Two White House officials told lawmakers the “blatant” push for politically motivated investigations from President Donald Trump left “no ambiguity” what the Ukrainians needed to do to secure a highly sought meeting — and the effort was coordinated by acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, according to deposition transcripts released Friday.
The testimony of National Security Council Ukraine expert Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman and former White House Russia expert Fiona Hill provides new details on the discussions inside the White House ahead of the July 25 call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksy, in which Trump asked the Ukrainians to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and Burisma, he Ukrainian natural gas company that hired Hunter Biden. The officials say they were told that effort was directed by Mulvaney, putting the Ukraine scandal squarely into the office of the President’s top aide.
Vindman and Hill testified that US Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland told Ukrainian officials in meetings on July 10 they would have to open an investigation to secure the White House meeting. Sondland told them he was acting at the direction of Mulvaney, who on Friday defied a congressional subpoena and did not appear for a deposition.
“Ambassador Sondland, in front of the Ukrainians, as I came in, was talking about how he had an agreement with Chief of Staff Mulvaney for a meeting with the Ukrainians if they were going to go forward with investigations,” Hill testified.
She told Congress the suggestion alarmed then-national security adviser John Bolton, who “immediately stiffened” and ended the meeting.
Vindman said there was “no ambiguity” what Sondland was asking of the Ukrainians.
“On the 10th of July … it became completely apparent what the deliverable would be in order to get a White House meeting. That deliverable was reinforced by the President,” Vindman told lawmakers in his closed-door deposition last month. “The demand was, in order to get the White House meeting, they had to deliver an investigation. That became clear as time progressed from how this thing unfolded through the 10th all the way through the conclusion.”
The depositions of Hill and Vindman add to House impeachment investigators’ growing body of evidence that the push for Ukraine to investigate the 2016 election and Burisma was conditioned on a one-on-one meeting between Trump and Zelensky and the release of $400 million in US security aid that was frozen by the White House. Hill and Vindman provided new details on what the Ukrainians were told in the run-up to the July 25 call and how the White House handled the fallout from the call when the transcript was placed on a more secure server than normal.
House impeachment investigators released Vindman and Hill’s deposition transcripts on Friday ahead of public impeachment hearings that will begin next week. The committees have now released transcripts from eight of the 15 depositions they have conducted.
#CNN #News
Breaking Donald Trump in the news
Special Report: Trump addresses Iran attack on U.S. bases in Iraq
President Trump spoke publicly for the first time since Iran’s missile attack on U.S. troops in Iraq. He said no one was hurt after Iran fired more than a dozen missiles at two bases where hundreds of U.S. troops […]Michael Steele: McConnell Probably Has The Votes To Block Witnesses | The 11th Hour | MSNBC
Fmr. RNC Chairman Michael Steele believes Mitch McConnell likely has enough Republican senators to stop witnesses from being called in the Trump impeachment trial. Aired on 01/29/20. » Subscribe to MSNBC: […]Maddow Credits Tough-As-Nails Co-Moderators For Smooth Debate | MSNBC
Rachel Maddow reflects on how the MSNBC/Washington Post Democratic debate went, the mood in the auditorium, and credits her co-moderators and the production crew for a smooth debate. Aired on 11/20/19. » Subscribe to […]Trump serves US troops in Bagram Air Field visit
President Donald Trump paid a surprise visit to Afghanistan, where he participated in serving Thanksgiving dinner to U.S. troops at Bagram Air Field and said he believes the Taliban wants a ceasefire. (Nov. 28) […]Adam Schiff Slams Impeachment Rules: ‘This Is The Process For A Rigged Trial’ | MSNBC
Impeachment manager Senator Adam Schiff, D-Calif., slammed the impeachment rules announced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, calling the process different from the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton. […]Three Ways To Help The People Standing Up For The Rule Of Law | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC
Timothy Snyder, author of "On Tyranny," offers Rachel Maddow three ways to help people who have put themselves in harm’s way by standing up for the rule of law feel less lonely and more courage. Aired on […]Lengths To Which Trump’s Intelligence Team Must Go To Get Him To Pay Attention | Deadline | MSNBC
New reporting from the New York Times details the difficulties of briefing the president. Aired on 5/21/2020. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc MSNBC delivers breaking news, in-depth analysis of […]See Trump Lawyer Fact-Checked For Defending Collusion At Trump’s Senate Trial | MSNBC
MNSBC’s Chief Legal Correspondent Ari Melber fact checks President Trump’s legal defense team arguing welcoming foreign help for an election is legal. Melber shows how this claim is legally false. As you […]President Donald Trump Attorney Moves Goalposts On Defense Ahead Of Bolton Book | MSNBC
Robert Ray, a member of President Trump’s defense team, says the entire level of removing the president from office has not been met. Aired on 01/29/20. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc […]See Playwright Jeremy O. Harris Talk Sex, Race, & ‘Slave Play’ Controversies On MSNBC | MSNBC
Playwright Jeremy O. Harris opens up about his debut show “Slave Play” and why he feels it is important to bluntly confront sex and race. Harris says part of his goal requires “blowing up” the current way people talk […]Will Trump Win White Women’s Vote?
