White House official to testify in impeachment inquiry
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Where things stand now
White House official testifies: Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the White House’s top Ukraine expert, testified at a closed-door deposition today. He planned to tell lawmakers he was so troubled by President Trump’s July phone call with Ukraine’s president that he reported his concerns to a superior, according to a copy of his statement obtained by CNN.
Deadline paused: The DC Circuit Court of Appeals paused the deadline this week the Justice Department had to turn over grand jury secrets from the Mueller probe to the House.
Later this week: The House will vote on Thursday to formalize the procedures of its impeachment probe into Trump.
Our live coverage has ended, but you can scroll through the posts to read more.
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Rep. Adam Schiff praises White House official's testimony
From CNN's Jeremy Herb, Phil Mattingly and Mychael Schnell
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
Rep. Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, praised Lt. Col. Alex Vindman’s testimony today and slammed the attacks on him over his Ukrainian origins.
Vindman, the National Security Council’s top Ukraine expert, faced attacks by President Trump and Republicans ahead of his testimony.
Schiff did not respond to questions about the whistleblower.
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The White House's top Ukraine expert is done testifying
From CNN's Jeremy Herb
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the National Security Council’s top Ukraine expert, has just wrapped up his deposition with House impeachment investigators.
Vindman testified for more than 10 hours today.
Some background: Vindman, a decorated veteran of the Iraq War with a lengthy military record, planned to tell lawmakers he was so troubled by President Trump’s July phone call with Ukraine’s president that he reported his concerns to a superior, according to a copy of his opening statement obtained by CNN.
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House and Justice Department ask judge to postpone court hearing on impeachment witness
From CNN's Katelyn Polantz
The Justice Department and the House have asked a federal judge to postpone a court hearing Thursday regarding impeachment witness Charles Kupperman’s testimony.
Judge Richard Leon has not yet responded.
Leon had scheduled the hearing after Kupperman, who served until last month as deputy national security adviser at the White House, asked the court whether he needed to testify. The House has subpoenaed Kupperman, but the White House had blocked him from testifying on Monday, claiming absolute immunity for White House officials in the impeachment probe.
The House and Justice Department agreed to seek the postponement, according to today’s filing, because they are attending another court hearing happening the same afternoon before a different judge. That case is also about the immunity from Congressional testimony for another White House staffer, former White House Counsel Don McGahn, as the House seeks his testimony in its impeachment probe.
Both sides have asked Leon to reschedule the Kupperman court hearing for sometime before Nov. 6.
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Appeals court pauses deadline for Justice Department to turn over Mueller grand jury materials
From CNN's Katelyn Polantz
The DC Circuit Court of Appeals has paused the deadline this week the Justice Department had to turn over grand jury secrets from special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation to the House.
The court said the deadline will be suspended “pending further order of the court.” This will allow the appeals court to consider arguments on a lower-court judge’s ruling last Friday.
About the ruling: DC District Court Chief Judge Beryl Howell ordered the Justice Department to release grand jury information redacted from special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation to the House. Howell’s decision to share the grand jury details with the House was significant because it underlined the legal validity of the impeachment effort, which the Trump administration has questioned as it attempts to stonewall the House probe.
The Justice Department has appealed that ruling and asked for the stay on the deadline.
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White House Ukraine expert characterized call transcript as mostly accurate
From CNN's Manu Raju, Phil Mattingly and Jeremy Herb
Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the National Security Council's top Ukraine expert, arrives for a closed-door deposition at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on Oct. 29.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the National Security Council’s top Ukraine expert, testified today that the White House’s rough transcript was mostly accurate in describing the contents of the July 25 phone call between President Trump and the Ukrainian president, but there were a couple of changes he would have made, according to multiple sources familiar with the testimony.
Vindman said that he would have made edits to the transcript, the sources said, who added they were only minor changes. One of the edits Vindman said he would have made was to specifically say Burisma rather than just “the company.” Burisma is the company that hired former Vice President Joe Biden’s son Hunter.
“He or she will look into the situation, specifically to the company that you mentioned in this issue,” the rough transcript cites Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as saying.
Vindman also testified that he spoke to his twin brother, who works in the National Security Council’s ethics office, to discuss his concerns about the July 25 call, according to multiple sources.
In the hearing, Republicans questioned why there weren’t more people who raised concerns to the National Security Council lawyers about the call, according to sources. He responded that he was unaware of what his colleagues chose to do.
