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
Georgia Democratic Senate Calls For Empathy, Sensitivity In Senate | Morning Joe | MSNBCGeorgia Democratic Senate candidate Rev. Raphael Warnock discusses his bid in a special election for Sen. Kelly Loeffler’s seat. Aired on 10/16/2020. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc […]
BREAKING: CDC Admits Trump Strategy Will FailHost John Iadarola is joined by Francesca Fiorentini, host of Newsbroke and The Bitchuation Room Podcast, to break down all the news you might have missed over the weekend. Trump keeps changing the U.S. death toll […]
Suggesting Purple Heart Recipient Has Dual Loyalties Is An ‘Interesting Line Of Questioning’ | MSNBCGaarett Haake, reporting from the public testimony of Jennifer Williams and Lt. Col. Vindman, discusses the Republican line of questioning that suggested that Vindman, who is a purple heart recipient, has dual loyalty […]
Replay: TYT LIVE: Georgia Results FIASCO EruptsGeorgia officials are placing officers at 40 polling places near Atlanta due to Trumpers threatening poll workers and locations because they hate democracy. Republican Chip Roy warns of a "hot conflict" in […]
Law scholar who testified during Clinton impeachment weighs in on what Trump facesIn 1998, Susan Low Bloch testified during former President Bill Clinton’s impeachment hearings. Now, the Georgetown law professor joins CBSN to discuss what are Constitutional grounds for impeachment ahead of the […]
Satellite images appear to show damage from Iran missilesNew satellite images appear to show damage to al-Asad air base in Iraq, which housed US troops, following a missile strike by Iran. #CNN #News […]
Biden News Has AOC & Conservatives Agreeing?Joe Biden’s most recent announcement has both progressive and conservative leaders nodding their heads. John Iadarola and Aida Rodriguez break it down on The Damage Report. Follow The Damage Report on Facebook: […]
Is Rudy Giuliani’s Ukrainian Associate Lev Parnas About To Flip On Him? | The 11th Hour | MSNBCTrump attorney Rudy Giuliani is facing more and more legal jeopardy amid reports one of his indicted Ukrainian associates could be cooperating with federal investigators. Aired on 11/14/19. » Subscribe to MSNBC: […]
TDR Live: Trump Needs A Diaper TransitionThe Damage Report guest host Francesca Fiorentini is joined by Brett Erlich, host of TYT’s Happy Half Hour, to break down Monday’s top stories. Trump races to inflict maximum damage before he leaves office. The […]
Maya Rockeymoore Cummings Is Ready To Roll Up Her Sleeves | Morning Joe | MSNBCMaya Rockeymoore Cummings, the wife of Rep. Elijah Cummings, joins Morning Joe to discuss her run for the seat occupied by her husband, the discussions she had about a run for office before her husband passed away and […]
Desperate? Trump Slammed For ‘Mariah Carey Defense’ In Impeachment Probe | MSNBCFacing damning evidence, President Trump now claims he ‘hardly knows’ his hand-picked ambassador, who was caught up in the impeachment probe. Watch MSNBC’s Ari Melber explain the ‘Mariah Carey’ defense. Aired on […]
Trump signs Anti-Semitism order at Hanukkah eventPresident Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday targeting what his administration describes as a rising problem of anti-Semitic harassment on college campuses. (Dec. 11) Subscribe for more Breaking News: […]
Trump Supporters Wave Nazi Flags Near Navajo ReservationTrump supporters wave nazi flags near Navajo reservation. John Iadarola and Allie Young Diné break it down on The Damage Report. Follow The Damage Report on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDamageReportTYT/ Help […]
Chris Hayes On ‘Striking’ Difference In Tone Between Clinton And Trump Impeachments | All In | MSNBCChris Hayes discusses how unlike Trump, President Clinton and members of his party showed contrition amid impeachment. Aired on 12/18/19. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc MSNBC delivers […]
Kayleigh McEnany Admits Supreme Court Resume Mix Up?!Kayleigh McEnany admits to an Amy Coney Barrett resume mix up… uh?! John Iadarola and Jason Carter break it down on The Damage Report. Follow The Damage Report on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDamageReportTYT/ […]
Shannon Pettypiece: ‘Number One Issue In The Presidential Race Is Coronavirus’ | MSNBCNBC News’ Shannon Pettypiece joins Lawrence O’Donnell to discuss why Pres. Trump’s messaging on the coronavirus is “disconnected” with the groups of voters he needs to be appealing to most. Aired on 10/05/2020. » […]
