUPTION.
NO, IT'S ABOUT WHAT'S IN IT FOR 
ME?
THOSE UKRAINIANS OWE ME.
BEFORE I SIGN A CHECK, BY THE 
WAY, THAT'S NOT HIS MONEY.
THAT'S YOUR MONEY.
THAT'S THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'S 
MONEY FOR THEIR DEFENSE.
BUT HERE WE SEE AMBASSADOR 
SONDLAND EXPLAINING, NO, 
PRESIDENT TRUMP IS A BUSINESSMAN
BEFORE HE'S GOING TO SIGN A 
CHECK.
HE WANTS TO GET SOMETHING.
AND OF COURSE, THAT SOMETHING IS
HE WAS GOING TO SIGN THAT CHECK 
OR MAKE THAT PAYMENT FOR WITH 
OUR TAX DOLLARS, THAT THING THAT
HE WAS GOING TO BUY WITH THOSE 
TAX DOLLARS WAS A SMEAR OF HIS 
OPPONENT.
AND AN EFFORT TO LIFT WHATEVER 
CLOUD HE FELT WAS OVER HIS 
PRESIDENCY BECAUSE OF THE 
RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE ON HIS 
BEHALF IN THE LAST ELECTION.
THE PRESIDENT HAS OFFERED AN 
ASSORTMENT OF SHIFTING 
EXPLANATIONS FOR THE WITHHOLD ON
AID.
HE SAID BECAUSE OF CORRUPTION IN
UKRAINE OR CONCERNS ABOUT BURDEN
SHARING WITH OTHER EUROPEAN 
COUNTRIES.
BUT THOSE ARGUMENTS ARE 
COMPLETELY WITHOUT MERIT.
FIRST, THE PRESIDENT'S OWN 
ADMINISTRATION DETERMINED, BY 
THE TIME OF THE HOLD, UKRAINE 
HAD UNDERTAKEN ALL NECESSARY 
ANTI-CORRUPTION AND DEFENSE 
REFORMS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE 
FUNDS.
THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT AND STATE
DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS REPEATEDLY 
MADE THIS CLEAR AS THE HOLD 
REMAINED AND THREATENED THE 
ABILITY OF THE AGENCIES TO SPEND
THE MONEY BEFORE THE END OF THE 
FISCAL YEAR.
SECOND, THE EVIDENCE REVEALED 
THAT THE PRESIDENT ONLY ASKED 
ABOUT FOREIGN CONTRIBUTIONS TO 
UKRAINE IN SEPTEMBER, NEARLY TWO
MONTHS AFTER THE PRESIDENT 
IMPLEMENTED THE HOLD.
AND AS IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THE 
PUBLIC CONGRESS AND A 
WHISTLE-BLOWER WERE BECOMING 
AWARE OF THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEME.
THE AFTER THE FACT EFFORT TO 
COME UP WITH A JUSTIFICATION 
ALSO BEE LIES THE TRUTH.
THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES PROVIDE 
FAR MORE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO 
UKRAINE THAN THE UNITED STATES.
THEIR SUPPORT IS LARGELY 
ECONOMIC.
OURS ALSO INCLUDES A LOT OF 
MILITARY SUPPORT.
BUT EUROPE IS A SUBSTANTIAL 
FINANCIAL BACKER OF UKRAINE.
SOMETHING ELSE REMARKABLE ABOUT 
THIS.
I WAS STRUCK BY YESTERDAY.
AS WE GO THROUGH THE IMPORTANCE 
OF THE WITNESS TESTIMONY AND 
LOOKING AT SOME OF THOSE 
REDACTED EMAILS IN WHICH THE 
ADMINISTRATION SOUGHT TO HIDE 
ITS MISCONDUCT.
IN THOSE REDACTIONS WHEN WE GOT 
TO SEE WHAT WAS BENEATH THEM, 
AND THERE WAS AN INDICATION, 
THIS IS VERY CLOSE HOLD.
THIS IS A NEED TO KNOW BASIS 
ONLY.
REMEMBER THAT?
WE'LL SHOW THAT YOU AGAIN.
BUT ONE OF THOSE EMAILS THAT 
ONLY CAME TO LIGHT, I BELIEVE, 
RECENTLY.
NOT BECAUSE THE ADMINISTRATION 
WANTED YOU TO SEE THIS 
INFORMATION.
WE SEE THERE'S A DESIRE NOT TO 
LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THIS HOLD.
IF THE PRESIDENT WAS FIGHTING 
CORRUPTION, IF HE WANTED 
EUROPEANS TO PAY MORE, WHY WOULD
HE HIDE IT FROM US?
?
WHY WOULD HE HIDE FROM THE 
UKRAINIANS AND THE REST OF THE 
WORLD?
IF THIS WAS A DESIRE EUROPE TO 
PAY MORE, WHY WOULDN'T HE CHARGE
SONDLAND TO ASK EUROPE FOR MORE?
WHY WOULDN'T HE BE PROUD TO TELL
CONGRESS AND THE UNITED STATES, 
I'M HOLDING UP THIS AID AND I'M 
HOLDING IT UP BECAUSE I'M 
WORRIED ABOUT CORRUPTION.
WHY WOULDN'T HE?
BECAUSE, OF COURSE, IT WASN'T 
TRUE.
THERE'S NO EVIDENCE OF THAT.
AND WHAT'S MORE, THE WHITE HOUSE
ADMITTED WHY THE PRESIDENT HELD 
UP THE MONEY.
THE PRESIDENT'S OWN CHIEF OF 
STAFF EXPLAINED PRECISELY WHY 
DURING OCTOBER 17th AND OCTOBER 
17th PRESS CONFERENCE.
LET'S SEE AGAIN WHAT HE HAD TO 
SAY.
>> THAT WAS -- THOSE ARE THE 
DRIVING FACTORS, THAT HE ALSO 
MENTIONED TO ME IN THE PAST THE 
CORRUPTION RELATED TO THE DN 
DRCHLT SERVER, ABSOLUTELY.
NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.
THAT'S IT.
THAT'S WHY WE HELD UP THE MONEY.
>> SO THE DEMAND FOR AN 
INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEMOCRATS
WAS PART OF THE REASON THAT 
HE -- 
>> WITHHOLDING FUNDING TO 
UKRAINE. 
>> THE LOOK BACK TO WHAT 
HAPPENED IN 2016 CERTAINLY WAS 
PART OF THE THING THAT HE WAS 
WORRIED ABOUT IN CORRUPTION WITH
THAT NATION.
THAT IS ABSOLUTELY APPROPRIATE.
>> MULVANEY DIDN'T JUST ADMIT 
THAT THE PRESIDENT WITHHELD THE 
CRUCIAL AID APPROPRIATED BY 
CONGRESS TO APPLY PRESSURE ON 
UKRAINE TO DO THE PRESIDENT'S 
POLITICAL DIRTY WORK.
HE ALSO SAID THAT WE SHOULD JUST
GET OVER IT.
LET'S WATCH.
>> TO BE CLEAR, YOU DESCRIBED A 
QUID PRO QUO.
IT IS FUNDING WILL NOT FLOW 
UNLESS THE INVESTIGATION IS TO 
THE DEMOCRATIC SERVER HAPPENS AS
WELL. 
>> WE DO, WE DO THAT ALL THE 
TIME WITH FOREIGN POLICY.
>> IF YOU READ THE NEWS RORNTS 
AND YOU BELIEVE THEM, WHAT DID 
McKINNEY SAY YESTERDAY.
HE SAID YESTERDAY THAT HE WAS 
REALLY UPSET WITH THE POLITICAL 
INFLUENCE IN FOREIGN POLICY.
THAT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS HE 
WAS SO UPSET ABOUT THIS.
I HAVE NEWS FOR EVERYBODY.
GET OVER IT.
THERE'S GOING TO BE POLITICAL 
INFLUENCE IN FOREIGN POLICY.
>> SHOULD THE CONGRESS JUST GET 
OVER IT?
SHOULD THE AMERICAN PEOPLE JUST 
COME TO EXPECT THAT OUR 
PRESIDENTS WILL CORRUPTLY ABUSE 
THEIR OFFICE TO SEEK THE HELP OF
A FOREIGN POWER TO CHEAT IN OUR 
ELECTIONS?
SHOULD WE JUST GET OVER IT?
IS THAT WHAT WE'VE COME TO?
I HOPE AND PRAY THAT THE ANSWER 
IS NO.
WE CANNOT ALLOW A PRESIDENT TO 
WITHHOLD MILITARY AID FROM AN 
ALLY AT WAR FOR ILLICIT HELP IN 
A RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN.
I HOPE THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO 
JUST GET OVER THAT.
I HOPE THAT WE JUST DON'T HAVE 
TO GET ACCUSTOMED TO THAT.
IS THAT WHAT WE WANT TO TELL OUR
CONSTITUENTS?
YEAH?
THE PRESIDENT WITHHELD AID FROM 
AN ALLY.
YES.
IT DAMAGED OUR NATIONAL SECURITY
AND YEAH, HE WOULDN'T MEET WITH 
A FOREIGN LEADER IMPORTANT TO US
UNLESS HE GOT HELP IN THE NEXT 
ELECTION.
AND YEAH, IT'S WRONG TO TRY TO 
GET A FOREIGN POWER TO HELP, 
IT'S KIND OF CHEATING, IF WE'RE 
GOING TO BE HONEST AND BLATANT 
ABOUT IT.
CHEATING.
AMERICANS ARE SUPPOSED TO DECIDE
AMERICAN ELECTIONS, BUT YOU 
KNOW, I GUESS WE NEED TO GET 
OVER IT.
I GUESS THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD 
NOW EXPECT OF A PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES.
I GUESS THERE'S REALLY NO REMEDY
FOR THAT ANYMORE.
THE IMPEACHMENT.
I MEAN MAYBE THAT WAS A GOOD 
IDEA 200 YEARS AGO.
BUT I GUESS WE JUST NEED TO GET 
OVER IT.
I GUESS MAYBE THE PRESIDENT 
REALLY IS ABOVE THE LAW BECAUSE 
THEY SAY YOU CAN'T INDICT THE 
PRESIDENT.
THE PRESIDENT SAYS YOU CAN'T 
EVEN INVESTIGATE THE PRESIDENT.
THE PRESIDENT IS IN COURT SAYING
YOU CAN NOT ONLY NOT INDICT THE 
PRESIDENT, YOU CAN'T INVESTIGATE
THE PRESIDENT.
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S POSITION IS 
YOU CAN'T EVEN INVESTIGATE THE 
PRESIDENT.
ARE WE REALLY PREPARED TO SAY 
THAT?
PRESIDENT -- THE ANSWER IS WE 
NEED TO GET OVER IT?
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO SAY WITH 
THE NEXT PRESIDENT?
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO SAY THE 
PRESIDENT FROM A DIFFERENT PARTY
WHO REFUSES THE SAME KIND OF 
SUBPOENAS AND THE PRESIDENT SAYS
TO YOU OR HIS CHIEF OF STAFF OR 
HER CHIEF OF STAFF SAYS TO YOU, 
JUST GET OVER IT.
I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING DIFFERENT
THAN DONALD TRUMP DID.
JUST GET OVER IT.
HE ASKED FOR HELP IN THE NEXT 
ELECTION.
I'M ASKING FOR HELP IN THE NEXT 
ELECTION.
JUST GET OVER IT.
WE DO THIS KIND OF THING ALL THE
TIME.
PEOPLE ARE CYNICAL ENOUGH AS IT 
IS ABOUT POLITICS, ABOUT 
PEOPLE'S COMMITMENT TO THEIR 
GOOD.
CYNICAL ENOUGH WITHOUT HAVING US
CONFIRM IT FOR THEM.
I THINK IT'S MORE THAN CRAZY.
THAT WAS AMBASSADOR TAYLOR'S 
WORD.
I THINK IT'S MORE THAN CRAZY.
I THINK IT'S A GROSS ABUSE OF 
POWER.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT 
IMPEACHMENT POWER IS A RELIC.
IF IT IS A RELIC, I WONDER HOW 
MUCH LONGER OUR REPUBLIC CAN 
SUCCEED.
FOR MONTHS, PRESIDENT TRUMP AND 
HIS AGENTS HAD PRESSURED UKRAINE
TO ANNOUNCE INVESTIGATIONS.
AND PRESIDENT ZELENSKY FINALLY 
YIELDED IT.
AS PREVIOUSLY NOTED, HE 
SCHEDULED A CNN INTERVIEW AND 
PLANNED TO PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE THE
POLITICALLY MOTIVATED 
INVESTIGATIONS.
INFORMED SONDLAND OF THIS PLAN 
DURING A SEPTEMBER 7th PHONE 
CALL.
IN THE SAME CALL, SONDLAND 
RELAYED TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY 
THAT TRUMP REQUIRED THAT 
UKRAINIAN LEADER MAKE THE PUBLIC
ANNOUNCEMENT IN ORDER TO GET THE
CRITICAL MILITARY AID.
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CORRUPTION HAD
FINALLY WORN DOWN PRESIDENT 
ZELENSKY, OVERCOMING HIS EFFORT 
TO REMAIN TRUE TO HIS ANTIQUE 
CORRUPTION PLATFORM.
UNTIL EVENTS INTERVENED.
BEFORE ZELENSKY COULD DO THE 
INTERVIEW, PRESIDENT TRUMP 
LEARNED THAT HIS SCHEME HAD BEEN
EXPOSED.
FACING PUBLIC AND CONGRESSIONAL 
PRESSURE ON SEPTEMBER 11th, THE 
PRESIDENT FINALLY RELEASED THE 
HOLD ON AID TO UKRAINE.
JUST LIKE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 
THE HOLD, HE PROVIDED NO REASON 
FOR THE RELEASE.
BUT THE REASON IS QUITE SIMPLE.
THE PRESIDENT GOT CAUGHT.
IN LATE AUGUST, PRESIDENT TRUMP 
LEARNED ABOUT A WHISTLE-BLOWER 
COMPLAINT THAT WAS WINDING ITS 
WAY THROUGH THE INTELLIGENCE 
AGENCIES ON ITS WAY TO CONGRESS.
ON SEPTEMBER 9th, HOUSE 
COMMITTEES ANNOUNCED AN 
INVESTIGATION INTO PRESIDENT 
TRUMP'S UKRAINE MISCONDUCT AND 
THAT OF HIS PROXY, RUDY 
GIULIANI.
LATER THAT DAY, AGAIN, SEPTEMBER
9th, THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY 
INSPECTOR GENERAL NOTIFIED THE 
SENATE AND HOUSE INTELLIGENCE 
COMMITTEES OF THE EXISTENCE OF 
THE COMPLAINT.
AND THE FACT THAT IT WAS BEING 
WITHHELD FROM CONGRESS CONTRARY 
TO LAW.
AND IN AN UNPRECEDENTED FASHION,
FACING SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC 
PRESSURE ON SEPTEMBER 11th, THE 
PRESIDENT GAVE UP AND RELEASED 
THE MONEY TO UKRAINE.
ONE WEEK LATER, PRESIDENT 
ZELENSKY CANCELED THE CNN 
INTERVIEW.
AND RATHER THAN DEMONSTRATE 
CONTRITION OR ACKNOWLEDGE 
WRONGDOING, THE PRESIDENT 
INSTEAD HAS CONTINUED HIS 
EFFORT, EVEN AFTER THE 
IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION BEGAN.
HE NOT ONLY CONTINUED TO CALL ON
UKRAINE TO INVESTIGATE HIS 
POLITICAL OPPONENT AND CALLED ON
CHINA TO DO THE SAME.
THIS SHOULD CONCERN ALL OF US.
IT'S A CONFIRMATION ON NOT ONLY 
THE SCHEME TO PRESSURE UKRAINE 
TO HELP HIS POLITICAL CAMPAIGN 
BUT A CLEAR SIGN THAT THE 
PRESIDENT BELIEVES THAT THESE 
CORRUPT ACTS ARE ACCEPTABLE.
THE PRESIDENT, THIS 
UNAPOLOGETIC, THIS LAWLESS AND 
UNBOUND TO THE CONSTITUTION AND 
THE OATH OF OFFICE MUST BE 
REMOVED FROM THAT OFFICE LEST HE
CONTINUE TO USE THE VAST 
PRESIDENTIAL POWERS AT HIS 
DISPOSAL TO SEEK ADVANTAGE IN 
THE NEXT ELECTION.
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ABUSE OF 
POWERS OF HIS OFFICE UNDERMINE 
THE INTEGRITY OF OUR FREE AND 
FAIR ELECTIONS AND COMPROMISE 
AMERICA'S NATIONAL SECURITY.
IF WE DON'T STAND UP TO THIS 
PERIL TODAY, WE WILL RIGHT THE 
HISTORY OF OUR DECLINE -- WRITE 
THE HISTORY OF OUR DECLINE WITH 
OUR OWN HAND.
THE PRESIDENT IS NOT HELD TO 
ACCOUNT, WE SEND THE MESSAGE TO 
FUTURE CONGRESSS AND PRESIDENTS 
AND SKBREN RATIONS, THAT THE 
PERSONAL INTEREST OF THE 
PRESIDENT CAN TAKE PRECEDENT 
OVER THOSE OF THE NATION.
THE DOMESTIC EFFECTS OF THIS 
DISSENT FROM DEMOCRACY WILL BE A
WEAKENED TRUST IN THE INTEGRITY 
OF OUR ELECTIONS AND THE RULE OF
LAW AND A STEADY DECLINE OF THE 
SPREAD OF DEMOCRATIC VALUES 
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
FOR HOW CAN ANY COUNTRY TRUST 
THE UNITED STATES AS ANY MODEL 
OF GOVERNANCE IF IT SANCTIONS 
THE POLITICAL CORRUPTION AND 
INVITATION TO FOREIGN MEDDLING 
THAT WE HAVE LONG SOUGHT TO HELP
ERADICATE BURGEONING DEMOCRACIES
AROUND THE WORLD.
TO PROTECT AGAINST FOREIGN 
INTERFERENCE IN OUR ELECTIONS, 
WE HAVE GUARDRAILS BUILT INTO 
OUR DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM.
WE HAVE CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW S 
TO ENSURE THAT POLITICAL 
ASSISTANCE CAN COME ONLY FROM 
DOMESTIC ACTORS.
WE TAKE SERIOUSLY THE NEED TO 
SHORE UP THE INTEGRITY OF OUR 
VOTING SYSTEMS, SO THAT A 
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OR ACTOR 
CANNOT CHANGE VOTE TALLIES.
THE PROMISE OF ONE PERSON, ONE 
VOTE IS ONLY EFFECTIVE IF EACH 
VOTE IS CAST FREE OF FOREIGN 
INTERFERENCE.
AMERICANS DECIDE AMERICAN 
ELECTIONS.
AT LEAST THEY SHOULD.
NOW, WHAT IF ELECTORAL 
CORRUPTION IS EVEN MORE 
INSIDIOUS.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE INVITATION
COMES FROM WITHIN.
OUR FRAMERS UNDERSTOOD THAT 
THREAT TOO.
GEORGE MASON NOTED THAT 
IMPEACHMENT WAS A NECESSARY TOOL
BECAUSE THE MAN WHO HAS 
PRACTICED CORRUPTION AND BY THAT
MEANS PROCURED HIS APPOINTMENT 
COULD SEEK TO REPEAT HIS GUILT.
IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR, PRESIDENT 
TRUMP WAS CLEAR THAT IF A 
GOVERNMENT OFFERED DIRT ON HIS 
POLITICAL OPPONENT, HE WOULD 
TAKE IT.
A STATEMENT DEEPLY AT ODDS WITH 
THE GUIDANCE PROVIDED AT THE 
TIME BY HIS OWN FBI DIRECTOR.
THE FORMAL FEDERAL ELECTIONS AND
OUR CONSTITUTION WRITTEN SOME 
233 YEARS AGO.
IN NO UNIS CERTAIN TERMS IT 
ADMONISHES ANY PERSON HOLD ING 
OFFICE OR TRUST, IT ADMONISHES 
AGAINST THEM ACCEPT ING OF ANY 
PRESENT FROM A FOREIGN STATE.
BUT PRESIDENT TRUMP DID MORE 
THAN TAKE THE FOREIGN HELP IN 
2019, AS HE HAD DONE IN 2016.
THIS TIME HE NOT ONLY ASKED FOR 
IT IN THE JULY 25th CALL, BUT 
WHEN HE DIDN'T GET THE HELP FROM
UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT IN THE FORM 
OF THE INVESTIGATIONS, HE 
WITHHELD HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS IN TAXPAYER FUNDED 
MILITARY AID AND HE COVETED 
WHITE HOUSE MEETING TO INCREASE 
THE PRESSURE ON UKRAINE TO 
COMPLY.
AND LATER HE DEMONSTRATED NO 
REMORSE AND CONTINUED TO 
ENCOURAGE UKRAINE TO CONDUCT THE
POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS HE 
WANTED, EVEN ASKING OTHER 
COUNTRIES TO DO SO.
CONSEQUENCE OF THESE ACTIONS 
ALONE HAVE SHAKEN OUR DEMOCRATIC
SYSTEM.
WHAT MESSAGE WILL WE SEND IF WE 
CHOOSE NOT TO HOLD THIS 
PRESIDENT ACCOUNT FSHL HIS ABUSE
OF POWER, TO SOLICIT 
INTERFERENCE IN OUR UPCOMING 
ELECTION.
THIS CONDUCT UNDERTAKEN BY THIS 
THE PRESIDENT, MAY LEAD FUTURE 
PRESIDENT PRESIDENT SS TO BELIE 
THEY CAN USE THIS POWER BY THE 
CONSTITUTION IN ORDER TO 
UNDERMINE IT.
NOTHING COULD WEAKEN THE 
INTEGRITY OF THE ELECTIONS MORE 
AND NO CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW OR 
STATEMENT BY A FUTURE FBI 
DIRECTOR COULD STAND UP TO THE 
PRECEDENT OF ELECTORAL 
MISCONDUCT SET BY THE UNITED 
STATES PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED 
STATES IF WE DON'T SAY THIS 
BEHAVIOR IS UNACCEPTABLE.
AND MORE THAN UNACCEPTABLE, 
IMPEACHABLE.
WE ALSO UNDERMINE OUR GLOBAL 
STANDING.
AS A COUNTRY LONG VIEWED AS A 
MODEL FOR CONTRACTIC IDEALS 
WORTH EMULATING.
WE HAVE FOR GENERATIONS BEEN THE
SHINING CITY UPON A HILL THAT 
PRESIDENT REAGAN DESCRIBED.
AMERICA IS NOT JUST A COUNTRY, 
BUT ALSO AN IDEA.
BUT WHAT WORTH IS THAT IDEA IF 
WHEN TRIED WE DO NOT AFFIRM THE 
VALUES THIS UNDERPIN IT.
WHAT WILL THOSE DEMOCRACIES 
AROUND THE WORLD CONCLUDE THAT 
DEMOCRACY IS NOT ONLY DIFFICULT,
BUT MAYBE THAT IT'S TOO 
DIFFICULT.
MAYBE THAT IT'S IMPOSSIBLE.
AND WHO WILL COME TO FILL THE 
VOID THAT WE LEAVE WITH A LIGHT 
FROM THAT SHINING CITY UPON A 
HILL IS EXTINGUISHED.
THE ODD DEMOCRATS WITH WHOM WE 
COMPETE, WHO VALUE NOT FREEDOM 
AND FAIR ELECTIONS, BUT THE 
UNENDING RULE OF A REPRESSIVE 
EXECUTIVE.
AUTOCRATS THAT VALUE NOT ONLY 
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND OPEN 
DEBATE, BY BUST DISINFORMATION, 
PROP BEGAN TA AND STATE 
SANCTIONED LIES.
VLADIMIR PUTIN WOULD LIKE 
NOTHING BETTER.
THE RUSSIANS HAVE LITTLE 
DEMOCRACY LEFT THANKS TO 
VLADIMIR PUTIN.
IT'S A THUG OCRACY.
THE RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA, THE 
RUSSIAN VIEW THEY WOULD LIKE 
PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD TO 
BELIEVE IS THAT EVERY COUNTRY IS
JUST THE SAME.
JUST THE SAME CORRUPT SYSTEM.
THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE.
IT'S NOT A COMPETITION BETWEEN 
AUTOCRACY AND DEMOCRACY.
NO, IT'S JUST BETWEEN AUD TOCRA 
AND HYPOCRITES.
THEY MAKE NO BONES ABOUT THEIR 
LOSS OF DEMOCRACY.
THEY JUST WANT THE REST OF THE 
WORLD TO BELIEVE YOU CAN'T FIND 
IT ANYWHERE.
WHY TAKE TO THE STREETS IN 
MOSCOW TO DEMAND SOMETHING 
BETTER IF THERE'S NOTHING BETTER
ANYWHERE ELSE.
THAT'S THE RUSSIAN STORY.
THAT'S THE RUSSIAN STORY.
THAT'S WHO PROSPERS BY THE 
DEFEAT OF DEMOCRACY.
THAT'S WHO WINS BY THE DEFEAT OF
OUR DEMOCRATIC IDEALS.
IT'S NOT OTHER DEMOCRACIES.
IT'S THE AUTOCRATS.
WHO ARE ON THE RISE ALL OVER THE
WORLD.
I THINK ALL OF US HAVE GRUOWN U 
IN A GENERATION WHERE EACH LIVED
WITH MORE THAN THE ONE THAT CAME
BEFORE.
WE EACH HAD MORE FREEDOM OF 
SPEECH AND NEGOTIATION.
FREEDOM TO PRACTICE OUR FAITH.
THAT WAS TRUE AT A HOME, THIS 
WAS TRUE ALL OVER THE WORLD.
I THINK WE CAME TO BELIEVE THAT 
SOME LAW OF NATURE ONLY DEFINED 
IT ISN'T.
ONLY TO A NATION THAT THIS OR 
FEWER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LAST AND 
THERE'S NO FWARN TEE THAT PEOPLE
LIVE TODAY.
FOR OUR CHILDREN IT'S EVEN MORE 
IN DOUBT.
IT TURNS OUT THERE'S NOTHING 
IMMUNABLE ABOUT THIS.
EVERY GENERATION HAS TO FIGHT 
FOR IT.
WE'RE FIGHTING FOR IT RIGHT NOW.
THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS 
DEMOCRACY THAT SERVED US SO WELL
WILL CONTINUE TO PROSPER.
WE WILL STRUGGLE TO PROTECT THIS
IDEA.
AND EVEN AS WE DO, WE WILL 
STRUGGLE TO PROTECT OUR SECURITY
IN MORE TANGIBLE WAYS.
SUPPORT FOR INDEPENDENT AND 
DEMOCRATIC UKRAINE, WHICH IS THE
LITERAL BOLD WORK AGAINST 
RUSSIAN EXPANSIONISM IN EUROPE.
IT'S ESSENTIAL TO OUR SECURITY.
ARE YOU SHALL YA SHOWED THAT 
WHEN IT INVADED UKRAINE AND 
SOUGHT TO REDRAW THE MAP OF 
EUROPE.
WAS OUR COMMITMENT TO UKRAINE'S 
INDEPENDENCE IN SOVEREIGNTY JUST
AN EMPTY PROMISE.
OR ARE WE PREPARED TO SUPPORT 
THE EFFORTS TO KEEP RUSH WRA 
CONTAINED SO THEY AND WE MAY ALL
EVENTUALLY ENJOY A LONG PEACE.
RUSSIA IS NOT A THREAT.
I DON'T NEED TO TELL YOU TO 
EASTERN EUROPE ALONE.
IT'S BECOME THE DE FACTO PROVING
GROUND FOR JUST THE TYPES OF 
HYBRID WARFARE THAT THE 21st 
CENTURY WILL BECOME DEFINED BY.
CYBER AFACTS, DISINFORMATION 
CAMPAIGNS, EFFORTS TO UNDERMINE 
THE LEGITIMACY OF STATE 
INSTITUTIONS, WHETHER THAT'S 
VOTING SYSTEMS OR FINANCIAL 
MARKETS.
THE KREMLIN SHOWED BOLDLY IN 
2016 WITH THE MALIGN SKILLS IT 
HONED IN UKRAINE, THEY WOULD NOT
STAY IN UKRAINE.
INSTEAD RUSSIA EMPLOY ED THEM 
HERE TO ATTACK OUR INSTITUTIONS 
AND THEY WILL DO SO AGAIN.
INTEED, THEY HAVE NEVER STOPPED.
WILL WE ALLOW THE PRIMARY 
COUNTRY NOW FIGHTING RUSSIA TO 
BE WEAKENED, PLACING OUR TROOPS 
IN EUROPE AT GREATER RISK AND 
GREATER INTERFERENCE IN OUR 
AFFAIRS A AT HOME?
IF WE ALLOW THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES TO PURSUE HIS 
POLITICAL AND PERSONAL INTERESTS
RATHER THAN THE NATIONAL 
INTERESTS, WE SEND A MESSAGE TO 
OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES THAT OUR 
KMITMENT TO A EUROPE FREE AND 
WHOLE IS FOR SALE TO THE HIGHEST
BIDDER.
THE STRENGTH OF OUR GLOBAL 
ALLIANCES RELIES ON A SHARED 
UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THAT 
ALLIANCE STANDS FOR.
ONE BUILT ON THE RULE OF LAW.
ON FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS, ON A
SHARED STRUGGLE AGAINST 
AGGRESSION FROM AUTOCRATIC 
REGIMES.
WE ARE COUNTRIES BUILT ON A 
COMMITMENT TO OUR PEOPLE, NOT 
UNYIELDING LOYALTY TO A 
PRESIDENT WHO WOULD BE KING.
A PRESIDENT HAS A RIGHT TO HOLD 
A CALL WITH A FOREIGN LEADER, 
YES.
HE HAS THE RIGHT TO DECIDE THE 
TIME AND LOCATION WITH THAT 
LEADER, YES.
AND THE RIGHT TO WITHHOLD 
FUNDING SHOULD THE LAW BE 
FOLLOWED AND THE PURPOSE BE 
JUST.
BUT BE HE DOES NOT UNDER OUR 
LAWS AND UNDER OUR CONSTITUTION 
HAVE A RIGHT TO USE THE POWERS 
OF HIS OFFICE TO CORRUPTLY 
SOLICIT FOREIGN AID, PROHIBITED 
FOREIGN AID IN HIS REELECTION.
HE DOES NOT.
HE DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO 
WITHHOLD OFFICIAL PRESIDENTIAL 
ACTS TO SECURE THAT ASSISTANCE.
AND HE CERTAINLY DOES NOT HAVE 
THE RIGHT TO UNDERMINE OUR 
ELECTIONS AND PLACE OUR SECURITY
AT RISK FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL 
BENEFIT.
NO PRESIDENT, REPUBLICAN OR 
DEMOCRAT, CAN BE PERMITTED TO DO
THAT.
NOW LET ME TURN TO THE SECOND 
ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT.
WHICH CHARGES THE PRESIDENT WITH
MISUSING THE POWERS OF HIS 
OFFICE TO INTERFERE WITH THE 
IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.
THE EVIDENCE YOU'LL HEAR DURING 
THE HOUSE PRESENTATION IS 
EQUALLY UNDENIAL AND DAMNING.
PRESIDENT TRUMP ISSUED A BLANKET
ORDER DIRECTING THE ENTIRE 
CONNECTIVE BRANCH NOT TO 
COOPERATE WITH THE IMPEACHMENT 
INQUIRY AND TO WITHHOLD ALL 
DOCUMENTS AND TESTIMONY.
HIS ORDER WAS CATEGORICAL, 
INDISCRIMINATE AND 
UNPRECEDENTED.
NO PRESIDENT BEFORE PRESIDENT 
TRUMP HAS EVER ORDERED THE 
COMPLETE DEFIANCE OF AN 
IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY OR SOUGHT TO
OBSTRUCT AND IMPEDE SO 
COMPREHENSIVELY THE ABILITY OF 
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO 
INVESTIGATE HIGH CRIMES AND 
MISDEMEANORS.
THE PRESIDENT WAS ABLE TO BLOCK 
AGENCIES ACROSS THE EXECUTIVE 
BRANCH FROM PRODUCING ANY 
RECORDS OR DOCUMENTS TO THE 
HOUSE INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEES 
DESPITE TULLY AUTHORIZED 
SUBPOENAS.
THE WHITE HOUSE CONTINUES TO 
REFUSE TO PRODUCE A SINGLE 
DOCUMENT OR RECORD IN RESPONSE 
TO HOUSE SUBPOENA THAT REMAINS 
IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.
THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND 
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET,
THE TPT OF ENERGY, THE 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CONTINUED 
TO REFUSE TO PROVIDE A SINGLE 
DOCUMENT OR RECORD IN RESPONSE 
TO HOUSE SUBPOENAS THAT REMAIN 
IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.
IT IS WORTH UNDERSCORING THIS 
POINT.
THE HOUSE HAS YET TO RECEIVE A 
SINGLE DOCUMENT FROM THE 
EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES 
PURSUANT TO ITS SUBPOENAS.
NOT A SUNG THE PIECE OF PAPER, 
E-MAIL OR OTHER RECORD HAS BEEN 
TURNED OVER.
NOT ONE.
WHILE I PAUSE TO GET A DRINK OF 
WATER, LET ME LET YOU KNOW NOR 
YOUR TIMING, I HAVE ABOUT TEN 
MINUTES LEFT IN MY PRESENTATION.
SO THE END IS IN SIGHT.
PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ALSO 
SUCCESSFULLY BLOCKED WITNESSES 
UNDER SUBPOENA FROM TESTIFYING.
WITNESSES WITH FIRSTHAND 
KNOWLEDGE OF PRESIDENT'S ACTIONS
INCLUDING HIS CLOSEST AIDS, SOME
OF WHOM WERE DIRECTLY INVOLVED 
IN EXECUTE ING THE PRESIDENT'S 
IMPROPER ORDERS.
THESE WITNESSES INCLUDE MICK 
MULVANEY AND ROBERT BLAIR, THE 
ACTING HEAD OF THE THE OFFICE OF
MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, MICHAEL 
DUFFY AND THE CHIEF LEGAL 
ADVISER ON THE NATIONAL SECURITY
COUNCIL JOHN EISENBERG, AMONG 
OTHERS.
THE MANAGERS WILL PRESENT IN 
DETAIL WHAT THESE OFFICIALS KNEW
ABOUT THEIR ROLE IN EXECUTING 
DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE 
PRESIDENT'S SCHEME.
THERE'S NO DISPUTE NOR COULD 
THERE BE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S 
ORDER SUBSTANTIALLY OBSTRUCTED 
THE HOUSE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.
THAT OBSTRUCTION CONTINUES 
UNABATED TODAY, EVEN AS WE STAND
HERE AT THE START OF THE 
PRESIDENT'S TRIAL.
AND THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN ABLE 
TO DO SO ONLY BECAUSE OF THE 
UNIQUELY POWERFUL POSITION THAT 
HE HOLDS AS OUR 
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.
NO OTHER AMERICAN COULD SEEK TO 
OBSTRUCT AN INVESTIGATION INTO 
HIS OWN WRONG TOING THIS WAY.
NO OTHER AMERICAN COULD USE THE 
VAST POWERS OF HIS GOVERNMENT TO
CONDUCT A CORRUPT SCHEME FOR 
THEMSELVES AND USE THE SAME 
POWERS TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE AND 
BAR ANY COOPERATION WITH THE 
AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING THEM.
NOT A POLICE CHIEF, NOT A MAY 
YOUR, NOT A GOVERNOR, NOT ANY 
ELECTED OFFICIAL IN THE COUNTRY.
AND CERTAINLY NOT ANY NONELECTED
OFFICIAL IN THE COUNTRY.
FOLKS WATCHING US FROM AROUND 
THE COUNTRY, YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD
HAPPEN TO THEM IF THEY DEFIED A 
LAWFUL SUBPOENA IS.
THEY GOT A SUBPOENA, YOU KNOW 
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THEM.
BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ABOVE THE 
LAW.
THEY WOULD BE ARRESTED, THEY 
WOULD BE DETAINED AND INCARS 
RATED AND FORCED TO COMPLY.
THEY ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAW.
NEITHER ARE WE.
NEITHER IS THE PRESIDENT.
AND YET, DESPITE THE FACT THAT 
HE'S NOT ABOVE THE LAW, THE 
PRESIDENT'S EXTENSIVE EFFORTS, 
THE HOUSE HEARD FROM COURAGEOUS 
WITNESSES TO DID OBEY LAWFUL 
SUBPOENAS.
AND WE GATHERED OVERWHELMING 
EVIDENCE 37.
THE HOUSE BUILT A CASE THAT 
FORMS THE BASIS IS OF THESE 
ARTICLES.
THE SECOND ARTICLE FOR 
OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS IS NOT 
SIMPLY ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S 
DECISION TO OBSTRUCT A 
CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION OR 
EVEN AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.
IT SHOULD NOT BE MISUNDERSTOOD A
AS SOME ROUTINE DISPUTE BETWEEN 
TWO BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.
NOR SHOULD IT BE REDUCED TO THE 
NOTION THAT THE PRESIDENT WAS 
SIMPLY PROTECTING HIMSELF OR 
FIGHTING BACK AGAINST A PARTISAN
OR OVERZEALOUS CONGRESS.
THE CHARGES IN THE SECOND 
ARTICLE ARE MUCH MORE SERIOUS 
AND URGENT THAN THAT.
FIRST, THE PRESIDENT'S ATTEMPT 
TO OBSTRUCT SO CAT EGORICALLY AD
COMPREHENSIVELY IS PART IN 
PARCEL OF THE PRESIDENT'S EFFORT
TO CONCEAL, SUPPRESS AND COVER 
UP HIS OWN MISKUKTS.
FROM THE VERY FIRST MOMENT HIS 
ACTIONS WERE AT THE RISK OF 
COMING TO LIGHT, PRESIDENT TRUMP
SOUGHT TO HIDE AND COVER UP KEY 
EVIDENCE, EVEN AS IT WAS STILL 
UNDERWAY.
AS THE HOUSE PRESENTATION WILL 
MAKE CLEAR, THE COFFERUP STARTED
EVEN BEFORE THE HOUSE BEGAN TO 
INVESTIGATE THE PRESIDENT'S 
UKRAINE-RELATED ACTIVITY.
THE PRESIDENT LEARNED EARLY ON 
OF EXISTENCE OF A LAWFUL 
WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT FROM 
WITHIN THE INTELLIGENCE 
COMMUNITY TO RING THE FIRST 
ALARM.
HE DEPLOYED TO INTERVENE IN AN 
UNPRECEDENTED FASHION TO CONCEAL
AND WITHHOLD FROM CONGRESS FOR 
THE FIRST TIME EVER A CREDIBLE 
AND URGENT WHISTLEBLOWER 
COMPLAINT, EVEN THOUGH THE LAW 
REQUIRES THAT IT BE PROVIDED TO 
THE CONGRESSIONAL INTELLIGENCE 
COMMITTEES.
ONCE THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY WAS
UNDERWAY IN SEPTEMBER, THE 
PRESIDENT USED THE IMMENSE AND 
UNIQUE POWER AT HIS DISPOSAL TO 
DIRECT AND HAN TAINT AT EVERY 
TURN THE CATEGORICAL DEFIANCE OF
SCRUTINY, EVEN AS THE HE 
ATTACKED THE INQUIRY ITSELF AND 
ITS WITNESSES.
THE PRESIDENT OFFERED MULTIPLE 
AND SHIFTING JUSTIFICATIONS 
OBSTRUCTING THE HOUSE'S INQUIRY,
EACH OF THEM DEFICIENT, WHILE 
HIS ACTIONS AND STATEMENTS 
POWERFULLY REFLECT HIS OWN 
CONSCIOUSNESS OF GUILT.
SECOND, THE RAMIFY FIST 
INDICATIONS OF THE PRESIDENT'S 
OBSTRUCTION GO BEYOND THE 
SINISTER MOTIVES OF SIMPLY 
COVERING UP HIS ACTIONS.
HIS OBSTRUCTION STRIKES AT THE 
HEART OF OUR CONSTITUTION.
IT THREATENS THE LAST LINE OF 
DEFENSE OUR FOUNDERS PURPOSELY 
ENSHRINED IN OUR SYSTEM TO 
PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY.
IF PRESIDENTS CAN OBSTRUCT AND 
EVADE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR DOING 
SO, THEY USURP AN ESSENTIAL 
POWER GRANTED TO THE CONGRESS 
AND FOR A REASON PRESIDENTS 
COULD SEIZE FOR THEMSELVES THE 
POWER TO NEUTRALIZE AND NULLIFY 
THE IMPEACHMENT CLAUSE IN ORDER 
TO SHIELD THEMSELVES FROM ANY 
ACCOUNTABILITY.
AND IF CONGRESS IS UNA ABLE TO 
INVESTIGATE AND IMPEACH A 
PRESIDENT FOR THE ABUSE OF 
OFFICE, OUR DEMOCRACY'S 
ESSENTIAL CHECK ON A ROGUE 
PRESIDENT FAILED.
IT WOULD NO LONGER PROTECT THE 
AMERICAN PEOPLE FROM A CORRUPT 
PRESIDENT WHO PRESENTS AN 
ONGOING THREAT.