Will Trump win white women’s vote in 2020? John Iadarola and Jenna Arnold break it down on The Damage Report. Follow The Damage Report on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDamageReportTYT/ Help build the Home […]Midwest States Loosen COVID-19 Restrictions Ahead Of Memorial Day | The 11th Hour | MSNBC
Ahead of the first big holiday weekend of the summer season, plenty of states are reopening to some degree despite the continued increase in COVID-19 cases in the U.S. NBC News Correspondent Cal Perry reports from […]What’s Next For The Kurds? (Part 5) | MSNBC
The Kurds of northern Syria lost faith in the U.S. following President Trump’s decision to withdraw troops from the region. Nishti Murad, a school teacher from Kobani, said America left them to die. Aired on 11/26/19. » […]Maddow: With The Rule Of Law Failing Under Trump, Just Diagnosing The Problem Isn’t Enough | MSNBC
Rachel Maddow looks at the importance of institutions in preserving democracy when the rule of law starts to fail, and asks what citizens should do when sounding the alarm about those failures isn’t enough to stop […]‘It’s Time For These Debates To Be Tougher’: Claire McCaskill | Morning Joe | MSNBC
Wednesday’s Democratic debate in Nevada took on a noticeably more pointed tone than was present at previous debates, and former Sen. Claire McCaskill says it’s time for them to be tougher. Aired on […]Sen. McCaskill: I Am So Proud Of This Woman And What She Has Given | MSNBC
Sen. Claire McCaskill says she is proud of Amb. Marie Yovanovitch and that every woman in America should cheer for her decades of service, maligned for political purposes. Aired on 11/15/19. » Subscribe to MSNBC: […]President Donald Trump Impeachment Trial Opening Arguments In Two Minutes | The 11th Hour | MSNBC
We take an abbreviated look back at the must-see moments from the opening arguments in the Trump Senate impeachment trial from both the Democrats and Trump’s defense team. Aired on 01/28/20. » Subscribe to MSNBC: […]DOJ Memo Shows Barr’s Lid On Reported Giuliani Investigation | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC
Rachel Maddow looks at a newly released DOJ memo that shows all Ukraine-related investigations being consolidated in such a way that even investigations already in progress, like those the SDNY is reportedly conducting […]Pelosi: Trump’s Debt Shown In Tax Records Poses A ‘National Security Question’ | MSNBC
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke to Andrea Mitchell about revelations from the release of some of President Trump’s tax records. She warned that the president’s debt is a "national security […]Amb. Rice: The Trump WH Received Many Warnings | Morning Joe | MSNBC
Ambassador Susan Rice, National Security Adviser to President Obama, discusses the pandemic preparation the Obama WH gave to the Trump administration. Amb. Rice released her memoir ‘Tough Love’ in 2019. […]Republican BLASTS Trump After Terrifying Threats (VIDEO)
Georgia Republican Secretary of State blasts Trump telling him this has gone too far. John Iadarola and Jayar Jackson break it down on The Damage Report. Follow The Damage Report on Facebook: […]Exit Polls: Most Democrats Want A Nominee Who ‘Can Beat Trump’ | MTP Daily | MSNBC
59% of Democrats prefer a candidate who can “beat Trump” rather than a candidate who “agrees with you” on issues. Aired on 3/10/2020. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc MSNBC delivers breaking […]Gov. Murphy Says Data Led State To Reopening Beaches | Morning Joe | MSNBC
Gov. Phil Murphy, D-NJ, discusses the safety measures his state’s beaches are taking as the start of the summer season approaches. Gov. Murphy also discusses the state’s senior care facilities, which have […]How the Trump and Kushner families became “American Oligarchs”