Trump: WHO needs to ‘get their priorities right’President Donald Trump on Wednesday doubled down on his claims that the United States was going to investigate the World Health Organization. "I think they have to get their priorities right," Trump said […]
Wash Post’s Parker: Trump Can’t Even Resist Not Battling With The Late Justice’s GranddaughterWashington Post White House reporter Ashley Parker blasts Trump’s accusation that Justice Ginsburg’s granddaughter lied about the late Justice’s dying wish, which was that the Senate not vote on her replacement until a […]
Breaking: Trump Aide Caves In Impeachment Suit Against Trump | The Beat With Ari Melber | MSNBCTrump’s acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney withdraws his motion to intervene in the John Bolton’s deputy’s lawsuit. Mulvaney will file his own lawsuit as a separate case. Mother Jones’ David Corn and Former Federal […]
We must respect the will of the people. Joe Biden will be the next president."We need to come out and say, as one nation, we have spoken and the nation has resoundingly picked Joe Biden to lead this nation for the next four years. It’s time for Donald Trump to stop being a child and […]
Lemon: Trump couldn’t resist the spotlight for more than a few daysCNN’s Don Lemon discusses the latest coronavirus task force briefing held by President Donald Trump, in which the administration offered a blueprint for where they believe the boundaries between federal and state […]
What everyone in the U.S. who still supports Trump needs to hear this!This is why some people still support Donald Trump! The fact is from: Its U.S. The U.S needs to stand up to Tyranny and Terrorist! Trump is evil to the core! Because Donald Trump defines Tyranny and Terrorist! There […]
Democrats Unveil Resolution On Impeachment Proceedings | The Last Word | MSNBCEJ Dionne tells Lawrence O’Donnell why he thinks the new House impeachment inquiry resolution could prevent GOP “flame throwers” from making the proceedings into a “circus.” Julian Epstein, who […]
Rep. Clyburn: We Need To ‘Let The Experts Tell Us How Much It Will Cost’ | Stephanie Ruhle | MSNBCSenate Republicans could release a new coronavirus relief bill as soon as today that could also help the USPS. Democratic Majority Whip Congressman James Clyburn of South Carolina joins Stephanie Ruhle to discuss the […]
Yamiche Alcindor: Kamala Harris Has ‘Solidified Her Place In History’ | The Last Word | MSNBCPBS NewsHour White House Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor joins Lawrence O’Donnell to discuss Senator Kamala Harris’s “firsts,” on the eve of a potential history-making election night: “People, especially African […]
Biden Holds On To This 1 Progressive IdeaWhich progressive idea did Joe Biden hold on to during the first 2020 presidential debate? John Iadarola and Jayar Jackson break it down on The Damage Report. Follow The Damage Report on Facebook: […]
Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Mike Bloomberg Statistically Tied In Va. | Morning Joe | MSNBCNew Monmouth polling in Virginia shows Sen. Sanders, Mike Bloomberg and Joe Biden are all in a statistical tie. Patrick Murray of Monmouth discusses. Aired on 2/18/2020. » Subscribe to MSNBC: […]
How the Black Lives Matter movement has impacted the US Presidential election I SBS NewsDonald Trump’s response to the Black Lives Matter movement may come back to bite him, as young voters show up in high numbers to cast their vote in the US Presidential election. […]
Marianne Williamson: ‘Only outrageous truth can defeat outrageous lies’The next Democratic presidential debate is November 20, and some Democrats are in danger of not making it to the debate stage. Ten candidates have qualified so far under new DNC rules. CNN’s Christi Paul discusses […]
John Brennan Joins Chris Hayes To Discuss The Pardon Of Michael Flynn | All In | MSNBC“This just sends a very bad signal, not only to Americans, but also to folks around the globe, that this type of activity and behavior is taking place in our government in 2020,” says former CIA Director John Brennan. […]
Day 1,113: Swearing & Rambling, Trump Lashes Out After Impeachment Acquittal | The 11th Hour | MSNBCSwearing, rambling, and name-calling, Trump lashes out after impeachment acquittal attacking the faiths of both Nancy Pelosi and Mitt Romney. Aired on 02/6/20. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc […]