THIS IS THE OUTCOME EVERY 
AMERICAN SHOULD BE CONCERNED 
ABOUT.
AND ONE THAT THE FOUNDERS WARNED
US ABOUT.
THROUGH THE IMPEACHMENT CLAUSE, 
THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION 
EMPOWERED CONGRESS TO THOROUGHLY
INVESTIGATE PRESIDENT 
MALFEASANCE AND TO RESPOND BY 
REMOVE ING THE PRESIDENT FROM 
OFFICE.
THIS ENTIRE FRAMEWORK DEPENDS 
UPON CONGRESS'S ABILITY TO 
DISCOVER AND THEN TO THOROUGHLY 
AND EFFECTIVELY INVESTIGATE 
PRESIDENTIAL MISCONDUCT.
WITHOUT THE ABILITY OF CONGRESS 
TO DO THAT, THE IMPEACHMENT 
POWER IS A NULLITY.
23 YOU CAN'T INVESTIGATE IT, YOU
CAN'T ENFORCE IT.
YOU CAN'T APPLY IT.
WHAT WE CONFRONT HERE IN THE 
SECOND ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT 
IS, THEREFORE, AN IMPEACHABLE 
OFFENSE AIMED AT DESTROYING THE 
IMPEACHMENT POWER ITSELF.
WHEN A PRESIDENT ABUSES THE 
POWER OF HIS OFFICE TO SO 
COMPLETELY DEFY HOUSE 
INVESTIGATORS AND DOES SO 
WITHOUT LAWFUL CAUSE OR EXCUSE, 
HE ATTACKS THE CONSTITUTION 
ITSELF.
HE CONFIRMS THAT HE SEES HIMSELF
AS ABOVE THE LAW.
HIS ACTIONS DESTABILIZE THE 
SEPARATION OF POWERS THAT 
DEFINES OUR DEMOCRACY AND 
PRESERVES OUR FREEDOM.
AND ESTABLISH A DANGEROUS 
PRECEDENT.
AND PROVES HE'S WILLING TO 
DESTROY A VITAL SAFEGUARD 
AGAINST TYRANNY, A SAFEGUARD 
MEANT TO PROTECT THE AMERICAN 
PEOPLE, JUST TO ADVANCE HIS OWN 
PERSONAL INTEREST IN COVERING UP
EVIDENCE.
THE HOUSE PRESENTATION OF THE 
SECOND ARTICLE WILL FOCUS ON 
THREE CORE AREAS THAT CONFIRM 
THE PRESIDENT'S OBSTRUCTION AND 
REQUIRE HIS REMOVAL FROM OFFICE.
FIRST, THE SINGULAR IMPORTANCE 
AND ROLE OF THE IMPEACHMENT 
CLAUSE FOR OUR DEMOCRACY AND WHY
AN EFFORT TO OBSTRUCT AN B 
IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY IS IN AND OF
ITSELF AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.
IS SECOND, WHY THE PRESIDENT'S 
EXTENSIVE EFFORT TO COVER UP 
EVIDENCE OF MISCONDUCT IS 
UNPRESS TENTED IN AMERICAN 
HISTORY AND WITHOUT LAWFUL CAUSE
OR JUSTIFICATION.
AND FINALLY, WHY THE PRESIDENT'S
OBSTRUCTION POSES A A DIRECT 
THREAT TO OUR SYSTEM OF 
SELF-GOVERNANCE WITH 
CONSEQUENCES FOR ALL AMERICANS 
TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE AND FOR 
BOTH CHAMBERS OF CONGRESS.
OVER THE COMING DAYS, YOU'LL 
HEAR FROM THE HOUSE MANAGERS 
DETAILS OF THE SCHEME.
AND THE EFFORT TO HIDE IT FROM 
CONGRESS.
THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT THAT
THE HOUSE PRESENTED GO TO THE 
HEART OF THOSE EFFORTS AND LET 
ME SHARE A FEW KEY TAKEAWAYS.
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS
FOUND THAT USING THE POWERS OF 
HIS OFFICE PRESIDENT TRUMP 
SOLICITED THE INTERFERENCE OF A 
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT IN THE 2020 
U.S. ELECTION.
HE IT IS SO THROUGH A SCHEME OR 
COURSE OF CONDUCT THAT INCLUDED 
SOLICITING THE FWOFT OF UKRAINE 
TO PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE 
INVESTIGATIONS THAT WOULD 
BENEFIT HIS REELECTION, HARM THE
ELECTION PROSPECTS OF A 
POLITICAL OPPONENT, AND 
INFLUENCE THE 2020 U.S. 
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IMPROPERLY
AND TO HIS ADVANTAGE.
PRESIDENT TRUMP ALSO SOUGHT TO 
PRESSURE THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE 
THESE STEPS BY CONDITIONING 
OFFICIAL UNITED STATES TO ADD 
VALUE TO UKRAINE ON THE PUBLIC 
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 
INVESTIGATIONS.
IN PURSUIT OF THE PERSONAL, 
POLITICAL BENEFIT.
IN TOING SO, PRESIDENT TRUMP 
USED THE POWERS OF THE 
PRESIDENCY IN A MANNER THAT 
COMPROMISED THE NATIONAL 
SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES 
AND UNDERMINE THE INTEGRITY OF 
THE U.S. DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
IN THE COMMITTEES UNDERTAKING 
THAT INVESTIGATION SERVE 
SUBPOENAS, SEEKING DOCUMENTS AND
TESTIMONY TEALED VITAL FOR 
VARIOUS BRANCH AGENCY ISES AND 
OFFICES CURRENT AND FORMER 
OFFICIALS.
NOT TO COMPLY WITH THOSE 
SUBPOENAS.
PRESIDENT TRUMP THUS INTERPOSED 
THE POWERS AGAINST THE LAWFUL 
SUBPOENAS OF THE HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES.
AND ASSUMED TO HIMSELF FUNCTIONS
AND JUDGMENTS NECESSARY TO THE 
EXERCISE OF THE SOLE POWER OF 
IMPEACHMENT VESTED BY THE 
CONSTITUTION IN THE HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES.
AS GEORGE WASHINGTON AND HIS 
TROOPS RETREATED ACROSS THE 
DELAWARE RIVER IN EARLY 1776, 
THEY READ THE WORDS OF THOMAS 
PAYNE.
THESE ARE THE TIMES THE SUMMERS 
SOLDIER AND THE SUNSHINE PATRIOT
WILL IN THIS CRISIS SHRINK FROM 
THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY.
BUT HE THAT STANDS BY IT NOW 
DESERVES THE LOVE AND THANKS OF 
MAN AND WOMAN.
17 DAYS LATER, GEORGE WASHINGTON
CROSSED THE DELAWARE LEADING TO 
A DECISIVE VICTORY FOR THOSE WHO
HAD COME TO SHAPE OUR COUNTRY.
AS MUCHES OUR FOUNDERS FEARED A 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE ABLE TO PURSUE 
HIS OWN WILL OVER THE WILL OF 
THE PEOPLE, THEY ALSO FEARED THE
POISON OF EXCESSIVE 
FACTIONALISM.
THAT COULD DIVERT US TO OUR 
COUNTRY.
AS GEORGE WASHINGTON WARNED IN 
HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS, IT'S 
SUFFICIENT TO MAKE IT THE 
INTEREST AND DUTY OF A WISE 
PEOPLE TO DISCOURAGE.
NOW IT'S CENTRAL TO OUR 
DEMOCRACY ENSURING THAT GOOD AND
BAD POLITICAL PHILOSOPHIES ARE 
ARE LIKE ARE CONSIDERED IN THE 
MARKETPLACE OF IDEAS.
HERE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE CAN 
CHOOSE BETWEEN THE POLICIES OF 
ONE PARTY OR ANOTHER AND MAKE 
DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR POLITICAL 
LEADERS UP TO AND INCLUDING THE 
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 
BASED ON THE DEGREE TO WHICH 
THAT PERSON REPRESENTS THEIR 
INTERESTS AND VALUES.
THAT'S NOT FACTIONALISM.
THAT'S THE FOUNDATION OF OUR 
DEMOCRACY.
BUT WHEN A LEADER TAKES THE 
REIGNS OF THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN 
OUR LAND AND USES THAT AWESOME 
POWER TO SOLICIT THE HELP OF A 
FOREIGN COUNTRY TO GAIN AN 
UNFAIR ADVANTAGE IN OUR FREE AND
FAIR ELECTIONS, WE ALL DEMOCRATS
AND REPUBLICANS ALIKE MUST ASK 
OURSELVES WHETHER OUR LOYALTIES 
TO OUR PARTY OR WHETHER IT IS TO
OUR CONSTITUTION.
IF WE SAY THAT WE WILL ALIGN 
OURSELVES WITH THAT LEADER, 
ALLOWING OUR SENSE OF TUITT TO 
BE USURPED BY AN EXECUTIVE, 
THAT'S NOT DEMOCRACY.
IT IS NOT EVEN FACTIONALISM.
IT IS A STEP ON THE ROAD TO 
TOWARDS TYRANNY.
THE DAMAGE THAT THIS PRESIDENT 
HAS DONE TO OUR RELATIONSHIP 
WITH THE KEY STRATEGIC PARTNER 
WILL BE REMEDIED OVER TIME.
AND UKRAINE CONTINUES TO ENJOY 
STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN 
CONGRESS.
BUT IF WE FAIL TO ACT, THE 
DAMAGE TO OUR DEMOCRATIC 
ELECTIONS, TO OUR NATIONAL 
SECURITY, TO OUR SYSTEM OF 
CHECKS AND BALANCES WILL BE LONG
LASTING AND POTENTIALLY 
IRREVERSIBLE.
AS YOU'LL HEAR IN THE COMING 
DAYS, PRESIDENT TRUMP ACTED IN A
MANNER GROSSLY INCOMPATIBLE WITH
SELF-GOVERNANCE.
HIS CONDUCT HAS VIOLATED HIS 
OATH OF OFFICE AND HIS 
CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO 
FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE LAW.
HE HAS SHOWN NO WILLINGNESS TO 
BE CONSTRAINED BY THE RULE OF 
LAW AND AS DEMONSTRATED THAT HE 
WILL CONTINUE TO ABUSE HIS POWER
AND OBSTRUCT INVESTIGATIONS INTO
HIMSELF CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE 
TO THE PILLARS OF OUR DEMOCRACY,
IF HE IS NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
HE CANNOT BE CHARGED WITH A 
CRIME, SO SAYS THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE.
THERE'S NO REMEDY FOR SUCH A 
THREAT, BUT REMOVAL FROM OFFICE 
OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED 
STATES.
IF IT'S ABOVE THE LAW.
WE ARE NEARLY TWO AND A HALF 
CENTURIES INTO THIS BEAUTIFUL 
EXPERIMENT OF AMERICAN 
DEMOCRACY, BUT OUR FUTURE IS THE
NOT ASSURED.
AS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN DEPARTED 
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION HE
WAS ASKED WHAT HAVE WE GOT.
A REPUBLIC OR A MONARCHY, HE 
RESPONDED SIMPLY, A REPUBLIC, IF
YOU CAN KEEP IT.
A FAIR TRIAL, IMPARTIAL 
CONSIDERATION OF ALL OF THE 
EVIDENCE AGAINST THE PRESIDENT 
IS HOW WE KEEP OUR REPUBLIC.
THAT CONCLUDES OUR INTRODUCTION.
>> THE MAJORITY LEADER IS 
RECOGNIZED.
>> COLLEAGUES, I SUGGEST WE HAVE
A RECESS UNTIL TEN MINUTES TILL 
4:00 AT WHICH MOMENT WE'LL 
RECONVENE TO CALL THE CHAIR.
>> WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO 
ORDERED.
>> THIS YOU HAVE IT.
CHAIRMAN ADAM SCHIFF, THE LEAD 
HOUSE MANAGER IN THIS 
IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF PRESIDENT 
TRUMP HAND PICKED BY NANCY 
PELOSI.
SHE ANNOUNCED SHE WOULD PURSUE 
IMPEACHMENT BACK IN SEPTEMBER 
S
IS.
WRAPPING UP HIS OPENING 
ARGUMENTS AGAINST PRESIDENT 
TRUMP, A ABOUT TWO AND A HALF 
HOURS OF ARGUMENTS, JUST SHY OF 
THAT BEGINNING AND ENDING WITH 
THE FRAMERS.
ALEXANDER HAMILTON, GEORGE 
WASHINGTON, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN 
AND LAY LEIING OUT WHAT HE SAID 
IS FACTS AND KRO NORMAL JI 
PROVING HE ABUSED THE OFFICE BY 
SOLICITING FOREIGN INTERFERENCE 
IN OUR ELECTIONS AND WITHHOLDING
OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT ACTIONS.
A WHITE HOUSE MEETING THAT 
MILITARY AID FOR UKRAINE UNTIL 
HE GOT WHAT HE WANTED THOSE 
INVESTIGATIONS OF HIS POLITICAL 
OPPONENT JOE BIDEN AND ADAM 
SCHIFF CALLED A CONSPIRACY 
THEORY ABOUT THE 2016 ELECTION 
ALSO LAYING OUT HIS CASE, THE 
CASE MADE BY THE HOUSE THAT THE 
PRESIDENT IS OBSTRUCT ING THE 
CONGRESS IN THIS AS WELL.
A SECOND ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT 
SAYING IF THE PRESIDENT WAS ABLE
TO GET AWAY WITH THAT, HE WOULD 
BE DESTROYING THE IMPEACHMENT 
POWER OF THE HOUSE IT WAS 
ENSHRINED IN THE CONSTITUTION.
SEVERAL MORE HOURS OF ARGUMENTS 
TO COME FROM THE HOUSE MANAGERS.
WANT THE TO START WITH OUR 
SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL 
CORRESPONDENT.
ADAM SCHIFF WAS SPEAK ING TO TH 
COUNTRY, BUT ALSO THE SENATORS 
IN THE CHAMBER.
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US?
THE CAMERAS ONLY SHOW THE SP
SPEAKER, THOSE ARE THE THE 
CAMERAS SET BY THE SENATE.
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE 
REACTION HE WAS GETT TING INSID 
THAT ROOM?
>> INSIDE IT SEEMED THAT 
SENATORS WERE PAYING CLOSE 
ATTENTION.
THIS IS A VERY DIFFERENT TONE IN
THAT CHAMBER.
YESTERDAY WAS ABOUT THE POLITIC 
PS.
TODAY IS ALL ABOUT THE 
SUBSTANCE.
SENATORS POET SIDES OF THE AISLE
WERE TAKE ING NOTES, SOME EVEN 
GETTING OUT OF THEIR CHAIRS TO 
WALK UP TO GET A CLOSER LOOK AT 
SOME OF THOSE EXHIBITS THAT WERE
BEING SHOWN THROUGHOUT THE 
OPENING STATEMENT THERE.
AND ESPECIALLY THOSE FOUR KEY 
MODERATE REPUBLICANS THAT WE 
KEEP TALKING ABOUT.
THEY WERE ETC. PERSONALLY TAKING
VERY CLOSE NOTES MITT ROMNEY 
GOING THROUGH SEVERAL PAGES.
WE WERE ALSO INTERESTED TO SEE 
HOW THE PRESIDENT'S DEFENSE TEAM
WAS REACTING, HAVING TO SIT 
THERE JUST LISTENING TO ALL OF 
THIS.
THEY PASSED A COUPLE NOTES 
THROUGHOUT THAT THEY WERE VERY 
EXPRESSIONLESS ON THEIR FACE.
NOT SMIRKING, BUT JUST SITTING 
AND LISTENING.
THIS ALSO PRESENTS A A REAL 
CHALLENGE FOR THEM.
THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THREE 
DAYS OF THIS.
24 HOURS IN TOTAL, WITHOUT BEING
ABLE TO LAUNCH ANY KIND OF 
DEFENSE.
THEY WON'T HAVE THEIR CHANCE TO 
RESPOND LIKELY UNTIL SATURDAY.
SO ALL EYES ARE LOOKING AS TO 
HOW THEY MAY REACT AND THEN THE 
PRESIDENT AS HE WILL HAVE TO SIT
AND LISTEN TO THREE DAYS OF 
THIS, WILL HE GET ANTSY AND 
CHIME IN AS WELL.
>> FREE PLAYING FIELD.
THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN NONSTOP 
COMMENTING ALL THROUGH THIS ON 
TWITTER.
AND HE WAS TALKING THIS MORNING 
BEFORE HE LEFT SWITZERLAND AS 
WELL.
>> HE LASHED OUT IN DAVOS BEFORE
LEAVING.
ONE OF HIS TWEETS.
THE ONLY TWEET THAT WASN'T A 
RETWEET FROM HIM NEW YORK CITY 
PRESSURE IS ALL HE SAID.
BUT IT CAME AS ADAM SCHIFF USED 
THE WORD PRESSURE IN 
RELATIONSHIP TO UKRAINE THREE 
TIMES IN HIS ADDRESS OVER THE 
SPAN OF A COUPLE MINUTES.
BUT IN DAVOS THIS MORNING, THE 
PRESIDENT DIDN'T HAVE A PRESS 
CONFERENCE SCHEDULED.
HE ENDED UP CALLING ONE.
MOST OF THE QUESTIONS WERE ABOUT
IMPEACHMENT.
HE SAID HE WAS HAPPY WITH THE 
JOBS HIS LAWYERS HAVE DONE SO 
FAR.
WE KNOW HE'S WATCHING ON AIR 
FORCE ONE RIGHT NOW.
AND IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A 
GREATEST HITS.
HE LASHED OUT AT WHERE IS THE 
WHISTLEBLOWER.
HE MAY WANT TO SEE JOHN BOLTON 
TESTIFY, BUT THEN WENT ON B TO 
UNDERMINE HIS OWN LAWYERS BY SAY
FIGURE HE DID TESTIFY, HE KNOWS 
A LOT ABOUT NATIONAL SECURITY 
AND THE THINGS INSIDE MY OWN 
MIND.
SO MAYBE WE DON'T WANT HIM TO 
TESTIFY.
HE'S GOT A LOT TO SAY.
>> LET ALSO SAID THIS MORNING, 
WHICH SOME SAY WAS AN ADMISSION 
HE WAS OBSTRUCTING CONGRESS.
WE HAVE ALL THE MATERIAL.
THEY DON'T HAVE THE MATERIAL.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE SAW BY 
A TAM SCHIFF NOT ONLY MAKING THE
CASE FOR THE IMPEACHMENT 
ARTICLES THAT THE HOUSE HAS 
PASSED, BUT ALSO AGAIN AND AGAIN
AND AGAIN COMING BACK TO THE 
IDEA OF A FAIR TRIAL AND TALKING
TO THE SENATORS ABOUT THE NEED 
FOR WITNESSES AND DOCUMENTS.
>> A FAIR TRIAL MEANING WE NEED 
TO SEE THE WITNESSES.
WHEN HE CAME IN, IT WAS 
INTERESTING THE TONE.
THE CHAIRMAN ALMOST A DIRECT NOD
TO THE FINAL HOURS OF LAST 
NIGHT.
THAT CONTENTIOUS BACK AND FORTH 
BETWEEN BOTH SIDES.
HE THANKED THE ENTIRE SENATE 
FLOOR, BOTH THE REPUBLICANS AND 
DEMOCRATS FOR BEING THERE FOR 
MULTIPLE HOURS.
HE KEPT COMING BACK TO THAT 
POINT ABOUT THE NEED FOR A FAIR 
TRIAL.
HE SAID YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR 
FROM MICK MULVANEY AND JOHN 
BOLTON AND SECRETARY OF STATE 
MIKE POMPEO IF YOU ALLOW FOR A 
FAIR TRIAL.
HE TALKED TO THAT POINT.
HE ALMOST FORESHADOWED WHAT A 
COUPLE ARGUMENTS WOULD BE FROM 
THE PRESIDENT'S TEAM TEAM.
WHY DIDN'T YOU COME UP WITH THE 
THE EVIDENCED AND FIGHT ON YOUR 
OWN BEFORE COMING TO THE SENATE.
HE POINTED TO DON McGAHN AND HOW
THAT GOT TIED UP IN THE COURSE.
AND SAID TIME WAS OF THE 
ESSENCE.
THE OTHER ARGUMENT HE'S WELL 
AWARE OF IS POKING HOLES IN THE 
FACTS THAT THE DEMOCRATS, THE 
MANAGERS PRESENT.
HE SAID YOU MAY AGREE WITH THE 
HOUSE MANAGERS THAT THE EVIDENCE
OF THE PRESIDENT'S WITHHOLDING 
OF MULL TEAR AID IS SUPPORTED BY
OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE, BUT IF 
THE PRESIDENT'S LAWYERS ATTEMPT 
TO CONTEST THESE, YOU'RE LEFT 
WITH NO CHOICE, BUT TO DEMAND TO
HEAR FROM EACH WITNESS WITH 
FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE.
>> IT WAS A MULTIMEDIA 
PRESENTATION.
>> I THINK THAT IF YOU HAVEN'T 
BEEN FOLLOWING THIS THAT 
CLOSELY, BEING ABLE TO SEE HOW 
SOME OF THESE WITNESSES FIT INTO
THE ARGUMENTS THEY ARE MAKING 
NOW BECOMES VERY POWERFUL.
AND I THINK I WOULD SEPARATE IT 
OUT TO SAY TWO BIKT BUCKETS ON 
THE TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.
YOU HAVE NUMBER ONE, WHICH IS 
THE THE ABUSE OF POWER.
WHICH IS MUCH MORE FACT BASEED.
REALLY ARGUE ING ABOUT WHAT THE 
PRESIDENT DID AND HOW CORRUPT 
THE DEMOCRATS BELIEVE THAT IT 
IS.
AND THEN THERE'S NUMBER TWO, 
WHICH IS THE OBSTRUCTION OF 
CONGRESS CHARGE, WHICH IS MORE 
LEGALISTIC.
BUT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT HERE 
BECAUSE IT FWOEZ TO THE CALLING 
OF WITNESSES.
BECAUSE AS YOU HEARD ADAM SCHIFF
SAY, THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO 
GET ANY DOCUMENT OR WITNESS FROM
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.
AND THEIR ARGUMENT IS WE DON'T 
HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE COURTS.
WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH 
EVERY TIME BECAUSE CONGRESS HAS 
THAT POWER.
WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GO LITIGATE
EACH AND EVERY ONE.
YOU, THE SENATE, SHOULD SUBPOENA
BOLTON TO TESTIFY.
IT CONNECTS THE ARGUMENT OF 
OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS WITH THE
ARGUMENT WE NEED WITNESSES.
AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY THE 
MOST IMPORTANT THING THEY WANT 
TO GET CONVEYED TO THE SENATORS 
RIGHT NOW IS WE NEED WITNESSES.
>> WHAT THEY DID IS SHOWING THE 
WITNESSES, YOU MADE AN 
APPEARANCE THERE AS WELL.
THE QUESTION YOU HAD OF THE 
ACTING WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF 
STAFF BACK IN OCTOBER.
HE SEEMED TO ADMIT THAT THE AID 
WAS WITHHELD IN PART BECAUSE THE
INVESTIGATIONS, THE PRESIDENT 
WANTED.
THEY CLAMMED UP AFTER THAT PRESS
CONFERENCE.
>> YEAH, HE ADMITTED IT 
EXPLICITLY.
THE QUESTION I ASKED AT THE 
BEGINNING OF THIS IMPEACHMENT 
PROCESS, THIS WAS THE BEGIN NIN 
OF THE HEARINGS ON WHAT HAPPENED
IN UKRAINE.
AND THE QUESTION I STARTED THAT 
OFF WITH WAS A SIMPLE ONE.
WHICH WAS WHY WAS AID WITHHELD.
WE HAD UNDERSTOOD THIS WAS 
MULVANEY THE PRESIDENT'S ORDERS 
WITH THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT 
AND BUDGET.
IT WAS A SIMPLE OPEN-ENDED 
QUESTION.
HE WENT THROUGH THREE REASONS.
THE THIRD REASON HE MENTIONED 
WAS THAT THE PRESIDENT WANTED 
UKRAINE TO INVESTIGATE THIS 
CONSPIRACY ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC 
E-MAILS.
THE DNC SERVER.
SO I HEARD HIM SAY THAT.
I SAID, WAIT A MINUTE, YOU'RE 
SAYING THAT INVESTIGATING THE 
DEMOCRATS IS A REASON WHY A 
DEMAND TO INVESTIGATE DEMOCRATS 
WAS A REASON WHY YOU WITHHELD 
THAT AID.
HE SAID, YES.
I SAID THAT'S A QUID PRO QUO.
HE SAID YES AGAIN.
IT WASN'T LIKE AN OFFHAND 
COMMENT.
>> THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO ASK 
YOU ABOUT.
IT APPEARED THERE WAS A LOT OF 
REPORTING IN THE THE WHITE HOUSE
THEY WERE CONSIDERING COMING OUT
AND TELLING A FULLER STORY OF 
WHAT HAPPENED.
THEN THEY MADE ANOTHER DECISION.
>> AND THEY KNEW IMMEDIATELY 
THIS WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM.
BECAUSE THEY HAD BEEN KIND OF 
ALL OVER THE MAP.
THE PRESIDENT HAD BEEN OUT THERE
SAYING THERE WAS NO QUID PRO Q
O
QUO.
HERE YOU HAD THE ACTING CHIEF OF
STAFF SAYING THAT THERE WAS A 
QUID PRO QUO.
BUT FOR ABOUT SIX OR SEVEN 
HOURS, IT HUNG OUT THERE.
WE WERE TRY INING TO GO BACK AN 
GET CLARIFICATION.
AND IT WAS ONLY AT THE END OF 
THE DAY INTO THE EVENING THAT 
MULVANEY PUT OUT AN 
EXTRAORDINARY STATEMENT 
BASICALLY DENYING THAT HE SAID 
WHAT HE SAID BEFORE THE 
TELEVISION CAMERAS.
IT WAS I DIDN'T SAY THAT.
WE ALL HAVE TAPE.
THAT WAS THE TAPE THAT WAS 
PLAYED AT THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.
>> THAT'S WHY THE DEMOCRATS WANT
TO SUBPOENA.
ONE OF THE THING WES FOUND OUT 
SINCE THEN, OUR SENIOR JUSTICE 
CORRESPONDENT, WITHHOLDING OF 
THE THE AID AT LEAST ACCORDING 
TO THE GOVERNMENT ARM OF 
CONGRESS IS A VIOLATION OF LAW.
>> EXACTLY.
THEIR STATEMENT WAS RELEASED 
LAST WEEK.
THEY SAID, QUOTE, FAITHFUL 
EXECUTION OF THE LAW DOES NOT 
PERMIT THE PRESIDENT TO SUBJECTS
B CONSTITUTE HIS OWN POLICY 
PRIORITIES FOR THOSE THAT 
ENACTED INTO LAW.
THEY HAD PROBLEMS GETTING 
INFORMATION TO THE OFFICE OF 
MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.
THEY POINT THAT OUT.
THEY SAID THAT RAISES 
CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS.
AND THE OTHER THING THAT STRIKES
ME TODAY IS THAT IF YOU GO BACK 
IN TIME AND LOOK AT THIS WHOLE 
STORY, IT TALKS ABOUT THE 
INTENTION WITHIN THE 
ADMINISTRATION.
FIRST, THE WHISTLEBLOWER GETS 
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS 
CONTROVERSIAL CALL.
THAT'S REPORTED TO THE INSPECTOR
GENERAL OF THE INTELLIGENCE 
COMMUNITY.
THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY AND 
INSPECTOR GENERAL IS SO 
CONCERNED THAT HE CALLS THIS AN 
URGENT MATTER.
HE THEN TRIES TO GET THIS 
INFORMATION OVER TO CONGRESS AND
THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT INITIALLY
SAYS HE'S NOT REQUIRED BY LAW TO
DO SO.
THEN HE'S UNDETERRED AND KEEPS 
PUSHING.
AND REFERS THE MATTER OVER TO 
THE THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT FOR 
AN INVESTIGATION INTO POSSIBLE 
CAMPAIGN FINANCE VIOLATIONS.
SO THIS IS ABOUT TENSION WITHIN 
THE GOVERNMENT, THE CAREER 
PEOPLE PUSHING BACK OFTEN 
AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATION.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE SAW HERE 
FROM ADAM SCHIFF, WE HAVE SEEN 
HYMN AT THE HEARINGS AND PRESS 
CONFERENCES.
IT SEEMS CLEAR HE AND HIS TAEAM 
HAVE HONED DOWN THEIR ARGUMENT.
STILL TWO AND A HALF HOURS, BUT 
TRYING TO TURN IT INTO A 
NARRATIVE, WHAT THEY HOPE IS A 
COMPELLING NARRATIVE.
HE CALL IT IS ABOUT THREE DAYS 
IN JULY.
>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT US THINK 
WE JUST SAW FOR THE PAST COUPLE 
HOURS.
ADAM SCHIFF ADDRESSING THE 
SENATE SITTING A AS A COURT OF 
IMPEACHMENT WITH A PROPER LEGAL 
ARGUMENT.
IT WAS METICULOUS AND WELL 
ORGANIZED.
IT WAS KROUNDED IN EVIDENCE, 
WHICH HE RECITE D AND ARRANGED, 
AS YOU SAID IN A COMPREHENSIVE 
NARRATIVE.
HE TRIED TO STIR A SENSE OF 
RESPONSIBILITY.
HE HEARD HIM TALK ABOUT THE 
RESPONSIBILITY TO FUTURE TIMES.
WHAT IS DONE HERE WILL HAVE A AN
IMPACT GENERATION SS TO COME ON 
THE DELICATE BALANCES IN THE 
CONSTITUTION, ON THE POWER OF 
THE PRESIDENT AND THE CONGRESS 
AND HOW THEY HAVE BEEN ARRANGED 
UP UNTIL NOW.
IF THE SENATE REJECTS THE 
DEMOCRATS CASE THAT THE 
PRESIDENT ABUSED POWER, WE WILL 
WRITE THE HISTORY OF OUR DECLINE
WITH OUR OWN HANDS.
AND I THINK WE'RE SEEING A CLASH
OF CULTURE THAT'S GOING TO BE 
RIGHT THROUGH THIS TRIAL.
HERE IS AN ARGUMENT MADE BY ADAM
SCHIFF IN A CLASSIC LEGAL F
FASHION.
EVEN RISING TO THE LEVEL OF 
SENATORIAL ELOQUENCE.
IN CONTRAST TO THE RHETORIC THAT
WE LIVE WITH EVERY DAY.
THE KIND OF BRASH AND PROUDLY 
PROFANE TRUMP RHETORIC WHERE AN 
ARGUMENT CALLING THEM NAMES, 
WHATEVER.
THAT NOW PASSES IN MANY AREAS OF
OUR LIFE AS SUFFICIENT.
SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE DIFFICULT 
QUESTIONS OF POLICY.
AND THIS IS A TEST OF THAT OLDER
WAY OF RESOLVING ISSUES.
AND THE ARGUMENT THAT IS 
CHAMPIONED MORE THAN ANYONE IN 
OUR PUBLIC LIFE BY THE PRESIDENT
BEING IMPEACHED.
>> A TEST RIGHT NOW OF THE 
SENATE.
THE SENATE WHICH AS A TAM SCHIFF
SAID WAS DECLINED BY THE FRAMERS
TO DEAL WITH THAT.
THE SECOND MOST CONSEQUENTIAL 
RESPONSIBILITY NEXT TO THE 
QUESTIONS OF WAR AND PEACE.
AS WE WERE SPEAKING, YOU SAW 
THAT FOR A MOMENT.
WE WANT TO PLAY THIS NOW.
ONE OF THE ATTORNEYS JAY SEKULOW
WAS ASKED ABOUT THIS ISSUE OF 
WITNESSES AND WHY NOT HAVE 
WITNESSES COME BEFORE THE 
SENATE.
>> YOU JUST WENT THROUGH TWO AND
A HALF HOURS OF LAYING OUT HIS 
CASE TO GO WITH THE 11 HOURS OF 
LAYING OUT THEIR CASE LAST 
NIGHT.
UNLESS HE'S MAKING IT UP, IT 
SEEMS LIKE HE HAS A LOT OF 
INFORMATION.
SO PROCEED WITH YOUR CASE.
THE MORE THEY DO THIS TWO AND 
HALF HOUR EVENTS AT A TIME, IT 
UNDERCUTS THEIR ENTIRE ARGUMENT.
BUT IF THAT'S FOR THE SENATE TO 
DECIDE.
>> THE PRESIDENT TODAY IN DAVOS 
SAID THAT BASICALLY WE HAVE ALL 
THE MATERIALS, AS ONE WAY OF 
DEFENDING THE FACT.
THIS IS A CHALLENGING CASE.
WE HAVE ALL THE MATERIALS.
DEMOCRATS SAY HE'S BOASTING HE'S
SUCCESSFULLY OBSTRUCTED 
CONGRESS.
HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?
>> FIRST OF ALL, WHAT JERRY 
NADLER SAID LAST NIGHT.
HE CALLED IT EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE
AND OTHER NONSENSE.
THESE ARE PRIVILEGED RECOGNIZED 
BY THE SUPREME COURT OF THE 
UNITED STATES THAT COME OUT OF 
THE CONSTITUTION.
THIS IS A NONSENSE.
THIS IS REALLY WHAT THE 
CONSTITUTION IS ABOUT.
SO THEY ARE PUTTING ON THEIR 
CASE.
THE GOOD NEWS IS WE ONLY HAVE 22
MORE HOURS TO GO OF THEIR SIDE 
AND THEN WE'LL GO.
BUT LET THEM PUT THEIR CASE ON 
AND WE'LL CONTINUE.
>> TL A LOT OF THINGS I WOULD 
LIKE TO REBUT.
AND WE WILL REBUT.
FIRST OF ALL, YOU NOTICE THAT 
ADAM SCHIFF TODAY TALKED ABOUT 
QUID PRO QUO.
NOTICE WHAT'S NOT IN THE 
ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.
ALLEGATIONS OR ACCUSATIONS.
THAT'S BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T 
EXIST.
WE'LL DO IT IN AN ORDERLY AND I 
HOPE MORE SYSTEMIC FASHION.
>> GOT TO DO IT ONE A AT A TIME.
>> I CAN'T MAKE ANY 
DETERMINATIONS AS TO HOW LONG 
OUR PROCEEDINGS WILL GO.
WE HAVE TO BASE IT ON THAT.
>> I DON'T DISCUSS CONVERSATIONS
WITH THE PRESIDENT.
>> HOW MUCH OF YOUR PRESENTATION
WILL BE ON LEGAL ARGUMENTS?
>> IT'S A COMBINATION OF BOTH.
WE'LL CHALLENGE AGGRESSIVELY THE
CASE THAT THEY ARE PUTTING 
FORWARD.
WE ALSO HAVE AN AFFIRMATIVE CASE
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE AS WELL.
WE'RE GOING TO DO BOTH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> JAY SEKULOW, THEY WILL START 
THEIR ARGUMENTS, WE BELIEVE, ON 
SATURDAY.
AND I WANT TO ADDRESS WITH YOU 
FIRST THE ARGUMENT HE WAS MAKING
IN THE MIDDLE.
THEY CLEARLY BELIEVE THAT IT'S 
THE PRESIDENT IS SIMPLY 
FOLLOWING HIS PROGEROGATIVES.
>> EXCEPT HE HASN'T INVOKED 
EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE.
THE LAWYERS ARE SAYING IT'S 
EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE, BUT THERE 
HASN'T BEEN A FORMAL INNO 
INDICATION.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UM MUNTY 
AIMMUNITY AND EXECUTIVE 
PRIVILEGE.
EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE, WE GO LINE 
BY LINE, PARAGRAPH BY PARAGRAPH 
AND DECIDE WHAT OF THESE 
STATEMENTS SHOULD BE ADMITTED OR
SHOULDN'T.
THERE ARE REAL EXECUTIVE 
PRIVILEGE ARGUMENTS HERE.
PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS THAT THE 
PRESIDENT HAD WITH KEY 
ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS MIGHT 
VERY WELL BE TEEMED TO BE 
EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE.
BUT YOU CAN'T THROW UP EXECUTIVE
PRIVILEGE AND SAID, THEREFORE, 
NOTHING THAT OF AND THE FACT IS 
THE FIRST THING YOU SAID IS A 
LOT OF INFORMATION OUT THERE 
ALREADY.
AS A LAWYER, I HEAR THAT AND I 
SAY WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
SHOULD THERE BE WITNESSES 
CALLED.
THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION.
THAT'S NEVER GOING TO BE A 
WINNING ARGUMENT WHEN IT COMES 
TO THE QUESTION OF SHOULD THIS 
BE WITNESSES CALLED.
THAT'S NOT AN ANSWER.
I'M NOT SAYING AND THEREFORE, 
WITNESSES HAVE BEEN TO BE 
CALLED.
BUT THE RESPONSE CAN'T JUST BE 
YOU KNOW WHAT, THEY SPOKE FOR 11
HOURS.
THEY GOT TWO AND A HALF HOURS 
HERE.
THAT'S NOT A LEGAL ARGUMENT.
THAT'S JUST AN ARGUMENT TRYING 
TO SWAY PUBLIC OPINION ABOUT 
THERE'S JUST SO MUCH OUT THERE 
ALREADY.
>> THE ARGUMENT THAT ADAM SCHIFF
AND HIS TEAM ARE MAKING IS WE 
HAVE NEVER SEEN IN ANY OTHER 
IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDING THIS 
SCALE OF THIS KIND OF WITHHOLD 
ING OF EVIDENCE DEFYING A 
CONGRESS, WHICH A TAM SCHIFF 
SAYS IS BASICALLY DEFINING 
IMPEACHMENT POWER ITSELF.
>> THAT'S PART OF HIS ARGUMENT.
ONE OF THE PRESIDENT'S 
CONSEQUENCES OF THE PRESIDENT'S 
DEFIANCE IN HIS VIEW OF 
LEGITIMATE INQUIRY IS HE'S 
SEIZING THE POWER OF 
IMPEACHMENT, WHICH IS SOLELY IN 
THE THE HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES.
FOR HIMSELF.
AND THAT WOULD HAVE CONSEQUENCES
DOWN THE LINE FOR OTHER 
PRESIDENTS.
HE'S ESSENTIALLY DARING THE 
SENATE TO HOLD THE PRESIDENT 
ACCOUNTABLE BY CALLING WITNESSES
AT THE VERY LEAST.
OR SURRENDER POWER TO THE 
PRESIDENT.
IT'S AN INTERESTING ARGUMENT.
ONE THAT I THINK AT THE END OF 
THE DAY RESTS IN THE HAND OF 
THOSE FOUR OR FIVE MODERATE 
REPUBLICANS.
BUT IT IS AN ARGUMENT THAT THIS 
IS ABOUT POWER.
NOT JUST ABOUT EVIDENCE.
>> MAYBE THE MOST FOUR OR FIVE 
REPUBLICANS WON'T PAY ATTENTION 
TO THIS, BUT I WONDER WHAT 
IMPACT THE PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT
TODAY WHEN HE SAYS MAYBE I 
WOULDN'T MIND SEEING JOHN BOLTON
OUT THERE.
I CAN LIVE EITHER WAY WITH THAT.
YOU CAN IMAGINE A POLITICAL 
ADVISER SAYING THAT MIGHT NOT BE
SO HELPFUL WITH THE SENATORS WHO
ARE WATCHING.
>> HE'S THE WILD CARD.
THE PRESIDENT IS THE WILD CARD 
HERE.
AND IT'S A REASON WHY ALTHOUGH 
YOU HAVE SEEN MITCH McCONNELL 
LAY DOWN THE GROUNDWORK, THERE 
SHOULD NOT BE WITNESSES.
YOU HEARD THE LEGAL TEAM MAKING 
THAT.
IT'S BEEN AN ARGUMENT THAT THE 
WHITE HOUSE HAS BEEN RELUCTANT 
TO RULE TO PUT OUT DECISIVELY.
THEY ALWAYS WANT TO LEAVE OPEN 
THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE 
PRESIDENT WOULD CHANGE HIS MIND 
AND DECIDE AGAIN THAT HE WANTS 
TO SEE WITNESSES OUT THERE.
BUT GEORGE, HE'S OFTEN DRIVEN 
HIS LEGAL TEAM NUTS IN THE PAST.
REMEMBER HOW MANY TIMES DURING 
THE COURSE OF THE MUELLER 
INVESTIGATION ABOUT HOW HE WOULD
BE HAPPY TO TESTIFY AND ANSWER 
QUESTIONS UNDER OATH FROM ROBERT
MUELLER.
HE WAS DOING THAT AT THE SAME 
TIME HIS LEGAL TEAM WAS FIGHTING
TOOTH AND NAIL AGAINST THE IDEA 
OF THE PRESIDENT BEING DEPOSED 
BY THE SPECIAL COUNSEL.
BUT HE WENT OUT AND SAID IT ANY 
WAY.
>> THANK YOU.
SENATORS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO 
SPEAK.
THEY ARE ALLOWED TO SPEAK IN THE
HALL.
THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER CHUCK 
SCHUMER HAS COME OUT TO ADDRESS 
THIS QUESTION OF WITNESSES AS 
WELL.
>> ADAM SCHIFF'S SPEECH WAS ONE 
OF THE MOST COMPELLING I HAVE 
HEARD.
IT WAS A TOUR DEFORCE.
AND I THINK A GOOD NUMBER OF MY 
REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES FOR THE 
FIRST TIME HEARD THE ENTIRE 
ARGUMENTS POWERFULLY AND 
COMPLETELY.
I'M HOPE THAFL CAN BEGIN TO 
CHANGE MINDS.
IN ADDITION, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
HEARD THE ARGUMENTS POWERFULLY 
AND COMPLETELY.
I DON'T SEE HOW ANY SENATOR, 
DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN, COULD 
SIT ON THE FLOOR AND HEAR ADAM 
SCHIFF AND NOT DEMAND WITNESSES 
AND DOCUMENTS.
THERE WAS SO MANY POWERFUL PARTS
OF THIS SPEECH THAT DEMANDED 
WITNESSES AND DOCUMENTS.
SO MANY THINGS, WHAT DID 
MULVANEY SAY BEFORE AND AFTER 
HIS SPEECH?
WHAT MADE HIM REJECT IT?
WHAT DID BOLTON REALLY THINK?
THE DOCUMENTS BEFORE THE DAYS OF
THE 24th, 25th AND 26th, WHICH 
WE HAVE REQUESTED OF JULY.
VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.
SO I THOUGHT IT WAS AN AMAZING 
TWO AND HALF HOURS.
AND I'M HOPEFUL.
WE HAVE SEEN THAT THE PUBLIC 
PRESSURE FOR A FAIR TRIAL IS 
HAVING SOME EFFECT.
YESTERDAY A GOOD NUMBER OF 
REPUBLICANS WENT TO LEADER 
McCONNELL AND SAID WE NEED TO 
IMPROVE THE RESOLUTION.
THEY DIDN'T IMPROVE IT ON THE 
MAIN AREA.
WITNESSES AND DOCUMENTS, BUT 
THEY DID IMPROVE IN A FEW OTHER 
PLACES.
I'M HOPEFUL WITH THE ATTENTION 
OF THE NATION MORE FOCUSED ON 
THE ISSUE MORE NOW THAN IT HAS 
EVER BEEN, THERE WILL BE 
CONTINUED PRESSURE ON MANY 
REPUBLICAN MEMBERS TO ASK FOR 
WITNESSES AND DOCUMENTS.
WE WILL -- THEY DID LAST NIGHT.
THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT.
THEY SAID DON'T VOTE FOR THEM 
NOW.
WE'LL HAVE A CHANCE LATER.
THERE'S NOT A SURE CHANCE LATER.
THEY SAID THERE WOULD BE A 
CHANCE LATER.
THEY REJECTED IT.
BUT IF ANYTHING, THAT MAY PUT 
PRESSURE ON PEOPLE BY PRESIDENT 
END OF THE WEEK TO VOTE FOR 
WITNESSES AND DOCUMENTS.
I'LL TAKE A FEW QUESTIONS.
>> THE CHIEF JUSTICE CHASTISED 
BOTH SIDES WITHOUT NAMING 
ANYBODY FOR RHETORIC THAT HE 
THOUGHT SHOULD BE TONED DOWN.
I WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH THE 
HOUSE MANAGERS CASE.
IT WAS ON THE FACTS.
IT ANSWERED THE QUESTIONS.
IT TALKED ABOUT WHY WE HAD 
WITNESSES AND DOCUMENTS.
THE PRESIDENT'S LAWYERS NEVER 
ANSWERED THE QUESTION OF 
WITNESSES AND DOCUMENTS.
THEY TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF OTHER
THINGS.
DID SOME FINGER POINTING.
BUT NEVER ANSWERED THE QUESTION.
I THINK IF YOU WERE A JUROR 
LISTENING TO BOTH SIDES, YOU 
WOULD HAVE SIDED WITH THE HOUSE 
MANAGERS BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT'S
COUNSEL DIDN'T DIRECTLY ANSWER 
THE QUESTION WHY WE SHOULDN'T 
HAVE WITNESSES AND DOCUMENTS.
>> SENATOR SCHUMER RIGHT THERE.
I WANT TO GO TO MARY BRUCE.
THIS WHOLE QUESTION IS DPOING TO
BE CAN YOU FIND FOUR OR MORE 
SENATORS TO VOTE FOR WITNESSES.
THEY ARE FOCUSSING IN ON THAT.
RIGHT NOW IN PART BECAUSE I 
THINK THEY ARE REALISTICALLY 
KNOW CONVICTION IS OUT OF THE 
QUESTION BARRING NEW 
INFORMATION.
I WAS STRUCK BY WHAT MITCH 
McCONNELL'S COLLEAGUE RAND PAUL 
SAID EARLIER.
HE SAID ALREADY HE BELIEVES THEY
HAVE 45 VOTES IN THE REPUBLICAN 
PARTY TO DISMISS THESE CHARGES 
AGAINST THE PRESIDENT.
THAT WOULD LEAVE EIGHT VOTES IN 
PLAY.
>> THAT'S RAND PAUL'S MATH.
IT WAS A SURPRISE TO SOME THIS 
MORNING TO SEE THAT THE 
PRESIDENT'S DEFENSE TEAM DID NOT
ENTER ANY KIND OF MOTION TO 
DISMISS.
THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION THEY 
MIGHT TAKE THAT STEP EVEN THOUGH
AT THIS POINT THE REPUBLICAN 
LEADER MITCH McCONNELL HAD MADE 
CLEAR THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT 
THEY WERE INTERESTED IN.
NOT A MEASURE THEY.
ED TO CONSIDER THE THIS POINT.
AND YOU DO RAISE A VERY 
IMPORTANT QUESTION HERE.
WHICH IS THE SENATE SEEMS ALL 
BUT CERTAIN TO ACQUIT.
SO WHY ARE THEY SO INTENT ON 
HEARING ADDITIONAL WITNESSES AND
GATHERING ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE 
INTO THE RECORD HERE.
YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION OF 
DEMOCRATS.
THEY SIMPLY WANT THE TO BE ABLE 
TO GET TO THE FULL TRUTH.
AND THESE ARE WITNESSES AND 
DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN BLOCKED
FROM.
WHEN THEY HEAR THE PRESIDENT 
SAYING I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN 
HEARING FROM JOHN BOLTON.
THAT'S WELCOME NEWS FOR 
DEMOCRATS.
AND A THORN IN THE SIDE FOR 
REPUBLICANS.
AND YOU DID HEAR CHUCK SCHUMER 
MAKING AN IMPORTANT POINT.
WHICH IS EVEN THOUGH MUCH OF 
WHAT YOU ARE HEARING TODAY AND 
OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, WE HAVE 
HEARD IN SOME WAY, SHAPE OR FORM
BEFORE, I HAVE TALKED WITH MANY 
SENATORS HERE WHO ADMIT THEY 
HAVE BEEN READING THE NUSZ AND 
WATCHING WHAT'S BEEN PLAYING 
OUT.
THEY HAVEN'T REALLY BEEN PAYING 
CLOSE ATTENTION TO EVERY TWIST 
AND TURN IN THE INVESTIGATION 
THAT WAS GOING ON IN THE HOUSE.
THIS IS FOR MANY THE FIRST TIME 
THEY ARE HEARING ALL OF THESE 
SDOTS BEING CONNECTED AND 
DEMOCRATS ARE HOPEFUL THEY WILL 
BE ABLE TO SWAY THOOES FOUR 
REPUBLICANS TO GET ON THEIR 
SIDE.
>> WE HAVE SEEN THREE 
REPUBLICANS.
FAIRLY EXPLICIT ON THAT QUESTION
OF WITNESSES.
CHUCK SCHUMER WAS JUST SAYING 
BEFORE, A THE LOT OF OTHER 
REPUBLICANS NOW IS NOT THE TIME.
MAYBE FOR WITNESSES, BUT NOW IS 
NOT THE TIME.
IF YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN SENATOR 
WATCHING, ONES FENCE.
WHAT DO YOU SAY AFTER HEARING 
ALL OF THIS?
HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY GOING FOR 
WITNESSES, B, NOT GOING FOR 
WITNESSES?
>> WHEN YOU KNOW SOME OF THE 
POLLING IS SHOWING A VAST 
MAJORITY OF AMERICANS ARE IN THE
MIDDLE OF A TRIAL, WHY NOT CALL 
ANOTHER WITNESS OR TWO.
PARTICULARLY A LEVEL OF A JOHN 
BOLTON WHO SAID I WILL TESTIFY 
IF SUBPOENA ISSED.
AND THERE'S SO MUCH FOCUS ON THE
FOUR WE CONTINUE TO NAME.
BUT THERE ARE THE CORY GARDNERS.
HE WAS TAKING COPIOUS NOTES AS 
WELL.
I MENTIONED THIS YESTERDAY WHEN 
THEY PUT UP THE FIRST VISDEO OF 
FIONA HILL.
HER RECOLLECTION THAT HE SAID.
I DON'T WANT TO BE PART OF THIS 
IT DRUG DEAL BEING COOKED UP.
IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING TO ME.
I DID MENTION THIS TO YOU 
YESTERDAY.
BUT THE NOTES WE'RE GET TING FRM
THE TEAM INSIDE THE GALLERY 
ALMOST MIRROR WHAT I WITNESSED 
YESTERDAY SITTING THERE AND 
WATCHING IT.
SO MANY OF US WHO HAVE BEEN 
REPORTING ON THIS FOR MONTHS AND
MONTHS NOW, WE HAVE SEEN ALL 
THESE CLIPS.
WE KNOW THAT JOHN CARL MOMENT IN
THE WHITE HOUSE.
WE KNOW THE MOMENT OF DR. FEION 
HILL WHRKS SHE TALKED ABOUT AN 
ALLEGED DRUG DEAL.
BUT TO A T, EACH SENATOR LOOKED 
AT THE MONITOR AND WAS STUDYING 
THEM.
I WAS OVER THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.
AND TO WATCH A NUMBER OF 
REPUBLICANS, SUSAN COLLINS, LISA
MURKOWSKI, TAKING NOTES, 
WATCHING VERY CLOSELY, AND YOU 
CAN'T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED THAT 
THEY RECOGNIZE NOT ONLY THEIR 
RESPONSIBILITY.
I WOULD ADD TO THAT AND SAY THE 
RESPONSIBILITY IS WHAT CHAIRMAN 
SCHIFF WAS TRYING TO HONE IN ON 
AT THE END OF HIS ARGUMENT.
WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY AS A 
GOVERNING BODY IN THIS NATION TO
DO ALL THE INVESTIGATING THEY 
CAN THAT COMES WITH THE 
RESPONSIBILITY OF GOING THROUGH 
AN IMPEACHMENT PROCESS.
>> AND OF COURSE, A LOT OF THOSE
REPUBLICAN SENATORS UP FOR 
REELECTION ARE CAUGHT BETWEEN 
THAT BASE THAT'S BEHIND TRUMP 
95%.
YET THEY ARE UP FOR REELECTION 
IN THE STATES.
THEY ARE CAUGHT BETWEEN BOTH 
SIDES.
>> THE BASE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP
WANTS HIS LAWYERS TO PLAY TO ON 
FOX NEWS.
HE'S NOT JUST WANTING INSIDE 
THAT CHAMBER.
HE WANTS THE PUBLIC WIN AS WELL.
BUT YOU MENTIONED POLLS.
THERE'S A NEW POLL OUT TODAY.
63% OF PEOPLE WHO TOOK THIS 
SURVEY BELIEVE THAT PRESIDENT 
TRUMP DID SOMETHING ILLEGAL, BUT
ONLY 51% BELIEVE THAT THE 
OUTCOME OF THIS SENATE TRIAL 
SHOULD BE THAT.
>> THAT GETS TO THE QUESTION OF 
HOW THEY CAN POSITION 
THEMSELVES.
AFTER HEARING THE EVIDENCE, YOU 
CAN SAY I HAVE HEARD IT ALL.
EVEN IF IT'S ALL TRUE, THEN IT'S
NOT IMPEACHABLE.
THAT SEEMS LIKE THE ARGUMENT 
THEY WOULD BE BACKED INTO.
>> THAT'S A LEGITIMATE ARGUMENT 
TO MAKE.
I THINK WHAT THE PRESIDENT DID 
WAS WRONG.
HE SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE IT.
BUT HE SHOULDN'T BE REMOVED FROM
OFFICE OVER IT.
THAT'S WHERE WE THOUGHT WHEN 
THIS FIRST HAPPENED, THIS IS 
WHEN THE FIRST FOUND OUT ABOUT 
THE SERIOUS IMPEACHMENT TALK.
THAT'S WHERE WE KIND OF THOUGHT 
THE DEFENSE WAS GOING TO GO.
SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS OR MADE
THOSE COMMENTS.
THE ROUGH TRANSCRIPT ISN'T 
GREAT.
BUT CAN'T REMOVE HIM FROM OFFICE
OVER THAT.
NOW THE ARGUMENT HAS MOVED TO HE
DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG.
AND A LOT OF THE REPUBLICAN 
SUPPORTERS IN THE HOUSE AS WELL.
THAT'S A TOUGHER ARGUMENT TO 
MAKE.
BUT IT IS BECOMING INCREASE ING 
CLEAR THAT THIS IS A AT ALL 
RIGHT NOW AN ARGUMENT ABOUT 
WITNESSES.
THIS IS ON THE QUESTION OF WILL 
WITNESSES BE CALLED.
IF NO WITNESSES ARE CALLED, 
THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THE 
PRESIDENT WILL NOT BE REMOVED 
FROM OFFICE.
IF THERE ARE WITNESSES CALLED, 
THE PRESIDENT STILL PROBABLY 
WILL NOT BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE.
BUT AT LEAST IF THERE ARE 
WITNESSES CALLED, THERE'S THE 
POSSIBILITY THAT SOMETHING 
CHANGES.
THERE'S AN UNCERTAINTY SURROUND 
ING THE WITNESSES THAT COULD 
POTENTIALLY CHANGE THE EQUATION.
AND SO BOTH SIDES, I THINK, IN 
THE END, THEY ARE GOING TO BE 
ARGUING THE BROAD PRINCIPLE AND 
THE CONSTITUTION, BUT THEY ARE 
GOING TO BE LAZE SORT FOCUSED ON
THAT SINGLE QUESTION.
>> EVEN IF THEY FILLED A ALL THE
BLANKS, IT'S NOT IMPEACHABLE.
>> YOU CAN TAKE THAT WE HAVE 
HEARD ENOUGH.
WE KNOW.
WE HAVE SECONDHAND WHAT BOLTON 
SAID.
WE HEARD THROUGH WITNESSES IT'S 
A DRUG DEAL.
WE'LL ASSUME FOR THE ARGUMENT 
IT'S AN IMPEACHABLE AND 
REMOVABLE OFFENSE.
>> THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US 
NOW.
THE HOUSE
impeachable and removable 
offense okay that is going to 
do it for us right now we now 
know that the house manager 
going to continue in
2016 election one obstacle to 
mr. giuliani's work was 
Ambassador Marie Ivanovic 
is 33 year veteran of the 
Foreign Service Ambassador
jovanovic had partnered with
Ukraine to root out the kind
of corruption that would have 
allowed mr. giuliani's lies 
to flourish in order to 
complete his mission mr.
Giuliani first needed 
Ambassador jovanovic out of 
the way and so in early 2019
Mr Giuliani launch the public 
smear campaign against the
Ambassador and everything 
involved mr. giuliani's allies
in Ukraine the president's
allies in the United States 
and eventually President Trump
himself please remember 
that the object of the
president's Ukraine's scheme
was to obtain a corrupt 
Advantage for his re-election 
campaign as we will show the
president went to 
extraordinary lengths to cheat
in the next election that's 
game begins with the attempt
to get Ambassador jovanovic 
quote out of the way I'm quote
by all accounts Ambassador
jovanovic was a highly
respected and effective 
ambassador Witnesses uniformly
praise for 33 year career as
a nonpartisan public servant
and told us that she
particularly excelled in
fighting corruption abroad
President George Bush named 
her as an ambassador twice and
President Obama nominated her 
as ambassador to Ukraine
when she represented the
United States from 2016 to
2019 eradicating corruption in
Ukraine has been a key policy 
priority the US government for
years during the house inquiry
the Ambassador explain why
implementing this 
anti-corruption policy was so 
important 
as critical as the war against
Russia is Ukraine struggling
democracy has an equally
important challenge battling
the Soviet Legacy of
corruption which is provided
Ukraine's government
corruption makes Ukraine's
leaders ever vulnerable to
Russia and the Ukrainian
people understand that that's 
why they launch the revolution
of dignity in 2014 demanding
to be a part of your demanding
the transformation of the 
system demanding to live under
the rule of law 
ukrainians one of the law to
apply equally to all people 
right of the individual in
question is the president or
any other citizen it was a
question of fairness of 
dignity here again there's a
coincidence of Interest 
corrupt leaders are inherently
less trustworthy and honest 
and accountable Ukrainian 
leadership makes a US 
Ukrainian partnership more
reliable and more valuable to 
the United States an evening
of April 24th 2019
Vasily Ivanovich was hosting
an event at the US Embassy
honoring the memory of an 
anti-corruption fighter who 
thrown in her face theacid was
previous year 
at about 10 that night the
embassy event was interrupted 
by tepneall from
Washington and Vasily 
Ivanovich described this
conversation with a head of 
the state Department's human
resources department she said 
that there was a great concern
on the 7th floor of the stage,
that's where the ldehiof
the stage Apartments it's it
was great concern they were 
worried she just wanted to
give me a heads up about this 
and you know there's going to 
be going on and so she just 
wanted to give me a heads up
confused the Ambassador ask 
for more information from 
Washington 3 hours later they 
spoke again Vasily Ivanovich
learned that they were
e reet that is at the te up 
White House the Ambassador was
told to get to get on the 
first plane home why
was this respected career 
Diplomat abruptly removed from
her post why was she in 
fact urge by
the state department to catch 
the first plane home that she 
was in danger she shouldn't 
wait at the time the White
House would not say but today 
we know the truth the truth is
that Ambassador jovanovic was 
the victim of a smear campaign
organized by Rudy Giuliani
Amplified by President Trump's
allies and designed to give 
President Trump the pretext he
needed to recall her without
mieds cho e esulianias
you don't understand mr.
Giuliani smear campaign 
against Ambassador jovanovic
you need to know about a few
additional characters who mr. 
Giuliani Drew into his scheme 
the first of these characters 
is Victor shokan the disgraced
former prosecutor general of
Ukraine who was fired by the
Ukrainian government for gross
corruption in 2016 at the 
urging of the European Union
the international monetary
fund and the United States
government the parliament of
Ukraine voted to remove mrs.
shokan is prosecutor General
because he was corrupt and
refuse to prosecute corruption
cases at the urging of the
United States the European
Union the international 
monetary fund or Ukraine
government to dismiss Mr
shokan the second character is
URI Lee Sinco who succeeded 
Mystery Show Candice
prosecutor-general single also
approved Enterprise School
corruption cases and several
witnesses testified that he 
also had a reputation for 
dishonesty and Corruption 
Vasily Ivanovich and Deputy 
assistant secretary George
Kent both testified that the
US Embassy in Kiev eventually 
stopped working with miss 
Dillard Cinco all 
together shokan Cinco 
Giuliani of all three 
characters were aligned shokan
headed out for Vice President 
Biden because of the role of
the vice president played in
his 2016
firing the vice president 
carrying a u.s. policy of the 
Ukrainian government to 
dismiss the corrupt 
shokan I note that the vice 
president the former vice 
presidents been has been
criticized 4
urgent for urging that he be
fired shaneco found his 
career trajectory fading and
want the President Trump
support to boost his political
prospects in Ukraine
in Ukraine willing to announce
to Sham investigations meant
to boost President Trump's own
campaign or three wanted
Ambassador yovanovich out of
the way and sew in early
2019 the smear campaign begin 
missile chanco became the 
primary Vector for false
allegations against Ambassador
jovanovic Deputy assistant
secretary George Kent 
testified that lead sinkers 
allegations against Ambassador
yovanovitch remote evaded by
Revenge 
over the course of 2018 and 
2019 I became increasingly
aware of an effort by Rudy
Giuliani and others including 
his associates left or not
Sandy Gore frumin to run a
campaign to smear and bastard 
Ivanovic and other officials
at the US Embassy in Kiev the 
chief agitators on the
Ukrainian side of this effort 
or some of those same corrupt 
former prosecutors I had
encountered particularly Yuri 
lutsenko injectors soaking
they are now pedaling false 
information in order to 
extract revenge against those 
who would expose their
misconduct including us 
diplomats Ukrainian 
anti-corruption officials and 
reform-minded Civil Society 
groups in Ukraine 
as mr. Ken indicated the smear
campaign against Ambassador 
jovanovic was orchestrated by 
a core group of corrupt 
Ukrainian officials working at
Mister giuliani's Direction 
this group included two 
additional characters we've 
been in the news of light left
Point ass and Igor fruman 
mr. Pi nice and mr. frumin
were of course indicted last
year on several charges 
including charges related to
large donations they made to
support President Trump 
simply put in doing her job 
well in bassador yovanovich 
Drew mystery sancos Eyre and
is mr. Kent observed you can't
promote principles
anti-corruption efforts 
without pissing off corrupt 
people as it turned out this
statement apply to Yuri 
lutsenko and to Rudy Giuliani 
who feared that the Ambassador
would stand in the way of his 
corrupt efforts to coerce 
Ukraine into conducting 
investigations that would 
benefit the political 
interests of his client 
President Trump giuliani's
coordinated smear campaign
against the Ambassador
yovanovitch became public in
the United States in late 
March 2019 with the 
publication of a series of
opinion pieces in the hill
based on interviews with Cinco
on March 20th 2019 in 
one piece in the hill with
Shanco for sale ads that
Ambassador jovanovic had given
him a so-called do not
prosecute list
Not only was the allegation.
that after having helped
originated the claim who sang 
kill himself would later go on
to retract it the same piece
also falsely stated that
Ambassador Ivana Ivanovic and 
quote made disparaging
statements about President
Trump unquote the statement 
issued by the state department
declared the allegations to be
a total fabrication President 
Trump promoted Sullivan's 
article in a tweet which
intensified the public attacks
against the Ambassador
Evanovich then on March 24th
Donald Trump jr. called 
Ambassador jovanovic a joker
on Twitter and call for her 
call to remove you can see the
slides of the two tweets
these unfounded smears by the 
president and his son 
reverberated in Ukraine Deputy
assistant secretary George
Kent testified that starting
in mid-march Rudy Giuliani was
almost unmissable in this 
quote campaign of slander 
close quote and The Weeknd
Michelin Cinco Express
spokeswoman retweeted Donald
Trump Juniors tweet attacking 
the Ambassador further
undermining her standing in 
Ukraine her standing United 
States ambassadors standing 
mr. Giuliani was not content
to stay behind the scenes 
either he promoted the same a 
text on the Ambassador on 
Twitter Fox News and elsewhere
at the end of March the 
attacks intensified 
under Secretary of State for
political Affairs David Hale
an email detailing her
concerns and asking for a 
strong statement of support 
for the state department in 
reply the state department
told her that they were 
unwilling to help her their 
issued a public statement they
supporting her quote it could 
be undermined unquote by the
president and their concern 
that quote the rug would be 
pulled out from underneath the
state department the state
department cannot express 
support for an American 
ambassador threatened because 
they are concerned that if
they expressed support for
that American ambassador the
rug will be pulled out from 
under them by the president 
what it must have taken to
convince our state department 
to refuse support its 
ambassador phone records show 
that Giuliani also kept the 
White House surprise of these 
developments as you can see 
from these slides again it is 
worth remembering that
smearing Ambassador jovanovic 
was a means to an end removing
her would allow the presents
allies the freedom to pressure
Ukraine to announce that sham 
investigations so we should 
talk for a few minutes about
the investigations that Rudy
Giuliani his henchmen we're 
promoting on behalf of the
president let's focus first on
the allegation that Ukraine 
not Russia interfered in our
last presidential election
in February 2017 shortly
after the 
intelligence community CIA the
FBI all the intelligence
agenciesf the United States 
unanimously assess that Russia
interfered in the election to 
help Donald Trump this
alternative Theory gain some
attention when Russian
President Putin promoted it at
a press conference
second he said I'm quoting
from him it's in the Russian
on the slides I think second
as we all know during the 
presidential campaign in the
United States the Ukrainian 
government adopted a
unilateral position in favor
of one candidate more than
that certain oligarchs
certainly with the approval of
the political leadership
funded this candidate or
female candidate to be more 
precise let's President Putin 
talking Shifting the blame to 
Ukraine dr. Fiona Hill best 
explains how the Ukraine
narrative is a fictional
narrative being propagated by 
the Russian Security Services 
best on questions and 
statements I've heard some of 
you on this Committee of Pia
to believe that Russia and its
conduct a campaign against our
country and that perhaps
somehow for some reason you 
cringes this is a fictional 
narrative that is being 
perpetrated and propagated by 
the 
Russian Security Services 
themselves the unforna
truth is that Russia was the
foreign power the system has
to be attacked our Democratic 
institutions in 2016 this is
the public conclusion of our
intelligence agencies 
confirmed in bipartisan 
Congressional reports it is 
beyond dispute even if some of
the underlined details must 
advise the impacts of the 
successful 2016 Russian 
company in women's evident
today 
being undermined us support 
for Ukraine which continues to
face armed aggression 
aggression has been criticized
the Russian government's goal 
mishmeca Gbarourouryo 
President Trump knew this to
his former Homeland Security
advisor Tom bossert said that 
the idea that Ukraine hacked
the DNC server was quote not
only a conspiracy theory it is
completely debunked close 
quote and he and other us 
officials spent hours with the
president explaining why
the second false allegation 
that the president wanted the 
ukrainians to announce
was that Vice President Biden 
used his power to protect the 
company on Whose board is 
sunset by forcing the removal 
of Victor Ashokan the corrupt 
former prosecutor General it
is true that Vice President 
Biden helped your movements 
Ashokan who is widely believed
to be corrupt 
and as I said a few minutes 
ago it was official policy of 
the United States the European
community and others in order 
to fight corruption in Ukraine
to ask that shokan Andrew 
Chang KO be removed to the
vice president Vice President 
Biden in fulfilling US policy 
pressured Ukraine to remove 
shokan not to secure some 
personal benefit fund to
advance the official policy of
the United States and its 
allies even miss lysenko we 
initially seated the
allegations against Mr biting 
in American Media later 
admitted that the allegations 
against the vice president or 
false Andrew Deon and Rudy
Giuliani told Kurt Volker the 
special representative for
Ukrainian negotiations who had
the primary role of the scheme
that he also knew the attacks 
on Joe Biden we rely
with Ambassador yovanovitch 
out of the way the first
chapter of the Ukraine scheme 
was complete mr. Giuliani and 
his agents could not apply
direct pressure to the
Ukrainian government to spread
these two faucets and who 
benefited from this game who
sent mr. Giuliani to Ukraine
in the first place of course
we could rephrase that
question as the former
Republican leader of the
Senate Howard Baker ask it in 
1973 what did the president 
know and when did he know it
Mister chief justice Center's 
president's Council President 
Trump and president alinsky's 
relationship started out well 
President Trump one of the two
investigations from selenski
and he had no reason to 
believe that he would not get 
what he wanted on April 21st
2019 zalenski who was new to
politics won a landslide
victory in Ukraine's
presidential election that
evening President Trump call
zelinsky to congratulate him
on that first call the First
Call Saul Alinsky invited 
President Trump to visit
Ukraine for the upcoming
inauguration President Trump
and turn promised that his
administration would send 
someone at a very very high 
level during that same
April called President Trump
invited so let's get to the 
White House saying when 
you're settled in and ready 
I'd like to invite you to the 
White House we have a lot of
things to talk about but we're
with you all the way
solinsky immediately accept at
the president's invitation
adding that the whole team and
I are looking forward to that 
visit numerous Witnesses
testified about the 
significance of a white house 
meeting for the political 
newcomer it White House 
meeting with show ukrainians
that America supported
zelenski's anti-corruption
platform the clear backing of 
the president of the United 
States Ukraine's most 
important Patron would also 
send a powerful message to
Russia that we had Ukraine's
back during that April
24th call President Trump 
never even ordered the word 
corruption but the White House
call recap falsely stated that
the two presidents that 
discuss Ukraine's 
anti-corruption efforts 
shortly after the phone call
Jennifer Williams advisors the
vice president Pence learned
that President Trump as vice
president Pence to attend 
Solis olinsky's inauguration
Williams and her College begin
planning for Pence's trip to
keys at the same time 
Giuliani was trying to get
Ukraine to investigate the
bidens and the alleged 2016 
election interference on April
24th Giuliani when on Fox and 
Friends and had this to say 
keep your eye on you print
because in Ukraine a lot of 
the dirty work was done in
digging up the information
American officials we used
Ukrainian officials we use
that's like collusion with the
ukrainians and Ashley this
case conspiracy with Ukraine's
I think it get some 
interesting information abt 
Joe Biden from Ukraine about
his son Hunter Biden about a
company he was on the board of
which may be one of the most
crooked companies in Ukraine
for this campaign to be truly 
beneficial to his boss
President Trump Giuliani
needed access to the new
government in Ukraine 
Associates Lab Partners and 
Igor fruman to try to make
inroads with a selenski team
on April twenty-five former 
Vice President Biden publicly 
announces bid for the 
presidency in immediately he
was at the top of the poles 
that same day David 
Holmes an American Diplomat at
our Embassy in Ukraine learn
that Giuliani had reached out 
to they had a presence
alinsky's campaign as mr. 
Holmes explained then you and 
your cranium government began 
to think that Giuliani was a
significant person in terms of
managing their relationship 
with the United States is 
Giuliani is Associates work 
behind the scenes to get
access to the new leadership
and Ukraine President Trump 
was publicly signaling his
interest in the investigations
on May 2nd the president
appeared on Fox News
what asked should the former
vice-president explains 
himself on his feeling in 
Ukraine and whether there was 
a conflict with his son's 
business interest President 
Trump replied as follows
I'm hearing it's a major
Scandal major problem very bad
things happened and we'll see 
what that is they even have 
him on tape talking about it
they have Joe Biden on tape 
talking about the prosecutor
and I've seen that tape a lot 
of people talking about that
day but that's up to
the tape President Trump
reference is a video for
January 2018
in which Vice President Biden 
explained he plays an 
ultimatum to Ukrainian
president to remove the 
corrupt prosecutor-general to 
ensure that the taxpayer money
would be used appropriately 
the vice president's actions
were consistent with official 
US policy as well as
the opinions of the 
International Community 
I'm a 9 the New York Times
published an article about
giuliani's plan to visit
Ukraine in the
article Giuliani confirm that 
he planned to meet salinsky 
at that meeting he wanted to
press the Ukrainian government
to pursue the investigations
investigations that President 
Trump promote it only days
earlier Giuliani says we're.