Andrea Bernstein, co-host of the "Trump, Inc." podcast, joined CBSN’s "Red and Blue" to discuss her new book, "American Oligarchs: The Kushners, the Trumps, and the Marriage of Money and […]Dems focus Day 2 of trial on Trump’s abuse of power
House Democrats declared that “no president” has ever abused power the way Donald Trump did in his Ukraine dealings as they opened their second day of arguments Thursday in the historic impeachment trial in the U.S. […]Trump Attacks Press Over Photo Saying Orange Skin Was Edited | The 11th Hour | MSNBC
An unflattering picture of the president went viral on social media, and the president sounds off. Phillip Rucker joins to discuss. Aired on 02/10/20. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc MSNBC […]President Donald Trump Says He Hasn’t Seen John Bolton Manuscript | MSNBC
NBC News White House Correspondent Kristen Welker reports that Trump says he hasn’t seen the manuscript from Bolton, “trying to distance himself from the manuscript.” Aired on 01/27/20. » Subscribe to MSNBC: […]Rep. Schiff: The President ‘Surrounds Himself’ With ‘Grifters’ | Andrea Mitchell | MSNBC
Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff (CA-28), Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, joins Andrea Mitchell to discuss Steve Bannon’s arrest on fraud charges. Of Bannon, Schiff says ""This is who the […]Republican Makes Jokes As COVID Destroys Her State
Sen. Kristi Noem makes jokes as her state gets ravaged by one of the world’s largest COVID outbreaks. John Iadarola and Jayar Jackson break it down on The Damage Report. Follow The Damage Report on Facebook: […]Dems, President Donald Trump, And Officials Clash Over Coronavirus | Deadline | MSNBC
President Trump continues to blame news coverage for the fear and anxiety surrounding the outbreak. Aired on 3/2/2020. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc MSNBC delivers breaking news, in-depth […]- AOC Completely Owns Capitol Hill Terrorists (VIDEO)Rep. AOC speaks directly to the Capitol Hill terrorists in this video. John Iadarola and Jayar Jackson break it down on The Damage Report. Become a TDR YouTube Member: youtube.com/thedamagereport/join Follow The Damage […]
Fmr. COVID-19 Task Force Member Troye: Trump Hears ‘Solely What He Wants To Hear’ | Deadline | MSNBC
Olivia Troye, who now works for anti-Trump group “Republican Political Alliance for Integrity and Reform,” says that rather than protect the country, Trump chooses to actively ignore important intelligence. Aired on […]Watch Rachel Maddow Highlights: October 28 | MSNBC
Watch the top news stories and highlights from The Rachel Maddow Show, airing weeknights at 9 p.m. on MSNBC. Be sure to read our latest breaking news updates, fact checks and our frequently updated live blog at NBC […]Giuliani Seen At White House On Day Of Impeachment Vote | MSNBC
Nicolle Wallace comments on the "brazeness" of Rudy Giuliani, who is at the heart of the Ukraine scandal, being seen walking around the White House on the day the House committee voted on impeachment articles. […]Justice Barrett Recuses Herself From Pennsylvania Voting Case | MSNBC
Newly appointed Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the Pennsylvania voting case. NBC News’ Pete Williams reports on the setback for Republicans and why Barrett sat out the vote. » Subscribe to […]Rep. Clyburn Threatens To Subpoena CDC Director, Secy. Azar For Hiding Covid Information | MSNBC
Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., is threatening to subpoena CDC Director Robert Redfield and Health and Human Services Secy. Alex Azar over allegations over concealing information on the administration’s coronavirus […]Contradicting Trump, DOJ Report Finds Russia Probe Was Justified | MSNBC