‘Wounded’ Trump Caves On Biden Transition As Allies Abandon Him | The 11th Hour | MSNBCPhilip Rucker of The Washington Post reports that Trump fought the GSA allowing Biden’s transition to proceed and is still grasping at legal straws instead of conceding to Joe Biden. Aired on 11/24/2020. » […]
How QAnon Conspiracy Is Moving Closer To Political Mainstream | Morning Joe | MSNBCNBC News reporter Megan Radford shows how the fringe QAnon conspiracy theory is moving closer to the mainstream via Republican candidates. Aired on 11/11/19. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc […]
Twin Foreign Policy Crises Greet Trump In The New Year | Deadline | MSNBCDonald Trump sends hundreds of more troops to the Middle East after the U.S. embassy in Iraq was attacked, while North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un vows to expand the country’s nuclear capabilities. Aired on 1/2/20. » […]
CBS News poll: 43% of Americans say Trump deserves to be impeachedA new CBS News poll shows 43% of Americans say President Trump deserves impeachment, while 40% say he does not. This comes as Congress prepares for the first public hearings in the impeachment inquiry Wednesday. CBS […]
N.H. Voter: I Voted For Sanders Because Of Media’s ‘Cynical’ Coverage Of Him | MSNBCAri Melber speaks with voters in New Hampshire, asking them who they voted for in Tuesday’s primary and why. One voter shares her criticism of MSNBC’s coverage of the 2020 race. Aired on 02/11/20. » […]
Jason Johnson: ‘Donald Trump Has Never Really Wanted This Job. He Just Wanted To Win’ | DeadlineJournalism professor at Morgan State University Jason Johnson speaks about Trump’s future plans after losing re-election and reacts to the president’s first public remarks in 8 days. Aired on 11/13/2020. » Subscribe to […]
Chris Hayes On Trump’s ‘Massive Payout’ To Farmers And The Hypocrisy Of The GOP | All In | MSNBCChris Hayes discusses why Democrats and the press should never, ever, ever, ever worry or take Republicans seriously when they complain about giving people “free stuff.” Aired on 10/23/2020. » Subscribe to MSNBC: […]
Trump campaign plagued by outside groups raising money in his name, report saysPolitico reports that the Trump campaign is competing for fundraising dollars with many unrelated groups that have collected millions from his supporters. Politico reporter Maggie Severns joined CBSN’s "Red […]
Sondland Confirms Quid Pro Quo In Updated Testimony | Deadline | MSNBCNYT’S Mike Schmidt, Wash Post’s Ashley Parker, former U.S. attorney Chuck Rosenberg, MSNBC’s John Heilemann, and former managing editor for TIME Magazine Rick Stengel on Trump’s ambassador to the EU, Gordon Sondland, […]
Conservative columnist warns GOP voters hoping to face SandersConservative columnist Matt Lewis discusses GOP voters who are hoping President Trump gets to Sen. Bernie Sanders in the 2020 election. #CNN #News […]
Judge Not Ready To Throw Out Michael Flynn Case | Ayman Mohyeldin | MSNBCJustice Correspondent Pete Williams reports on the case against Trump’s former National Security Advisor, Michael Flynn. In 2017, Flynn pleaded guilty twice to charges of lying to the FBI. Flynn’s lawyer, Sidney […]
Trump LOSES IT, Plays Dumb Over QAnonTrump plays dumb over QAnon, losing his mind during his town hall. John Iadarola and Brett Erlich break it down on The Damage Report. Follow The Damage Report on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDamageReportTYT/ […]
AOC Joins Biden Campaign For This ReasonRep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joins Joe Biden’s campaign for this reason. John Iadarola and Jayar Jackson break it down on The Damage Report. Follow The Damage Report on Facebook: […]
Trump mocks Bloomberg, Dems over debatesRelishing in Democrats’ jumbled primary in the wake of a fractious debate, President Donald Trump, at a rally in Colorado Springs, offered stinging criticism of his rivals as he sought to take advantage of the […]
GOP Faces Harsh Questions After Chaotic Trump Debate Outing | The 11th Hour | MSNBCBiden spent the day after his first debate with Trump condemning the incumbent president as Republicans in Washington faced some tough questions about the chaotic debate. Aired on 09/30/2020. » Subscribe to MSNBC: […]
Cory Booker calls out GOP members ‘contorting’ themselves for TrumpSen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) reacts to an impeachment prediction he made in September 2019, claiming members of the Republican Party will come around and “have the courage to stand up.”#CNN #News […]