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Mitch McConnell's extraordinary efforts to say nothing at all
From CNN's Ted Barrett
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) answers questions during a news conference at the US Capitol on Oct. 29 in Washington, DC.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell went to extraordinary lengths today to avoid giving substantive answers to direct questions about the allegations made by Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the first current White House official to testify in the House impeachment inquiry about President Trump’s controversial call with the Ukrainian president that is at the heart of the probe.
McConnell was pressed by a reporter about Vindman’s testimony at his weekly news conference in the Capitol, as several other members of the Senate GOP leadership stood stoically — and silently — behind him.
Notably, the Kentucky Republican’s nonresponses came just a day after Trump had implored congressional Republicans to spend more energy defending his actions on that phone call, which he has described as “perfect,” and not just to complain about the closed-door investigative process by House Democrats.
“Concerning Col. Vindman’s testimony, what he heard on the President’s call, that conversation with the Ukrainian leader was so concerning that he worried it might undermine US national security. Does it concern you? Are you worried about the President’s behavior at all?” the reporter asked McConnell.
In response, the GOP Senate leader answered a different question, one that was never asked, about charges from some of Trump’s supporters that Vindman might not be patriotic because he was born in Ukraine.
He then shifted topics to speak about a key impeachment resolution the House is set to vote on Thursday — one that is expected open up the investigative process — something Republicans have pressed for but were still waiting to see the final language of to determine whether they considered it satisfactory.
2 State Department Ukraine experts are scheduled to testify tomorrow
From CNN's Jennifer Hansler and Kylie Atwood
Two State Department experts on Ukraine are slated to become the latest diplomats thrust into the spotlight as part of the House impeachment inquiry.
Catherine Croft and Christopher Anderson are scheduled to testify in separate closed-door hearings before the House Intelligence, Oversight and Foreign Affairs committees tomorrow.
Kathryn Wheelbarger, acting assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security, was also scheduled to testify tomorrow, but an official working on the impeachment inquiry said her deposition will be rescheduled for a future date.
Here’s who else is scheduled to testify this week:
Thursday: Timothy Morrison, a top Russia and Europe adviser on the National Security Council.
Friday: Robert Blair, senior adviser to acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney
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Negotiations for Don McGahn's testimony are still at an impasse
From CNN's Katelyn Polantz
The House Judiciary Committee and former White House counsel Don McGahn haven’t been able to negotiate a way for him to testify in the impeachment inquiry, the committee told a federal judge this afternoon.
The Trump administration has tried to put limits on how he could testify, such as an interview not being included in the current impeachment probe. The House said that’s unacceptable, and has separately made clear that McGahn would be a key witness in examining whether President Trump obstructed justice.
The House said it’s been trying this month to negotiate McGahn’s appearance, which they’ve been seeking for nearly half a year.
What we know: The House, Justice Department and McGahn attorneys will be in court arguing over his refusal to testify on Thursday. The arguments are scheduled to happen at nearly the same time another impeachment witness, Charles Kupperman, is in court over the White House’s assertion he is immune from testifying. The White House made similar claims, keeping McGahn from testifying as well.
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White House blasts "sham" impeachment resolution
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham slammed the Democrats’ resolution to formalize the impeachment proceedings against President Trump in a new statement today.
“This resolution does nothing to change the fundamental fact that House Democrats refuse to provide basic due process rights to the Administration,” she said.
Read Grisham’s full statement:
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Impeachment committees want to talk to former Rick Perry aide
From CNN's Dana Bash, Manu Raju and Sara Murray
Congressional impeachment committees plan to request an interview with Brian McCormack, the associate director for natural resources, energy and science at the Office of Management and Budget, two sources tell CNN.
If McCormack refuses to comply, the committees are likely to follow up with a subpoena.
About McCormack: He was previously the chief of staff at the Department of Energy, but he departed last month for his new role at OMB.
OMB and McCormack did not respond to requests for comment.
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Catch up: Here are 4 developments that happened in the impeachment inquiry today
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman arrives at the US Capitol on Oct. 29, 2019 in Washington, DC.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
It was another busy day on Capitol Hill today. This week will get even busier as more witnesses are set to testify and the House prepares to vote to formalize the impeachment inquiry.