an election were meddling in
an investigation which we have
a right to do 
Giuliani even went so far as
to acknowledge that his 
actions could benefit 
President Trump personally he 
said and I quote this 
isn't foreign policy I'm
asking them to do an
investigation they're doing 
already and that other people 
are telling them to stop and
I'm going to give them reasons
why they shouldn't stop it
because that information would
be very very helpful
to my client and may turn out 
to be helpful to my government
that's it Right Thurr 
Giuliani admitting he was 
asking Ukraine to work and
investigio that would be
very very helpful to the
president he was not doing
foreign policy he was not 
doing this and behalf of the
government he was doing this
for personal interest of his
client Donald J Trump 
the next morning on May 10th I
meant coverage of his plan
trip to Ukraine Giuliani tweet
it further about Biden then 
had a flurry of calls with
Partners who is helping and 
planning his trip to Ukraine
that same day Giuliani also 
spoke with Ambassador Bowker
on the phone for more than 30 
minutes and bastard Walker had
learned that Juliana intended 
to travel to Ukraine and it 
called to Warren Giuliani the 
prosecutor-general Lucinda
Schoo is not credible 
don't listen to what he is
saying later that day 
Giuliani had a 17-minute call 
with a masked White House 
number before speaking again
with parnis for 12 minutes
that same day I met 10
Politico ask President Trump
about giuliani's upcoming trip
and he replied I have not 
spoken to him at any great
length but I will I will
speak speak to him before he
leaves but that 
evening on Fox News Giuliani
announced I'm not going to
Ukraine because I think 
I'm walking into a group of 
people that are enemies of the
president separately in a 
text message to Politico
Giuliani allege that the
original offer for a meeting
with zielinski was a setup
he said it was orchestrated by
several vocal critics a 
President Trump for advising
selenski Giuliani 
declared zalenski is in the 
hands of about enemies of 
President Trump but Giuliani
had not stopped trying
he had partisan a letter from 
him to salensky senior
aide on May 11th asking for a 
meeting that later made it
clear that Giuliani was 
representing the Press
President Trump as a private
citizen and that he was 
working with presidents 
Trump's knowledge and consent 
the letter is on the slide and
reads quote in my capacity as 
personal counsel to President 
Trump and with his knowledge
and consent I request a 
meeting with you on this
upcoming Monday May 13th or 
Tuesday May 14th I will need
no more than half an hour of
your time and I will be 
accompanied by my colleague 
Victoria toensing a 
distinguished American
attorney who is very familiar 
with this matter
but it did not appear that
Giuliani and partes attempts
to get the meeting or working 
that same day Giuliani send a 
text to part is asking this 
guy is canceling meeting I
think 
approximately 3 hours later 
Giuliani send parnis drafts of
a public statement that people
advising the president elect
are no friends of the present 
three days later President
Trump instructed vice 
president Pence not to attend 
the inauguration in Ukraine 
just 3 days later vice
president's first presidential
Stafford Jennifer Williams
received a surprising call
from Princess Chief of Staff
she described it during her 
public testimony
on May 13th and assistant to
the vice president's Chief of 
Staff called and informed me
that President Trump had
decided that the vice 
president would not attend the
inauguration and Ukraine she
did not provide any further 
explanation I relayed that
instruction to others involved
in planning the potential trip
I also informed the NFC that
the vice president will not be
attending so that it could
identify a head of Delegation 
to represent the United States
at president-elect zelenski's 
inauguration notably
Williams confirm that the 
inauguration date had not yet 
been decided schedule been
scheduled at the time of that 
phone call so the reason for
President Trump's decision was
certainly not due to a
scheduling conflict 
Secretary of Energy Rick Perry
ultimate left the delegation
to the inaugural a company
secretary Perry were and
Vassar to the reappear in the 
union Gordon sondland 
Ambassador voelker and
Tennessee director for Ukraine
Benjamin Center Rock Johnson
also attended many events with
a delegation
when asked if this delegation 
was a good group homes
replied it was not a senior 
delegation as we might have 
expected after the
inauguration ambassadors
Walker in Sunland live key
with a favorite very favorable
impression of president 
zielinski about your Walker 
said that believed it was 
important that that President 
Trump personally engaged with 
a president of Ukraine in 
order to demonstrate for us 
support for him 
will they knock relation team 
return to United States they
had a meeting with President
Trump on May twenty-three 
the Mets 23 meeting with
President Trump proved to be
important for good reasons
first with a bastard jovanovic
out-of-the-way President Trump
authorize Ambassador
songland secretary Perry and
Ambassador Volker to lead 
engagement with a new 
Administration in Ukraine 
and to President Trump
instructed them to satisfy
giuliani's concerns in order
to move forward and Ukraine 
matters these officials 
were all political appointees 
or someone had donated
$1000000 to the president's 
inauguration
the president saw these three 
political appointees officials
who would fulfill his request 
Ambassador Volker testified 
that he and basford songland
secretary Perry and Senator 
Johnson took turns making 
their case that this is 
a new crowd it's a new
president in Ukraine he's 
committed to doing the right
things including fighting 
corruption they recommended 
that the present President
Trump follow through and his
invitation for president
selenski to meet with him in
the Oval Office 
but President Trump did not 
receive the recommendation
well that is public hearing 
and basketball court describe 
the May 23rd 00 office meeting
with President Trump let's
listen we stressed
our finding the presents
chance for getting Ukraine out
of the mire of corruption and 
have been in for over 20 years
we are urged him to invite
president salinsky to the 
White House the president was 
very skeptical giving 
Ukraine's history of
corruption that's 
understandable he said that 
Ukraine was a corrupt country 
phone of terrible people he 
said they tried to take me
down in the course of that
conversation he reference 
conversations with mayor
Giuliani it was clear to me 
that despite the positive news
and recommendations being 
conveyed by this official 
delegation about the new
president President Trump had 
a deeply-rooted negative you
on your grain rooted in the 
past he was receiving other 
information from other sources
including Mary Giuliani that
was more negative causing him 
to retain this negative you 
Witnesses said the reference
to taking me down 
what's to unfounded 
allegations that Ukraine had
interfered in the 2016
election this was what
President Trump considered to 
be corruption in Ukraine the
presents words echoed 
giuliani's public statements
about Ukraine in early made 
rather than committing to an
oval office meeting with
Ukrainian leader President
Trump directed The delegation 
to talk to Giuliani 
describe that instruction 
from the president if we
wanted to get anything done 
with Ukraine it was apparent
to us we needed to talk to
Rudy you understood that Mr 
Giuliani spoke for the
president correct that's
correct Ambassador
songland saw the writing on 
the wall Solomon concluded
that if we did not talk to
Rudy nothing would move 
forward on Ukraine
The Three Amigos is a call
themselves Dennis and present 
ordered and began talking to
Giuliani dr. Hill testify 
on Linden Perry gave us the 
impression that there were
meeting with Rudy Giuliani at 
this point and where did
Giuliani was also saying on 
the television and indeed has 
headsets has said subsequently
that he was closely 
coordinating with the state 
department like doctor Hill 
Ambassador Bolton closely 
track giuliani's Ukraine
related activities Hill 
testified about a conversation
she had with Bolton in May of 
2019 that conversation was
revealing so let's listen to
on television making these
statements and I had already
brought to you I'm busted 
Bolton's attention the attacks
the smear campaign against on 
bus Evanovich and express 
regrets about how this was
unfolding and then farts the
shameful way in which 
Evanovich was was being 
smeared in the text that we 
could do about an ambassador
Bolton Hadlock paint basically
indicated with body language
that it was nothing we could
do about it I need that in the
cost of that discussion the 
Rudy Giuliani was a hundred 
that w gngo ow
everyone up 
explosive in any case some he 
was freaking out on television
making quite incendiary 
remarks about everyone
involved in this house that he
was Katie pushing forward 
issues and ideas that would 
you know probably come back to
home 2005 sizing
according to Hales description
Bolton Said that giuliani's 
influence could be an obstacle
to increased White House
engagement with Ukraine he
instructed his staff not to 
meet with Giuliani in June
Walker and Sunland related
master tailor that President
Trump wanted to hear from 
selenski before scheduling the
meeting in the Oval Office and
besser Taylor testified that
he did not understand at the
time what that meant
around this time the present
publicly expressed that he
thought it would be okay to 
accept foreign interference 
desist his campaign if it was 
in the form of opposition 
research on his opponent let's
listen to it that shocking
interview campaign This Time
brownie foreigners if Russia
if China someone else offers
information about it should 
they accept it or should they 
call the FBI I think maybe you
do boss I think you might want
to listen I don't this nothing
wrong with listening if 
somebody call turn the country
Norway we have information on 
your phone I think I'd want to
hear if you want that kind of 
interference in our elections 
Shaggy video meanwhile
Giuliani continue to press
Ukraine to do the president's 
political dirty work on June
twenty one for instance 
Giuliani tweet at the 
following your press of 
Ukraine still silent an 
investigation of Ukrainian
interference in the 2016
election and the ledge by 
Biden bribery a president for 
four ocean called time for
leadership and investigate
both if you want to purge how 
Ukraine was abused by Hillary 
and Obama people the
quid pro quo scheme was taking
shape Giuliani wasubcl
advocating for Ukraine to 
conduct politically-motivated 
investigation will
President Trump refused to
schedule an oval office 
meeting for Ukraine's new 
president is it bad for 
Sunland testified this game to
pressure Ukraine to conduct 
this investigations would only
get more Insidious with time
we can continue our live team 
coverage here of
of the impeachment trial in 
the Senate we were just 
listening to Sylvia Garcia the
representative who represent
it been a one-time judge the
Democrat house managers going 
to continue here is Jason Crow
managers I request that I 
present and then we take the
break if that's acceptable for
everybody 
Mister chief justice members
of the Senate Council for the 
president and the American
people where were you on July 
25th 2019 
it was a Thursday members of
the US Senate were here in
this chamber
on July 25th across the 
Atlantic are 68,000 troops
stationed throughout Europe or
doing what they do every day
training and preparing to 
support our allies and defend 
against Russia
the professionalism and 
sacrifice of our men and women
in uniform is a source of 
great strength
but America is also strong in 
America is also secure because
we have friends 
on July 25th 2019 
one of those friends was
a man named Alexandra Marquis 
in a story told by Sabra
errors of the Los Angeles 
Times 
Alexander was a soldier in
Ukrainian Army defending his
country and Europe against
rushing back forces on
Ukraine's Eastern Front 
he was in a trench
he was 38 years old 
Alexander would later died
defending his country during a
mortar attack on his fighting 
position giving his life just 
like over thirteen thousand of
his fellow ukrainians on the
front lines of the fight for
liberty in Europe 
that same Los Angeles Times 
article painted a picture 
about the ukrainians were 
going through during this time
quote tens of thousands of
ukrainians like markiv
volunteered to help fight the 
Russian back separatists in 
the east many of them were
sent to the front line wearing
sneakers and without flak 
jackets and helmets let alone 
rifles and ammunition 
ukrainians across the country 
organized in an unprecedented 
United civil movement not seen
since World War II raise money
supply their rig take military
with everything from soldiers 
boots 2 bullets 
and while our friends were at 
war with Russia wearing 
sneakers some without 
helmets something else was
happening on July 
25th President Trump made a 
phone call he spoke 
with Ukrainian president
selenski and asked for a favor
and on that same day just 
hours after his call his
administration was quietly
placing it illegal to hold and
critical military aid to
support our friends 
so why shouldn't eat American 
care about what's happening in
Ukraine Timothy 
Morrison former senior
director for Europe and Russia
at the NSC put it bluntly 
third do to believe Ukraine is
on the front lines of a 
strategic competition between 
the west and Vladimir Putin's 
response is Russia Russia is a
failing power but it is still 
a dangerous one United States 
aged Ukraine and her people so
they can fight Russia over
there and we don't have to
fight Russia here support for 
Ukraine's territorial 
integrity and sovereignty has 
been a bipartisan objective 
since Russia's military 
invasion in 2014 it must
continue to be
we help our partner fight 
Russia over there so we don't 
have to fight Russia here are 
friends on the front lines and
trenches with sneakers
following Russia's invasion of
Ukraine in 2014 the United
States has stood by Ukraine 
are diplomats and Military
commanders have long said that
supporting Ukraine makes us 
safer you don't need me to
tell you that you all know it 
very well when the funding for
this security systems came up 
for a vote under this roof 87 
of you voted for the aid and
many of you have been staunch 
advocates for Ukraine working 
in a non-partisan way to
pport makes a lot of senseat
because politics should not 
play a part in ensuring that
Ukraine can battle Russian
aggression and ensure that
freedom wins in Europe this 
body has in so many ways set
that example
protecting Europe from Russia 
is not a political game let me
provide some background 
in early 2014 and what became 
known as the revolution of
dignity Ukrainian citizens
demanded Democratic reforms 
and an end of corruption
Osteen the pro-russian
president within days Russian 
military forces and their 
proxies invaded Ukraine 
annexing Crimea and occupying 
portions of eastern Ukraine 
since 2014 more than 13,000 
ukrainians have been killed 
because of the conflict over
1.4 million have been forced
from their homes
Russia's invasion of Ukraine
is the first attempt to redraw
Europe's border since World 
War II
in 2017 did Secretary of
Defense James Mattis summed it
up well he said quote 
despite Russia's denials we 
know they are seeking to
redraw International borders
by force undermining The
Sovereign and free nations of 
Europe NFL basement bassador
Taylor put it Russian 
aggreson in Ukraine 
dismissed Court dismissed all 
the principles that have kept 
the peace and contributed to
prosperity in Europe since
World War II it's clear that
Russia is not just a threat in
Europe but for democracy and
freedom around the world our
friends and allies have also
responded imposing sanctions
on Russia and providing 
billions of dollars in
economic humanitarian and 
security assistance do you
crank this has been an
international effort today the
European Union is the single
largest contributor of foreign
assistance to Ukraine having
provided roughly 12 billion 
and grants and Loans since
2014 and United States has
provided over three billion in
assistance in that time 
because we all know that we 
can't separate our own
security from the security of 
our friends and allies that's 
why the US has provided 
Economic Security and 
humanitarian assistance in the
form of equipment and training
Ambassador Taylor testified 
that American a does a
concrete demonstration of our 
quote commitment to resist
aggression in Freedom and 
defend Freedom he also
detail the many benefits of 
our assistance for Ukraine's
forces Sherman the
security assistance that we 
provide takes many forms
one of the components of that 
assistance is counter battery 
radar another component to our
sniper weapons these
weapons and this assistance 
allows the Ukrainian military 
to deter further
incursions by the Russians
against their own against 
Ukrainian territory if that 
further 
encourage further aggression
where do they play some more
ukrainians would die so it
isn't it a deterrent effect 
that these weapons provide
it's also the ability gives 
the ukrainians the ability to 
negotiate from a position of a
little more strength when they
negotiate an end to the war in
donbass negotiating with the
Russians this also is a way 
that would reduce the number
of ukrainians who would die 
I would like to make a finer
point of how this type of 8 
helps because I know something
about counter battery radar 
in 2005 I was an Army Ranger
serving in the Special
Operations task force in
Afghanistan we were at a
remote operating base along 
the afghan-pakistan border
and frequently the insurgents 
that we were fighting would 
launch rockets and missiles 
onto our small base 
but luckily we were provided
with counter battery radar for
20 30 40 seconds
before those rockets and
mortars rain down on us an
alarm would sound new run out 
from our tents and jump in to 
are concrete bunkers and wait 
for the attack to end 
this is not a theoretical 
exercise any ukrainians 
know it 
for Ukraine aid from the US 
actually constitutes about 10%
of their military budget it's 
safe to say that they can't 
fight effectively without it
so there is no doubt US 
military assistance Ukraine 
makes a real difference in the
fight against Russia
in 2019 Congress provided 
390 $1000000 in security
assistance this included 250
million to the Department of
Defense the Ukraine security
assistance initiative usai
and 141 million through the 
state department foreign
military financing program FMF
President Trump sign the bill 
to authorize this Aid in
August 2018 and signed another
bill to fund it the following 
month the aid was underway
the train was leaving the 
station and following the same
track it had followed every 
single year but all of this 
was about to change 
in July of 2019 President 
Trump order the Office of 
Management and budget OMB to
put a hold on all of the ape
the president personally made 
this decision even after his
own appointed advisors warned 
him that it wasn't in our 
country's interests to
withhold the a after
overwhelming support in this
Senate and against
long-standing policy even in
his own Administration
but what's most interesting to
me about this is that he
was only interested in the
Ukraine Aid nobody else 
the US provides Aid to dozens 
of countries around the world 
lots of Partners in allies he 
didn't ask about any of them
just Ukraine
the most important question 
here is why would he do that
what was
his motivation well 
we now know why this hold 
shocked people across our own 
government Department of fence
along with the ste
department had already
certified to Congress that
Ukraine had implemented 
sufficient anti-corruption
reforms to get the funds and
the defense department had
already notified Congress of
its intent to deliver the 
assistance so let's recap all 
of this Congress
has already funded it our own 
government had already
certified that I met all the
standards and had met every 
other year and Congress should
already been notified just
like every other year 
in a series of meetings of the
National Security Agency is 
everyone except the OMB 
supported the provision of the
assistance and I want to be as
we know is headed by Mick 
Mulvaney the President's chief
of staff Ukraine
experts at DOD the state
department and the White House
emphasized that it was in the 
National Security interest of 
the us to continue to support 
Ukraine and its fight but it
wasn't just the National
Security concern because many 
people thought that the hold
was just outright illegal and 
they were right it was
the president's hold did
violate the law because just
last week Congress is 
independent non-partisan
Watchdog the government 
accountability office released
an opinion finding that the 
hold was illegal President
Trump held the military aid 
money for so long that the
administration ran out of time
to spend the money ultimately 
even after the president
lifted the hold on September
11th again with no clear
explanation why we the
Congress had to pass another
law to extend the deadline
delaying the delivery of the
egg 
in the same LA Times article
the told the story about our
friend mr. Mark Eve 
Ukrainian defense spokesperson
said that even though the hold
has been lifted this was in 
September quote it has not
reached us yet that's 
spokesperson went on to say 
quot it is not just money from
the bank it is arms equipment 
in Hardware 
and to this day millions of 
dollars still haven't been
spent Although our government 
neither informed Ukraine of 
the whole door publicly 
announced it Ukraine quickly
learned about it on July 25th 
the same day as President 
Trump's call with president 
zielinski officials that
Ukraine's Embassy here in 
Washington email DOD to ask 
about the status of the 
funding by mid-august 
officials it. See the state 
department and the NSC
received numerous questions 
from Ukrainian officials about
the whole everyone was worried
and not just because of the 
urgent need for the equipment 
on the front lines but also 
because of the message that it
sent you see President
zelinski had just been sworn
in they were very vulnerable
as we all know gladimir Putin 
looks for vulnerability he
looks for hesitation he looks 
for delay in any
public sign of a hold on that 
Aid could be a sign of
weakness that could show him
it was time to pounce 
President Trump's hold and
Ukraine assistance was
eventually publicly reported
on August 28th as we will 
explain Ukraine fully 
understood that the hole was
connected to the investigation
is that President Trump want
it on February 28th. Notified 
Congress that it intended to
deliver 125 million of
assistance appropriated in
September including quot more 
than 50 million of assistance 
to deliver counter artillery
radar in defense lethal 
assistance Congress clear the 
notification which enabled. To
begin spending the funds
free cream for Ukraine to 
receive remaining hundred and 
twenty-five million Congress
require that that that that 
the Secretary of Defense in 
coordination with the 
Secretary of State certify
that the government Ukraine 
had taken substantial 
anti-corruption reforms Deputy
assistant Secretary of Defense
Laura Cooper and Senior 
officials across our
government conducted a review 
to evaluate whether Ukraine 
had met the required
benchmarks Miss Cooper explain
that the review involved quote
pulling in all the views of 
the key experts on Ukraine
defense and coming up with the
consensus view which was then 
run up the chain and the
defense department to to quote
ensure we have approval 
by May 23rd the 
anti-corruption review is 
complete and Dottie certified 
to Congress that Ukraine have 
complied with all of the
conditions that the remaining 
half of the age should be 
released but again you
don't have to take my word for
it I'm May 23rd in a letter to
Congress one of President 
Trump's senior political
appointees the under secretary
of defense for policy 
rope quote on behalf of the 
ordination with the  and in 
Secretary of State I have 
certified that the government 
use of Ukraine has taken
substantial actions to make 
the fence institutional 
reforms for the purposes of 
decreasing corruption 
increasing accountability and 
sustaining improvements of
combat capability enabled by
us assistance in quote
Congress then cleared the 
funding which should have 
allowed Ukraine to receive the
aid but we know 
that's not what happened on 
June 28th and June 18th as DOD
Was preparing to send the aid 
they issued a press release 
like they normally do 
announcing it would provide 
250 million in security 
assistance to Ukraine 
for quote additional training 
equipment and advisory efforts
to build the capacity of
Ukraine's Armed Forces so this
included sniper rifles
rocket-propelled grenades 
counter artillery radar 
command-and-control electronic
warfare secure Communications 
Vehicles night vision and 
medical equipment 
however according to the New
York Times one day after the
defense department issued this
press release one day 
assistant to the president
Robert Blair who works for
Mick Mulvaney called OMB
acting director Russell got to
tell him quote we need to hold
it up the it
was the assistance that same
day June 19th President Trump 
gave an interview on Fox News 
where he raised the so-called 
crowdstrike conspiracy theory 
that Ukraine not Russia had 
interfered in the 2016
election align he would Echo
during his July 25th call with
President solinsky this Theory
by the way has been Advanced
by Russian propaganda to try
to take attention away
ifted under Ukraine and it'sd 
a theory that has been
universally debunked by us
intelligence and
law-enforcement nonetheless 
the president's spurred by the
June 18th press release 
and with the false theory that
Ukraine interference in the 
twenties Falls theory about 
the Ukraine interference
supposedly in the 2016
election the president started
asking about the Ukraine
assistance and on June 19th 
I wouldn't be associate 
director for National Security
Michael Duffy emailed Elaine
mccusker the dod comptroller
he said quote the president 
had questions about the press 
report
Henry was seeking additional
information this was a
reference to an article in the
Washington Examiner shown here
on the slide in front of you
the White House with how old
this email from the house of
course we first learned of it 
from Mr from Duffy's Deputy 
Mark Sandy who testified that 
he was copied on it 
subsequently as a result of a 
lawsuit under the Freedom of
Information Act the public and
therefore Congress received a 
copy of that email but what 
about the White House still 
refuses to comply with the
subpoenas for this and other
documents on June 20th
mccusker responded to 
President Trump's inquiry by
providinSay formation on
the security assistance 
program Sandy share the 
information with Duffy but it 
did not know whether Duffy
share the information with the
White House Laura Cooper also 
recalled receiving an email 
inquiry about Ukraine security
assistance a few days after 
dod's June 18th press release 
she noted that it was quote 
relatively unusual to receive 
questions from the president
in response. Provided 
materials explaining that the 
250 million funding package 
was for additional training 
equipment advisory our efforts
to build the capacity of
Ukraine's Armed Forces
Beauty and precise quote
almost all of the dozens of 
vendors are us companies
meaning of this funding also
benefited us businesses and 
workers nonetheless 
President Trump put the wheels
in motion to freeze the funds 
shortly after learning about. 
I plan to release the funds 
according to a New York Times 
article on June 27th Chief of 
Staff Mulvaney email Blair
quote I'm just trying to tie
up some loose ends did we ever
find out about the money from 
Ukraine and whether we can
hold it back
Blair reportedly responded
that it would be possible but 
not pretty he hadn't quote
expect Congress to become 
unhinged play s'pose he said
that for all the reasons we 
talked about earlier because
this chamber and our chamber
on the other side of the
capital resounded Lisa Cruz 
only supports it and
that was just the defense 
department assistance to
Ukraine 
for 2019 Congress also
appropriated 141 million to 
Ukraine through the state 
department unlike the defense 
department funding which was
approved by Congress and ready
to be spent I want to be
blocked the state department
from even seeking congress's
approval to release the funds 
but the pause here to once
again stress do we have 
learned a lot about the 
circumstances around the
initial hold only from the
public release of and 
Reporting about these emails
in the past few weeks the 
White House has refused to
provide these emails in 
response to a subpoena Mick 
Mulvaney and Rob Blair refused
to comply with a subpoena to
testify these emails are just 
a few of the many thousands 
that likely exist on this 
topic but which have been 
concealed from Congress and 
the American people because of
the ongoing obstruction I'm 
back last night as we were
here late Into the Night
sometime around midnight
a new transfer documents were 
released under a Freedom of 
Information Act request by
king for them they were e been
liberal East last night 
between mr. Duffy and Elaine
mccusker and others I'm the 
things that I'm talking about 
right now unfortunately 
as you can see there isn't a
lot to read here because
it's all flapped out
solve the presidents lawyers
contest any of the facts that 
I'm talking about you should
demand to see the full record 
the American people deserve to
see the full truth when it
comes to presidential actions 
but back to the timeline from 
July to September 2019 the
president and his advisers of 
the White House in Owen be
implemented the hold and
Ukraine assistance through an 
unusual and unlawful process
first on July 3rd the state 
department notified. And NSC
staff that owenby was blocking
his notification to Congress
according to Jennifer Williams
vice-president Pence's Aid the
hold on this assistance quote 
came out of the blue because
it had not been proved a
previously discussed by OMB or
NFC around July 
12th President Trump directed 
that a hold be placed on the
dod security assistance as
well that day Mr Blair
send an email to Duffy at all 
quote that the president is 
directing a hold and Military 
Support funding for Ukraine 
around July 15th to Morris and
learn from deputy director or 
advisor Charles government
quote but it was the
president's direction to hold 
the assistance several days 
later Duffy and Blair again 
exchanged emails about Ukraine
security assistance and Sandy 
Duffy ask Blair what the
reason for the hole Blair 
provided no explanation 
instead he said quote we need 
to let the hold take place
and then quote revisit the
issue with the president but
she ain't between July 18th 
and July 31st Tennessee staff 
convene several interagency 
meetings at which the hold and
security assistance was 
discussed remember those dates
July 18th through July 31st 
according to Marx and another 
witness s vel ct
emerged first the agencies
learned that the president
himself had directed the whole
do OMB second 
no justification or 
explanation was provided for
the whole despite repeated
questions third except for
owenby all agencies were
supported military aid because
it was in the National
Security interest of the
United States and 
forth many were concerned that
the hold is outright illegal
Ambassador Taylor learn to the
hold and July 18th he said
quote the directive it come 
from the president oth
chief of staff told him being 
that he quotes at in
astonishment because one of 
the key pillars of our strong 
support for Ukraine was 
threatened David Holmes a 
diplomat at the US Embassy in 
Kiev testified that he was
shocked by the hold 
although there was an initial 
it was initially some question
is whether the hold apply the 
dod funds which was already 
cleared by Congress it soon 
became clear that the holdup
lydall 391 million
Tim Morrison Testify the dod
officials raised concerns at a
meeting on July 23rd about
whether it was quote actually 
legally permissible for the 
president to not allow for the
disbursement of the funding 
these concerns related to 
possible violations of the
impoundment Control Act the 
law that gives the president
the authority to delay or 
withhold funds only if
Congress is notified of those 
intentions it approves the
proposed action of course 
neither of those things had 
been done yes you was 
escalated quickly and at a
senior level meeting on July
26th OMB Remain the lone voice
for holding the egg according 
to Tim Morrison OMB said that 
President Trump was concerned 
about corruption in Ukraine 
Cooper from DOD also attended 
the July meeting
she received no further 
understanding of what was 
meant by corruption 
there was never a principals
meeting convened on this issue
but there was a fourth and
final inter-agency meeting on 
July 31st remember that day 
of fourth and final 1 
there was a process for making
sure that USA money makes it
to the right place to the 
right people
Mister chief justice do sea 
remembers moving and then 
taking a break would like to
take a break at this time I 
have another 15 minutes I 
think we can continue 
do if I'm a what I was going
to suggest was at 
6:30 we take a 30-minute break
for dinner okay if that 
so break at 6:30 okay 
what I was going to suggest 
was a break for dinner at at
6:30 for about 30 minutes.
so we know there was a hold 
but there was no lawful way to
implement that hole so that 
one be had to use creative
methods there 
is a process for making sure
that USA money makes it to the
right place to the right
people a process that have
been followed every year since
Congress approved security
assistance Ukraine
give ministration needed to 
find a way a creative way of
getting around that process 
later in the evening of July
25th the only be found that 
way even though DOD had 
already notified Congress of
the funds would be released 
here is how it worked first 
going to be issued guidance 
asserting that there was an 
ongoing review of assistance
even though none of the 
witnesses who testified were
aware of any review of
assistance second 
OMB also attempted to hide the
hole in a series of technical 
footnotes and funding 
documents and third omv's 
leadership also transferred 
responsibility for approving
funding obligations from
career civil servant Mark 
Sandy to a political appointee
Mark Duffy someone with no
relevant experience in this 
funding based on
recent public reporting and 
documents Duty released under 
the Freedom of Information Act
we learned in a July 25th 
approximately 90 minutes after
President Trump's phone call
with President selenski mr. 
Duffy but the previous three
prong plan into motion when he
sent an email to senior DOD 
officials copying sanded
females in front of you 
in this email Duffy stated
quote based on guidance I have
ceedn e light of the
administration's plan to
review assistance to Ukraine
please hold off and any 
additional DOD obligations of 
these funds pending directions
from that process Duffy 
also underscored quote given
the sensitive nature of the 
request I appreciate you
keeping that information
closely held to those who need
to know to execute the
direction another word don't
tell anybody about it later 
that day Sandy approved and 
signed 1st July 25th binding
document which delayed funding
until August 5th
Sandy testify to the purpose
of this and subsequent
footnotes quote was to
preclude obligation for a 
limited. Of time but enable 
planning and casework to
continue Sandy
also testified that his use of
footnotes was unusual and then
it is 12 years of it owenby 
experience he could vote not
recall another event like it
on July 29th Duffy told Sandy 
he would no longer be 
responsible for approving the 
release of DOD Ukraine funding
this was only weeks after a 
Sandy had raised questions
about the legality of the 
president's whole Duffy also
revoked The Authority for 
approving the release of the
state department funding from 
sandy's, take it all and be in
short Duffy assumed approval
Authority for all 391 
million of the assistants over
the next several weeks with 
Duffy and charge Owen be
continued issue funding 
documents that kept kicking 
the can down the road 
supposedly do allow for an
interagency process and 
remember and then to
interagency process and it
already wrapped up back in
July Wahl inserting the whole 
time footnotes throughout the 
important documents stating 
that the delay woun'afct
the program and yet concerns
continue to be paid within DOD
that in total I want to be
issued 9 of these documents 
between July 25th and 
September 10th even 
as I want to be with
implementing the president's
hold officials inside OMB 
advocated for the release of
the funds 
on August 7th I won't be
staffs in a memo to director
Vaught recommend removing the 
hole because the assistance 
was consistent with the 
National Security strategy in 
terms of one supporting us
table piece full year up to 
the fact that the age counted 
but there was bipartisan
support r e program this
meant that experts at every 
single relevant agency
involved opposed the whole
by mid-august. Raised concerns
that I might not be able to 
fully spin the dod funds
before the end of the fiscal
year Laura Cooper testified 
that. Estimated 100 million of
the aid was at risk of not
getting to Ukraine DOD
concluded that I could no 
longer support Ayo & B's claim
that the footnotes quote that 
in the footnotes that quote 
this brief pause and
obligations will not preclude.
These timely execution of the 
final policy Direction in 
quote Sandy testified that
this sentence in the footnote 
was quote at the heart of that
issue about ensuring that we
don't run afoul of the
impoundment Control Act 
records produced in response
to a foia lawsuit show that 
mr. Duffy and Miss mccusker 
exchange emails on August 20th
and on that date I want to be 
modify the footnote these 
emails are almost entirely
redacted however all the
subsequent put notes issued by
OMB during the pendency of the
hold remove the sentence
regarding. He's ability to
fully obligate the funds by 
the end of the fiscal year
nevertheless I want to be 
continued to implement the
whole that the president's
Direction we know from emails 
released last night that as of
September 5th I want to be
with continuing to instruct 
DOD to hold the egg 
OMB gave these emails to a
private organization just 
because of a foia lawsuit 
on September 5th Duffy email
mccusker the following quote
no movement from Ukraine
footnote forthcoming to 
continue a hold through Friday
in quote we know the mccusker 
responded OMB with a lengthy
email detailing. Serious
concerns but I won't be 
redacted almost the whole 
thing as I
explained last night OMB has
key documents that the that 
President Trump has refused to
turn over to Congress key 
documents to go to the heart
of one of the ways in which 
the president abused
his power concerns about
whether the administration was
bending if not breaking the 
law contributed to at least 
200 MB officials resigning
including an attorney in OMB
according to Sandy one
colleague specifically
disagreed with OMB general
counsel about the application 
of the impoundment Control Act
as I mentioned earlier the
independent and non-partisan
government accountability 
office has already said that
the hold was illegal
what do you remember the L&B
correspondence remembering the
referencing the quote 
interagency process as we now 
know there was no 
interagency process it ended
months before they
made it up they had to make it
up because they couldn't say
the real reason for the whole 
sometime prior to August 16th 
Ambassador Bolton had a 
one-on-one meeting with 
President Trump according to
Morrison at that meeting the
president quote was not ready 
to approve the release of the 
assistants Ambassador Bolton
instructed Morrison to look 
for other opportunities to get
the president's cabinet 
together at a quote have the
direct in-person conversation 
with the president about this 
topic everyone was worried
including the president's 
National Security advisor 
drafted a presidentialBittman 
decision memorandum for 
Ambassador Bolton to present
to President Trump for his
decision and Ukraine security 
assistance the memorandum 
recommend recommended that the
hold be lifted Morrison 
testified that the memorandum 
was never provided to the 
president because of other
competing issues
Morrison testified in a 
meeting withheresident was
never arranged in August
scheduling problems 
according to recent press 
reports on August 30th
Secretary of Defense asked for
Secretary of State Pompeo met 
with President Trump and
implored him to release the 
security assistance because 
doing so was in the interest
of the United States however
President Trump continued to
ignore everybody
later that day Duffy emailed
undersecretary of Defense 
Ellen mccusker and Road quot
Clear direction from POTUS to 
hole Ukrainian
government knew of President
Trump's hold and security 
assistance well before it was 
publicly reported on August 
28th this was not surprising
us Diplomat Kathryn Croft 
testified it was quote
inevitable that it was
eventually going to come out
she said two individuals in 
the Ukrainian Embassy here in 
approximately a week apart
call quietly in an confidence 
to ask me about an hour and 
beholden tUkinserity
assistance she cannot 
precisely recall the dates of 
these conversations but 
testified that she was quote
very surprised at the 
effectiveness of my Ukrainian 
counterparts everyone was 
worried so why would these
diplomats quietly make this 
inquiry it's because if it had
gone public it would show that
weakness against Russia that
was so concerning to everybody
involved
if that if this werenk that if
Republican Ukraine it would be
seen as a reversal of our 
policy it would be a really 
big deal and Ukraine and an 
expression of declining us
support for Ukraine 
meanwhile Laura Cooper
testified that. Heard from
the Ukrainian Embassy on July 
25th the same day as President
Trump's call the president
salinsky on July
25th a member of my staff got 
a question from a Ukraine 
embassy contact asking what 
was going on with Ukraine 
security assistance because at
that time we did not know what
the guidance was on usai the
OMP notice of apportionment 
arrived that day but the staff
member did not find out about 
it until later I was informed 
that the staff member told the
Ukrainian official that we
were moving forward on usai 
but recommended that the
Ukraine Embassy check in with 
State regarding the FMF 
USA I referred to the 250 
million that I want to be 
blocked DOD from sending to 
Ukraine have enough referred
to the hundred and forty 1
million of a block from the 
state department on July
25th Cooper staff also
received two emails from the
state department revealing
that the Ukraine Embassy was
quote asking about security 
assistance and that the hill
knows about the FMF situation 
to an extent and so does
the Ukrainian Embassy one of
Cooper staff members reported 
additional contacts with
Ukrainian officials about the 
hold in August
finally we know the ukrainians
knew about the hole because 
the New York Times published
in interview with a former
deputy foreign minister of
Ukraine Elena Circle she
stated that she and President 
zielinski's Office received a 
cable in Late July informing
them of the whole in short
by the time of politico's 
report on August 28th do
ukrainians we're well aware 
that the egg was not only 
important was not was not the 
only important official Act of
the White House was 
withholding from them the 
long-sought White House visit 
for president salinsky was
also in limbo has all of this 
transpired Ukrainian troops 
were still in the front lines 
and Eastern Ukraine facing off
against Russian back forces 
dying in defense of their 
country 
Ambassador Bill Taylor visited
those Ukrainian troops on July
26th he recalled seeing quote 
the armed and hostile 
russian-led force on the other
side of the damaged Bridge
across the line of the contact
when asked to reflect on that 
visit here is what Ambassador 
Taylor had to say 
Zuckerberg July 26th
love years later you go to the
front you go to dump us with
Ambassador Volker I believe 
and you're on the bridge and
you're looking over on the
front line at the Russian 
soldiers that were recalled 
and you said the commander
there the Ukrainian Commander 
thank you for the American
Military assistance that you
knew was being withheld 
at that moment that's correct 
because it was clear that that
Commander countered on us it
was clear that that Commander 
had confidence in us it was 
clear that Commander had what 
was appreciative of the 
capabilities that he was given
by that assistance but also 
the reassurance th wwe
supporting him
like me Ambassador Taylor is a
combat veteran in fact he was 
awarded a Bronze Star 
Ambassador Taylor knew how
vital our military aid was to 
those Ukrainian troops because
he knows what it feels like 
they have people counting on
you members of the US Senate I
know you believe that Aid is
important to because 87 
members of this body voted to 
support it President Trump
did not think the aid was 
important last year 
ignored you and the direction 
of Congress he betray the 
confidence of our Ukrainian 
partners and US National
Security Winnie corruptly 
withheld at 8 and he did so 
because he simply wanted to 
help his own political
campaign our men and women
in uniform deserve better 
our friends and allies deserve
better the American people
deserve better
chief justice Roberts senators
and counsel for the president 
now I want to talk to you 
about the White House meeting 
at President Trump offered to 
president solinsky during 
their first phone call and
April but as you know that
meeting has not been scheduled
it was never scheduled
and bassador Silent testify 
that after the May 23rd 
meeting with President Trump
it became clear that President
solinsky would not be invited 
to the Oval Office until he 
announced the opening of
Investigations that would 
benefit President Trump's 
re-election during his
testimony Ambassador sound
stressed that it was a clear
quid pro quo
let's listen I know that
members of this committee 
frequently frame these
complicated issues in the form
of a simple question was there
a quid pro quo as I testified 
previously with regard to the 
requested White House call and
the White House meeting the 
answer is yes mr. Giuliani
conveyed the secretary Perry
Ambassador voelker and others 
that President Trump wanted a 
public statement from 
president selenski committing 
to investigations of Barista, 
and the 2016 election 
mr. Giuliani Express those
request directly to the 
ukrainians and mr. Giuliani 
also Express those requests 
directly to us we all 
understood that these 
prerequisites for the White 
House call and the right White
House meeting reflected 
President Trump's desires and 
requirements also testified 
that the scheme to pressure 
Ukraine into fulfilling the 
presidents requirements for an
oval office meeting became
progressively and more
specific and problematic what 
he described as a Continuum of
insidiousness he explain the
evolution from generic request
to investigate corruption to
calls to pursue specific
allegations against President 
Trump's political opponents 
here is Ambassador is Sunland 
again well mr. chairman 
when we left the Oval Office
I believe on May 23rd 
the request was very generic
for an investigation of 
corruption in a very vanilla
scents and dealing with some
of the oligarch problems in 
Ukraine which were
long-standing problems and
then as time went on
a more specific items got 
added to the menu including 
the upper east, and 
2016 election meddling
specifically the DNC server 
specifically and over this
over this Continuum 
it became more and more 
difficult to secure the White 
House meeting because more
conditions were being placed
on the White House meeting and
short and bassador is vulgar &
Sons on understood that to get
the meeting schedule they 
needed to get mr. giuliani's
agreement first on June 
27th Ambassador sound 
plained to Ambassador Taylor
that President Trump needed to
hear from the Ukrainian leader
before he would consent to
a white house meeting here is 
how Ambassador Taylor 
explained it June 27th
and bouncer Solomon told me 
during a phone conversation 
the president selenski needed 
to make clear to President
Trump that he presents of 
lynskey was not standing in 
the way of Investigation
Diplomat David Holmes 
testified that he understood
early on the investigations 
to mean the Rhythm abiding
investigations that mr. 
Giuliani and his associates 
had been speaking about 
publicly mr. Holmes noted that
while President Trump was 
withholding and oval meeting
with Ukraine's newly elected
leader he agreed to meet with 
Ukraine's Chief faux gladimir 
Putin mr. Holmes had this to
say also
on June 28th will President 
Trump was still not moving
forward on a meeting with 
President zielinski we met
with he met with Russian
President Putin at the G20
Summit in Osaka Japan sending 
a signal of lack of support 
Ukraine Ambassador
Volker did not dispute other
Witnesses testimony that
President Trump condition Oval
Office meeting on President's 
alinsky's willingness to
announce investigations indeed
and bassador Volker help
matters along Ambassador
Volker testified that at a
conference in early July he 
suggested that President
selenski speak to President 
Trump on the phone to discuss 
the investigations during his 
testimony Ambassador voelker
describe that encounter 
and in the July second or 
third meeting in Toronto that 
you had with President
zalenski you also mentioned 
investigations to him right 
now and again you were
referring to the recent 
increase men 2016 and you 
understood that that'sha
the ukrainians interpreted
references to investigations
to be related to Barista and
the 2016 election don't know
specifically that time if we
had talked to that
specifically Barista 2016 
because of you that s 
assumption though that they 
would have been thinking that 
too mr. Giuliani
became an inescapable presents
to both Ukrainian officials at
American diplomats to the 
ukrainians Rudy Giuliani was
seen as both a potential
channel to President Trump and
an obstacle to our productive 
u.s. Ukraine relationship 
and zielinski text to volkers 
that I feel that the key for
many things is Rudy and I'm 
ready to talk with him at any 
time but everyone 
understood that Mr Giuliani 
was no rogue agent he was 
acting at the direction of the
president Ambassador sons and 
clearly describe mr.
giuliani's role in regard to
the president let's listen
mr. juliani's requests were a 
quid pro quo for arranging a
White House visit for 
president selenski mr.
Giuliani demanded that Ukraine
make a public statement 
announcing the investigations 
of the 2016 election
DNC server and barista
mr. Giuliani was expressing 
the desires of the president
of the United States and we 
knew these investigations were
important to the president
concerned about mr. giuliani's
influence began to grow on
July 10th at a meeting between
ambassador's Taylor and to
Ukrainian officials and keys
Ukrainian officials said they 
were very concerned because 
mr. Giuliani had told the 
corrupt prosecutor-general
was Cinco that President Trump
would not meet with the 
Ukrainian leader back in
Washington too important
encounters at the White House 
for the reveal the existence
of a corrupt quid pro 
quo 
in a meeting and Ambassador 
Bolton's office within
Fulton's Ukrainian counterpart
and presidents alinsky's top
aide also present were
secretary Perry and bassador
voelker and ends SC officials 
dr. Hill and Lieutenant 
Colonel venneman toward the 
end of the meeting the
ukrainians raise the topic of 
an oval office meeting
between President Trump and 
president solinsky Ambassador 
Bolton started to respond when
Ambassador son interjected and
raise the demands of the
investigation here is a 
lieutenant colonel venneman 
recall the conversation 
to the best of my recollection
the ambassador of Sunland said
that in order to get a white
house meeting their ukrainians
would have to provide a 
deliverable which is
investigations specific 
investigations Ambassador 
Volker separately confirm this
record Legend recollection
during his testimony
I participated between
National Security advisor 
Bolton and then Ukrainian 
chairman of the Nation
Alex the New York as I
remember the meeting was
essentially over when a basset
comment about investigations I
think all of us thought it was
inappropriate Ambassador
Bolton also found in bassador 
soundlens reference to be 
inappropriate and he abruptly 
ended the meeting 
song when was not deterred he 
convened a second meeting 
where he discuss what needed
to happen before and Oval 
Office meeting apparently 
Ambassador song Lynn had
received his marching orders
from the president and he was 
determined to carry them out
Bolton Center Dr Hill to join 
that meeting and report back
and this is what dr. hill had 
to say I'm so when I came in. 
Golden Sun Blends it was
basically saying I'll lo w
have a deal here that they
will be a meeting I have a
deal here with with Chief of
Staff Mulvaney they will be a 
meeting its ukrainians open up
our announced he's vestigation
into 2016 in Verismo and I cut
it off immediately
over and over again all of the
issues that 
he was sitting by this point
deorheids ar the Pria s 
Giuliani was laying it out
there after the meeting 
dr. Hill followed up with 
Ambassador Bolton and related 
what transpired Bolton was
alarmed and other words 
Ambassador Bolton didn't want 
any part of it
he directed dr. Hill to brief 
the nsc's top Attorney John 
Eisenberg as she explained
during her hearing
what was that specific
instructions to John Eisenberg
I was senior counsel for the
National Security Council to
basically said you tell me the
I am not pass of the this 
whatever drug deal. Mulvaney
and some Linda cooking up 
a drug deal that Mulvaney and 
song Lynn we're cooking up I
took it to mean investigations
for meeting did you go speak
to the lawyers
Senators as a former Chief of 
Police I think it's quite 
interesting that Ambassador 
Bolton categorize the 
corrupt scheme the pressure 
campaign as a quote drug deal 
I think that Ambassador Bolton
was trying to send send us a
very powerful message 
a message that not only with
the lawyers the top lawyer
understand but that every 
person would understand every 
member of the house every 
member of the Senate every
member of our great country 
every citizen and Ambassador
Bolton also wanted to make
clear especially to the 
top attorney that he did not
want to have anything to do 
with a drug deal in progress
but we do know we know now of 
course that Ambassador Bolton 
can testify directly about
this he can testify directly
for himself about this meeting
if he appears before this body
as he has indicated that he is
prepared to do if this body is
willing to issue a subpoena 
we need to hear from
Ambassador Bolton and I know
the American people want to 
hear from Ambassador Bolton as
well. 
Eisenberg took notes of their 
meeting which we
to No Surprise now do not have
we have not received because
of the president's obstruction
it's clear Ambassador song
when was not operating a
rogue operation he
testified that everyone 
everyone was in the loop
let's listen once again 
everyone was in the loop
it was no secret everyone was 
informed via email on July
19th days before the
presidential call as I
communicated to the team I
told president selenski in
advance that Assurance is to
run a fully transparent 
investigation and turn over 
every stone were necessary
in his call with President
Trump 
in the email referenced in
bassador Solomon wrote The
Following to secretary Pompeo 
secretary Perry and mr. 
Mulvaney regarding
president zielinski he is 
prepared to receive POTUS is
called will assure him that he
intends to run a fully
transparent investigation and 
will turn over every stone
both mulvany and Perry
responded to the email noting 
that the head of state called 
would be scheduled right away 
now you may be asking what did
Mulvaney know about these 
investigations and did he have
any conversations with
President Trump about 
them Senators this body 
is entitled to see all of the 
evidence and you know what the
American people are entitled
to hear all 
of the evidence and while the 
nature of the drug deal we've 
talked about was uncontested
it is important for the 
country to know that
everyone was involved 
because we've heard it
everyone was in the loop. 