The DOJ Inspector General’s report rebuts President Donald Trump’s depiction of the investigation of his campaign as a politically biased plot against him. The report concluded the FBI and DOJ were justified in […]President Trump’s COVID diagnosis shifts campaign strategies ahead of the election
President Trump’s positive coronavirus test has caused both campaigns to reconsider their strategies just one month ahead of the November presidential election. CBSN political contributor and Washington Post […]Fmr. Obama Ebola Czar: Americans Shouldn’t Listen To Trump About Coronavirus | The Last Word | MSNBC
Ron Klain tells Ali Velshi that Trump’s "words will not save anyone." Klain says that the real focus should be on figuring out what is getting done by the states to flatten the curve with the […]Top WH Economist Says Mnuchin, McConnell Are On The Same Page About COVID Relief | Stephanie Ruhle
Watch Stephanie Ruhle ask one of President Trump’s chief economists, Joseph LaVorgna, what Americans should know about where we stand with pandemic recovery and whether Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin is on the same […]House Intel Member: Deposition Proves Trump ‘Doesn’t Care’ About Ukraine | The Last Word | MSNBC
Rep. Denny Heck tells Lawrence O’Donnell that “you could hear a pin drop” when David Holmes was recounting details about the now-infamous phone call between Trump and Gordon Sondland, when Sondland was at a […]Obama: Govt. Must Improve Tactics To Combat White Nationalism | The Beat With Ari Melber | MSNBC
Former President Obama says law enforcement agencies and internet platforms need to come up with better strategies to reduce the influence of these white nationalist hate groups. Mary McCord, the former acting assistant […]Schmidt Calls Efforts To Cast Doubt On The Election A ‘Breaking Of Faith With American Democracy’
Co-founder of the Lincoln Project Steve Schmidt says Trump not accepting the results of the election is his worst action yet, and says it’s tragic to watch Republicans go along with it. Aired on 11/18/2020. » Subscribe […]Dr. Fauci’s face will soon be on a bobblehead
The U.S.’ top infectious disease specialist is getting his own bobblehead. The creation from the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum features Dr. Anthony Fauci wearing motioning how to flatten the curve in […]US Election: The last votes needed for each candidate
States in the US, such as Pennsylvania and Michigan, are yet to announce voting results and these key states pave the way to the White House. Here, Ed Conway explains how the presidency remains within reach for both […]As Country Reaches Grim Milestone, Trump Moves Goal Post | Morning Joe | MSNBC
As the country reaches the grim milestone of 100,000 lives lost to the coronavirus, Morning Joe looks at the president’s remarks on the pandemic and his attempt to make that number seem like a win for the country. […]Trump Pandemic Errors Get OUT OF CONTROL
Trump’s pandemic errors are getting out of control. John Iadarola and Francesca Fiorentini break it down on The Damage Report. Follow The Damage Report on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDamageReportTYT/ […]Rachel Maddow One-On-One With Lisa Page | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC
Lisa Page, a former FBI lawyer who has become a favorite target of Donald Trump as a proxy for the investigation into his campaign’s ties to Russia, talks with Rachel Maddow. Aired on 12/18/19. » Subscribe to […]New Ad: Hawley’s Hypocrisy
Once upon a time, Senator Hawley thought differently of Trump’s antidemocratic behavior. What changed, Senator? Running this week on Fox News in DC and Missouri. Source: Republicans for the Rule of Law […]Airstrikes in Syria; car attack in Jerusalem
Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes early on Thursday near Damascus, wounding eight soldiers, Syrian state media said. Also Thursday, the Israeli military says a Palestinian driver rammed his car into Israeli soldiers […]What It’s Like On Senate Floor During Impeachment Trial: ‘No Eating, No Drinking Caffeine’ | MSNBC