Let’s catch you up…
The first White House official testifies:Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the National Security Council’s top Ukraine expert, testified today. He is the first White House staffer who was on President Trump’s July phone call with Ukraine’s president to testify in the inquiry. According to a copy of his statement obtained by CNN, Vindman was so troubled by the call that he reported his concerns to a superior.
Trump and GOP attack Vindman’s record: Former GOP Rep. Sean Duffy said about Vindman: “It seems very clear that he is incredibly concerned about Ukrainian defense.” Trump also joined in the criticism of Vindman, claiming without evidence on Twitter that the White House’s top Ukraine expert is a “Never Trumper.” Vindman served multiple overseas tours as a US infantry officer, including a deployment to Iraq where he received a Purple Heart after being wounded in an IED attack. He has served in Trump’s National Security Council since 2018.
Democrats accuse GOP members of trying to out the whistleblower: House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff objected to a line of questioning for Vindman from Republicans, which Democrats contended was an effort to out the whistleblower during today’s closed deposition, according to five sources from both parties. Republicans pushed back, arguing they were simply asking questions about who Vindman might have spoken with — and it was not an effort to out the whistleblower.
House releases impeachment resolution: The House Rules Committee released the resolution that the House will vote on Thursday to formalize the impeachment proceedings. The text of the resolution lays out how the House Intelligence Committee will conduct public hearings and how the House Judiciary Committee “shall report to the House of Representatives such resolutions, articles of impeachment, or other recommendations as it deems proper.”
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Podcast: A White House Ukraine expert was on the controversial call — now he's testifying
In today’s episode of “The Daily DC: Impeachment Watch,” CNN Political Director David Chalian looks at:
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman’s testimony and President Trump’s attacks on him – even though Vindman is a Purple Heart recipient and the National Security Council’s top Ukraine expert
How Vindman’s testimony changes the trajectory of the inquiry
House Democrats’ plan to vote to formalize the impeachment inquiry on Thursday
The President’s potential impeachment trial defense
Chalian is joined by CNN legal analyst Ross Garber and Marshall Cohen, a CNN writer and producer.
The impeachment inquiry will soon move to open hearings
Patrick Semansky/AP
The chairs from four House committees released a joint statement this afternoon following the publication of the impeachment resolution.
In the statement, Rep. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Jerry Nadler, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Rep. Eliot Engel, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. Carolyn Maloney, acting chairwoman of the Oversight committee, said: “The evidence we have already collected paints the picture of a President who abused his power by using multiple levers of government to press a foreign country to interfere in the 2020 election.”
The statement added that “soon the American people will hear from witnesses in an open setting.”
They say that “the next phase” of the impeachment inquiry “will move from closed depositions to open hearings where the American people will learn firsthand about the President’s misconduct.”
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House impeachment resolution includes rules for White House participation
From CNN's Matthew Hoye
The House impeachment resolution released today outlines how the President and White House Counsel will be allowed to participate in the proceedings.
The resolution includes language saying that the White House will be able to “present their case and respond to evidence” during “impeachment proceedings held by the Committee on the Judiciary.”
The resolution also states that the White House will be able to…
Submit written requests for additional testimony or other evidence
Attend hearings, including those held in executive session
Raise an objection to testimony given
Cross-examine witnesses
However, the resolution also includes language to sanction the White House if the Committee Chair determines that the White House is refusing to cooperate with requests from Congress.
“If the President unlawfully refuses to cooperate with Congressional requests, the Chair shall have the discretion to impose appropriate remedies, including by denying specific requests by the President or his counsel,” the resolution states.
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Jared Kushner calls impeachment inquiry "silly games"
From CNN's Jeremy Diamond and Kevin Liptak
Win McNamee/Getty Images
White House senior adviser Jared Kushner slammed Democrats’ moves toward impeachment as “silly games” and insisted that President Trump “hasn’t done anything wrong” in an interview with Israel’s Channel 13.
Kushner also argued that “the American people are sick and tired” of the continuous stream of investigations.
He said Democrats have “investigated him over and over and over again and I think the American people are sick and tired of it.”
Kushner, who was in Israel to meet with government officials including Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, said Trump’s “record of accomplishments is unimpeachable.”
“He’s going to continue to do things the American people care about,” he said.
Kushner has not talked extensively about the impeachment matter. His wife, Ivanka Trump, told Fox News earlier this month the President would prioritize his governing agenda while the impeachment process proceeds.
Kushner struck a similar note in the interview in Israel.