Later that day July 19th and
bassador Sunland text 
ambassadors vulgar and Taylor 
about the upcoming Head of
State telephone call and the
text said looks like POTUS
call tomorrow I spoke 
directly to zielinski and gave
him a full briefing 
he's got it Ambassador
Volga reply to silence text 
most important is for 
zielinski to say that he will 
help
investigations the evidence 
shows that the ukrainians 
understood what they needed to
do to earn
a white house meeting with
the president on July 20th the
day after Ambassador saleh's
phone call with President 
solinsky Ambassador Taylor
spoke with the Ukrainian
National Security advisor 
Ukraine's National Security 
advisor conveyed that the 
Ukrainian president did not 
want to become an 
instrument and US politics
here is how Ambassador Taylor 
explained that concern what 
did you understand it to mean 
when the zelinski had concerns
about being an instrument in
Washington domestic 
re-election politics
understood that 
these investigations
were pursuant to
request it said develop 
information to find 
information about brisma and
the bidens this was very well 
known in public at this point 
clear in several instances in 
the beginning it in the in the
springtime
a problem that because
president selenski is worried 
about this they understood at 
least that there was some 
pressure for them to pursue 
these investigations
is that fair Michigan look
indicated that prisons lynskey
certainly understood it that
heidotant to get
involved in these 
type of activities the next 
day Ambassador Taylor relay 
the Ukrainian leaders concerns
to voelker and Solomon but
Ambassador Sunland did not
back down Ambassador
Sunland text in response to 
Ambassador Taylor's worry 
absolutely but we need to get 
the conversation started
and the relationship build
irrespective of the pre-checks
again and bassador songland 
had his marching orders and he
was determined to carry them
out a call between President
Trump and president solinsky
was scheduled for July 25th 
before the call President 
Trump spoke to silent and 
reiterated his expectation
that the Ukrainian leader 
would commit to the 
investigations Ambassador song
and subsequently contacted
ambassadors vulgar and relay
the message to him then 
text alinsky's top paid with
President Trump's instructions
assuming president V
convinces Trump he will 
investigate get to the bottom 
of what happened in 2016
we will nail down the date
for a visit to Washington 
Senators in other words even
before the July 25th phone
call with president solinsky
before it ever took place 
Ukraine understood what it
needed to initiate that it
needed to initiate the
investigation into the
dabbat conspiracy theory about
the 2016 election as
a condition for president 
zielinski the newly-elected 
Ukrainian president to visit
the White House and testified 
that acting on President
Trump's direct orders he
an ambassador Volker prepped
president solinsky for the
telephone call and you would
agree that the message in this
is that is expressed here is
that President selenski needs 
to convince Trump that he will
do the investigations in order
to nail down the date for a 
visit to Washington DC is that
correct 
by this time nonpartisan
career officials involved with
Ukraine policy had become 
aware of this quid pro quo
here is what three of them
said during their testimony 
Ambassador Taylor the meeting 
President solinsky want it was
condition on investigations of
Charisma and allege Ukrainian 
influence in the 2016 
elections Ambassador David
Holmes it was made clear that 
some action on a burisma Biden
investigation was a 
precondition for an oval
office visit dr. Hill 
there seems to be an awful lot
of people involved
you know basically
turning a white house meeting 
into some kind of accent
that was dangled out
to the Ukrainian government 
a White House visit a visit 
to the Oval 
Office dangled out to the 
Ukrainian government
Senators I asked you to think 
about those words as
we decide you decide
what action you will take 
think about those words there 
was no doubt the Direction
came from the president of the
United States the president 
was the center of this
scheme Ambassador the song and
testified that mr. Giuliani 
was expressing the desires of 
the president of the United 
States and we knew these
investigations were important 
to the president Ambassador 
Sunland added that Mr Giuliani
follow the direction of the 
president and we
followed the presidents 
orders however as Ambassador
Taylor testified and Bolton 
was not interested in having
did not want to have the call 
because he thought it was 
going to be a disaster
he thought that there could be
some talk of Investigations or
even worse than that
deep thought what was 
Ambassador I asked you today
Senators what was Ambassador
Bolton so afraid that 
President Trump would say to
the newly-elected Ukrainian 
president what was the
National Security advisor so
afraid that 
President Trump would say to
president salinsky
this is another topic we'd
like to ask Ambassador Bolton 
about if
and when he appears 
before this body
you been watching our 
continuous coverage here on 
ABC News live of the
impeachment of Donald J Trump 
is the impeachment trial in 
the Senate up to sakig
now for the house managers
representative Hakeem Jeffries
Sting with members of the 
Senate thank you once again 
for your Indulgence and for 
your courtesy as we all 
undertake our solemn
constitutional
responsibilities during this
Senate trial
George Washington once
observed in his farewell
address to the nation that the
constitution is secretly
obligatory upon all 
that means everyone 
in fact that is what makes
our great country so distinct 
from authoritarian regimes
and enemies of democracy
Vladimir Putin is above the 
law in Russia 
hurdle one is above the law in
Turkey Kim
Jong-un is above the law
in North Korea but in the 
United States of America no 
one is above the law not even 
the president of the United 
States that is what 
this moment is all about
as we all know Congress is a
separate and co-equal branch
of government we don't work 
for this president or any 
president we have coursework
for the American people we
have a constitutional 
responsibility to serve as a
check and balance on an 
out-of-control executive
branch that is not the
Democratic party Playbook that
is not the Republican Party 
Playbook that is the Playbook 
in a Democratic Republic
James Madison once observed in
Federalist 51 that the
Congress should serve as a
rival to the executive branch 
in my humble opinion why would
Madison use the word
rival because the framers of
the Constitution I think did
not want a king they
did not want a dictator they
did not want a monarch they 
wanted a democracy the
Constitution is secretly
obligatory upon 
all it is through that
lens that we proceed today
would like to discuss ts I
President Trump's July 25th 
phone call with Ukraine's 
newly elected leader the
president claims that his call
was perfect nothing can be
further from the truth
the call is direct evidence of
President Trump's solicitation
of foreign interference in the
2020 election as part of a
corrupt scheme it 
is important of course to 
remember the context of this
call the new Ukrainian
President Vladimir zelenskiy
was in a vulnerable sion
and viewed American and 
diplomatic Military Support as
critical to his standing and
to Ukraine's fragile future 
as a democracy equally
significant as outlined by my 
colleagues America has a
strong National Security
interest in supporting Ukraine
against Russia has
continued aggression William
Taylor West Point graduate
Vietnam war hero
ambassador to Ukraine 
appointed by Donald Trump 
testified Ukraine is a
strategic partner of the
United States important for 
the security of our country 
as well as Europe Lieutenant
Colonel Alexander venneman
National Security Council 
officer Trump appointee Purple
Heart recipient Iraq war
veteran testified a strong and
independent Ukraine is
critical to our national
security interest Ukraine 
remains under attack by 
russian-backed separatists in 
Crimea it is an ongoing Hot 
War Ukraine is a friend 
Russia is a phone Ukraine 
is a democracy Russia is a
dictatorship the United States
may very well be one of the 
only things standing between
Russia and Ukraine being
completely overrun as part of 
that Vladimir Putin's 
continued aggression against
the Free World that is why
this Congress allocated 
390 $1000000 in Military and
security Aid to a vulnerable
Ukraine on a bipartisan basis 
because it is in America's
national security interest on 
July 25th call it's the truck 
could have endeavoured to 
strengthen the relationship 
with this new Ukrainian leader
instead President Trump 
focused on Jeffrey's there in 
the Senate impeachment trial
right now a live picture of 
Air Force One landing back
from Davos Switzerland the
present returning from the
world economic Forum we do
expect impossible to make some
comments as you arrive to the 
white house as soon as that 
happens if it does we will
turn around and bring it to 
you with any new developments 
from the White House let's
return now back to the Senate 
chambers and representative 
Jeffries American ambassador
known as an anti-corruption 
crusader at the same time 
he praised a corrupt former 
Ukrainian prosecutor
turn on multiple occasions
President Trump directed
Ukraine's new leader to speak 
with his personal lawyer
Rudolph Giuliani on an
official call 
if the Giuliani is not a
member of the Trump 
Administration for these and
other reasons the July 25th 
call warrants or close
scrutiny represent significant
and shocking evidence of
President Trump's corrupt 
intent the call lays bare the 
president's willingness to do 
whatever it takes to get what 
he wants even if his behavior 
undermines the National 
Security interests of the 
United States of America
at the beginning of the call
President selenski mention US 
military aid and he States I
would also like to thank you
for your great support in the 
area of defense 
the great support in the area 
of defense includes the 
security assistance pass by 
this Congress 
on a bipartisan basis that
Donald Trump held up
in violation of the law 
immediately after president 
selenski raise the issue of 
the fence support President 
Trump responded I would like
you to do us a favor though 
these words 
will live in infamy first 
President Trump said the
president selenski as part of 
the two demands that he 
requested I would like you to 
find out what happened with 
this whole situation in 
Ukraine they say
crowdstrike I guess you have
one of your wealthy people the
server they say Ukraine 
has it President Trump
continue I would like to have 
the Attorney General call you 
or your people and I would
like you to get to the bottom 
of it as you saw yesterday
that whole nonsense ended with
a very poor performance by a
man named Robert Mueller
the Vietnam War hero by the 
way a very poor 
performance by a man named
Robert Mueller and incompetent
performance but they say a lot
of it started with Ukraine
whatever you can do 
it's a very important that you
do it if that's possible
who is the day
referred to by President Trump
putting forth the baseless
conspiracy theory that the
ukrainians not the Russians 
were behind the hack of the 
Democratic National Committee 
server in 2016
they means Russia they
means Putin they are
enemies of the United States
not a single witness who
testified before the house
knew of any factual basis for 
President Trump's belief in 
the crowdstrike Ukraine Fairy 
Tail to the contrary
the US intelligence community 
and this said it
intelligence committee assess 
that Russia interfered in the 
2016 election 
as dr. Fiona Hill testified 
the theory that Ukraine 
interfered in the 2016
election is quote a fictional 
narrative that has been 
perpetrated and propagated by 
the Russian Security Services 
The Conspiracy Theory that
President Trump Advance on the
July 25th phone call is Stone 
Cold Russian propaganda 
is early as February 2017 
Vladimir Putin began to 
promote this lie during a 
press conference saying quote 
the Ukrainian government
adopted a unilateral position 
in favor of one candidate more
than that certain oligarchs 
certainly with the approval of
the political leadership
funded this candidate or
female candidate
to be precise those are the 
words of Vladimir Putin a 
script apparently adopted 
by President Donald John Trump
if there was any doubt about
who benefits from this
unfounded Russian inspired
conspiracy theory Advanced by 
Donald Trump Vladimir Putin 
made it clear when he said
in November of 2019 thank God 
no one is accusing us anymore 
of interfering and US 
elections now they're choosing
ukrainians
unfortunately this is not the 
first time President Trump
tried to capitalize on Russian
propaganda I miss information 
for his own political benefit 
on July 24th just one day 
before this call special
counsel Robert Mueller testify
before Congress that the
Russian government interfered 
in the 2016 election and
sweeping and systematic 
fashion in order to support 
the Trump campaign and
divided America what's the
mother also found at the Trump
campaign welcome Russian
interference in the 2016
election and utilized it as 
part of its campaign messaging
despite the clear and 
overwhelming conclusion of us 
intelligence agencies as well 
as the distinguished
Senate intelligence committee 
that Russia not Ukraine 
interfered in the 2016
election President Trump
continue to press the new 
Ukrainian leader to 
announce an investigation into
the crowdstrike Ukraine 
conspiracy theory 
why President Trump sought a
political favor 
that's why it's part of a 
scheme this illicit foreign 
interference in the 2020
election the second demand
made by President Trump on the
July 25th call related to the 
campaign of Vice President Joe
Biden who announced his 
intention to run for the
office of the presidency last 
April throughout the spring 
and early summer of last year 
public polling consistently 
showed that Biden would 
decisively defeat 
President Trump in fact on
June 16th of last year
June 16th a Fox 
News poll showed that 
President Trump would lose to 
Joe Biden by 10 points
the concern with Joe Biden's
candidacy provide motive
for President Trump's the man 
that Ukrainian government 
investigate the former vice 
president and his son 
Hunter here is what President 
Trump set on that call
the other thing there's a lot 
of talk about Biden's son that
Biden stop the prosecution and
a lot of people want to find
out about that so whatever
you can do with the attorney
general would be great
Biden went around braggi
that he stopped the 
prosecution so if you can look
in to it
it sounds horrible to me
now the Trump Administration
officials who participated in 
the impeachment in curry
unanimously testified that
there was no factual support
for the allegation that Vice
President Biden 
did anything wrong
or misused his authority when 
yoprs r e removal of
Ukraine's corrupt former
prosecutor General Joe Biden
did nothing wrong the 
witnesses testified the Vice
President Biden wasn't fat
carrying out official US
policy to clean up the
prosecutor General's office in
Ukraine this policy of course 
aligned with the perspective
of many in this very
distinguished body as well
as our European allies
throughout the world as well
as the international monetary 
fund Vice President Biden did 
not remove Yuri lutsenko the
correct corrupt prosecutor
Ukrainian government did
with the support of the 
Free World nonetheless
on October 3rd 2019 when a
reporter asked President Trump
what exactly did you hope 
zielinski would do about the
bidens after your phone call
President Trump responded 
as follows they were honest 
about it that sort of major 
investigation into the bike is
a very simple answer start
a major investigation into the
bidens the evidence of
wrongdoing by President Trump 
is hiding in plain sight
during the July 25th call 
President Trump also
repeatedly press the Ukrainian
president to coordinate 
with his personal attorney
Rudolph Giuliani why was
Rudolph giuliani's name 
mentioned multiple times
during the July 25th phone
call Giuliani is not the
Secretary of State he's 
not an ambassador he's not a
member of the Diplomatic Corps
Rudolph Giuliani is a 
cold-blooded political
operative for President 
Trump's re-election campaign
that is why he was reference
multiple times on that July 
25th phone call and it is 
evidence of corrupt intent
by President Trump by the time
to call took place president
selenski understood giuliani's
connection to the Shakedown 
scheme he recognized
giuliani's role is the
president's political 
operative as matters related
to Ukraine so let's 
confirm President Trump that
one of his aides spoke with 
mr. Giuliani just recently
and we are hoping very much 
that mr. Giuliani will be able
to travel to Ukraine and we 
will meet once he comes 
the Ukrainian leader new
Giuliani represented President
Trump's political interest in 
his country and could help
unlock the longsword after
Oval Office meeting that
President zielinski 
desire the phony investigation
sought by President Trump on
the July 25th call we're not
designed to bolster the 
National Security interests of
the United States of America
quite the contrary President
Trump 
sought to benefit himself and 
his own re-election prospects 
on July 25th call President 
Trump also suggested that 
President zalenski speak with 
the attorney general
William Barr about the two
fake investigations that the
president sought
this is important to keep in
mind at no time during this 
entire sordid scheme
was there an ongoing American 
law enforcement investigation 
into the phony slander related
to Joe Biden
or the conspiracy theory
related to Ukrainian
interference in the 2016
election
was there an ongoing American 
law enforcement investigation 
America is the leader of the
Free World
we did not urge other 
Sovereign countries to Target 
American citizens absent any
legitimate basis whatsoever 
absent any scintilla of 
evidence
apparently President Trump
does not play 
by those rules turn the July
25th call President Trump 
didn't raise legitimate 
corruption concerns as a
relates the Ukraine President 
Trump did not mention the word
corruption once 
the president did however 
viciously Moline former US
ambassador to Ukraine Marie 
jovanovic a distinguished 
anticorruption Advocate 
whom he abruptly removed
because she was seen as an
obstacle to his geopolitical
Shakedown Ambassador Ivanovic 
joined the Diplomatic Corps 
under President Ronald Reagan 
and subsequently serve three
other Republican presidents 
she is a highly respected 
diplomat and Foreign Service
professional yet
President Trump told the new
Ukrainian leader the former 
ambassador from the United
States the woman was bad news 
and the people she was dealing
with in the Ukraine with bad
news so I just want 
to let you know that
he didn't stop there
later in the call President 
Trump ominously added 
well she's going to go through
some things 
these are the words of the
president of the United States
of America
the bassador Ivanovic did not 
know of President Trump's 
disparaging remarks at the
time she didn't 
learn them until the call 
record became public in 
September asked whether she 
felt threatened by President
Trump's statement that she was
going to go through some
things Ambassador 
jovanovic answered that she 
did hear is what she said 
the next excerpt when the 
president president references
you so short one
but he said well she's going
to go through some things 
what did you think when 
President Trump told president
selenski and you read that you
were going to go through some 
things I didn't know what to
think but I was very concerned
she's going to go through some
things it didn't sound good 
sounded like
did you 
feel threatened I didn't
during that same call 
President Trump also took the 
opportunity to praise Yuri
lutsenko
restaurant cinco is the former
Ukrainian prosecutor General
who was widely regarded by the
entire free world including 
our European allies an
international monetary fund to
be corrupt an incompetent 
but Donald John trump our 
president Praise Him
on that call he told
president selenski quote I
heard you had a prosecutor who
was very good and he was
shut down and that's really 
unfair a lot of people are
talking about that the way
they shut your very good
prosecutor down and you had 
some very bad people
involved think about this 
contrast the president Bosch
the career American Diplomat
and anti-corruption Champion
Hui unceremonious Lee removed 
because she was viewed as an
obstacle to his efforts to
solicit foreign interference
in the 2020 election and at 
the same time pray someone who
we thought could be an asset
corrupt Ukrainian prosecutor
who the Free World viewed as
an obstacle to the rule of law
the idea that President Trump 
cares about corruption is 
laughable 
it's laughable
plain reading of the rough
transcript of the July 25th 
call also sheds light 
on the quid pro quo involving 
the Oval Office meeting that
had been sought 
president salesky said on the 
call I also wanted the thank
you for your invitation to
visit the United States 
specifically Washington DC
on the other hand I also
wanted to ensure that we
will be very serious about the
case and will work on 
the investigation 
as all of you know
hearing this distinguished
body quid pro quo is a Latin
term it means this
for that
statement that I just read
shows that President zielinski
fully understood at the time
obituary July 25th call that
if he yielded to President
Trump's the man for phony 
investigations he would get 
the White House meeting in the
Oval Office that he 
desperately sought this 
for that
President Trump has repeatedly
insisted that is July 25th
conversation with president 
selenski what's a perfect call
his staff at the White House
apparently believed otherwise 
the Press office issued a 
short and incomplete summary
of the July 25th call let me
read it for your
hearing today 
President Donald J Trump spoke
by telephone with President 
Vladimir zelenskiy of Ukraine 
to congratulate him on his
recent
and the scripture says for the
lord loves Justice and
will not abandon his faithful 
ones Official White House call
readout July 25th 2019
today President Donald J
Trump spoke by telephone with 
President Vladimir zelenskiy
of Ukraine
to congratulate him on his
recent election President 
Trump and president selenski
discussed ways to strengthen
the relationship between the
United States and Ukraine 
including energy economic 
cooperation both leaders also 
expressed that they look
forward to the opportunity to 
meet that is the official 
White House call readout dated
July 25th 
2019 the official readout 
provided to the American
people omitted key elements of
the president's conversation
let's review the official 
readout did not mention the 
phone investigations requested
by President Trump the
official readout did not
mention the Oval Office 
meeting sought by President 
selenski the official readout 
did not mention President 
Trump's elevation of a
debunked conspiracy theory
promoted by bladimir Putin
about 2016 election 
interference
did not mention President 
Trump's demand that Ukraine 
investigate his domestic
political rival Joe 
Biden the official readout did
not mention that President
Trump Moline and threaten 
Ambassador jovanovic and the
official readout did not
mention that President Trump
praised a corrupt former
Ukrainian prosecutor
the complete conversation 
however between 
President Trump and president 
selenski that we just 
outlined office powerful
evidence the President Trump
abused his power and solicited
foreign interference in the 
2016 election the 
2020 election 
several members of the
president's staff listening in
on the call 
immediately grew concerned as 
he sat in the White House 
situation room listening to 
the conversation Lieutenant 
Colonel Alexander Benjamin
realize that the president's
demands of Ukrainian leader 
were inappropriate and
improper he quickly 
recognized that as the
president began referencing 
the bidens and crowdstrike
the car was diverging from the
official National Security
Council approved talking
points that he helped prepare 
Lieutenant Colonel been men 
20-year Iraq war veteran
Purple Heart recipient
an American Patriot he
testified in the context of 
the call that due to the
unequal bargaining position 
of the two leaders and
Ukraine's dependence on the 
United States the favor 
that President Trump salt 
would have been received by 
President zielinski as a
demand Lieutenant 
Colonel venneman worried that 
the car would undermine US
National Security interest and
he knew immediately that he 
had a duty to report the
contents of the call the White
House lawyers 
I was concerned by the call 
what I heard was inappropriate
and I afford my concerns to 
mr. Eisenberg it is improper
for the president of the
United States to demand a 
foreign government investigate
a US citizen and a political
opponent I was also clear that
if Ukraine pursued
investigation it was also 
clear that if Ukraine pursued 
investigation into the 2016 
elections the bidens and
interpreted as a partisan play
this would undoubtedly result 
in Ukraine losinbirtan
support undermining US
National Security and 
inventing of Russia's 
strategic objectives in the 
reason we're telling the
content of the call based on
his detailed handwritten notes
Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin 
told the lawyers thahe
believed it was wrong for 
President Trump to ask
president salinsky to 
investigate Vice President
Biden other Witnesses were
also troubled by what they
heard vice president Pence's
advisor Jennifer Williams 
Express concern that President
Trump raised a domestic 
political matter on an
official call with a
foreign leader she testified
At The Mention of 
Investigations struck her as
unusual and possibly political
in nature she said I guess for
me it shed some light on
possible other motives behind 
a security assistance hole
Timothy Morrison a former 
Republican Congressional
staffer who replaced dr. Fiona
Hill in July of 2019 also 
reported the call to National 
Security Council lawyers
after to call President Trump 
continue to push the scheme 
forward on July 26th the very 
next day Ambassador Sunland 
and Ambassador Taylor met with
president salinsky and other
Ukrainian officials and Keith 
according to David Holmes the 
Ukraine base us Diplomat who
served as the note taker do 
Ukrainian leader mention that 
President Trump had brought up
some very sensitive issues
during the July 25th call 
very sensitive issues 
Ambassador song Lynn then had 
a private meeting with Andre
Your Mark presidents alinsky's
top 8 the two men 
insisted that the meeting 
be one on one with no note
taker perhaps due to the
sensitive issues that might 
come up Ambassador
Solomon testified that he and 
presidents alinsky's 8
probably discussed the issue
of Investigations Anthony's 
key moments in Ukraine and
bass of the song and went to
lunch with David Holmes and 
two other American officials
what's the home sat directly
across from Ambassador silent 
close enough to hear the
details of an extraordinary 
telephone call between mr.
Sunland and President Trump 
has mr. Holmes relayed during 
his sworn testimony under oath
Ambassador song Lynn pulled 
out his unsecured cell phone
and said that he was going to 
call President Trump to give
him an update 
what happened next
was shocking
Alabaster silence phone was 
not on speaker phone I could
hear the president's Voice
through the earpiece of the 
phone the present voice was 
loud and recognizable in the
phone away from his ear for.
Time presumably because the 
loud volume I heard it
Bastrop song and greet the
president and explained he was
calling from Keith I heard
President Trump than clarify
their Master Solomon was in 
Ukraine bassali replied yes he
was in Ukraine and went on to 
State the present selenski
quote loves your ass I didn't 
hurt President Trump asked so 
he's going to do the
investigation Vassar song and 
replied that he's going to do 
it adding a present selenski
will do anything you ask him
to do he's going to 
do it he would do anything
you ask him to do 
immediately after this call 
with President Trump mr.
Holmesollowed up with 
Ambassador song then
Vassar Sunland remarks that 
the president was in a bad
mood as a master song stated
was often the case elyn 
the morning I've been took the
opportunity to ask about your 
silence for is candid 
impression of the president's 
views on Ukraine in particular
I asked about your songland if
it was true that the president
did not give a expletive about
Ukraine bastress on agreed
that the president did not
give an expletive about 
Ukraine I asked why not if a
only cares about big stuff I
noted there was a big stuff 
going on in Ukraine like a war
with Russia Anne bastress 
Islandpped to human Big 
President like to bite an 
investigation the mr. Giuliani
was pushing the conversation
and moved on. Other topics
during the July 25th call 
President Trump ask for the 
favor of these two phony
political investigations
immediately after the 
Ukrainian president brought up
defense assistance for Ukraine
and the following day 
Ambassador Solomon confirm to 
President Trump that Ukraine
would indeed initiate the 
investigations discussed on 
the call which was the only 
thing president cared about 
with respect to Ukraine 
he didn't care that Russia was
forcefully occupying eastern
Ukraine President Trump didn't
care that thousands of
ukrainians apparently have
died fighting for their 
democracy didn't seem to care 
that support in Ukraine 
bolsters America's national 
security
but he cared about himself
as it relates to the prospects
what is re-election in 2020 
in November President Trump 
denied that he spoke to 
Ambassador the song Lean On 
July 26th telling reporters I 
know nothing about that 
put in his public testimony 
Ambassador songland 
contradicted that assertion 
with official records he
obtained from the White House 
Ambassador song when further
explained at
home just testimony refreshed 
his re-election about the July
26th call which Ambassador
Solomon had not originally
described when he first 
appeared at a deposition
before the house
also on July 26th shortly 
after our key of meetings I 
spoke by phone with President 
Trump the White House which is
finally finally shared certain
call date sometimes with my 
attorneys confirms this the 
call lasted 5 minutes I 
remember I was at a restaurant
in Kiev and I have no reason
to doubt this conversation
included the subject of 
Investigations again given Mr 
giuliani's demand that
president selenski make a 
public statement about
investigations I knew that
investigations were important 
to President Trump
President Trump said that is
July 25th conversation
was a perfect call
it was far from perfect 
in a perfect call the 
president would not demand a
political favor from a
vulnerable Ukraine Ukraine
under attack
buy Russian pho in a perfect
call the president would not
the man that a foreign leader 
investigate a Russian inspired
conspiracy about
the 2016 election in a perfect
call the president would not
pressure a foreign government 
to Target an American citizen 
for political personal gain 
and a perfect call the
president would not solicit 
foreign interference in the 
2020 election in a perfect
call the president would not
threaten the well-being of a
highly respected American 
ambassador and say that she 
was going to go through some
things in a perfect call
the president would not praise
a disgraced former
prosecutor put a free world 
viewed as corrupt and 
incompetent and in a perfect
call the president would not
have directed a foreign leader
the follow up with Rudolph
Giuliani a human hand 
grenade this was not
a perfect call
it is direct evidence that
President Donald John Trump 
corruptly abused his power
and solicited foreign 
interference in the 2020
election
the majority leader is
recognized as colleagues
for dinner reconvene at the 
five minutes after 7 so I 
asked and sent the sentence 
and a recess until that 
time
you've been watching our
continuous coverage of the
Senate impeachment trial of 
President Donald Trump the
Senato gng to take a
dinner break for about 30 
minutes were able to bring it 
on Powerhouse political team
here I want to bring in Sunny 
Host rhtownef the 
co-host of the view also
former Federal prosecutor and 
sunny all day for several 
hours now by my count more
than four or five hours in the
first 24 hours at the house 
managers are going to get to
make their case we saw us 
where the weaving of a web
they could have wanted to come
by a bh tiesf 
impeachment both abuse of 
power and obstruction of
justice justice under the 
guise of the president wanted 
to cheat an election and he 
doesn't want you to hear from 
Ambassador Bolton because 
Ambassador Bolton has things
that we need to hear
Witnesses they want documents 
and as a former Federal 
prosecutor I know that every
trial has Witnesses has 
documents that are introduced 
and every impeachment trial 
and I believe they've been 15 
of them has had Witnesses has 
had documents and so I think
what they are imploring these 
Senators to do is to make that
call and and let's face it
this is not a criminal trial
it's a political trial but 7 +
in 10 Americans have set that 
they want to hear the 
administrative officials right
in ministration officials and 
Bolton for one was Senator
Romney's foreign policy 
advisor Forum his presidential
campaign so we know that the
Republicans only need for 
Democrats rather only need for
senators to sort of flipped to
the other side so that these
witnesses can be heard so 
Romney's at Play We Know
Collins is it play we know
markowski is it played who is 
the other Republican senator
that they need and I think all
of these arguments are for
that one Senator that they
think they can get for their
size so will those Republicans
have already said they're 
going to wait until opening 
arguments are done to even
consider whether they'll vote 
to support Witnesses they try 
to bring some witnesses last
night that didn't work or stay
with their party right now
from the impeachment process
here Adam Schiff from the 
house talking about his 
mission and also talking about
how this whole process started
a message from earlier today
when heat when he spoke for 
almost 2 hours over the coming
days you will hear
remarkably consistent evidence
of President Trump's
corrupt scheme and cover-up 
when you focus on the evidence
uncovered during the
investigation you will
appreciate there was no 
serious dispute about the 
facts underlying the
president's conduct I want
to hone in I want to hold it
on that last part right there 
there is no serious dispute 
about the facts underlying the
president's contact if there
is no serious dispute about 
the facts as a former Federal 
prosecutor why do they need 
more witnesses why do they
need more new information 
because we haven't heard from 
these particular Witnesses we 
haven't heard from any of the 
witnesses but you can't have
it both ways the reason that
you haven't heard from these
Witnesses because the 
president Bayville Edge has 
obstructed the witnesses has
instructed the witness is not 
to appear and that is the very
basis of the second a charge
for impeachment obstruction of
Congress and if that is the 
basis of of the obstruction 
charge then bring in the
witnesses and that is why I 
think it's so very important
for those Witnesses those fact
witnesses to be hurt the other
the other thing that I think
is important is if they need
to prove that this President
abuse his power what better 
way to prove that then to have
those fact Witnesses appear 
before the Senate because not 
only I think Naylor said it 
Natalie said it very well not 
only is the president on trial
the Senate is on trial as well
the American people need to 
believe in our govnmt ey
need to believe in this 
process and Intuit in having
these witnesses that I think
we'll do a lot for them to
have faith and in democracy 
RZR Congressional 
correspondent assume since
around 5:36 this morning
because a Good Morning America
and talk to me about what 
you've witnessed because it's 
interesting even though we've 
heard a lot of this evidence
even though we should have
witnessed these clips in
real-time more than a month 
ago it appears to some of our 
reporters including yourself
that the Senators are really
holding in when they show 
these clips 
methodically going through all
of their
evidence connecting all of the
dots for the Amerin op
and also for the 100 Senators 
sitting there today and I 
talked to many of these 
centres who said yes they've
been paying attention over the
last several weeks and months 
they've been reading news 
Clips watching some of these
hearings but they haven't been
paying attention to every 
single little twist and turn
that clear when you're in the 
chamber because you see how 
intently those Senators on
both sides of y'all are 
listening I was kind of 
surprised actually given how
much of this we've heard
before just how intently they 
were looking at some of them
as you mentioned actually 
getting up in order to take a 
closer look at some of the
actual
slides and evidence that were 
being shown on the screen 
everyone was taking a 
specially notably those 4K
moderate Republicans do we
Collins 
Senator Mitt Romney was 
actually taking notes on
several different pages 
especially not surprisingly 
when the conversation turned
to the question of whether or 
not they are going to call
additional Witnesses and be 
able to receive additional
documents because of course 
those four Senators really
hold the key to whether or not
this trial will allow the 
entrance of any kind of new 
evidence but it is I think
surprising to some maybe just 
how really intently everyone
in that chamber seems to be 
paying attention that said
time I was in there fairly
early on in the day we will 
see you as the night goes on
when you see a couple more
notes being passed in 01
Senator we've noticed I've
been abltoneak in 
crossword puzzles it seems
there is a fair amount about
going out as well know what 
your earlier pointof
closed that some senators are 
listening intently I do want
to ask you about the tone and 
the atmosphere because
finishing last night things 
got really ugly past midnight 
with representative Nadler one
of the house manager saying 
that that some Senators would 
be acting treacherous even
some Democratic senator said
maybe he went to far what's 
the atmosphere like today 
today is a complete 180 from
yesterday because yesterday 
was really a political fight
about the rules that are
governing this trial today
is about the substance about
the acalvincthat has
been gathered so far and the
Democrats laying out their
case for why they feel the
president abused his power and
obstructed Congress and why 
they say he should be removed 
from office so it is a really 
noted marked shipped up here
on Capitol Hill and it's why I
think you were fireworks in 
the chamber today stig
the Chief Justice of course 
you have to step in the urge
both sides essentially to 
knock it off and tone it down 
because the rhetoric was
getting so heated it was
essentially Unbecoming of the 
Senate chamber not even close 
to that today because today 
was really about Democrats
just making their case and of 
course they have a vested 
interest in making sure this
isn't too political right 
because they want to try and
convince some some some 
Republican Senators especially
with me at 4 to get on on 
their side and if they make 
this two political some of
those Republicans who support 
they so desperately want it's 
you so much I want to bring in
our senior National 
correspondent Terry Moran and 
Terry doing one of the
exchanges Sylvia Garcia during
her her case that she was 
putting  dinher 
testimony she roll the clip 
from George Stephanopoulos RR 
George Stephanopoulos 
interview with the present I
want to talk to you about this
because the central theme 
today was abuse of power there
are two articles of 
impeachment put a lot of today
was about abuse of power
specifically the present
wanting to cheat in the 2020
election let's let's
roll I clip a expressed 
that he thought it would be 
okay to accept foreign
interference to assist his
campaign if it was in the form
of opposition research on his 
opponent let's listen to it 
that shocking interview 
campaign this time rounded
foreigners if Russia if China 
at someone else offers you
information on opponent should
they accept it or ou ty 
call the FBI I think maybe you
do both I think you might want
to listen I don't this nothing
wrong with listening if 
somebody called 
trouble country Norway we have
information on your phone I 
think I'd want to hear if you 
want that kind of 
interference in our elections 
soteria shocking video
meanwhile Giuliani continue 
to press Ukraine to do the
president's political Dirty 
Work Terry representative 
Garcia called a shocking if 
you cover President Trump as
long as I have it wasn't that 
shocking cuz he made similar
comments during the campaign
and back then the defense by
by some Republicans and Trump 
supporters with its ignorance 
vs. the indefensible he's now 
the commander-in-chief he's 
now the president is that 
argument does that argument 
still stand hey it's just the 
way the president talks 
ignorance maybe he doesn't
know exactly how the laws work
did does that cut it anymore
well by this time given that
one of the one of the issues
in the Mueller investigation
was the federal law that
prohibits accepting something 
of value from a foreign 
government and that is
prohibited by law in here he
is talking about getting good 
information that is not the 
first presidential candidate
to do that in fact in the 2016
election we now know that if
that Democrats would had paid 
operatives looking for for
turn on President on President
Trump in the end it wasn't a
gigantic operation but it was 
done and and so this is this
may be a rule that is honored 
more in the breach than in the
observance is they say but
there's no question that
President Trump ju Bzen 
disregard not only of norms 
but sometimes of laws he's
lost his scores of cases his
administration in the courts
not because the judges are
super liberal but because 
basically he disorders things 
that are Beyond legal to send 
to put it one way and that
interview with George 
Stephanopoulos being entered
into evidence is an effort to 
remind Senators those were
willing to open their minds 
and hearts to the evidence
that this is his character he 
is someone Brash and Brazen in
his presidency in his pursuit 
of what he wants done and 
sometimes it's quite impatient
with legal restrictions they
are still there though there
is a law that prohibits 
accepting something of value
from a foreign government 
Terry observing a day and a 
half now cuz we still going to
go till 10 tonight what's your
sense having observed so many 
different political fights out
there Washington about today
do you think Democrats
removing the needle at all
with any of those Republican
Senators not the four that may
be on the fence about bringing
Witnesses but but actually
removing the president from 
office well that's a that is
the most drastic remedy that
the constitution affords
remember there are two stages 
here they can vote to convict 
the president it would take 
your 19 Republicans to do that
and that's unlikely to happen 
but if they did then they move
to punishment and one of the
punishments is removal from 
Office it isn't automatic this
constitutes as punishment can 
extend extended to removal
possibility are they moving 
the possible to say for 
this reason then while they 
are politicians about 
one-third of them up for
re-election this year another 
third of them in two years
they are also sworn to do 
impartial Justice in this 
trial and they are in that
room forced to sit there
future on them is what what 
they do is President it will
affect future presidents
presidents and future Congress
is in their contests of Power 
with presidents and they're 
all aware of that you just
never know in the impeachment 
of Andrew Johnson in 1868 
there was one vote that saved 
Andrew Johnson from being 
removed from office and that
was a man named Ross Edmund 
Ross from Kansas he had told
people the night before that
he was going to vote to 
convict Johnson he sat down in
the Senate they some tearing
up piece of paper scattering
the paper on the floor and he 
said very quietly not guilty
she didn't even know so 
stranger things have happened 
yeah I think we also can't
underestimate the power of the
presidt s th h own
party people say there's no 
longer the Republican party so
longer than serve at party it 
is Trump's party right now
with Republican voters
supported him and some pools
more than 90% standby we're 
going  ce cko you 
speaking of President Trump 
Kyra Phillips are 
corresponding covers the White
ance to speak with the a
present today she had some
lengthy and and really news 
making exchanges with the 
present hear about your 
interview and from what we
understand it clearly he was
watching some of the
impeachment hearings and he 
had some strong feelings about
his own defense team how is 
your dad and here's what was
interesting Tom is that when
we arrived here in in Davos 
Switzerland and the president 
arrived there really wasn't a 
lot of talk that he was going 
to have any kind of press 
conference or mingle with the 
media that he was going to
remain private and have his 
one-on-ones with world leaders
and CEOs and that's how we
started out I mean we actually
thought well this is kind of a
bummer we're not going to have
a chance to really to interact
with him and talk to him about
4,000 miles away there's an 
impeachment trial going on in 
here he is in Switzerland 
trying to convince people to
invest in the United States 
and so we were sort of getting
ready to wrap up for the day
the president was getting 
ready to depart and then in 
typical Trump style Tom he
decides to hold an impromptu
press conference announced is 
it at a Bible at all of us
looked at ea oer didn't 
know where it was going to be 
what time it was going to be
but we know when Trump says 
he's going to do something he 
usually does it so we 
scrambled back over to the
building crammed into a very
small room and we had a chance
to ask him all about the
impeachment trial that was
going on and let me tell you
what he slammed Democrats and 
he slammed that trial and I 
asked him well in any way 
shape or form you think you'll
show up this is what he told
me to show up in any way shape
or form at your trial number
to master the past you still
feel that way about him now 
and 3 Lev parnas has come 
forward and said that you knew
everything that he was
doing any other than he is so 
like a con man
movie is a terrific person
great crime fighter the best
mayor of the history of New 
York City by far solve the
crime problem in New York and 
I think it's very unfair the
way the media is treated Rudy 
Giuliani I will say this I
prisI don't know other
than he probably contribute to
the campaign along with tens
of thousands of other people
and I take I mean I was this
weekend I was taking pictures 
with hundreds of people are 
they there they contribute to 
the Republican party and I
stand there and I ta
pictures and every once in
awhile to look at somebody I
say chi I wonder when that
pictures going to be ith
Washington Post or on Fox 
okay well actually that was 
not the the right exchange
their tongue but what I asked 
him was that after those
questions about Kennis star 
and Rudy Giuliani I asked him 
if he would even think about
showing up at his trial and he
actually said he would but
then more than likelhi
lawyers wouldn't be too happy 
about that and I can tell you 
is lawyers for sure saying
to each other they don't want 
him anywhere near that Senate 
chamber time for Acura
Phillips who had some some
really interesting exchange 
with the present today Kira we
thank you for that stand by 
for us before I come back to
you a little later I wanna go 
to PierrThasecsee 
heard of name today that
popped up during the
impeachment trial as well live
parnas one of the present I 
giuliani's associate someone
who says that he had a lot of 
access to the president he he 
has submitted photos and
videos of of its time meaning 
all types of Trumps including 
the president and and today he
was he was mentioned because
he delivered a letter to the
president least he says he did
talk to me about this because 
this is a piece of evidence 
Pierre that house 
investigators got after the 
Henry impeach the esen
that that's right he claims 
that this letter was written
by Giuliani and in the letter 
Giuliani basically says 
the 
the case that he is not to be 
atorcaweaybo tthate d ve
election charges he is a man
who has an interesting history
he's saying he was Rudy 
giuliani's right hand man he
was very close to review on E 
Giuliani today essentially
because Giuliani was acting on
behalf of the president in a
personal capacity in this came
up time and time again but
would Democrats were painting 
was that Rudy Giuliani was on 
a mission essentially to
tamper with the 2020 election 
in Ukraine and Lev parnas was 
one of us allies was helping
him do this time you're 