Former Senator Claire McCaskill takes Nicolle Wallace and Brian Williams through the restrictions placed on senators while on the floor during the impeachment trial, and shares the only beverage allowed besides water: […]Fact-checking President Trump’s biggest claims
CNN’s Daniel Dale takes a look at a few of President Trump’s most egregious claims in 2019. #CNN #News […]Progressive Hits Conservative Democrat With Truth
Progressive hits conservative democrat with the truth. John Iadarola and Rebecca Parson break it down on The Damage Report. Follow The Damage Report on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDamageReportTYT/ Help build […]Trump Tweet Comes Back To Own Him
Old Trump tweet points out his obvious election hypocrisy. John Iadarola and Dr. Rashad Richey break it down on The Damage Report. Follow The Damage Report on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDamageReportTYT/ Help […]Dr. Gottlieb: We Need To Bring Testing Into The Highest Risk Communities | Stephanie Ruhle | MSNBC
As states start to reopen and the general public continuously hopes for a vaccine, former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb joins Stephanie Ruhle to discuss whether he thinks it’s realistic to think we can do this […]How To Protect Your Vote Amid The Trump Administration’s Assault On The Postal Service | MSNBC
There are things you can do to make sure that your ballot is counted — even as the Trump-appointed head of the postal service takes mail processing machines and street mailboxes out of commission, and the president […]Schiff fires back at Trump lawyer over Ukraine aid freeze claim
White House deputy counsel Michael Purpura and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), one of the impeachment managers, debate the details of President Donald Trump’s call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and when […]Trump makes false claims about election results at Georgia rally
On Saturday night, President Trump visited Georgia to campaign for two Republican Senate candidates, but used the rally to complain and repeat false claims about the presidential election. Chip Reid reports. Subscribe […]First excerpts of Gordon Sondland and Kurt Volker transcripts released
House Democrats released excerpts of the transcripts of their closed-door depositions with former US Special Envoy for Ukraine Kurt Volker and US Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland. #CNN #News […]Trump signs $2T coronavirus relief bill, invokes Defense Production Act | MTP Daily | MSNBC
Garrett Haake brings the latest from Capitol Hill after congressional leaders scrambled to get the coronavirus relief bill to Pres. Trump to prevent delay. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc […]Elizabeth Goitein: Trump ‘Doesn’t Quite Understand’ COVID-19 Pandemic Is Not A War | MSNBC
Elizabeth Goitein, co-director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, joins Alicia Menendez to discuss President Trump’s declaration that he would adjourn both chambers of […]In full: Donald Trump supporters storm Capitol
House and Senate are in recess after Donald Trump supporters breached the Capitol building. It came after Vice President Mike Pence has said that he will not intervene to stop the certification by Congress of Democrat […]
Trump in the News
- President Biden’s Joyful Inauguration Day Felt Like A Return To Normalcy – LIVE MONOLOGUE January 21, 2021
- Replay: TYT LIVE: Trump’s Last TANTRUM Before Becoming “Florida Man” January 21, 2021
- TYT LIVE: Trump’s Last TANTRUM Before Becoming “Florida Man” January 20, 2021
- Cenk Uygur Questions Biden Taking The Easy Path January 20, 2021