Sen. Chris Coons Intends To Honor The Senate’s Impeachment Oath | All In | MSNBCSenator Chris Coons (D-DE) discusses with Chris Hayes the push to make Republicans honor their oath to be impartial. Aired on 12/16/19. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc MSNBC delivers breaking […]
What Transcripts Say About Mike Pompeo’s State Department | Morning Joe | MSNBCThe House this week released full transcripts from the deposition of former top State Department aide Michael McKinley, who recently resigned in protest. The panel discusses. Aired on 11/05/19. » Subscribe to MSNBC: […]
State Department officials stand up to Trump as public impeachment hearings beginCareer diplomats took center stage as public impeachment hearings got underway into President Trump’s dealings with Ukraine. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent and Ambassador William Taylor answered […]
LA Mayor: The Quicker You Work To Flatten The Curve, The More Lives You Will Save | Katy Tur | MSNBCCalifornians are now being asked to only leave for essentials. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti joins Katy Tur to discuss. Aired on 03/20/2020. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc MSNBC delivers […]
Trump Defends Using Unproven Drug As Senators Grill Mnuchin On Economy | The 11th Hour | MSNBCTrump is defending his claimed use of the untested drug hydroxychloroquine as senators grilled Trump aides on unemployment and the economy that have taken a pummeling from the ongoing global pandemic. Aired on […]
NBC News: Trump White House May Bring Forward Motion To Dismiss | The 11th Hour | MSNBCGeoff Bennett, NBC News White House Correspondent, joins to discuss the possibility the Trump White House could try to bring forward a motion to dismiss in the Senate’s Trump impeachment trial. Aired on 01/20/20. […]
COVID diagnosis for President Trump raises possible national security concernsCBS News senior national security analyst Fran Townsend joined CBSN to explain why the president’s positive coronavirus test could pose national security concerns. She says foreign leaders may try to use this moment to […]
AP Top Stories December 18 AHere’s the latest for Wednesday December 18th: House of Representatives set to vote on impeachment; Pro-impeachment rallies nationwide; House passes $1.4 Trillion budget; Australia combats fires, experiences […]
Dr. Hotez Warns ‘The Worst Is Yet To Come’ | Deadline | MSNBCDr. Peter Hotez, founding dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor University, cites carelessness by the Trump administration as the reason behind the spike of cases in Midwestern states and why many […]
Trump continues refusing to commit to a peaceful transition if he loses reelectionPresident Trump is again refusing to commit to a peaceful transition of power if he loses the 2020 election. This comes as FBI Director Christopher Wray, who was appointed by the president, reiterates the agency is not […]
Medical Doctor Running For Congress In Virginia | Morning Joe | MSNBCCameron Webb, a medical doctor from Virginia, is running for Congress as a Democrat in the state’s 5th District, and he joins Morning Joe to discuss his campaign and the president’s latest remarks on the […]
Jason Johnson: If Trump Was Winning He ‘Would Be Doing Donuts On The WH Lawn’ | Deadline | MSNBCContributor at ‘The Grio’ Jason Johnson speaks to Biden’s restraint in declaring victory, and says the former vice president has a mandate to represent those who voted for him. Aired on 11/06/2020. » Subscribe to MSNBC: […]
See residents protest quarantine guidance in MichiganThousands of cars descended on Michigan’s state capitol building in Lansing in an organized protest against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s latest guidance on how citizens needed to deal with the ongoing threat […]
Cuomo: New York Coronavirus Hospitalizations Higher Than Initial Estimates | MSNBCNew York Governor Andrew Cuomo says the state is working to simultaneously slow the number of people coming into hospitals while raising hospital capacity. Aired on 3/25/20. » Subscribe to MSNBC: […]
Most Americans Believe President Donald Trump Committed Impeachable Offense | Morning Joe | MSNBCNew polling from FiveThirtyEight and Ipsos shows that most Americans believe the president committed an impeachable offense and should be removed from office. The panel discusses. Aired on 1/3/20 » Subscribe to MSNBC: […]