exactly right Partners has
been indicted in the southern 
district of New York accused
of campaign Finance violations
essentially funneling foreign 
money including some from 
Russia into the u.s. election 
cycle that's what he's been 
accused of but the federal
prosecutors have also taken 
great pains to lay out that he
was involved in the so-called 
skiing to get rid of Marie
jovanovic and you're right
again he is the person who was
making most of these to wreck 
over chores conversations with
Ukrainian officials are he's
ukrainian-american a person 
who again was closely working 
with Rudy Giuliani and we in
ctadnef the 
president's other personal
attorney laying out the fact
that he partners of another 
man by the name of Igor fruman
will working on behalf of the 
president with Rudy Giuliani
calling him a groupie saying
he didn't kn h tt 
takes pictures with hundreds
of people all right. Standby
until you're with us
throughout the night so we
appreciate that I want to go
to Devin Dwyer he's also in 
the Senate chambers on Capitol
Hill tonight for us he's been 
doing a lot of reporting all
over the hill really and also 
in and out of the chamber's to
because we were waiting early 
this morning to see if the
white house he would file a 
motion to dismiss they did not
do that where can Republicans 
and the White House go from 
here you got time to
Whitehouse team sat silently
today basically stewing over
this presentation by the house
Democrats against President 
Trump they're going to have to
wait until Saturday to offer
their rebuttal to all of this 
it's going to be a long haul
for them but as you say they
did pass up a chance to make
all of this go away at least
trying to make it go away 
right out of the gate this
motion to dismiss is something
the president I talked a lot a
lot about wanting perhaps 
although he was dissuaded by
Mitch McConnell the Republican
leader convinced that perhaps 
we'll be better to try to get 
an acquittal instead they 
still have it in their back 
pocket so we could see that 
motion I'll come up at some 
point down the line but I am
told today I buy Senator Rand 
Paul of Kentucky obviously
close Ally of President Trump 
that he thinks there are a
majority of Republicans 45 of 
the 53 Republicans in the US
Senate on board with voting to
dismiss this case so perhaps
an indication that we're not
there yet but there is a
reminder that there's a 
growing body of Republicans 
that are ready to do that we
can talk in about the 
moderates to 528 if you 
believe Rand Paul's math is 
still sort of holding the line
on this thing but if it you 
know keep in mind this isn't
just the Democrats leaning on 
those moderates other 
Republicans are laying on them
to town we know that from from
Sun reported that Senator 
Mitch McConnell doesn't 
necessarily want to use that
option because it could hurt
Republican Senators that are
in some tight races come
November yeah that's
absolutely right and in the 
case that we're hearing a 
number of Republicans making
directly to people like Susan 
Collins and Lisa murkowski yes
there in moderate districts 
and they need to be sensitive 
to the more left-leaning
members of those States people
like John barrasso of Wyoming 
or in the leadership in the 
Senate. John cornyn of Texas
told me earlier today that
they are arguing behind the 
scenes to those moderates that
why should they hold this up
why should they vote for
Witnesses when the end result 
is going to be the same 
they're doing a gut check with
those members asking them are 
you really going to vote to 
remove the president is is
that testimony from John
Bolton really going to make 
that much more of a difference
if you hear it also there is a
good bit of jockeying going on
behind the scenes and again 
the politics in those States
those vulnerable members is 
very much at the four-time all
right deven to our first night
ifoue st tuning in you
are watching ABC News live We 
are following the Senate
impeachment trial of President
Donald J Trump right now the
Senators are on a dinner break
they should return around 7:05
or Powerhouse political team
has been covered every angle
so far right now the house
manager still making their
opening arguments and they
will continue through the 
night we think close to 11 or 
midnight so it's going to be a
late night maybe not as late
as last night I want to bring 
am at Daddy's or cheap
political analyst because 
there is so much politics at
play here Matt are the first
question I want to ask you
from watching this first day
and a half so far how does
this affect Democrats how does
it affect the Republicans do
you think it hurts or helps 
anybody right now well
the first thing Tom and I 
think is for all of us you me 
and everybody out there and 
the senator sitting in the
chamber and the house manager 
is a dense announcing this is 
a Monumental moment mean we've
never had in our history and
it ain't even on our lifetimes
to people gone get the Senate 
impeach and gone to the senate
for a trial that's never
happened and I can remember I 
was 12 years old and I got
interested in politics because
of the Watergate hearings and 
now I've had two in my life X 
to send it travels in my life 
X I think where we are at 
today and I noticed something 
Mary Bruce said and I think 
the house managers made a 
really good decision which is 
try to keep the tone as less
wild and is non-partisan is 
possible sort of Just The Two 
Sergeant Friday just the facts
I think you've had him shift
is done that very well
in the course of this some
others have not done as well
but I think where we are is 
when you look at every pole 
when you look at all this the 
country is divided on the 
president with a majority 
disapproving of the country is
divided on impeachment with 
the majority slight majority
favoring impeachment and the
country is divided on 
conviction with it basically
split roughly even one thing
the country is not divided on 
is whether or not there should
be a full and fair trial here 
seventy 75% of the country
says there should be Witnesses
and there should be documents 
to prove represented in here
that's the pressure point I 
think most of all not on
ultimately on the conviction, 
but the pressure point is 
going to come and that's why
the Democrats did what they 
did yesterday the pressure
point is going to become when 
they have a vote after all of 
Democrats present then to his 
defense the president's 
defense present then they're
going to have some vote on who
should they subpoena and what 
they should subpoena that is
the real pressure point in
this and those Senators not 
Mitt Romney so much because 
Mitt Romney is a wild card and
he's not in a swing state but 
at tt have been t are in swing
mentioned before I really 
going to feel that pressure 
because I think and different 
than what they're being 
advised by Republicans I think
the most politically
advantageous position for them
is is even if they're going to
vote to find the president it 
innocent and not convicted the
best political position that
can have his I think the
president did something wrong 
I think we should hear from 
more witnesses on that point
film at if they don't vote
that way there's really three 
groups that are to be affected
by the way the book comes out 
of the witnesses and it and 
eventually how this ends up 
you have the group were 
talking about those Republican
Senators that may be at risk I
have elections Committee
Member of the president 
himself and you also have a 
friendly for the primary say
can you have the the four 
senators were running for 
president right now my
question to you is in the news
atmosphere that we work with
in people just forget  in the 
things a move on to the next
big thing those Republican
Senators you think it's really
going to haunt them come
November well I don't think 
necessarily what's happening
right now is going to haunt 
them in November with a 
problem they have is is when
those Senators if they vote to
not to convict the president
and if those Senators vote to 
business is the truth has a 
way to come out may not come
out in the moment it may not
come out in a week it may not 
come out in a month but it's
going to come out I think if
you think about those Canada
those Republicans in serious
campaigns including the 
president is in a serious 
campaigning come late summer
and fall we've kind of
Forgotten what's happening
this week and next week we
forgotten about that specific 
but I'll send more information
comes out John Bolton's got a 
book coming out where he could
relate facts that if he's not 
called as a witness could 
really seriously undercut 
those Republicans vote against
Witnesses so I don't think
it's necessarily what happens 
right now that's going to 
carry over but it's what it 
what news that gets revealed
in the course of the next 10
months nine and a half months 
that all of a sudden undercut 
arguments that people made of 
why they did what they did
today even if the president 
does survive in the Senate it 
could haunt him and follow him
all the way to November my
as we mentioned those Senators
on the Democratic side who are
running for president they
can't be in Iowa right now
they have to be in the Senate 
chambers does it help or hurt 
them and the person right now 
that it may help a lot is Joe 
Biden who's able to campaign
enabled it to spend a lot of
time in Iowa well I 
I don't I'm not a big believer
that that this point in time
with less than two weeks
before the Iowa caucus and
they just had a debate how
much that's going to impact I 
agree with you that I think it
of anybody at help since Joe
Biden maybe Pete buttigieg to 
a degree I think the person 
that likely Hurts the Most if 
it's going to hurt anybody at 
all and I and again I think 
the voters in Iowa pretty Keen
sense of who these candidates 
are is Amy Klobuchar because
Amy Klobuchar is at that point
in the polls we're at 5 or 6
she has to get finished in the
top three of the top four and 
I would only be able to 
sustain her campaign Bernie 
Sanders is going to be in the 
top three or four and 
Elizabeth Warren has a a
dedicated following us so I 
think if you think about helps
Joe Biden to a degree but if
anybody that hurts it's Amy 
Klobuchar and that's why Tom
you see Amy Klobuchar almost
every single recess of this 
process you saw it yesterday
she's doing interviews on 
cable television or whenever
she possibly can to relate
what she's doing she's doing
that to tell what she put she 
knows and what you believe in 
to send a message to people in
Iowa and Des send a message to
people in New Hampshire that
here I am I still am around so
if anybody it hurts it could
be Amy Klobuchar alright Matt 
stick with us right now going 
to bring in Sunny Hostin
against we're hearing about 
this issue now with Joe Biden 
and with the Democrats and the
Republicans this thing about
of a witness swamp I asked you
that was a legal term you told
me you had never heard of that
but it's actually it may be 
having from the reporting you 
give us Bolton will give you
Joe Biden 
never heard of it before and
it
really ignore to the benefits 
of the
publican's course but it would
atou J Benr ntertsecse
Biden say that would be 
material to the issues in this
case I mean they wouldn't be
fact witnesses to the issues
in this case could they 
testify to what happened on 
the phone call could they 
testify as to whether or not
the president with help aid 
from Ukraine put they testify 
to whether or not at why the
president did not have this 
meeting with Ukraine it at the
White House could they testify
for life because he abused his
power and because he
obstructive Congress
will say that's fair game and 
we'll try to go that route Joe
body was actually asked about 
this let's hear we had to say 
why I would not make the deal 
the bottom line I this is 
a constitutional issue
and we're not going to turn it
into a horse into some kind of
political theater 
they're trying to determine if
I want no part of being any 
part of that nobody is
indicated there's a single
solitary thing that he did
that was inappropriate wrong
or any relationship to other
than the appearance look bad
because he was there I want to
bring back. Down our chief
political Guru not if you're
advising the Biden campaign 
right now they're there is no 
way that you would give him a 
green light to go in to 
testify in this trial or his
son but by any means you know 
this is something we don't
think this will really happen 
I mean this is something Joe
Biden would would prab
have to fight right 
well I think Joe Biden would
fight it but I don't
necessarily from putting my 
strategist head on having been
in campaigns before I don't 
think it's necessarily a bad
thing that if Joe Biden went
into there and then basically 
was made the full throated
argument about why he wanted
to fire the Attorney General
of of Ukraine because of all
of the corruption going on and
why he was supporting and why 
it was us policy and how dare 
you accuse me of this I 
actually think in that
instance Joe Biden the start
of slightly leading candidate 
in the presidential race being
attacked by Republicans in the
midst of this who obviously 
the Democrats opposed wouldn't
be a bad thing I don't think
he'll do it but from a
strategist and point it 
wouldn't be a bad thing for 
Joe Biden to stand up there 
and read the Republicans the
riot act about what really
happened and why the Attorney 
General was fired but not you 
say that on a week where we 
had an aid from The Senator 
Sanders campaign talk about 
Joe Biden and talk about
corruption at the same time 
you'll see a White House team 
who they may not even care
about what's going on in the
Senate trial it would just
essentially possibly just want
to trash Joe Biden and sewed
out right before the Iowa 
caucus well I think 
when you look at the Iowa 
caucus voters you think about 
the hundred and twenty
thousand people they're going 
to vote in the Democratic Iowa
caucus they are as die-hard 
Democrats as possible and they
have about an 85% or an 89% 
approval rating of Joe Biden
end in the manga Democratic 
Iowa caucus voters even though
some of them are voting for 
him they like all the 
candidates I think it would 
actually backfire if they're
at the goal was to somehow
damaged Joe Biden in the
Democratic primary I think it 
would backfire because it 
would give Joe Biden an 
opportunity to go one-on-one
with the Republicans confront 
this directly now Hunter Biden
is a whole different question 
I can understand why they 
would fight that in the midst 
of all this but Joe Biden 
who's no relation to that any 
of this problem other than the
fact the insisted he pushed 
the Attorney General of 
Ukraine to get fight to give
rib removed I still believe 
that for whatever the 
downsides people might think
it is almost all being upside 
for Joe Biden to go one-on-one
on won against the Republicans
and the president all right 
d know you want to get in e 
on this discussion as well
your thoughts on this on this 
potential possible witness WAP
at end the end
the end of those chambers 
trial in some people's
opinions would take a 
completely different tone it
was come off the rails ensure 
what are gone a long time too 
but I do think trials have a
have a kind of logic of their 
own and then this isn't one 
Bound By The Rules of Evidence
as enforced by a judge
well-versed in them Chief 
Justice John Roberts on 
questions of relevancy while
the Senate rules of 
impeachment do allow him to 
rule from the chair if he 
follows the example of chief
justice rehnquist for whom he 
clerked then he will hand that
over to the fence to the to 
the Senate themselves as the
rules provide for and have
them vote on the relevancy of 
Hunter Biden or whatever if it
comes to that if there are if 
there is a motion to open the 
trial of two witnesses and
other evidence and it passes
and at that point for the 
man's got a right to make the 
defense that he wants to make 
and President Trump says you
are completely
misunderstanding the phone
call and my efforts in Ukraine
I was not operating for my
personal benefit I was
operating for the benefit of
the public of the American
public will know I'm sworn to 
serve he is saying that he
didn't want to throw good tax 
money after bad into a corrupt
hole that is Ukraine and then 
one of them in his judgment it
was worth looking at one of 
the poster children for up for
corruption which is Hunter
Biden who had in his judgment 
and in his argument no
business on the board of a
natural gas Empire in Ukraine 
except for the he was the son 
of the den current vice 
president who did intervene 
now you can say well we'll
take the Vikings word for it
and everything was hunky-dory 
but if you're the Trier of the
fact that you're the juror in 
this case you might think 
you've got a right to hear at 
all especially at a basic 
fairness you might think
that's the defense the man
wants to make him the evidence
is relevant to his state of 
mind which is essential what
is arguing you have to
understand my state of mind my
state of mind was I can't have
this corruption with all this 
a that's flowing there and the
bidens were part of it we 
might be Off to the Races by
Devin Dwyer actually asked
Chuck Schumer about this
material Before I Let You Go
is a John Bolton isn't worth
a Joe Biden well I'm not sure 
that the that the swap should 
should work that way in the 
minds of the Senators it did
that they should want the best
possible evidence to put
yourself in their shoes you've
taken an oath histories going 
going to judge you faster than
that you want to make your
decision on the best evidence 
the best evidence in the trial
the best evidence of the
political consequences as 
you've been talking to Matt 
about the best interest of the
country that's why they aren't
yours as has been ruled in
previous impeachments there 
still Senators that the Senate
sitting is a jury because I do
have to think of the good of
the country and they probably 
want all relevant evidence now
I do have a question about
Bolton and Biden if subpoenaed
who's going to enforce This 
Feeling by Dan doesn't have 
any claim of executive
privilege not quite sure why
the problem that the house
faced in subpoena Bolton or 
mulvany and facing a president
who doesn't want them to
testify why does then just
doesn't head into the courts
why would the vote of 51
Senators defeat the 
president's claim of privilege
II don't quite understand why 
automatic. John Bolton would
come in know it's a good point
ke that in the House play out 
minority leader Chuck Schumer 
about this what was his taken 
and what kind of your 
newsgathering from this so far
Jama just pick up where we
left off Play Jon B, because
it it's Dad isn't an argument 
that Republicans are making 
and I expect we'll hear a lot 
more of it in the next few
days and that is all of this
talk about sapini the key 
Witnesses and there will be 
votes held the majority leader
Mitch McConnell is guaranteed 
those boats but even if they
issue those subpoenas this is 
very likely to head to head 
back in court over John Bolton
Sagittarius point is exactly
right and I think the 
mechanics of that or something
that Republicans are starting 
to voice a little bit more
loudly in fact John cornyn
today did describe it as is 
setting the stage to hijack 
the Senate because if they
have to go to court to enforce
is a peanut of John Bolton if 
they in fact get that far it
would basically paralyzed this
process the Senate can't do 
anything else they can't vote 
on legislation to build roads 
insulin. Just listen to all of
that would be frozen while
they fought this out in 
Cornwall that whole battle
proceeded so there's a big
downside to this it's not 
automatic is Terry said and 
it's tantalizing as a swap
might be the leader Tom did 
tell me that in his words 
quote it's entirely off the 
table he said that is 
something that Democrats are
not going to agree to in any
way he said he won't allow the
bidens to be dragged in here
and as you mentioned as we
heard Joe Biden agrees with 
that he does not want to come 
here so that answers that 
point we think we'll have to
almost two weeks here 
the White House team from 
attorney Jay Sekulow who's
there defending the 
present here's what he had to 
say we don't reqreosio
has been consistent they've 
got to make a burden to do
that we don't think they will 
this will be the season that
the Senate makes but we're
prepared for it anyway it goes
we're ready to go and then
we've been ready to go for you
know I'vbe rdyo go for
33 days so we're certainly
ready to go now Gladys the
processor 
know yet their case we're 
still hearing it will see what
happened we don't know if 
there will be Witnesses so
we're just have to play that
as it goes
well I mean that's what I 
heard this afternoon was that 
they are that the concern was 
I mean there was a whole
presentation on this that 
which I thought was odd that
there was the president did 
not meet with president 
solinsky at the Oval Office 
instead me up with them at the
United Nations General
Assembly as if that's a ground
for impeachment and also the
fact what was the second one
they said was the delegation
sent to prison solinsky 
swearing and wasn't a high
enough Rank and delegation I
mean we just had an hour and a
half of that today so far so
you know like I said
not 
the president's motivations 
for two parts of what we're 
going to do we're going to
respond of course to what the 
house manager to put forward
and we are going to make an 
affirmative case defending the
president yes 
you tell me are they moving 
too slowly I'm here so here's 
the reality they have 24 hours
to to put their case forward
OK they may take it looks like
they will take all 24-hours we
will make the determination on
our presentation of the case
based on what we're responding
to him based on over from the 
ca Ion know if it's 
going to take 10 hours
14 hours 24 hours or 6 hours a
week we're going tha t
listen when you're in a 
proceeding like this you have 
to be flexible flexible you 
have to be fluid we're doing
that neck 
I can't 
I mean purpose
it's a video that's been seen 
before it was an you know 
there was a lot more to that
video that was saying in the
fact of the matter none of
that violates any laws or 
rules or regulations next 
what are we never tell you if 
he was being he's been a
little busy 
how would I hit it with my
penis is. I would make
individual layers as the
president's privatcosel 
the White House counsel office
will be the primary there is
therefore former
I had the whole disgusting
yesterday about executive 
privilege I had I had the 
chairman of the Judiciary 
Committee was not house 
manager saying that executive 
privilege and other nonsense
as if the Constitution and the
Supreme Court's decisions on
Executive Privilege didn't
exist they do exist we will 
apply them when appropriate 
will determine that as the
proceedings move forward I got
one more West one 
just here thinking of Hunter
Biden testimony is critical 
and directly relevant do you
agree with that I'm not going 
to disrespect for Senator Cruz
I'm not going to comment on 
what testimony may or may not 
be real but I'll take one more
he's not going to change how
you approach your defense I 
have no John Roberts for a
long time I've appear before
John Roberts I have been
co-counsel with John Roberts
there were some emotion on the
floor yesterday when they 
accuse my client of lying when
they accused me knighted
states Senate of line when
they accuse my colleagues of
lying and then the chairman of
the house Judiciary Committee 
says the words executive
privilege another not sense 
it's going to invoke a
reaction that's all I'll say
thank everybody Jay Sekulow 
one of the president's
attorneys representing him now
in the Senate impeachment 
trial if you're just joining
us this is ABC News live we 
are covering the Senate 
impeachment trial of President
Donald J Trump joining me now 
is the view co-host and former
Federal prosecutor Sunny
Hostin MJ there and and what
he was saying is initially
he's not showing his card yet 
he's going to wait till the 
the Democrats put on their
full case they're gone you're 
going first the Democrats we
think they're 5 hours into a
24-hour presentation that's 
how much time do they have it 
in this type of case cuz this 
is not exactly like a trial in
this type of case would you 
rather go on first or second
or first all the time and I 
think they've done a really 
remarkable job and it seems to
be very methodical you're 
seeing the PowerPoint your you
have several different
managers led by Chef who I
just think is rude remarkable 
because he's so steady and he 
appears just to be very 
comfortable in that space you 
can see he's done it before 
he's not overly emotional and 
it's just the facts just the
facts just the facts and the
end I really think it's been
very very successful in that
sense but the question remains
where do you go from there and
they obviously want the 
documents they obviously want 
the witnesses but I'm very
interested in what Terry
brought up and and whatever 
brought up because they're
still is that issue of
executive privilege and The 
subpoena because do we just 
end up where we were in the 
house will people just sorta
flout Visa Visa penis I hope
I'm not sure he thinks they 
are starting again here's the 
chief 
impeachment prosecutor Adam 
Schiff let's listen in I'll 
make a presentation 
represented Lofgren from
California make a presentation
I'll make a final presentation
and then we will be done for
the evening as an encouraging 
voice told me keep it up but
don't keep it up too long so
we will do our best not to
keep it up too long I'm going 
to turn now to the part of the
chronology that picks up right
after that July 25th call 
I and walk through the
increasingly explicit pressure
campaign weishan Ukraine in 
order to get President Trump's
deliverable the investigations
meant to tarnish his opponent 
and help his re-election now
remember by the end of July 
Ukraine was aware of President
Trump's request for 
investigation to help his 
political efforts and had come
to know that President Trump
put a freeze on security
assistance so this is by the
end of July they also clearly 
understood that President 
Trump was withholding an oval 
office meeting until those
investigations were announced 
both were very critical to
Ukraine as a sign of us 
support and as a matter of
their National Security and 
their National Security of
course implicates our national
security in the weeks after 
the July 25th call President
Trump's hand-picked 
Representatives escalated 
their efforts to get the
public announcement of the
investigations from Ukraine so
let's go through the step by
step because the three weeks
following the July 25th call
tell so much about this 
pressure scheme let's start 
with July 26th on July 26th so
this is the day after the call
Master Volker send a text 
message to Giuliani and 
that text message says hi 
mister mayor you may have 
heard the president had a 
great call with Ukrainian 
President yesterday exactly 
the right messages as we
discussed please send dates 
when you will be in Madrid I
am seeing your Moc tomorrow 
morning he will come to you in
Madrid thanks for your help 
Kurt so 
here we are the day after that
call as my colleague a
demonstrates this same day so 
July 26th of the date of that 
second Infamous call between
President Trump this time and 
Gordon sondland that you heard
the Diplomat the David Holmes 
describe so that's same day 
July 26th at were talking 
about right now where there's 
this text message now course
in that July 25th call
the president wants to connect
Rudy Giuliani with the
president of Ukraine in his 
people and so this is a 
follow-up where bass revoker
is saying to Giuliani was a 
great call with Ukraine 
president exactly the right 
messages as we discussed when 
we know of course those 
messages were the need to do
this political investigation
please send dates when you'll 
be in Madrid I'm seeing your
mark tomorrow morning he will 
come to you and Madrid so here
is a bastard Volker one of the
Three Amigos following up 
arranging this meeting between
Giuliani and ukrainians Gianni
replied setting a meeting in
Europe with presents women's
skis top paid for the very
next week quote I will arrive 
on August one and until 5 if
you wrote now remember on July
22nd so few days before this
and before the call 
best revoke her head connected
Giuliani originally with your 
amok and they agreed to meet
so this is a follow-up you
have that Arrangement being 
made by Vulcan Giuliani before
the call then you have to call
and now you have the follow-up
to arrange the meeting in 
Madrid and so they do meet in 
Madrid this is August 2nd 
under your mark zielinski stop
Aid food in Madrid meets with 
Rudy Giuliani do they know
represented the president's 
interests boo Giuliani and
your mock walk away from this 
meeting in Madrid clearly 
understanding that a white
house meeting is linked to
zelenski's announcement of the
investigations in separate
conversations with Giuliani 
and uremic after this Madrid
meeting Volker said he learned
that yuliani one of the 
ukrainians to issue a 
statement including specific
mention to the two
investigations at the present 
wanted according to master
vocals testimony your mama
told him that is meeting with 
Julie I was very good and 
immediately added that the
ukrainians ask for a White
House meeting during the week 
of September 16th you're
my precious vulgar on the 
White House meeting dates 
saying that he was waiting for
confirmation maybe you know 
the date this is a recurrent
theme that we've seen through 
the text messages and other 
documents and that is the 
recurrent request for this
meeting depressing for this 
meeting by ukrainians because 
it was so important to them 
giuliani's objective was clear
to ambassadors voelker and
song on who took over 
Communications with the 
Aramark here is Ambassador
Sunland 
I first communicated with mr. 
Giuliani an early August
several months later mr.
Giuliani emphasized that the
president wanted a public 
statement from president
selenski committing Ukraine to
look into the corruption
issues mr. Giuliani 
specifically mentioned the
2016 election including the 
DNC server and Barista as two 
topics of importance to the 
president 
Giuliani exerted significant
influence in this process in
fact when an August 4th 
Yer muck quiet again about
the presidential meeting
Ambassador Volker turn not to 
the National Security Council 
staff ward of the state 
department to arrange it and
follow up he turns to Giuliani
that he would speak withom
Giuliani later that day and 
would called Ukrainian
president Sade afterward
Walker then text Giuliani to
ask about the Madrid meeting
and to set up a call that he
had mentioned the air Moc 
Giuliani replies that the 
meeting with your mic was 
excellent and that he ul
call later phone records
obtained by the committee's 
show a 16 minute call on
August 5th between Ambassador 
voelker and Giuliani Master 
Volker then text your mom hi
and Ray had a good long talk
with Rudy call anytime Kurt 
separately Volkert old
Ambassador Sunland Giuliani 
was happy with that meeting 
and it looks like things are
turning around a reference to 
focus hope that satisfying
Giuliani would break down 
President Trump's reservations
concerning Ukraine but things 
have not turned around by the 
end of that first week of 
August by August 7th the aid
was still on hold and there's 
been no movement on setting a 
date for the Whiteou
meeting 
a master of vulgar then 
reaches out to Giuliani to try
to get things moving faster 
Volker text Juliana to
recommend that you report to
the boss meeting President
Trump about his meeting with
your mark in Madrid 
specifically he wrote this is 
mocha right into Giuliani hi
Rudy hope you made it back
safely let's meat if you're 
coming to DC and would be good
if you could convey results of
your meeting in Madrid to the 
bus so we can get a firm date 
for the visit so this is
Ambassador Volker Falling Up
giuliani's giuliani's met with
the top aide to the president 
of Ukraine in Madrid
anyone's Giuliani to convey to
the boss to Trump how good
that meeting in Madr w
about the investigations so 
they can get the president of 
Ukraine in the door at the
White House about how 
unusual this is this is the 
president's personal lawyer 
who's on this personal mission
on behalf of his client to get
these investigations in 
Ukraine the president of
Ukraine can't get in the door 
of the Oval Office and where
they going to or they going to
the security Council know or
they go in the state
department know they tried all
that they're going to the 
president's personal lawyer 
does that sound like a
Fishel policy to try to fight 
corruption why don't you go 
outside of the normal channel 
to do that you wouldn't no you
go to your personal attorney
was on a personal mission that
he admits is not foreign
policy when your objective has
nothing to do with policy when
your objection when your
objective isn't corrupt one.
What does that mean to have a 
corrupt objective 
well it means an illicit what 
it means a impermissible want 
it means one that furthers
your own interest at the cost 
of the national interest
the willingness to break the
law like the impoundment
Control Act by withholding Aid
is indicative of that corrupt 
purpose the lengths the 
present would go not in 
furtherance of US policy but
against US policy 
not even a difference on
policy at all the mere pursuit
of personal interest the
pursuit of an illegal effort
to get foreign interference 
is a very bottom image of a 
corrupt intent so here we are 
August 7th
invoker saying rooting for
coming to DC let's get
together be good if you can 
talk to the boss cuz we can't 
get a meeting other way 
around that time investor 
Volker received a text message
from Jeremy lock the last him 
and this is your Moc asking 
vulgar hicart how are you do
you have some news about the
White House meeting date
invoke response not yet I 
texted Rudy earlier to make 
sure he weighs in following 
your meeting Gordon meaning 
Sandlin should be speaking
with the present on Friday we 
are pressing this 
so there is Gordon Solomon's
pressing this this is the man 
you've heard from already 
Gordon song when the man who
says it was absolutely a quid 
pro quo you've asked about a
quid pro quo there was a quid 
pro quo about this white house
meeting this is what they're
talking about right here
Gordon will be speak with a 
person at on Friday we are
pressing this master vocals 
contact with Giuliani spurred 
a flurry of communications the
patterns of calls from August 
8th strongly suggest
giuliani's attempting to call 
the White House to speak to a 
senior White House official 
left a message then had a 
4-minute call without official
later that night we don't know
from the call Records who that
White House official was
Barbara call the Giuliani has 
publicly stated that when he
spoke to the White House he 
usually spoke to President
Trump his client
also in August 8th your mark
text Volker that he had some
news best revoker reply so he 
can talk then and best revoker
updates Giuliani and a text 
the next day Focus ST Giuliani
in the text hi mister mayor 
had a good chat with your mom 
last night he was pleased with
your phone call mentioned is
referring to present solinsky 
here making a statement can we
all get on the phone to make
sure I have I advised varies
referring to presint
salinsky correctly as to what 
he should be saying want to 
make sure we get this done
right 
so here August 9th
there's an effort by Volker to
make sure that they get the 
statement right about the 
investigations cuz if they
can't get the statement right 
he ain't going to get in the
door of the Oval Office 
it also makes clear who is
exactly in charge of this and 
that's Rudy Giuliani
Ambassador volkers checking 
Rudy Giuliani about what he 
and we know that Giuliani is
taking his orders from
President Trump text messages 
and call records obtained by
the committee's show that 
Ambassador voelker and
Giuliani connected by phone 
twice around noon on August 
9th for several minutes each
phone calls with Giuliani 
Ambassador Volker created a 
three-way group chat using
WhatsApp and including himself
Master Sunland and uremic the 
master Volker initiated the 
chat around 2:20 that day 
this is Walker chatting with
songland any remark it's a
three-way chat invoker says hi
Andre meeting Jeremiah we have
all consulted here including
the Rudy could you do a call
later today or tomorrow your
afternoon time and song that
says I have a call scheduled
at 3 p.m. Eastern for the 
three of us Ops will call 
call records obtained by the
committee show that on August 
9th Master Solomon twice
connected with phone lines are
associated with e it
house once in the early 
afternoon for about 18 minutes
and once in the late afternoon
for about 2 minutes we know 
that a master song on have
direct access to President
Trump 
after all this activity Anne
bastress on the invoker 
thought they had a
breakthrough finally a break
through minutes after this
call which was likely with Tim
Morrison about a possible date
for the White House meeting 
ambassador of okra and song 
and discuss the agreement they
believe they reached
and starts with Sean Lennon 
this text message Maurice and 
ready to get dates as soon as 
your mock confirms Volker says
excellent how did you sway him
not sure I did so silent I
think POTUS really wants the
deliverable but we know what
that deliverable is it's the
political investigations Loke 
says but does he know that and
Simon Says yep clearly lots of
convos meaning conversations
going on in Boca says okay
then that's good it's coming
from two separate sources 
mmittees that the til the 
deliverable required by 
President Trump was a press 
statement from president
solinsky committing to do the 
investigations into the bidens
and the allegation of Ukraine 
election interference the 
President Trump mentioned on
July 25th but Tim Morrison
testified that he didn't know 
anything about the deliverable
he was just involved in trying
to schedule the White House 
meeting which everyone wanted 
to schedule as a sign of
support for president salinsky
and our Ally Ukraine but
Trump's agents wouldn't just
accept Ukraine's word for it
and master Sunland then 
recommended to Ambassador 
Volker that eurymachus share a
statement to ensure that the
statement would comport with
the president's expectations
so here on August 9th so we're
still less than two weeks 
after the July 25th call
we're about I guess we're 
about two weeks song that says
in this message to avoid
misunderstandings might be
helpful to ask Andre for a
draft statement parentheses + 
bar go so that we can see 
exactly what they propose to
cover even though it was he 
referring to solinsky does a
live presser they can still 
summarized in a brief 
statement thoughts and Volker 
says agree
that is deposition a bastard
song and said that he 
suggested reviewing a written 
summary of the statement
because he was concerned that 
President zielinski would say 
whatever he would say on live 
television and it still 
wouldn't be good enough for 
Rudy / the president
unquote you're mocking turn 
was concerned that the
announcement would still not
result result in the coveted
White House meeting on August 
10th year mark texted vulgar
or attempting to schedule a 
task meeting before the 
Ukrainian president made a
public statement and
supporting investigations into
purisma and the 2016 election 
she can see what's going on 
here the president and his
agent Giuliani they want this 
public statement
investigations before they'll 
give a date Ann ukrainetz 
want a date before they have
to commit to making public
they're going to do the 
investigations and so you had 
this standoff or are you just 
trying to get the deliverable 
first but there's no debate 
about what the deliverable is 
on either side there's no 
debate about the quid pro quo 
here you get me this I'll give
you that you give me the White
House meeting I'll give you 
the Public Announcement 
investigation at your 
political rival don't know you
give me the announcement
investigation is my arrival 
and then I'll give you the
meeting the only debate here
is about which comes first
August 10th your mark text
wk I think it's possible
to make this declaration to 
mention all these things which
we discussed yesterday but it 
will be logic to do after we
receive a confirmation take we
inform about day to visit 
about our expectations in our 
guarantees for future visit 
let's discuss it
mastervolt responded that he
agreed but that first they
would have to iron out a
statement and use that to get 
a date after which president
solinsky would give the Satan 
the two decided to have a call
the next day and to include a 
bastard Sunland 
X Ambassador Volker excellent 
once we have a date we will 
call for a press briefing 
announcing upcoming visit not 
lining vision for the reboot
of u.s. Ukraine relationship
including a mother among other
things, and election meddling 
in the investigations 
your mic was also in direct 
contact with the master song
on regarding this revised 
approach in fact he sent them 
bastress on the same text 
message 
Master Sunland kept the 
leadership of the state 
department in the loop on 
August 10th he told the pastor
of okra that he had reported
to T Ulrich brechbuhl 
counselor of the Department of
State who songs and testified 
frequently consulted with 
secretary Pompeo on the road
too vulgar I briefed Oreck
all good so all is in the 
loop Sunland
invoker continued to pursue 
the statement from zielinski
on the investigations the next
day Ambassador song on emails 
brechtel and Lisa Kenna the 
state Department's executive
secretary about efforts to
secure a public statement and 
a big presser for president 
salinsky Sunland hoped it 
might quote make the boss 
happy enough to authorize an
investigation an invitation 
after first being evasive on
the topic secretary Pompeo
is eloquently acknowledged
that he listened in on the
July 25th call
now since he was on the call
Pompeo must have understood 
what would make the boss that 
is the president's happy
enough to schedule a white
house meeting again 
everyone was in the loop
on August 11th Ambassador 
Volker sent Giuliani text 
message this is 
Walker to Giuliani hi Rudy
we've heard back from Andre 
again they are writing a
statement now and will send it
to us can you talk for 5
minutes before noon today 
Juliana says yes just call
that's August 11th on the next
day August 12th year mark sent
to Ambassador voelker and 
initial version of the draft
statement by text notably as
we saw earlier this statement 
from the ukrainians doesn't 
explicitly mentioned Verismo
by Noir 2016 election 
vestigation set the president 
see what's going on here now
there was this game of chicken
you go first and I will go
first you give us the date
will give you the same and are
you the date and now
realizing okay to got to give 
the statement first Ukraine 
tries to give them a generic
statement that doesn't really 
go into specifics about these 
investigations and why you
can't imagine why acquaintance
don't want to have to go out
in public and say they're 
going to do these 
investigations because they're
not stupid because they 
understood this would pull
them right into u.s.
presidential politics this was
intended to which is it in
Ukraine Centris is not in our 
interest either and Ukraine 
understood that and so they 
resisted first they resisted
having to do the public 
statement and then they wanted
to make sure they get the 
deliverable and then when they
had to make the statement they
didn't want to be specific for
one thing for another thing 
this is what salinsky 
campaign. He was going to 
fight corruption was going to 
end political inveigio
so he didn't want to be 
specific
so he sends the statement that
doesn't have the specific 
references Ambassador 
Volker explained during his 
testimony that was n wt 
Giuliani was requesting and it
would not satisfy Giuliani or 
Donald Trump
now presumably if the 
president was interested in 
corruption that statement 
would have been enough but all
he was interested in was an 
investigation or announcement 
of an investigation into his
rival and this debunked theory
about 2016
how the conversation and
Volker referred to in his 
earlier testimony to place on 
the morning of August 13th
when Giuliani made clear that 
the specific investigations 
related to burisma code for 
Biden and the 2016 election 
had to be included in order to
get the White House meeting 
show The Americans sent back
to Ukrainian top aide 
a revised draft that includes 
now the two investigations and
you seen the side by side 
essence of the quid pro quo 
regarding the meeting and this
Direction came from President 
Trump here is how Ambassador
Sunland put it
mr. juliani's requests were a 
quid pro quo for arranging a
White House is it for 
president selenski mr.
Giuliani demanded that Ukraine
make a public statement 
announcing the investigations 
of the 2016 election
DNC server and barista
mr. Giuliani was expressing 
the desires of the president
of the United States and we 
knew these investigations were
important to the president
according to witness testimony
as you might imagine the
Ukrainian officials were very 
uncomfortable with a draft
that Giuliani voelker and 
Sunland were negotiated they
understood that the statement 
was the deliverable that
President Trump wanted but
you'll need to President
Trump's demands would an
Essence Force present solinsky
to break his promise to the 
Ukrainian people to root out
corruption because politically
motivated investigations are a
Hallmark of the kind of 
corruption that Ukraine has 
been plagued with in the past 
mr. Grandma trying to get some
confirmation that they
requested investigations were 
legitimate in response to the 
draft statement year Mach asks
Volker quote weather any
requests that ever been made
by the US to investigate
election interference in 2016 
in other words whether any
requested made been made by 
any official US law 
enforcement agency through
formal channels as you would
expect if it were a legitimate
request Ambassador
vocal tried to find a 
satisfactory answer on August 
15th volkers assistant ask
that because sister assistant 
secretary George Kent whether 
there was any precedent for 
such a request for
investigations at a deposition
can't testified that if 
you're asking me
have we ever gone to the
ukrainians and ask them to
investigate and prosecute 
individuals for political 
reasons the answer is I hope
we haven't and we shouldn't 
because that goes against 
everything that we are trying 
to promote in the post-soviet 
states for the last 28 years
which is the promotion of the 
rule of law 
the next day went out on
August 16th in a conversation 
with a Masterbuilt Taylor the 
US ambassador in Kiev and 
faster Taylor stepped in when 
Ambassador jovanovic was
pushed out Taylor quote 
amplify the same thing and
told Kent that quote your mock
was very uncomfortable
with the idea of
Investigations and suggested
it should be done officially
and put in writing as a result
became clear to Kenton
mid-august and Ukraine was
being pressured to conduct
politically-motivated 
investigations Kent told the
master tailor that's wrong
and we shouldn't be doing it
as a matter of US policy
the master Volker claimed that
he stopped pursuing the 
statement from the ukrainians 
around this time because of 
the concerns raised by
zelenski's Aid at his 
deposition and despite all
these efforts to secure a 
statement announcing these
very specific political 
investigations desired by the 
president in Bastrop Volker 
testified that he agreed with 
the Air Max concerns and
advised him that making no
specific references was not a 
good idea because making those
statements might look like it 
would play into our domestic
politics without specific 
references to the politically 
damaging investigations that
Trump demanded the agreement
just wouldn't work Ukraine did
not release the statement and 
in turn the White House 
meeting was not scheduled as
it turns out Ambassador 
Sunland and Volker did not
achieve the Breakthrough after
all 
now let's go into what finally
breaks the Log Jam because
that involves the military aid
what happens to trade a white 
house meeting for a press 
statement announcing the
investigations temporarily
scuttled song Lenovo core go
back to the drawing board on
August 19th Master silent old 
Boker that he drove the larger
issue home with the Air Mac 
Presents lynskey stop a 
particularly that this was now
bigger than a white house 
meeting bigger than just the
White House meeting and was 
about the relationship per se 
the relationship per se not 
just about the meeting anymore
it's about everything it's
about everything by this time 
in late August the Holden 
security systems have been in 
place for more than a month 
and there was still no
credible explanation offered
by the White House despite
some like a master song then
repeatedly asking there were
no interagency meeting since
July 31st and the defense 
department had withdrawn its
assurances that it could even 
comply with the law which 
indeed it couldn't every
agency in the administration
opposed to hold as the
government accountability 
office confirmed concern. 