- President Biden & Vice President Harris Review the Readiness of Military Troops in a Pass In Review January 20, 2021
- After Four Challenging Years, America Is Ready For This President To Hit The Road January 20, 2021
- Goodbye, and Good Riddance January 20, 2021
- Vice President Pence and the Second Lady Attend the 59th Inaugural Ceremony January 20, 2021
- President Donald J. Trump Departure Ceremony January 20, 2021
- Replay: Trump’s Crazy PARDON List Drops Last-minute January 20, 2021
- Farewell Address of President Donald J. Trump January 20, 2021
- Trump Pinky Promises Not To Pardon His Family January 20, 2021
- TYT LIVE: Trump’s Crazy PARDON List Drops Last-minute January 20, 2021
- Trump Builds MAGA Shrine Disguised As Presidential Library January 20, 2021
- Biden Takes GIANT Step Towards Green New Deal January 20, 2021
- Fox Host Says Quiet Part Out Loud About Trump (VIDEO) January 20, 2021
- Biden Reverses DEVASTATING Trump Decisions January 19, 2021
- Trump To Pardon Epstein Post Mortem?! January 19, 2021
- TDR Live: Trump Readies Tsunami of Pardons in Final Day as President January 19, 2021
- GOP’s Craziest Congresswoman Being Exposed Left And Right January 19, 2021
- Giuliani Peddles $2M Pardons While The President Spends His Final Days In Dubious Company January 19, 2021
- A Message from First Lady Melania Trump January 19, 2021
- Capitol Hill Police’s Racist History EXPOSED January 19, 2021
- Giuliani BLAMES Game Of Thrones For Capitol Hill Riot January 18, 2021
- Trump Advisors BLOCK DOOR To Stop Him From Storming Capitol January 18, 2021
- AOC Completely Owns Capitol Hill Terrorists (VIDEO) January 18, 2021
- Aida Rodriguez Recaps 2021 So Far January 18, 2021
- Will Biden Go Bold For $2,000 Checks? January 18, 2021
- Scary Truth About What’s Next For Trump Extremists January 18, 2021
- How White Feminism Isn’t Enough January 18, 2021
- Vice President Pence Delivers Remarks to U.S. Troops January 18, 2021
- Trump Capitol Hill Terrorists Had Inside Help From Congressmen January 18, 2021
- Right-Wing Extremists Target Your Local Gov’t Buildings January 17, 2021
- Fox News GOES DOWN Wrecked By Ratings Disaster January 17, 2021
- Trump CUT OFF Mid-Interview For Lying (VIDEO) January 17, 2021
- Capitol Hill Attack The REAL Story Told By Police January 17, 2021
- Right-Wing Radical Moves To Impeach Biden January 17, 2021
- Vice President Pence Delivers Remarks to Sailors January 17, 2021
- Fox News Hosts BATTLE Over Trump January 17, 2021
- QAnon Insider Puts Congress In Serious DANGER January 16, 2021
- Big Business’ PATHETIC Trump Coup Reaction January 16, 2021
- Trumpers Plan Mass Killings Of Elected Officials January 16, 2021
- Trump Supporters Lead HORRIFIC Assault On Police January 16, 2021
- Sen. Tommy Tuberville Hasn’t Read U.S. Constitution January 16, 2021
- Trump’s Enablers Prepare For A Reckoning January 16, 2021
- The President Is Slithering Off To Mar-A-Lago But The MAGA Menace Isn’t Going Away January 16, 2021
- Replay: TYT LIVE: NRA Files for Bankruptcy January 16, 2021
- Trump Rioter Turned In By Ex-Wife Faces Consequences January 16, 2021
- Trump Loots White House Furniture?! January 16, 2021
- TYT LIVE: NRA Files for Bankruptcy January 16, 2021
- Cori Bush Calls Out Biden’s Broken Promise January 16, 2021
- TYT PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION DAY COVERAGE January 16, 2021
- Trumper Who Beat Cop With American Flag ARRESTED January 16, 2021
- Ivanka Trump Won’t Let Secret Service Use Bathrooms January 16, 2021
- Biden Goes Big On Economic Package? January 16, 2021
- Tucker Carlson Mocks AOC For Almost Dying January 15, 2021
- TYT LIVE: Trump Plans “PLEASE CLAP” Goodbye Ceremony January 15, 2021
- Be Best January 15, 2021
- TDR Live: Trumps Furious Over Massive Dumps, Part 2 January 15, 2021
- Ivanka Fears For Her Future As Trump Goes Down In Flames January 15, 2021