“If in Congress, if they want to be part of the work we’re doing to try to make the country stronger and the country more prosperous, we welcome them to join us,” he said. “If they want to play silly games, we’ll obviously deal with that in an appropriate manner. But we’re not going to let that distract us as an administration.”
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Here's the text of the House impeachment resolution
From CNN's Jeremy Herb, Manu Raju and Lauren Fox
The House Rules Committee has released the resolution that the House will vote on Thursday to formalize the impeachment proceedings against President Trump.
The text of the resolution lays out how the House Intelligence Committee will conduct public hearings and how the Judiciary Committee ” shall report to the House of Representatives such resolutions, articles of impeachment, or other recommendations as it deems proper.”
For the public hearings, the resolution includes language allowing the chairman and ranking member of the Intelligence Committee to question witnesses for up to 90 minutes, and it also allows them to give that time to committee aides to conduct questioning.
The resolution also states that the minority may request witnesses to be called and issue subpoenas — but those subpoenas can only be issued ” with the concurrence of the chair,” meaning that Democrats would have to sign off on any Republican-led subpoenas.
The resolution says that the House Intelligence Committee will write a report ” setting forth its findings and any recommendations” and that the report will be transmitted to the Judiciary Committee and be made public.
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McConnell: "I’m not going to question the patriotism of any of the people coming forward"
From CNN's Ted Barrett and Ali Zaslav
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was just asked to comment on Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman’s testimony and if it concerns him.
McConnell said, “I’m not going to question the patriotism of any of the people coming forward.”
The Kentucky Republican repeatedly declined to answer questions about what he makes of Vindman’s allegations and said, “I’m not going to comment on the merits of what’s going forward.”
Some background: Today, Vindman, the National Security Council’s top Ukraine expert, is testifying. He plans to tell House impeachment investigators that he was so troubled by President Trump’s July phone call with Ukraine’s president that he reported his concerns to a superior, according to a copy of his statement obtained by CNN.
Some Republicans have criticized Vindman, who earned a Purple Heart for his military service in Iraq. Former GOP Rep. Sean Duffy said, “It seems very clear that he is incredibly concerned about Ukrainian defense.”
Trump also joined in the criticism of Vindman, claiming without evidence on Twitter this morning that he is a “Never Trumper.”
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Rep. Jim Jordan denies Republicans are seeking to out the whistleblower
From CNN's Manu Raju
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
Rep. Jim Jordan, a ranking Republican on the House Oversight committee, attacked Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff for objecting to a GOP line of questioning and preventing Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman from answering questions during today’s deposition.
Jordan said they were not seeking to “out” the whistleblower, but wanted to know who Vindman, the National Security Council’s top Ukraine expert, was speaking with.
“We are just trying to get information that we are entitled to get and the witness is supposed to answer our questions,” the Ohio Republican said.
Asked if he wants to know the identity of the whistleblower, Jordan said, “the American public” wants to know.
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Pelosi: "Outing the whistleblower is an unpatriotic action"
From CNN's Manu Raju
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
Asked about claims that Republican lawmakers are trying to out the anonymous whistleblower, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said “they shouldn’t even go near that.”
“Outing the whistleblower is an unpatriotic action. They shouldn’t even go near that,” she said.
What we know: House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff objected to a line of questioning from Republicans, which Democrats contended was an effort to out the whistleblower during today’s closed deposition with White House official Alexander Vindman, according to five sources from both parties.
Republicans pushed back, arguing they were simply asking questions about who Vindman might have spoken with — and it was not an effort to out the whistleblower.
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3 more witnesses are scheduled to testify tomorrow
Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the National Security Council’s top Ukraine expert, is on Capitol Hill today, testifying before the House committees leading the impeachment inquiry into President Trump.
It’ll be another busy day tomorrow, when three more witnesses are scheduled to testify. They are…
Kathryn Wheelbarger, acting assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security
Catherine Croft, a State Department official who worked for Ukraine diplomat Kurt Volker
Christopher Anderson, another State Department official who worked for Volker
On Thursday, the House is expecting to hear from Timothy Morrison, a top Russia and Europe adviser on the National Security Council.
Morrison’s testimony is viewed as key: He was on the July 25 phone call between Trump and Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky. Top US diplomat to Ukraine Bill Taylor — who gave explosive testimony directly tying Trump to a quid pro quo — mentioned Morrison 15 times during his opening statement to the committees.