D&o NBA officials had been
right that the presents 
holding of the aid was an 
unlawful act but President
Trump was not budging 
at the same time despite the
persistent efforts of numerous
people present Trump refuse to
schedule the coveted White
House visit her present 
selenski until the
investigations were announced 
it would benefit his campaign 
here is what about the song 
that said about the hold on 
funds and it's linked to the
politically motivated 
investigations in Ukraine in
the absence of any credible 
explanation for the suspension
of Aid I later came to believe
that the resumption of
security aide would not occur 
until there was a public
statement from Ukraine
committing to the 
investigations of the 2016
elections and very smooth as
mr. Giuliani had demanded 
from the embassy in Kiev David
Holmes reach the same 
conclusion the conclusion as
simple as two plus two equals 
four
mr. Holmes you have testified 
that by late August you has 
you had a clear impression
that the security assistance
how old was somehow connected 
to the investigations that
President Trump wanted how did
you conclude that how did you 
make reach that clear 
conclusion
so we've been hearing about 
the investigation since March 
months before and we've been
present solinsky had received 
a letter congratulating letter
from the president saying he'd
be pleased to meet him
following is an operation in
May and we
had to get that meeting and 
then the security hold came up
with no explanation and 
I'd be surprised if any of
ukrainians you said earlier we
discussed earlier you know so 
just get to people when they
receive no explanation for why
that old was in place if they 
would have drawn that 
conclusion because the
investigations were still 
being pursued right in the
hold was still remaining
without explanation correct so
this to you was the only
logical conclusion that you 
could reach correct sort of 
like two plus two equals four 
exactly 
song that explain the 
predicament he believed he
faced with a hold on a to 
Ukraine 
as my other state department
colleagues have testified this
security aide was critical to 
Ukraine's defense and should
not have been delayed I 
express this view too many
during this. But my goal at 
the time was to do what was 
necessary to get the egg
released to break the logjam I
believe that the public 
statement we have been
discussing for weeks was
essential to advancing that 
goal you know I really
regret that the ukrainians
were placed in that 
predicament but I do not
regret doing what I could to
try to break the logjam and to
solve the problem 
on August 22nd investor song
and tried to break that law 
Jim as he put it regarding
both the security assistance
hold and the White House
meeting Master song and 
describe those efforts in his 
public testimony let's listen 
to him again
in preparation for the
September one Warsaw meeting I
asked secretary Pompeo weather
a face-to-face conversation 
between Trump and zalenski
would help to break the logjam
and this was when President 
Trump was still intending to
travel to Warsaw specifically 
on August 22nd I
emailed secretary Pompeo
directly copying Secretariat
Kenna I wrote this is my email
to secretary Pompeo should we 
block time in Warsaw for a
short pull aside for POTUS to 
meet selenski I would ask 
selenski to look him in the 
eye and tell him that once
Ukraine's new Justice folks 
are in place in mid-september 
that selenski he zolanski 
should be able to move forward
publicly and with confidence
on those issues of importance 
to POTUS in the u.s. hopefully
that will help break the
logjam the secretary
replied yes 
sunlen also explained that
both he and secretary Pompeo
understood that issues of 
importance to the president 
with a to Sham investigations 
the president wanted to help
his re-election efforts and 
that reference to the Log Jam 
meant both the security 
systems and the White House 
meeting at the end of August
National Security advisor John
Bolton arrived in Ukraine for 
an official visit David Holmes
took notes in a bastard 
Bolton's meetings and 
testified about Ambassador
Bolton's message to the 
ukrainians shortly thereafter 
on August 27th and bass Revolt
Ambassador Bolton visit 
Ukraine and brought welcome 
news that President Trump had 
agreed to meet president
zelenski on September 1st in
Warsaw Ambassador Bolton
further indicated that the
ulnobe lifted prior totance 
the Warsaw meeting where it 
leki was able to quotepresent 
favorably impressed President 
Trump it looks like about that
for a minute
unless you have something 
further to say let's think
about that for a minute 
Bolton further indicated that 
the hold and security systems 
would not be lifted prior to
the Warsaw meeting went where 
it would hang on whether
president salinsky was able to
favorably impressed President 
Trump what do you think would 
favorably impressed President 
Trump what were the only two
things that President Trump 
asked a present selenski what 
were the two things that Woody
Giuliani was asking a present 
solinsky in his top aides what
would favorably impressed 
Donald Trump would Donald 
Trp be favorably impressed
if present selenski would have
tell him about this new 
corruption court or new 
legislation in the Rada or how
negotiations with the Russians
were going or how they're 
bringing about defense reform 
at any of those things ever 
come up in any of these text
messages any of these emails
any of these phone calls any
of these conversations of 
course not. Of course not 
there was only one thing that 
was going to favorably
impressed President Trump in
Warsaw and that is if selenski
told him to his face I'm going
to do these political 
investigation I don't want to 
do them you know I don't want 
to do them I've resisted doing
them but I'm at war with
Russia and I can't wait 
anymore I can't wait
anymore 
I'm sure that would have been 
pressed Donald Trump
but the meeting with choose 
between the two presidents
never happened in Warsaw
President Trump cancel the
trip at the last moment before
Bolton left Kiev Ambassador 
Taylor asked for a private
meeting master
tailor explained that he was
extremely concerned about the 
Holden security assistance he 
described the meeting to US 
during his testimony
near the end of Ambassador
Bolton visit I asked a meeting
privately during which I
expressed to him my serious 
concern about the withholding 
of military assistance to 
Ukraine while the ukrainians
were defending their country
from Russian aggression 
Vassar Bolton recommended that
I sent the first person cable 
to secretary Pompeo directly
relating my concerns
on the state department 
sending a first-person cable
is an extraordinary step
same apament State
Department cables are 
ordinarily written in the 
third-person as Ambassador
Taylor testified at his 
deposition sending a
first-person cable gets 
attention because there are 
not many first person cables
that come in fact in his
Decades of service in the 
Diplomatic Corps he had never 
written a single one until now
Taylor sent that cable in 
August 29th would you like me 
to read that to you right now 
I would like to read it to you
right now except I don't have 
it because the state
department wouldn't provide it
but if you like me to read it 
to you we can do something
about that we can insist on 
getting that from the state 
department if you'd like to 
know what John Bolton had in
mind when he thought that 
zielinski could favorably 
impressed the president in
Warsaw we can find that out to
just for the Asking and a 
document called a subpoena so 
Taylor says that cable August 
29th the state department did 
not provide that cable to us
in response to subpoena but 
witnesses to review to
describe it is a perful 
message that describe the 
following the Folly of
withholding military aid from 
Ukraine at a time when it was 
facing and corrosion from 
Russian forces in eastern 
Ukraine that cable also sought
to explain that us assistance 
to Ukraine was in was 
vital to US National Security 
as well now why don't they
 ty want us to see that e when
cable Maybe they don't want 
you to see that cable because 
that cable from a Vietnam 
veteran describes just how
essential that military 
systems was not to just to
Ukraine maybe they don't you
see that cable because it 
describes just how important
that military assistance is to
us to us
presents Council would love 
you to believe this is just 
about Ukraine you don't need
to care about Ukraine who 
cares about Ukraine how do
people can find Ukraine on the
map why should we care about
Ukraine but we should care
about Ukraine there an ally of
ours if it matters to us
we should care about the fact 
that in 1994 when we ask them 
to give up their nuclear
weapons that they had 
inherited from the Soviet 
Union and they didn't want to 
give them up and we were
worried about Liberation we 
said hey if you give them up
what you don't want to do cuz 
you're worried the Russians 
might invade if you give them 
up we will help ensure your 
territorial Integrity we made 
that commitment 
I hope we care about that 
open care about that because
they did give them up and you 
know what just what they fear 
took place the Russians moved 
across their border and they
remain occupying part of
Ukraine that's the word of
America we gave 
and we're breaking that word
why for help with 
a political campaign Buster 
Taylor was exactly right
that's crazy it's worse than
crazy it's
repulsive it's repugnant it 
breaks our word 
and to do it in the Name of 
Love These corrupt
investigations is also
contrary to to everything we
espouse around the world I
used to be part of a
commission in the house on
would meet with ance where we 
parliamentarians and I know my
Senate colleagues do much the 
same thing and we 
would we would urge our 
colleagues to 
observe the rule of law not 
to engage in polital
investigations and
prosecution's I don't know how
we make that argument now I 
know how we look our allies 
are these burgeoning
democracies in the face our 
fellow parliamentarians and 
make that argument how we make
that are you in now 
testimony indicated that
secretary Pompeo eventually 
carry that cable into the 
White House 
but there's no evidence that
those National Security 
current concerns but they 
don't want you to see we're 
able to outweigh the
president's personal interest 
in his getting foreign help in
his re-election campaign
there's no evidence at all
navigate to August 28th 
Politico was the first to 
puckly Port publicly report 
the President Trump and 
implemented a hold on nearly
400 million of US military
assistance to Ukraine that
have been appropriated by 
Congress now that the 
worst-kept secret was public
Ukrainian officials 
immediately Express their 
alarm and concern to the
American counterparts as
Witnesses explain the 
Ukrainian said too serious
concerns one of course was he 
ate itself which was vital to 
Russia but in addition they 
were worried about the
symbolism of the hole that its
signal to Russia and Vladimir 
Putin that the United States
was wavering and support for
Ukraine Witnesses testified 
that this was a division that 
Russia could and would exploit
to drive further wedge between
the United States and Ukraine 
to its Advantage II concern 
was why likely why Ukrainian
officials had wanted the hold 
to remain a secret in the 
first place because it would
add to the negative impacts 
Ukraine if the hold itself
became public bad enough that 
the president knighted states 
put a hold on their aid 
it was going to be far worse
if it became public as indeed 
it did Andre Vermont the same 
zielinski add scent Ambassador
Volker a link toheolic
texted need to talk with you
other Ukrainian officials also
expressed concerns to Bastyr
Volker that the Ukraine in
Ukraine and government was
being single out and penalize 
for some reason 
why were they being singled 
out 
why was that country be single
out that was the one country
that this present could leave 
her for help against an 
opponent he feared that's why 
Ukraine was being singled out 
on August 29th year Mach also 
contact you to master tailor
your Mike said Ukraine's were 
very concerned about the hold 
a military assistance he said 
that he and other Ukrainian 
officials would be willing to 
travel to Washington to 
explain to us officials the 
importance of this assistance 
Ambassador Taylor who is on 
the ground in Ukraine explain 
the Ukrainian Viewpoint and 
frankly their desperation 
in September the
minister of defense for 
example came to me I would use
the word desperate to figure
out why the assistance was
being held he thought that
perhaps he went to Washington 
to talk to you who to talk to 
the Secretary of Defense to 
talk to the president he would
be able to find out and and 
reassure provide whatever 
that assistance released
without any official
explanation for the hold
American officials could
provide little reassurance to 
their Ukrainian counterparts
has been publicly reported
that President Trump secretary
S4 and secretary Pompeo net in
late August and that they all 
implored the present to 
release the aid but President 
Trump continue to refuse to 
release the aid as of 
August 30th the president was 
clearly directing OMB to
continue the hold on security 
assistance in documents 
reviewed by Jessica Reedy but 
withheld from the Congress by 
OMB on the presence 
instructions owenby official
Michael Duffy email DOD 
controller Elaine mccusker
that there is quote clear 
direction from POTUS to 
continue the hole so here we
are August 30th 
a month after that July 25th
call Aid still being with help
ukrainians still holding on 
still not willing to
capitulate not willing to 
violate zelenski's whole
campaign pledge about not 
engaging in corrupt 
investigations that same day
August 30th 
Republican Senator Ron Johnson
spoke in the Bastion song to
express his concern about 
President Trump's decision to 
withhold military assistance
to Ukraine Center Johnson 
described that call in an 
interview with the Wall Street
Journal according to Senator
Johnson in master Simon told
him that if Ukraine would 
commit to quote get to the
bottom of what happened in
2016 that President Trump has 
that confidence then he'll
release the military spending 
Sandra Johnson added at that
suggestion I winced my
reaction was oh God I don't 
want to see those two things
combined the next 
day August 31st Senator 
Johnson spoke by phone with 
President Trump regarding the 
decision to withhold age
Ukraine according to the Wall 
Street Journal President Trump
denied the quid pro quo at
Center Johnson had learned up 
from Ambassador Sunland at the
same time however President 
Trump refused to authorize
Senator Johnson to tell 
Ukrainian officials on his
upcoming trip to Kiev that the
aid would be forthcoming
the message that a master 
Solomon communicatedo 
Senator Johnson mirror that 
used by President Trump during
the July 25th call with 
presents Alinsky and which
President Trump twice as many 
cranial leader to get to the
bottom of it including in 
connection to an investigation
into the debunk conspiracy
theory of Ukrainian 
interference in the 2016
election the language of the
text message that ambassador
of oak or Central presents
alinsky's they'd just before
the July 25th call indeed 
despite the presence
self-serving denials the
message was clear President 
investigations and he would 
withhold not one but two acts 
vested in him by the power of 
his office in order to get
them now begins September 
September 1st 
present was supposed to go to 
Warsaw as we know but it
doesn't go to Warsaw Mike 
Pence goes to Warsaw Jennifer 
Williams special advisor to 
the vice president for Europe 
and Russia learned of the 
change in the presents travel 
plans on August 29th the vice 
president's National Security 
advisor asked at the request
of Vice President Pence for an
update on the status of the 
security assistance that
adjustment publicly revealed
in Politico and would be a
critical issue during the 
bilateral meeting between the 
vice president and president
salinsky in Warsaw the
delegation arrives in Warsaw
and gathers in the hotel room 
to breathe vice president 
Pence before he met with
Ukrainian president's National
Security advisor Bolton led 
the meeting as Williams 
described it advisors in the
room quote agreed on the need 
to get a final decision on
security systems as soon as 
possible so that it could be
implemented before the end of 
the year vice pridt nc
did not have authority from 
the president to release the
aid the master Solomon also 
attended that briefing at the 
end of it expressed concerns
directly to vice president
Pence about the security
assistance being held until 
the ukrainians announced the
very se 
politically-motivated 
investigations at the heart of
the scheme
are you mentioned that you
also had a conversation with
vice president Pence before 
his meeting with presents 
Alinsky and Warsaw and that 
you raise the concerned you 
had as well that the security 
assistance was being withheld 
because of the presence desire
to get a commitment from
zielinski to pursuthe 
political investigations what 
did you say the vice president
with several people and I just
spoke up and I said it appears
that everything is stalled
until this statement gets made
something that words to that
effect and that's what I
believe to be the case based
on you know the work that the 
three of us have been doing 
full kripparrian myself and 
the vice vice-president nodded
like you know he heard what I 
said and that was pretty much 
it as I recall
everyone was in the loop
bastress on the Testify the 
vice president Pence was
neither surprised nor dismayed
by the description of this
quid pro quo at the beginning 
of the bilateral meeting
between presents Alinsky and
vice president Pence as 
expected the first question 
from president selenski 
related to the status of the
security system is Vice 
President Pence's a Jennifer
Williams testified president
solinsky explained that just
equally with the financial and
physical value of the 
assistance that it was the
symbolic nature of that 
assistance that really was the
show of us support for Ukraine
and for Ukraine's sovereignty 
and territorial integrity 
later that day vice 
president Pence spoke to the
president about his meeting 
with president selenski but 
the whole remained in place 
well after president Pence
vice president Pence return 
from Warsaw and after the 
meeting the Warsaw meeting
with vice president Pence 
Ambassador Solomon quickly
pulled aside Andre Airmax 
alinsky's top Aid and informed
him that the aid would
not be forthcoming until
Ukraine publicly announced the
two investigations that 
President Trump wanted so here
we are after the meeting right
after the meeting there still 
in Warsaw and zielinski 
pulls aside is Ukraine in 
counterpart uremic
and explains the 8th is not 
coming until the
investigations are announced
based on my previous
communication with secretary
Pompeo I felt comfortable 
sharing my concerns with mr.
your Mac it was a very very 
brief pull aside conversation 
that happened within a few
seconds I told mr. your Mac 
that I believe that the 
resumption of us Aid would
likely not occur until Ukraine
took some kind of action on 
the public statement that 
we've been discussing for many
weeks 
let's let that sink in for a
minute to you've heard that my
colleagues at the other table 
say Ukraine and felt no 
pressure there's no evidence
they felt any pressure of 
course we've already had
testimony about how they did
feel pressure and they didn't 
want to be drawn into this
political campaign and you saw
over and over on these text 
messages and emails no you go 
first you announce no you go
first and we're supposed to 
believe they felt no pressure 
and there is a breaks out in
the open the military is being
a dad is being withheld and 
there's a connection between
the holding of the military 
aid and these investigations
and the first thing they're 
asking about they send the
copy of the article what's
happening with this Aid 
they're ready to come to DC to
plead for the aid they go to
Warsaw they meet with the vice
president's the first question
is the aid and what happens 
after that meeting now that's 
a big meeting by the way with 
the vice-president Ukrainian
delegation it's not like in 
front of all those people the 
vice president is going to
bring it up and so
song that goes up to his
counterpart right after that
on the sidelines of that
meeting and he says basically 
you ain't getting the money 
until you do the
investigations at we're to
believe they felt no pressure 
folks they're at War
there are at War and they're
being told you're not getting 
400 million in a do you need
unless you do what the
president wants with the
present Watch series 2
investigations
if you don't believe that's 
pressure that's four hundred
million dollars woh 
pressure I got a bridge I want
to sell you 
it's hard for us to put 
ourselves in the ukrainians 
position imagine
the Eastern third of our
country were occupied by an 
enemy Force 
and we're beholding to another
country for military aid and
going to get it until you do
what we want you think we'd 
feel pressured I think we'd 
feel pressured and that's 
exactly the situation 
ukrainians were in now you've 
heard my cancel the other 
Council say before well but 
they say they don't feel
pressure like they're going to
admit they were being shaken
down by the president knighted
states you think they feel
pressure now you should see 
what kind of pressure they
feel if they admitted that
Tim Morrison the NSA official 
witness the conversation
between song Lynn in Yarmouth 
from across the room and
immediately thereafter
received a summary from 
Bastrop, he reported the
substance of that conversation
to his boss and baddest of the
bastard Bolton told Morrison
to consult with the lawyers go
talk to the lawyers 
you know if if you keep 
getting told you got to go
talk to the lawyers this a
problem 
things are perfect you don't
get told go talk to the 
lawyers time and time again 
Morrison confirmed that he did
talk to the lawyers in part to
ensure there was a record of
what a bastard song on was
doing that record exists
within the White House would
you like me to read you that
record I'd be happy to redo 
that record it's it's there 
for your asking 
of course the president has 
refused to provide that record
precisely why did Ambassador
Bolton direct Morrison to tell
the lawyers to talk to the
lawyers Jacob Astor born to 
tell you why he said that 
 sd ate's there for l you why 
your asking 
what about know about the 
fries and made prior to this
meeting in Warsaw what what 
did he mean that if you can 
press salinsky it's going to
depend on what they could 
press selenski she like to
know what that meant I'd like 
to know what he meant by that 
I think we know what he meant 
by that 
timorous and also convey the
substance of the song linear
Mark polish side to his 
colleague Ambassador Taylor so
this is now Tim Morrison
told by Bolton go talk to the 
lawyers and he talks to also
Ambassador Taylor our master
in Ukraine on the 
evening of September 1st I
received a readout of the 
pencil inskeep meeting over 
the phone for Mr Morrison 
during which he told me that
the present solinsky head open
the meeting by immediately
asking vice president about 
the security cooperation the
vice president did not respond
something plea but said that
he would talk to President
Trump that night vice 
president did say that
Europeans to do more to 
support Ukraine and that he 
wanted the ukrainians to do 
more to fight corruption
during the same phone call
with Mr Morrison you describe 
the conversation about store
Sunland had with Mr your mic
in Warsaw 
and told Mr your bog at the 
security assistance money 
would not come until present
solinsky committed to pursue
the burisma investigation 
I was alarmed about what Mr 
Morrison told me about the
song that you're not
conversation master tailor
then explain why he was so
alarmed by this turn let's see
here that as well you said
previously that you were
alarmed to learn this why were
you alarmed 
it's one thing to 
try to Leverage a meeting 
in the White House it's 
another thing I thought to
leverage security assistance
security assistance to a
country 
at War dependent on both the
security systems and the
demonstration of support it 
was it was much more alarming 
the White House meeting was 
one thing security assistance 
was much more alarming
upon learning from Mr Morrison
that the military aid may be
condiod  Ukraine
publicly announcing these two 
investigations and master 
tailor send an urgent text
message to Ambassador Sunland 
asking are we now saying
it security assistance and
white house meeting or
conditioned on investigations 
and the response
by Master swanland call me
well you know what that means 
right you get a text message
that's putting it in
black-and-white are we saying 
security assistance in the
White House meeting or
condition investigations call 
me in other words to put this 
in writing call me
master tailor did in fact call
Sunland informed by notes you 
took at the time of the 
colonies summarize that 
conversation as follows 
during that phone call
investor Solomon told me that 
President Trump had told him
that he wants present ulinski 
to State publicly that Ukraine
will investigate burisma and
alleged training interference 
in the 2016 election that's 
the song and also told me that
she now recognized that he had
made a mistake by earlier 
telling Ukrainian officials 
that only a white house 
meeting with presents lynskey 
was dependent on a public 
announcement of the 
investigations in fact about
yourself and said everything
was dependent on such an
announcement including
security systems he said that 
President wanted present
solinsky in a public Box by 
making a public statement 
about ordering such 
investigations Master Taylor
testified that his
contemporaneous notes of the
call reflective Sama use the
phrase public box to describe 
President Trump's desire to 
ensure that the initiation of 
his desired investigations was
announced publicly a private
commitment was not good enough
the state department has them 
bastards Taylor's extensive 
notes and of course we would
like to show them to you to 
corroborate his testimony but 
pursuant to the presents
instructions the state
department will not turn them 
over you might recall from the
tape yesterday bastard Taylor 
said they'll be shortly coming
I'm told will somebody
countermanded that instruction
who do we think that was but
you should see them if you
have any question about what
someone told him master tailor
if the president's Council
tries to create any confusion 
about what song on told Taylor
about his conversation with 
the president and looks on one
that one recollection in his
deposition in another 
recollection in the first 
hearing and another 
recollection in the 
Declaration you want to know
exactly what happened in that 
conversation when it was fresh
and Solomon's mine and he told
Taylor about it and Taylor
Road it and it's notes you're 
going to want Taylor's notes
in any court room in America
holding a fair trial you would
want to see contemporaneous 
notes this sentence should be 
no different to mend those
notes demand to see the truth 
we're not afraid of those 
notes we haven't seen them
we haven't seen them maybe
those notes say something 
completely different maybe
those notes a no quid pro quo 
maybe there's no it's a it's a
perfect call I'd like to see
them I'm willing to trust 
Ambassador Taylor's testimony 
and his recollection I'd like 
to see them I'd like to show
them to you they're yours for 
the asking on September 25th
The Washington Post editorial 
board report it concerns the
President Trump was 
withholding military
assistance for you Ukraine and
white house meeting in order
to force president solinsky to
pronounce investigations a
Vice President Biden and
purported Ukrainian 
interference in the u.s.
election the post editorial 
board wrote will reliably told
that the president has a
second and more Vino agenda is
attempting to force Mr
zalenski to intervene in the
2020 presidential election by 
launching an investigation of 
the leading Democratic
candidate Joe Biden mr. Trump 
is not just soliciting
Ukraine's help with this with 
his presidential campaign he
is using US military aid the
country desperately needs in
an attempt to extort it 
so that's September 25th
president on notice scheme
discovered September
5th September 
7th we have any shows 
President Trump has a call
with a master Sunland where 
the president made the corrupt
bargain for military aid in 
the White House meeting even
more explicit on September 7th
and master silence spoke to 
telephone after that
conversation about Solomon
called Tim Morrison to update 
him on that conversation
unlike song Who testified that
he never took notes Morrison
took notes of the conversation
and recalled it during his
public testimony let's listen 
now a few days later on 
September 7th you spoke again 
to Ambassador song Lynn who 
told you that he had just 
gotten off the phone with 
President Trump isn't that
right but that sounds great 
Gatsby tell you that
President Trump said to him if
I work all this conversation
correctly this was where
the best aonrelated that
there was no quid pro quo by
president solinsky had to make
the statement and that he had 
to want to do it
but I pointed you understand
that the statement related to 
the Biden into 2016 
investigations
and that that was essentially 
a condition for the security
assistance to be released I 
understood that that's what 
Ambaad sg  believe
after speaking with President 
Trump that's what he
represented they should bear
in mind when Mr Morrison says 
that's what he represented
that we asked mr. Morris and
about the president's calls 
with Anne bastress on Linden
and he ttiedhat every 
time he checked to see did
Master Solomon in fact talk 
with the president when he
said that he did that yes in
fact he talked with the 
president every time he 
checked he was able to confirm
it now let's let this 
sink in for a minute according
to Mr Morrison's testimony
former Republican staffer on
the armed services committee
he speaks with Stalin 
on September 7th
and Solomon says he's just
gotten off the phone with 
Trump okay so this is 
contemporaneous just got off
the phone call is fresh in
everybody's mind
and what was said Morrison
says Masterson related there
was no quid pro quo but 
present zelinski had to make
the statement and he had to 
want to do it no quid pro quo 
but there's a quid pro quo
now there are 
notes the truth is
does a written record of this 
is a written record of what 
President Trump told Anne 
bastress on then right after
that call would you like to 
see that written record it's
called mr. Morris's notes it's
right there for the asking
these Final hours over here 
want to persuade you that call
didn't happen or wasn't sad or
all he said was no quid pro 
quo he never said but you have
to go to the Mike and have to 
want to do it well is a 
good way to find out what 
happened on that call cuz it's
in writing
is there any question why 
they're withholding this from 
Congress 20 question about
that
I didn't claim well Mr
immunity and mistress on thete
den claim absolute immunity 
is elapsed immunity over these
notes know exactly bridge over
these notes the notes of
already been described the
conversations already been
released there's no even
plausible arguable
invented even excuse for
withholding these nuts would
you like to see them Italian
any courtroom in Amecaet
to see him should be
no different 29 different in a
fair trial anywhere in America
Morrison the gun inform to
Bastyr Bolton of this 
September 7th conversation and
guess what Ambassador Bolton
said they could probably
figure this out by now go talk
to the lawyers go talk to the 
lawyers and yet again for the 
third time Morrison went to 
talk to the lawyers about this
conversation with Master Simon
Morrison also called
Ambassador Taylor to inform 
him about the conversation and
we have the testimony from
Pastor Taylor about their 
conversation which is also
based on his contemporaneous
notes let's look at the 
conversation between Mr 
Morrison Anna Bastrop Taylor
going to mr. Morrison 
President Trump told about
their song when he was not
asking for a quid pro quo 
what President Trump did
insist that present selenski
go to a microphone and say he 
is opening investigations of
Biden and 2016 election 
interference and the presence 
of Linsky should want to do 
this himself okay so here we
have two witnesses
taking contemporaneous notes
both reflecting the same
conversation conversation 
between Solomon and the 
president in which the
President says no quid pro quo
but quid pro quo
their documents to prove this 
documents to prove this that
are yours for the asking
the following day September 
vulgar to bring them up tod 
speed on the conversations
with President Trump and
subsequently present selenski 
when we spoke to after
President Trump guys multiple 
conversations with Z mini 
zielinski POTUS let's talk
Solomon spoke to Taylor but 
not vulgar shortly after this 
text Master according to
Pastor Taylor who testified 
again on his real-time notes
let's hear what that what he
said the following day on 
September 8th and I spoke on
the phone you confirm that he 
had talked to President Trump 
as I suggested a week earlier 
but the President Trump was 
adamant that presents Alinsky 
himself at to clear things up 
and do it in public President 
Trump said it was not a quid
pro quo 
so very consistent here what
the president said no quid pro
quo but zielinski must
announce the investigations 
publicly was what he was
telling Sunland no quid pro 
quo except for the quid pro 
quo presents attorneys
rely in the first lf of that
sentence would like you to
forget the second half ever 
happened but we don't have to 
leave our common sense at the 
door we don't have to rely on 
an incomplete description of
that call we have instead the 
detailed notes I missed a 
Morrison and Ambassador Taylor
but we also know what 
President Trump told silent 
because Sunland relay that
message to president zielinski
during the same September 8th 
conversation with Taylor song 
then describe this
conversation with President 
salinsky hears ambassadors
Taylor's account of it that's 
our song also said that he had
talked to present zielinski 
and mr. your Mac and it told
them that although this was 
not a quid pro quo if present 
solinsky did not clear things 
up in public we 
would be at a stalemate I 
understood a stalemate to me
inhekrne would not
receive the much-needed 
island said that this out this
conversation concluded with 
presents zielinski agreeing to
make it public statement in an
interview on CNN
sand relate thishe relate bass
conversation to Mr Morrison in
mr. Taylor not only to mr.
Taylor Alabaster Taylor mr. 
Morris and talk about it
that's only confirms that he's
real laid this conversation to
zielinski himself 
everyone was now in the loop
on the military aid being 
withheld for the political
investigations Taylor continue
re calling the Starling 
analogy Ambassador Sunland
used to describe President
Trump's approach to Ukraine 
during our meeting during our 
call on September 8th and Bess
are someone tried to explain
to me the President Trump is a
businessman I'm a businessman 
is about to sign a check to 
someone who owes him something
the businessman ask that
person to pay up before 
signing the check has her 
vol use the same language 
several days later while we 
were together at the altar
European strategy conference I
argued that the explanation 
made no sense ukrainians did
not owe President Trump 
anyting the master tailor 
testify that at the end of the
song Lynn zielinski 
conversation presents Lindsay 
said that he had relented and 
agreed to do a CNN interview
to announce the investigations
so there was a breakthrough 
after all the promise meeting 
wasn't enough the withheld
security assistance broke the 
law Jim cielinski was going to
go on CNN and announce the
investigations
Taylor they'll remain 
concerned that even if the
Ukrainian leader did is 
President Trump required
President Trump might continue
to withhold the vital US
security assistance in any
event Pastor Taylor texted
his concerns do Master voelker
nightmare is they give the
interview and don't get the 
security assistance the 
Russians love it and I quit 
I'm not quite tell him to 
what's the best of Delaware.
He's worried ukrainians are 
finally going to agree to do
it they're going to make the
announcement and they're still
going to get stiffed on the 
8th 
at his deposition Ambassador
Taylor elaborated the 
nightmare scenario the
nightmare is the scenario or
presents lenski goes out in 
public makes an announcement
that he's going to investigate
burisma and the interference
in the 2016 election may be 
among other things he might 
put that in some series of
Investigations but the
nightmare was he would mention
those to take all the heat
from that get himself in big
trouble in this country 
meeting Ukraine or a Viscount 
Romania knighted states and 
probably in this country as 
well meaning both I guess and 
the security assistance would 
not be released that was The
Nightmare go to happen
Taylor testified he would quit
early in the morning and
you're up on September 9th
which was 12:47 a.m. in 
Washington DC master tailor 
reiterated This concerns about
the presents quid pro quo for 
security assistance in another
series of text messages with
ambassadors 
e e September 9th text here 
messages Taylor texts to
Sunland the message to the
ukrainians parentheses and
Russians we send with the 
decision on security systems
is key with a hole we have
already shaking their faith in
us that's my nightmare
scenario and Taylor goes on 
and says counting on you to be
right about this interview
Gordon meaning if they do it
you're darn well better come
through with a military aid 
and Simon Says bill I never 
said I was right I said we are
where we are and believe we 
have identified the best
pathway Ford let's hope it
works and Taylor said as I
said on the phone I think it's
crazy to withhold security
assistance for help with a
political campaign
Master Taylor testified about 
what he meant he said that you
withhold that assistance for
no good reason other than help
with a political campaign made
no sense it was 
counterproductive to all of 
what we've been trying to do
it was illogical it could not 
be explained it was crazy 
in response to Ambassador 
Taylor's text message 
Sandra place at about 5 a.m.
in Washington so
the message from Taylor goes
out at 12:47 a.m. 
the message back from solemn
Compass at 5 a.m. so it looks 
like it may be 5 hours later
so Taylor has texted at 12:47 
a.m. as I said on the phone I 
think it's crazy withhold 
security systems for helping
the political camping theory
is again putting it in writing
for crying out loud hen 
Solomon said
to call him about this stuff
and so 5 hours later you get
this really interesting 
message from Solomon built I
believe you're incorrect about
President Trump's intentions
the president has been crystal
clear no quid pro quos of any 
kind the person is trying to
evaluate whether Ukraine is 
truly going to adopt the
transparency and reforms a
present solinsky promise
during his campaign I suggest 
we stop the back and forth I
text the other words can you
please stop putting this in 
writing Congress May read this
one day if you still have 
concerns I recommend you give 
Lisa Canna or s a call to 
discuss them directly thanks
as you can see about your song
and subsequent testimony
revealed that this text and 
other denials of a quid pro 
quo or intentionally false
and simply designed to provide
a written record of a false 
explanation that could later
be used to conceal wrongdoing 
the text message says they
were no quid pro quos of any
kind but you seen his 
testimony he swore under oath 
he was crystal clear when he
said there was a quid pro quo 
for the White House meeting 
and he subsequently testify 
there was a quid pro quo for
the security assistance as
well as confirmed by President
Trump's direction to him on 
September 7th 
nvsaon with President f his 
Trump as I mentioned has
evolved over time initially in
his deposition he testified 
that the conversation with the
president occurred between
Taylor's text of September 9th
at 12:47 Washington time
 his response at 5 a.m. 
conversation at that time the 
other than his belief that is 
text message reflected
President Trump's response
subsequently though and again 
this is one of the reasons why
you do depositions in closed
session subsequently after the
opening statements of the 
testimony of a bastard Taylor 
and Mr Morrison were released 
which described in overlapping
and painful to tell someone's 
Trump on September 7th Master 
song and submitted an addendum
to his deposition testimony 
which and relevant Parts said 
this finally as of this 
writing I cannot specifically 
recall if I had one or two
calls phone calls with
President Trump in the
September 6th to 9 time frame 
despite repeated repeated 
requests of the White House in
the state department I've not 
been granted access to all the
phone records and I would like
to review those phone records 
along with any other notes and
other documents that may exist
to determine if I can provide 
a more complete testimony to
assist Congress however 
although I have no specific 
recollection the phone calls
during this period with mr. 
Taylor master tailor Mr 
Morrison I have no reason to
question the substance of 
their recollection about my 
September one conversation
with mr. Carmack during his 
public testimony Ambassador 
so a reported to remember 
more of this conversation with
President Trump although we 
stood still couldn't or 
maintained he couldn't
remember if it was on 
September 7th or September 9th
and according to his testimony
President Trump did not 
specifically say there was a
quid pro quo but when Solomon 
 y wt from Ukraineresent what 
President Trump immeately 
brought up a quid pro quo 
according to soland President 
Trump said I want nothing I 
want no pre pro quo I want to 
let ski to do the right thing 
and I said what does that mean
and he said I wanted to do
what he ran on
in a subsequent testimony 
Master song explain the 
president's Trump's reference 
to what he ran on was a nod to
rooting out corruption here 
however corruption like 
marisma has become code for 
the investigations that 
President Trump has fought
so you've got the master song 
lens emerging recollection
what were you guys actually 
written notes taken at the
time but he does not
contested written notes 
Ambassador Taylor and Mr
Morrison note switch
I believe will reflect quite
clearly the understanding of
dirt for dollars that was 
confirmed by this telephone 
call with President Trump 
well you weren't dissuaded
then right cuz you still
thought that the egg was
conditioned on the public 
announcement of th
investigations after speaking 
to President Trump by 
September 8th I was absolutely
convinced it was and President
Trump did not dissuade you of 
that in the conversation that 
you acknowledge you had with
him I don't ever recall 
because that would have 
President Trump at told me a
directly I'm not so what I'm
asking. I'm just saying you 
still believed that the 
security assistance was 
conditioned on the
investigation after you spoke 
to President Trump yes or no
from a time frame standpoint
yes okay so here we have song 
and saying that whatever is 
recollection maybe about that 
call he was still very clear
with the present wanted and he
was very clear there was a
quid pro quo that is
consistent obviously with what
Mr Morrison has had to say and
a bastard Taylor
another words he didn't 
believe President Trump's 
denial of a quid pro quo and
neither should you
Summers understand it was 
further confirmed by President
Trump's own chief of staff on 
October 17th at a press 
briefing in the White House 
Mick Mulvaney admitted the
President Trump withheld the
essential military aid for
Ukraine as leverage to
pressure Ukraine to 
investigate the conspiracy
theory that Ukraine had 
interfered in the 2016
election
that was those are the driving
factors that he also mentioned
to me and pasta that the the
corruption related to the DNC 
server absolutely no question 
about that but that's it
that's the money when press 
that he just convinced the
very quid pro quo that
President Trump has been
denying Mulvaney DoubleDown 
let's listen to that
describe is a quid pro quo it 
is funding will not flow
unless the investigation is it
a Democrat server 
as well we do we do that all
the time with foreign policy
this evidence demonstrates the
President Trump withheld the
security assistance in the
White House meeting with
presents Alinsky until Ukraine
made a public statement 
announcing the two
investigations targeted to
help his political re-election
efforts but as you will learn 
next he got caught and the
cover-up ensued 
chief justice and Senators
thank you for your patience 
this is a lot of information
but you have a very important 
obligation and that is
ultimately to decide whether
the president committed 
impeachable offenses and an 
order to make that judgment 
you have to have all of the 
facts and so we're going
through this chronology 
we're close to being done but 
it's important to know that 
while all of this material was
going on these deals were 
being made there are other
forces at work even before the
president's freeze on US
military assistance to Ukraine
became public on August 28th
members of both houses of 
Congress begin to express 
concern on August 9th the 
Democratic Leadership at the
House and Senate
Appropriations Committee wrote
to the OMB in the White House 
warning that a hold on a
sistance might constitute an
illegal impoundment of funds
they urged the Trump
Administration to follow the
lawn obligate the funding when
the news of the Frozen Aid
broke on August 28th
Congressional scrutiny of 
President Trump's decision
increased on September 3rd a
group of senators both
Republicans and Democrats 
including Senator Jeanne
Shaheen Senator Rob Portman 
Senator Dick Durbin Senator 
Ron Johnson Senator Richard 
Blumenthal send a letter to 
acting white house chief of 
staff Mick Mulvaney expressing
and I quote deep concerns 
that the administration is
considering not obligating the
Ukraine security initiative 
funds for 2020 19 
2 days later as it has been 
mentioned on September 5th a
Washington Post editorial 
Express concern that President
Trump was withholding military
assistance to your Crane in 
order to pressure president 
solinsky to announce these
investigations that was the 
first public report linking 
the Frozen security aide to 
the investigations that mr. 
Giuliani have been publicly 
pressing for and that 
President Trump trump as we've
heard had privately urged 
president solinsky to conduct 
on the July 25th call that
same day Senators Murphy and
Johnson met with president
zielinski in Kiev and faster
Taylor went with him and he 
testified mr. Taylor testified
that presents alinsky's quote 
first question to the Senators
was about withheld security 
assistance and bassador Taylor
testified that both Senators
quote stress that bipartisan
support for Ukraine and 
Washington was Ukraine's most 
important strategic acid and
at present solinsky should not
jeopardize that bipartisan
support by getting drawn into 
US domestic politics now
Senator Johnson and Senator 
Murphy later submitted letters
were they explained that they 
sought to reassure president
solinsky that the s 
bipartisan support in Congress
for providing Ukraine with
military assistance and that
they would continue to urge 
President Trump to lift the 
hold here is what they said in
that letter Senator Murphy
said Center Johnson and I 
assured zielinski that
Congress wanted to continue 
this funding and WordPress
Trump to release it 
immediately and Senator 
Johnson in the letter said I
explained that I tried to 
persuade the president to 
authorize me to announce the
hold was released but that I
was unsuccessful now
as news of the presidents hold
on Military assistance to you 
can't Ukraine became public at
the end of August Congress the
press the public started to 
pay more attention to 
President Trump's activities
with Ukraine this risk
exposing the skin that you've 
heard so much about today by
now the White House have
learned that the inspector
general of the intelligence 
Community had found that a
whistle-blower complaint
related to the same Ukraine 
matter was quote credible and 
quote an urgent concern and 
was there for other they were 
therefore required to send
that complain to Congress 
on September 9th 3 house
investigating committees send 
a letter to White House 
counsel passaporti stating
that President Trump &
Giuliani quote appear to have 
acted outside present outside 
legitimate law enforcement and
diplomatic channels to coerce 
the Ukrainian government into 
pursuing too politically
motivated investigations under
the guise of anti-corruption
activity the letter also said 
that if the president is
trying to pressure you crane
into choosing between 
defending itself from a 
Russian aggression without us 
Assistance or leveraging its
judicial system to serve the
ends of the Trump campaign
this would represent a
staggering abuse-of-power a 
boon to Moscow and
a betrayal of the public trust
the chairs requested that the 
White House preserve all
relevant records and produce
them by September 16th this 
included the transcript or
actually the call record of 
the July 25th call between
President Trump and president 
zielinski. Based on witness 
testimony it looks like the 
White House counsel's Office
circulator the committee's
document request around the 
White House Tim Morrison a
senior director at the
National Security Council 
remembered seeing a copy of 
this letter he also recall
that the three committees 
Ukraine investigation was 
discussed at a meeting of 
senior level and is Si staff
soon after it was publicly
announced Lieutenant Colonel
vinman we called discussions
among among the NSC staff 
members of the investigation
here's a quote might have the 
effect of releasing the hole
on Ukraine military assistance
because it would be quote 
potentially politically 
administration to justify that
holds up Congress later that
same day on September 9th the 
Inspector General informed the
House and Senate intelligence 
committees he determined that 
The Whistleblower complaint 
that have been submitted on 
October on August 12th
appeared to be credible met 
the definition of urgent
concern under the statute and 
yet he reported that for the
first time ever the acting
Director of National
Intelligence was withholding
this whistleblower complaint
from Congress that violated 
the law which requires him to 
send it in 7 Days the acting
director later testified that 
his office initially withheld 
the complaint based on the
advice from the White House 
and an unprecedented
intervention by the Department
of Justice now according to 
public reporting and testimony
for the acting dni at a 
hearing before the house
intelligence committee on 
September 26th the White House
had been aware of the 
Whistleblower complaint for 
weeks prior to the aiji 
September 9th letter to the 
intelligence committees acting
dni McGuire testified that
when he was The Whistleblower 
complaint from the Inspector
General is office contacted 
the White House counsel's 
office for guidance consistent
with acting dni Meguiars
testimony the New York Times
has reported that in late 
August the president's current
defense counsel mr. cipolloni 
and then SC lawyer John 
Eisenberg personally briefed
President Trump about the 
complaints existence and told 
the president they believe the
complaint could be withheld 
from Congress on Executive
Privilege grounds now on
Sceptre September 10th the
next day and bass for Bolton
resigned from his position as 
National Security advisor on
that same day September 10th
chairmanship of the house 
intelligence committee wrote a
letter to the acting director 
demanding that he provide the 
complaint as the law required 
the next day on September 
eleventh President Tru
lifted the hold on the
security system to Ukraine now
have testified that they
weren't aware of any reason 
why the hold was lifted just
as there was no explanation 
for the whole being 
implemented there was no
additional review no
additional European 
contribution nothing to 
justify the president's change
in position except he got 
caught just as there was no 
official explanation for why
the hold on Ukrainian 
assistance was implemented
numerous Witnesses testified
that they were not provided 
with any reason for why the 
hold was lifted on September
11th for example Jennifer 
Williams who was the special
adviser to vice president 
Pence testified that she was
never given a reason for that 
decision neither was
Lieutenant Colonel venneman 
here's what he told us during 
the hearing 
are you also aware however
that the security assistance
hold was not lifted for 
another 10 days after this
meeting that's cracked and am 
I correct that unit didn't
learn the reason why the holes
was lifted that's cracked 
Colonel Benjamin you didn't 
learn a reason why the hold 
was lifted either is that 
right acrylic 
bending are you aware that the
committee's launch an 
investigation into Ukraine
matters on September 9th two
days before the hold was
lifted I am aware and I was 
aware Ambassador Taylor the 
person in charge at the US
Embassy in Kiev who 
communicated the decision to
the ukrainians also never got 
an explanation here's what he 
said are you also aware 
however that the security 
assistance hold was not lifted
for another 10 days after 
this life finally 
on September 11th I learned 
that the holding elected and
security systems would be 
provided I was not told the 
reason why
the hold has been lifted Mark 
Sandy the career officer at 
OMB testified he only learned 
of a partial possible 
rationale for the hold in 
early September after the 
acting D and I had informed 
the White House about The 
Whistleblower complaint that
Sandy testified that sometime 
in early September he was 
Steven email from his boss
Michael Duffy approximately 
two months after the hold has 
been placed the email quote 
attributed the hold to the
presents concerned about other
countries not contributing
more to Ukraine and request a 
quote information about what
additional countries were 
contributing to Ukraine this
was a different explanation 
then OMB had provided at the
July 26th interagency meeting 
that reference concerns about 
corruption Lieutenant Colonel 
testified that none of the
facts on the ground about 
Ukrainian efforts to combat 
corruption or other countries 
contribution to Ukraine had 
changed before President Trump
lifted the hold according to a
press report after Congress 
began investigating President 
Trump's scheme the White House
counsel's office opened an
internal investigation
relating to the July 25th call
the following slides provide
excerpts from a report in the 
Washington Post as part of
that internal investigation 
White House lawyers reportedly
gathered and reviewed hundreds
of documents that reveal
extensive efforts to generate 
an after-the-fact 
justification for the hold on 
Military assistance for 
Ukraine that had been ordered 
by the president these
documents reportedly include
quote early August email
exchanges between acting Chief
of Staff Mick Mulvaney and
White House budget officials
seeking to provide an 
explanation for withholding 
the funds after the president 
had already ordered a whole in
mid-july on the nearly four 
hundred million dollars in
security assistance The 
Washington Post article also
reported that in these this is
a quote emails show 
OMB director bought and R&B 
staffers arguing that with
holding the aid was legal 
while officials at the
National Security Council and 
state department protested OMB
lawyers said that it was legal
to withhold the aid as long as
they deemed it a temporary
hold you should be able to
see these documents but the 
White House has withheld them 
from Congress so the house
can't verify the news report
but you could you you could do
that if you could see these 
documents you should subpoena 
them and there's no reason not
to see all the relevant 
documents now the lengthy 
delay created by President
Trump's whole prevented the 
Department of Defense from
spending all congressional he 
appropriated funds by the end 
of the fiscal year as we
mentioned before that meant 
the funds were going to expire
on September 30th because as
we know unused funds do not 
roll over to the next fiscal
year this confirm the fears 
Express by Cooper Sandy and 
other's concerns that were
discussed within the relevant 
roughout August  July and 
approximately ultimately 35 
million dollars of Ukraine
military assistance as 14% of 
the dod funds remain done 
spent by the end of the fiscal
year in order to make sure
that Ukraine did not
permanently lose the 35 
million of critical military
assistance that have been 
frozen by the White House 
Congress had to pass a
provision on September 27th 
3 days before the funds with
to expire to ensure that the
remaining 35 million could be 
sent to you Ukraine now 
George Kent is an 
anti-corruption and rule of 
law expert he told us 
that American anti-corruption 
efforts fried prioritized 
building institutional
capacity support for the rule 
of law not the pursuit of 
individual investigations 
particularly a political rival
here's how explain the
approach
u.s. efforts to counter 
corruption in Ukraine focus on
building institutional
capacity so that the Ukrainian
government has the ability to 
go after corruption and 
effectively investigate 
prosecute and judge allege
criminal activities using 
appropriate institutional 
mechanisms that is to create
and follow the rule of law
that means that if there are
criminal necklaces for
activity in the United States 
US law enforcement should 
pursue the case if we think 
there's been a criminal act 
overseas that violates US law 
we have the institutional 
mechanisms to address that it 
could be through the justice
department and FBI agents 
assigned overseas or through
feeding mechanisms such as the
mutual legal assistance treaty
as a general principle I do 
not believe the United States 
should ask other countries to 
engage in selective 
politically Associated
investigations are
prosecution's against 
opponents of those in power 
because such selective actions
undermine the rule of law 
regardless of the country 
now David Holmes heard during 
his testimony homes also
compared the official approach
that we believe in that we
of promulgate across the world
with what the president and 
mr. Giuliani actually were
doing 
Bursar long-standing policy is
to encourage them to establish
and build rule of law 
institutions that are capable 
and their independence and
that can actually pursue
credible allegations that's 
our policy we've been doing 
that for quite some time with 
some success so focusing on 
a particular interest of the
president just
not part of what we've done 
it's hard to explain why we 
would do that unfortunately 
we do know the explanation we 
know why President Trump
wanted present solinsky to
announce investigations 
because it would help him in
his election now and September
18th approximately a week 
before he was supposed to meet
with President Trump at the 
United Nations General
Assembly in New York presents 
Wollensky spoke by telephone
with vice president Pence 
Williams testified then she is
a was vice president Pence's
assistant hsieh testified that
vice president Pence basically
reiterated that the hold on 
Aid has been lifted and asked 
a bit more about how
zelinsky's efforts were going 
at following her deposition 
and while preparing for her 
testimony at the open hearing 
on November 19th Williams 
review the documents they've
not been produced To Us by the
White House and those 
documents refresh your
recollection a vice president 
Pence call with presents
Alinsky and the White House 
blocked Williams from 
testifying about her refreshed
recollection of the 
vice-presidents call when she 
appeared at the open public 
hearing they claimed that 
certain portions of the 
September 8th 18th call 
including the information that
William just wanted to tell us
about we're classified I
November 26th she submitted 
a classified addition to her
hearing testimony where she 
provided additional 
information about the vice
president September 18th
telephone call with President 
solinsky the intelligence 
committee provided this 
classified addition to the
Judiciary Committee it has
been sent to the senate for 
your review now I've read that
testimony I'll just say 
that a cover-up is not a
proper reason to classify a 
document vice president Pence 
has repeatedly said publicly
that he has no objection to 
the White House releasing the 
actual transcript of his calls
with presents Alinsky and yeah
is office has refused 
many requests by the committee
to declassify Williams
addendum so the American
people could also see the 
additional evidence about this
call we are urged the Senators
to review it and we ask again 
that the White House be 
classified as the usRoad
in two separate letters there 
is no basis to keep a 
classified ad again in case 
the White House needs a 
reminder it's improper to keep
something classified just to
avoid embarrassment for to
conceal wrong doing now we've 
been through a lot of facts 
today we've seen the
president's Kemah Shakedown of
Ukraine for his personal
benefit was I believe 
in obvious abuse of his power 
but this misconduct the scheme
became exposed Congress 
ask questions the Press 
reported non political
officers in the government
Express concern The 
Whistleblower laws were 
activated as this happened
there was an effort to create 
an after-the-fact misleading
record to avoid responsibility
for what the president had
actually been doing these were
not the only adverts to hide
misconduct and
the misconduct continued
Congressman shift will review 
some of those items 
so we have about 20 minutes 
left in the presentation
tonight I'd like to now go
through with you the
president's efforts to hide 
this crap scheme even as a
continued well into the fall
of last year on August 12th 
whistleblower in the
intelligence community's
submitted a complaint address 
to the Congressional
intelligence committees this
explosive document stated that
President Trump has solicited 
for an interference from
Ukraine to assist in his 2020 
re-election bid the complaint 
alleged a scheme by President 
Trump to quote use the power
of his office to solicit
interference from a foreign 
country in the 2020 us
election the
complaint stated that the 
president had applied pressure
on Ukraine to investigate one 
of the president's main 
domestic political Rivals and 
detail the involvement of the 
president's personal lawyer 
Rudy Giuliani the complaint 
also stated that the
Whistleblower believe that the
presents activities quote pose
risks of US National Security 
and undermine the US
government's efforts to deter 
and counter foreign 
interference in US elections
under the law The 
Whistleblower was required to 
file the complaint with the 
Inspector General of the
intelligence Community which
was then required to vet and
assess the complaint and
determine if it warranted 
reporting to the intelligence 
committees the law gives the
inspector-general 14 days to
conduct an initial review and 
then inform the Director of 
National Intelligence about 
his findings on August
26th the Inspector General
complaint and inspector 
General's preliminary 
determination to the acting 
Director of National
Intelligence inspector-general
road that based on a review 
his review of the complaint 
it's allegations constituted
an urgent concern and appeared
credible under the statute
inspector-general confirm that
the Whistleblower acted 
lawfully and bringing the 
complaints and credibly raised
a legitimate concern that 
should be communicated to the 
intelligence Committees of
Congress the Director of
National Intelligence quickly 
informed the White House about
the complaint under the 
law of the acting director
National Intelligence was 
required to forward the 
complaints and the inspector
General's determination to the
Congressional intelligence
committees no later than 7
days after he received
it the legal requirement is 
extremely clear upon receipt
of the transmittal from the I 
see IG that is Inspector
General of the intelligence 
Community the director shall
within 7 calendar days of such
receipt Ford such transmittal 
to the Congressional
intelligence committees 
together with any comments the
director considers appropriate
yet despite the clearer letter
of the law the White House
mobilized to keep the 
information in the
Whistleblower complaint from
Congress including by inviting
the Department of Justice to
render an opinion as to 
whether the complaint could be
withheld from Congress the
statutory deadline of 
September 2nd when the
inspector when the Director of
National Intelligence was 
required to turn it over to 
Congress came and went and the
complaint remain hidden from
Congress finally on September 
9th a full week after the 
complaint was required to be
sent to Congress and once 
again and Urgent concern the
inspector-general one week
after it was required to be 
sent to Congress the
inspector-general road to the 
leaders of the intelligence 
committees to inform them that
the Director of National
Intelligence was withholding a
whistleblower complaint in
direct contravention of pack
pass practice and the law 
on September 24th Speaker of
the House Nancy Pelosi
announced that the House of 
Representatives is moving 
forwd th an official
impeachment inquiry the next
day the House of
Representatives passed a
resolution calling on the 
Trump Administration to 
provide the whistleblowers
complaint immediately to
Congressional intelligence
committees later that day the 
White House publicly-released 
the summary of the July 25th
call between President Trump
and president solinsky and
permitted the acting Director 
of National Intelligence to 
provide the whistleblowers
complaint and related 
documents to the Congressional
intelligence committees 
the person himself was happy
to discuss the motivations for
the steam in public that day
and a joint press availability
with president solinsky at the
United Nations Ger
Assembly President Trump
reiterated that he wanted 
Ukraine to investigate the
bidens did you
moron Joe Biden and 
investigate him to do 
whatever he can at this was 
not his fault he wasn't there 
he's just been here recently
but whatever he can do in 
terms of corruption because 
the Corruptions massive now 
when Biden son walks away with
millions of dollars from
Ukraine and he knows nothing
and they're paying them 
millions of dollars that's
corruption when 
find me the day after 
President Trump explain to the
public that he wanted Ukraine 
to investigate former 
president vice president
former Vice President Biden on
the morning of September 26th 
intelligence committee
publicly-released Declassified
redactions of two documents 
the whistleblowers August 12th
12th complaint and inspector
Geras gu 26th 
transmittal to the acting 
Director of National
Intelligence even after the 
impeachment inquiry into the
crane matter began President
Trump in his proxy Rudy 
Giuliani have continued to
publicly urge present solinsky
to launch an investigation of 
Vice President Biden and
alleged 2016 election 
interference by Ukraine on
September 31st at the 
swearing-in of the new labor
secretary President Trump 
stated got the new president
of refrain ran on the basis of
no corruption that's how he 
got elected and I believe that
he really means it but there
was a lot of corruption 
election against us and we
want to 
get to the bottom of it and 
it's very important we do 
thank you very much so here he
is is meeting at the United 
Nations September 30th and
he's still pursuing this bogus
crowdstrike Conspiracy Theory 
with the president of Ukraine 
October 7th second and public 
press availability President
Trump discuss the July 25th 
call with presidents Alinsky
and stated the conversation 
was perfect it could have been
nicer eventlink his notion of 
corruption with the Biden 
investigation on October 3rd
and remarks before he departed
Marine One President Trump
Express is hope that Ukraine
would investigate Vice
President Biden and his son 
President Trump actually
not only Ukraine to ic origin 
investigate the Biden's the 
China 2 
well I would think that if
they were honest about it that
sort of major investigation 
into the bike to very simple
answer they should investigate
to buy because how does a 
company that's newly formed 
and all these 
companies if you look at him
by the way likewise inju
started investigation into the
Bible because what happened in
China is just about as bad as 
what happened with with 
Ukraine so I would say that 
president salinsky if it were 
me I would recommend that they
start an investigation into 
the bike
the same day President Trump
tweeted that he has an
absolute right to investigate 
corruption that really means
is he feels he has an absolute
right to investigate or get 
foreign countries to
investigate his political 
opponents the president sent a
similar to eat the next day 
once again Lincoln corruption 
with the Biden investigation
as president I have an
obligation to end corruption
even if that means requesting 
the help of a foreign country 
or countries it is done all 
the time this has nothing to
do with politics or a 
political campaign against the
bidens this does have to do 
with corruption 
give him credit for being 
so obvious this 
has nothing to do with
politics or a political 
campaign against the bidens 
but you got to investigate the
bites I guess that's just a 
coincidence 
President Trump continue to 
demonstrate his eagerness to
solicit foren sian
relatetoiserna
interest here's 
what's okay he said if we feel
this corruption like I feel 
there was in the 2016 campaign
there was tremendous
corruption against me if we 
feel this corruption we have a
right to go to a foreign
country President Trump added 
that asking president XI of 
China to investigate the
bidens is certainly something 
we can start thinking about 
even last month be the last 
month the president and 
Giuliani scheme continue
during the first week of
December Giuliani travel to 
Budapest Kiev and Vienna to 
meet with a former Ukrainian
government officials as part
of a continuing effort to dig 
up dirt political dirt on Vice
President Biden and Advance 
the theory that Ukraine 
interfered in the 2016
election asked about his
interviews of foreign 
Ukrainian prosecutors Giuliani
told the New York Times that
he was acting on behalf of his
client President Trump quote
like a good lawyer I am 
Gathering evidence to defend
my client against the false 
charges being leveled against 
him indeed evidence obtained
by the house from giuliani's
associate confirms that he had
been representing himself in
as early as May 2019 as 
president trumps personal 
lawyer doing Donald J Trump's 
personal bidding in his 
dealings with Ukraine 
this letter May 10th 2019 
from Giuliani to zielinski
says among other things 
however I have a more specific
requests in my capacity as
personal counsel to President 
Trump and with his knowledge
and consent I request a 
meeting with you on this
upcoming Monday May 13th or 
Tuesday May 14th I will need
no more than a half an hour of
your time and I will be 
accompanied by my colleague 
Victoria toensing a 
distinguished American
attorney was very familiar
with this matter please have
your office let me know what
time or times are convenient
for you and Victoria and I
will be there this is 
evidence recently obtained
showing his effort to get that
meeting in May was olinsky
Return to New York from 
this most recent
trip on December 7th President
Trumcaedims s ane 
was still taxing down the 
runway what did you get he
said President Trump passed 
more than you can imagine 
Giuliani replied Giuliani 
claimed that he was putting 
his findings into a 20-page 
report that the president had 
asked him to brief the
attorney general and the
republicans in Congress 
shortly thereafter on the same
day President Trump told
reporters before departing on 
Marine one that he was aware
of giuliani's efforts in
Ukraine and a Giuliani was
going to report his reported
findingso e torney
general and Congress
well I just know he came back 
from someplace and he's going 
to make a report I think to 
the attorney general and the
Congress he says he has a lot 
of good information I have not
spoken to him about that
information but Rudy as you 
know it's been one of the 
great crime fighter's of the
last 50 years he did
get back from Europe just 
recently and I know he has not
told me what he's found but I 
think he wants to go before 
Congress and say and also to
the attorney general and the
Department of Justice I hear
he's found plenty yeah
3 days after that those 
remarks on December 10th
Giuliani confirm to The 
Washington Post the President 
Trump and ask him to brief the
justice departntnd
Republican Senators on his
quote findings on quote from
his trip to Ukraine Giuliani
stated he wants me to do it 
I'm working on pulling it 
together and hope to have it
done by the end of the week 
that Friday December 13th 
Giuliani reportedly met with
President Trump at the White
House and on December 17th
Giuliani confirm to CNN the 
President Trump has been very 
supportive of his efforts to
dig up dirt on Vice President 
Biden Ukraine and that they 
are on the same page the
following day on December 18th
2019 the House of 
Representatives approve the 
two articles of impeachment 
you are considering in this 
trial 
since the house voted on these
articles evidence has 
continued to come to light
related to the presents 
corrupt scheme among other
things Freedom of Information 
Act lawsuits press reporting
and documents provided to 
Congress Rudy Giuliani
Associates Lev parnas further 
corroborate what we already 
know about the president's
scheme as Giuliani against
said on December seventeenth
President Trump has been quote
very supportive on quote of 
his efforts to dig up dirt on 
Vice President Biden and they 
are quote on the same page
harness for the corroborated
what we already know about
President Trump scheme that he
was responsible for 
withholding military aid and
sustaining that hold and that 
is personal attorney mr.
Giuliani was working at the 
direction of President Trump
himself 
on December 20th new emails 
were released showing that 91 
minutes after President 
Trump's call with Ukrainian 
president solinsky a top
Office of Management and
budget Aid ask the Department 
of Defense to withhold to hold
off on sending military aid to
Ukraine so those were new 
documents that came on
December 20th on December 
29th Revelations emerge from
OMB director and acting Chief 
of Staff Mick Mulvaney's roll 
about them about that role in 
the delay of Aid and efforts
by lawyers at OMB the 
Department of Justice in the
White House to justify the
delay and the alarm that the
delay caused within the 
administration those records
just became available on
December 29th on January 2nd
new Leon redacted Pentagon
emails which raised serious 
concerns by Trump 
Administration officials about
the legality of the presents
hold on it Aid they came
available on January sixth
former Trump National Security
advisor John Bolton announced 
that he would comply with a 
senate subpoena compelling his
testimony is lawyer stated
that he has new relevant
information on January 13th 
reports emerged at the Russian
government hack Ukrainian gas 
company brisma almost 
certainly an effort to find 
information about Vice
President Joe Biden son in
order to weaponize that 
information against mr. Biden 
and in favor of mr. Trump just
as Russia did against 
secretary Clinton in favor of 
then-candidate trump in 2016
that brings us up to January
13th of this year last week 
house committees received new 
evidence from Lev parnas step 
further demonstrates that the 
president was a central player
in this scheme to pressure
Ukraine for his political gain
and also last week the
government accountability 
office found the President
Trump violated the law when he
was held that Aid 
last night we 
have the further development
one more redacted emails from 
The Office of Management and
budget were produced
I think representative Crow 
showed you these
These are among the documents 
that were just released I'm 
sure that if we could read
under those redactions it 
would be a very perfect email 
but you have to ask what is 
being redacted here 
what is so important to keep
confidential during the course
of an impeachment inquiry 
as you can see right up until 
last night evidence continues 
to be produced the truth is 
going to come out and did the 
truth is already come out but 
more and more of it will
more emails are going to come 
out more witnesses are going
to come forward they're going 
to have more relevant 
information to share
and the only question is
do you want to hear it now do 
you want to know the full 
truth now you want to know
just who was in the loop
sounds like everyone was in 
the loop you want to know how 
broad the scheme was
we have the evidence to prove 
the President Trump ordered 
the aid withheld he did 
so to coerce Ukraine to help
his re-election campaign he 
was held a white house meeting
to course the same sham 
investigations we can 
and will prove
President Trump guilty of this
conduct and of obstructing the
investigation into his
misconduct but you and the
American people should know 
who else was involved in this 
scheme you should want the
whole truth to come out you 
should want to know about 
every player in this sordid 
business
it isn't within your power to 
do so and I would urge you
even if you're prepared to
vote to convict an impeached
and removed this president to 
find out the full truth about 
how far this corruption goes
because I think the public has
a right to know 
now today but yesterday we
made the case for why you 
should hear this additional 
evidence and testimony
this morning I introduced you 
to the broad
sweep of the president's
conduct and then during the 
course of today we walked you 
through a factual chronology
in real time about how this 
plot unfolded and during that 
factual chronology today you
saw that in March of this year
Giuliani began that 
smear campaign against the
bastard jovanovic in order to 
get her fired by President
Trump something he would later
admit was necessary to get her
out of the way because she was
going to be in the way of 
these two investigations
this is the supposed to 
anti-corruption effort by the 
president to get rid of a 
woman who has dedicated her 
career to represent in the
United States often and 
dangerous parts of the world
to fighting corruption and to 
promoting the rule of law this
plot begins with getting her
out of the way with the 
president sang that she's 
going to go through some
things this anti-corruption 
reformer this us Patriot this 
plot begins with getting her
out of the way
and telling lie and it says so
much about the administration 
tellingly it wasn't enough
just to recall her or fire her
the present good done that
done that anytime know they 
wanted to destroy her because 
she had the audacity to stand 
in their way
so we heard in March about the
effort to get rid of her and
it succeeded and guess what 
message that sent to the
ukrainians about the power
of the president's lawyer has 
ukrainians were watching this 
whole Saga they were hearing
his interviews they were
seeing the smears that he was 
putting out and this attorney 
for the president working 
hand-in-hand with these 
corrupt ukrainians
was able to get a um Bastyr 
yanked out of her job proof 
positive you want a window to 
this present you on archery 
in hpewith this  want to make 
present you go through his
lawyer never mind the state 
department never mind the 
National Security Council 
never mind the defense
department you go through his 
lawyer that's March 
April zielinski has this huge 
victory in the presidential 
election
from the president the
president assigns by vice 
president Pence to go to the
inauguration
May Giuliani is rebuffed by 
zielinski cancel the trip to
Ukraine the one where you 
wanted to go remember metal in
the investigation because 
he says enemies of Trump's
around zielinski guess that 
means you didn't get the
meeting and they must be
enemies of the president
course the ukrainians know why
he wants that meeting 
May Trump disinvites Pence to 
the inauguration
pencils going giuliani's
Reebok pants ain't going
that's me instead May 23rd we 
have this meeting at the White
House and there's a new 
a new party in town the Three 
Amigos they're going to be
handling the Ukraine portfolio
and they're told work with
Rudy work with Rudy bastress
secretary Perry work with Rudy
and as you saw on June
giuliani's pushing for these
investigations
and the trying to arrange 
these meetings and trying to
make this happen
and also in June the defense
department announces they're
going to release the military 
aid the president reads about 
this and then he stops
it he stops the aid 
in July on July 10th
you heard in the chronology 
there's a meeting at the White
House the meeting in which
song and blurts out of this 
meeting between ukrainians and
Americans hey they got a deal 
the trying to get this meeting
and there's a debate about
whether he is going to happen 
when it's going to happen and 
someone says that we've got a 
deal with Mulaney here we're
going to get this meeting and 
you're going to those 
investigations and bolt and 
stiffens and abruptly ends the
meeting that was the first
meeting that day and then 
someone brings the delegation 
to different part of the White
House and have the follow-up
meeting where you makes it
even more explicit
this drug deals made even more
explicit and dr. Hill is told 
by Ambassador Bolton you need 
to go talk to the lawyers I 
don't want any part of this 
drug deal they're cooking up
that's July 
July is the month where that
email goes from solid to
Pompeo and others and 
everybody is in the loop July 
is the month where the hole is
implemented with no 
explanation July is the month 
where mother testifies about
Russia systemic interference
in our Affairs July is the
month after Mother testifies
that the president believes he
has escaped accountability
the next day in July is of
course the July 25th call 
in which the president asks 
for his favor 
and July is the month July
26th is the date of the call
between President Trump and 
Ambassador songland you know
the one 
zielinski loves your ass he'll
do anything you want is 
it going to do the
investigation yeah he's going 
to do the investigation July
is the month of that
conversation between song 
Linda and David Holmes were 
home says can you can you tell
me candidly hear what the 
president thinks of Ukraine 
does it give a blank about
Ukraine now he doesn't give a 
blank about Ukrainian only
cares about the big stuff well
it's kind of big stuff here in
Ukraine like a war with the 
Russians no no no big stuff 
that affects him personally 
like the Biden investigation
that Giuliani wants that's the
month of July August we have
that meeting between Giuliani 
and Aramark in Madrid August
we have the back and forth
about the statement know you
go first and you commit and 
puic aounce 
investigations and then we'll 
give you they know you go 
first to give us the date and 
then one that's investigations
well we'll give you a 
statement doesn't mention the 
specific no no you give us a
statement that mentions in
this investigation so that's
the month of August 
August is also the month where
it becomes clear that it's not
just the meeting anymore it's 
everything everything is
conditioned on these
investigations the
relationship the money the
meeting Sunland and Holmes
testify 
it's a simple as two plus two 
equals four that's all I get
September Sunland says that 
you are my everything is
condition on Public 
Announcement so message 
delivered no ambiguity the
ukrainians are told quid pro
quo Taylor
texts this is crazy to
withhold Aid
September is the month
September 7th in particular 
Trump and Sunland talk on the 
phone and the president has a 
conversation he says no quid
pro quo accept here's the quid
pro quo zelenski's got to go
to the Mike and what's more he
should want to do it September
Is also the month where the 
investigations begin in 
Congress September's
the month were after those
investigations begin after the
president knows he's been 
caught the
8th is finally released 
and September is the month
we're Pence and zielinski are 
on the phone
and Jennifer Williams has 
classified information to 
share with you that I hope you
will take a look at because it
is relevant to these issues 
that's September October
Trump admits yes if it wasn't 
obvious enough he wants 
Ukraine to investigate his
political pun October is the
month where he invites another
Nation China to investigate 
his opponent
this is the broad outline of
the chronology that we went 
through today tomorrow
we will go through the law
the Constitution and the facts
as they apply to article one
that is the plan for tomorrow 
we've introduced the case 
we've gone through the
chronology and tomorrow we
will apply the facts to the 
law as it pertains the
president's abuse of power
and let me just conclude this 
evening 
Byron marketing again and what
brought us here 
what brought us here is that
some courageous people came 
forward courageous people that
risked their entire careers 
and one of them's has been so 
striking to me about that as I
watch these Witnesses like
Maria Ivanovic in the best of 
Taylor and David Holmes and 
others dr. Hill 
is how much these dedicated 
officials were willing to risk
their career the beginning of 
their career the middle of the
career late in their career 
when they did everything to 
lose but
people senior to them who have
every advantage who sit in
positions of power
lack that same basic
commitment like that same 
basic willingness to put their
country first 
and expose wrongdoing why is
it that colonel venneman
who worked for Fiona Hill 
who work for John Bolton
and dr. kuperman why is it
that they were willing to 
stick their neck out and
answer lawful subpoenas when
their bosses I
don't know that I can answer
that question but I just can
tell you I have such
admiration for the fact they
did I 
think n n ni and I think this 
is some form of cosmic Justice
that this Ambassador that was 
so ruthlessly smeared is now a
hero for her courage there is 
Justice in that 
but what will really vindicate
that leap of faith that she 
took is if we show the same 
courage they
risked everything their 
careers and yes I know what 
you're asked to decide May
risk yours to 
but if they could show the
courage so can we 
go back 
pursuant to the provisions of 
Senate resolution 243 of the
100th Congress a single one 
page classified document
identified by the house 
managers for filing with the
secretary of the Senate that
will be received on January 
22nd 2020 shall not be made 
part of the public record and 
shall not be printed but shall
be made available pursuant to 
the standing order from the 
100th Congress Majority Leader
is recognized 
for the evening I will convene
again at 1 tomorrow 
before we reach our not like
to acknowledge that tomorrow
is the official last day for
this term Senate pages
this group of 
in addition to witnessing this
unusual event that we're all
experiencing your studying for
their final exams as well and 
we wish them well as they had 
back to boring normal high
school
mr. leader let me just add my 
thanks and gratitude for all
of us it is rare particularly 
these days when a hundred 
senators from both sides of 
the aisle of every political
persuasion get up and give
someone a standing ovation
we've been watching the second
day of the Senate impeachment 
trial of President Donald J 
Trump Senator Chuck Schumer 
the minority leader picking 
you up from the majority
leader Mitch McConnell there
in celebrating the pages I had
worked in the Senate during 
this term sign of unity 
over two days of what has been
some serious and intense
fighting and we wrapped up the
date if you've been counting
that the Democrats and
Republicans block 24 hours for
their opening arguments over
three days of this was the
first day of Us opening 
arguments by 7 1/2 to 8 
hours so they're still about
16 hours of testimony we
probably think I'll do 8
tomorrow and an 8 on Friday as
well and it is concluding his 
remarks shift was the 
the meaning peachman
prosecutor hear Adam Schiff 
from the house he basically 
talked about what they're 
going to do tomorrow heat up
tomorrow and
it's Sunny Hostin is joining
me now co-hosts of t vw 
also former Federal prosecutor
in City explain due to our
viewers what they're going to 
do tomorrow because you said
they're going to apply the
letter to the facts of the law
to the facts and this has been
done in a very methodical way 
this has been done the way any
good prosecutor would try a 
case you want to give all the 
facts to your jury and then 
you want to explain the law to
your jury and then in 
summation you are going to
apply the facts to the law of 
the law to the facts and that 
is what Adam Schiff said he is
going to do so I would suspect
that tomorrow we are going to 
get up Remeron constitutional 
law 1 I'm going to feel like
I'm back at Notre Dame law
school and I think he's going 
to lead us through what the 
Constitution provides and 
that's going to be very 
important because what we've
heard from the Republicans is 
that there is no crime here 
and so this is not an 
impeachable offense but if I
think there's been a consensus
really amongst constitutional 
Scholars that yes abuse of
power is an impeachable 
offense it's actually 
something that our framers
considered when they drafted
the Constitution and so I 
think that is going to be 
something that is going to be 
very important for these house
managers to outline to
delineate for not only the
Senators but for the American 
people that are a little
concerned about whether or not
this constitutes high crime 
misdemeanors whether it really
is an impeachable offense 
offense so that's what we're
going to hear we just head up 
on the screen the two articles
the second one being
obstruction of justice and we 
saw a chairman shift just 
before he wrapped up his
comments holding up a redacted
email that had been a watchdog
group of the White House was
able to get one of these days 
redacted email see how it up
as as just a sign of why he 
wants new evidence that that
that if you look at all those 
weird actions there's 
information there that
Democrats find useful that
they could use to present 
their case to the Senate to 
get the full story and and he 
he really sort of was weaving 
both the Articles why there 
was abuse of power why there
was obstruction and and why 
they need Witnesses and he's
notes we have what we are 
hearing is more of a
bifurcated a presentation to
think we heard a lot more 
about his abuse of power right
we heard more about what
happened in terms of this 
withdrawal of a this
withholding evade and and and 
also perhaps a little bit of
the cover-up will hear more 
about because that is really
what goes towards the 
obstruction of a congress 
because enoue there 
trying to investigate what the
president did they're getting 
shut down time and time again 
know this person is not going 
to testify this person is not 
going to comply with a
subpoena so I think today and 
yesterday was much more about 
Article 1 abuse of power and I
think after tomorrow perhaps
we'll hear a lot more about 
obstruction of of Congress
senior National correspondent 
a.m. run has been following 
all the developmen awe
and Terry I was struck by 
something that shift said just
before he wrapped up his
comments and we do the quote
President Trump guilty of 
misconduct and it was struck
the investigation into his
misconduct but you and the
American people should know 
who else was involved in the
scheme you should want the
whole truth and and listen to 
that Terry it was all said he 
was foreshadowing they're not 
Witnesses they're not going to
get that information and a my 
question is why are they still
fighting so hard if they think
they're not going to be able
to admit this new evidence and
or the witnesses and if they
just admitted they can prove
the case with with the
evidence they have right now
well that is one of the 
challenges according to the 
Trump defense lawyers that the
house managers Prosecuting
Trump have is it they say I 
had one of the same time this 
is enough evidence to convict 
him and we need more and the
Trump defense lawyers have
been sort of harping on that
from time to time but they
will get another bite of that 
Apple at Witnesses and new
evidence the rules as laid
down by Senator Mitch 
McConnell which now basically 
do mirror the rules of the
1999 impeachment trial of 
President Bill Clinton provide
for a vote after these opening
arguments after the house 
managers Prosecuting Trump and
Trump defense lawyers get a 
chance over the course of 
several days to make their
case here's what we think the 
evidence proves then the
Senate can take up a motion to
allow for Witnesses and 
evidence that's what they did 
in Bill Clinton's impeachment 
trial they waited until after 
the opening arguments and then
they voted to hear Witnesses
not live in the Senate partly 
because of the salaciousness
of the evidence around a Bill 
Clinton's relationship with 
Monica Lewinsky they took it
by deposition only three
Witnesses and parts of those
deposition videos were played 
to show the evidence that had 
been obtained here who knows
what will happen but I think
one of them's you see Adam
Schiff and and the other house
manager is doing is reminding 
those Senators who might be 
open Republicans you only need
four to the notion that even
if they don't think the 
President should be removed 
from office history will
demand our Reckoning of this
conduct and this should not be
of all of the impeachments the
only one in our 231 hear year 
history where the Senate
declined to hear any witness
they've they've been impeached
and removed judges from Office
who had already been convicted
in Criminal Court of perjury
and other crimes taking bribes
Beyond a reasonable doubt they
heard dozens of Witnesses in
those drawers because they did
their job and I think that's
one of the things that you're 
hearing shift by shift drive
home tonight Terry witness a
lot of arguments before The 
Supreme Court you and you've
covered cases just like this
before talking about Adam 
Schiff style today after day
one even some Republican
senators were quoted in some
story saying that he was
pulled eloquent that they were
impressed with his
presentation so far we also 
noticed a change in tone I
change an atmosphereveseen
it here from New York just
watching what we put on the 
television screens Mary Bruce 
back that up saying it was a
180 degree turn from what they
saw yesterday when things got 
so nasty but but talk about 
what shift did today cuz he 
spoke for hours just him by 
himself should have read me 
this webpage how everything 
was connected both the abuse
of power and the instructions,
I think Sonny who's done this 
as opposed to just cover it 
can speak to this as well he
mastered his brief hadn't he
is fluid in these facts he's
he's well-versed and he has 
organized them in his mind and
meticulously arrange them in
his presentations to weave
that narrative trials 
hit it always seemed to me or 
kind of story-telling 
competition competition th
take the mess of fact of real 
life and the side that
arranges them in the most 
persuasive and compelling 
Arrangement a story usually 
wins and that's what you see
Adam Schiff came ready to do
today not just in his Mastery 
of the fact that his
arrangement of them for his 
cause the cost of the 
President should be found 
guilty and removed from office
but also for the moment it
seems like he did reach from
time to time for the right
tone in a senate impeachment
trial of a president and there
was one moment this morning as
he closed that long argument
earlier in the day in which he
urged the Senators at to find 
the evidence sufficient to
convince the president sang if
we fail to hold the president 
accountable for what shift
believes the evidence shows 
has the abuse of office and 
then we will write our decline
as a country in our own hand
kind of reaching for the kind 
of eloquence that you'd 
expected want almost and that 
can have an impact as that
just atmosphere seriousness of
language might engender 
seriousness of purpose among
the people who will decide the
fate of the president 
Adam Schiff polish to put on a
presentation of trump 
this is the era of Trope or 
sometimes people who want the 
silly play by the rules people
who play a little rough and 
get down a little dirty they
sohocome on come out on 
top and and I I ask this
because we are going to see us
a stark difference in the 
style and probably the
presentation from the White 
House I think to be to be sure
that you cannot underestimate 
the presence of Chief Justice 
Roberts he is in the courtroom
he has already in the chamber 
he is already admonished
parties that this is a sacred 
sacred event that is if it is 
going on our very democracy is
at stake and I don't think
that we're going to see that
sort of vitriol and and those 
histrionics that is not going 
to play well here and I I 
think that Adam Schiff has
should have struck the right
tone I have to say I have been
so impressed with the house 
managers I have seen uniform
excellent uniform confidence
uniform preparation and it is 
very effective extremely
effective this is how you 
present a case in front of the
Supreme Court and I haven't 
presented in from the Supreme 
Court but I'm a member of the 
Supreme Court bar and I have
written briefs and I have sat 
in front of us and it's 
recording watch these 
arguments that is what the
chief justice is used to
seeing and I don't think he is
going to take kindly to the 
start of thing that perhaps 
this president wants to see 
also seems you just want to 
get too involved unless he
really has to so we'll have to
into with Matt Dowd you've
been following all the
developments as well met on 
this point as wellhadoou
think wore what do you think
as far as Styles go we we saw 
a ship the case that he put on
even Republicans complimenting
him some Republican Senators
but they were probably go see 
how much different style from 
the Trump team and I want to
know what's your opinion in 
the damage that we live now in
this twitterverse in the area 
are are on social media and 
the era of trump which wins 
public in this case well
I think that the president's
been successful for a. Of time
in creating chaos and 
disruption in all of that and 
getting other people to 
respond to him and raising the
drama level in the histrionic 
level up I actually believed
that the counter to that is a 
cam methodical rational 
approach in this especially as
Sonny said with the Chief 
Justice of Supreme Court
sitting there in the Senate 
chamber I actually think most 
voters out there are tired of 
the chaos I said to somebody
the other day that if I were
coming up with a slogan 
against Donald Trump I would
say make America boring again 
I think most voters want this 
to be considered want this to 
be, they don't want the 
histrionics there's part of 
each party's based on the left
and the right that loves the
drama that loves the screaming
that loves all that but the 
vast swath of people that are 
in the middle of the
independent voters in the 
people that aren't hard right 
or hard left want some
calmness and in some
thoughtfulness in this and so 
I think that house of house 
manager strategy has been dead
on right on this I think if 
the president's defense team
of appeals to him and in
histrionic way I think they're
going to make a big mistake in
this moment I don't know how
many votes any of this in the 
Senate chamber will will
change I think we'll find that
out when they go and vote on
whether or not we should have 
subpoenaed Witnesses are
documents in this will know if
there's been some change I
don't know how much changes 
that but I do know the
American public out there the 
best part of them would prefer
calm and rationality we 
appreciate that. Well I have
you cuz I know you have to go 
just real quick on a
pull came out today showed'll 
Michael Bloomberg moving a
little bit up in the polls
adamant number for nationally 
does it mean anything do you
think is massive ad spending
is helping
I hit massive ad spending is
helping and to I do think it's
meaningful because if there's 
if you're talking about chaos 
if after Iowa New Hampshire 
and South Carolina Nevada 
there is no dominant nominee
and it's but one by three or
four different people Michael 
Bloomberg has a space to move 
in going into those big ad
spend states that foowhat 
so I think it does matter or I
knocked out for us and I met
thank you for that he is in 
the Senate chamber he's been
covering all of this for us 
from Capitol Hill and Devin 
speaking up some of the people
running for president I was 
seeing somebody tutorial notes
and and even Senator Sanders
and Senator Warren I
understand one point we were
talking they were there when
they were on speaking terms 
now at after that bloat they
had after the last debate 
yeah that the rules of decorum
time keeping everyone at Bay
this is pretty friendly 
conversation between those two
campaign Rivals but I got to
tell you the rules set out for
this trial have been crumbling
today are all over the place
in fact Senator Ben Sasse of
Nebraska got admonished by the
Senate sergeant of arms for 
having a bag of chewing 
tobacco on his desk he was
seeing spitting into a can Tim
Scott of South Carolina I saw 
him repeatedly moving his arm 
to his face is spitting out as
what appear to be sunflower 
seeds throughout the afternoon
today so certainly the
Senators a little bit and see 
if you will is this thing 
drags on but just to pick up
part of the conversation you
you were just having with 
sunny and with Terry one of 
the fascinating elements end
in today's case Tom has been
the use of video graphics and 
the president's own words his 
associates own words and those
testimony clips from
throughout the house
impeachment hearings all of 
those I was told by a number
of Republicans found quite
persuasive quite compelling is
that a little bit repetitive
we heard too much but you 
alluded to some of those
compliments the Democrats are 
getting a lot of compliments
and a lot of those members a
lot of those Senators tell me 
they're pointing to the video 
that's what's driving them and
by the way that's an element
that is not found in Supreme
Court cases you don't see the 
video here in the president's 
words hearing those how house 
Witnesses might change their
minds perhaps all right.
Appreciate that Terry Before I
Let You Go what one final 
Point can can the Democrats 
hold the Public's attention 
for two more days with their
opening arguments the way 
they're going right now 
it's our job and it and it's
nars and representativese the 
job to communicate to them
what's happening they'll
they'll find out they'll
they'll get the relevant
information if somebody's 
covered politics for a long 
time I'm kind of sometimes I
think in the minorities and 
political reporter I think I
think Americans are pretty
smart they get the information
that they need for their
interest that you might not 
agree that their interests of 
the right interest they should
have but they generally will
and I think in this trial 
especially since it's 
proceeding this way with the
chief justice is Sunny Point
you down there to to
communicate the gravity of it 
that's by design of the 
framers that this is a a very 
very serious moment and I 
think that's being that's 
being absorbed will they get
every jot and Tittle of the 
argument or or is it watch
every bit of evidence that
comes in know but they look 
for signals about what's going
on and they'll pick up on 
those and leenon when I have
to if they don't buy
Trump's going to skate out of 
here in a bit in a few days 
Terry Moran for tonight are we
appreciate you staying with up
with us all night Sonny our 
last point if you are just
joining us we've been covering
the Senate impeachment trial
of President Trump we got a 
little bit of a heads up of 
what's going to haen
tomorrow just walk straight 
again before we send it to
work tomorrow I think we will 
hear from the house managers
about the Constitution we will
hear a lot about Article 1 the
abuse of power and we will
find out what that means to 
the house managers they will
convey that house doesn't 
necessarily need a crime per
say they just need the abuse
of power and they will apply
the law to the facts and then 
I think they will then move on
to Article 2 obstruction of 
Congress and and then I think 
I'll wrap it up 
for me some breaking news 
tonight there's been
a shooting in Seattle in
enn e enfoa uple Police ve
understand one person is dead 
seven people have been injured
we understand at least one
additional reports at least 
six of those seven are in 
critical condition tonight at 
last check police were sti
