In the first public hearing for the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, the House Intelligence Committee heard testimony from George Kent, the deputy assistant secretary of state, and William Taylor, the top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine, on Wednesday morning.
The hearings are further examining whether Trump sought to use a foreign power to influence the upcoming 2020 election by withholding critical military assistance to the Ukrainian government in exchange for a Ukrainian investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D. – Mass.) and ranking member Devin Nunes (R. – Calif.) both used staff attorneys — Daniel Goldman for the Democrats, Steve Castor for the Republicans — to conduct the majority of their 45-minute questioning.
Here are five takeaways from Wednesday’s hearing, where Kent and Taylor testified for roughly five and a half hours.
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1. “President Trump cares more about the investigations of Biden” than about Ukraine
William Taylor, the acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, added new information to his testimony regarding a phone call that he said President Donald Trump had with Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, one day after his White House call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that sparked the impeachment inquiry.
During the newly disclosed July 26 call, which was overheard by one of Taylor’s staff members, Trump had asked Sondland about the “investigations” — which Taylor said he understood to mean formal inquiries into Burisma Holdings and Hunter Biden for which Trump and his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, had been advocating.
Based on Taylor’s retelling, the staff member overheard Sondland tell Trump that the “Ukrainians were ready to move forward” with the investigation into Biden and Burisma. “Following the call with President Trump, the member of my staff asked Ambassador Sondland what President Trump thought about Ukraine. Ambassador Sondland responded that President Trump cares more about the investigations of Biden, which Giuliani was pressing for,” Taylor said.
Later, during questioning, Schiff returned to the overheard phone call. “I take it the import of that is he cares more about that [the Biden investigation] than he does about Ukraine?” Schiff asked.
Schiff and Nunes began Wednesday’s hearing with widely differing opening statements. Schiff, a Democrat, emphasized the historical significance of the impeachment inquiry’s findings on the future of the American presidency.
“The questions presented by this impeachment inquiry are whether President Trump sought to exploit [Ukraine’s] vulnerability and invite Ukraine’s interference into our elections; whether President Trump sought to condition official acts, such as a White House meeting or U.S. military assistance; or Ukraine’s willingness to assist in two political investigations that would help his re-election campaign. And if President Trump did either, whether such an abuse of his power is compatible with the office of the presidency,” Schiff said. “Our answer to these questions will not only affect the future of this presidency, but the future of the presidency itself and what kind of conduct or misconduct the American people may come to expect from their commander in chief.”
“If the president can simply refuse all oversight, particularly in the context of an impeachment proceeding, the balance of power between our two branches of government will be irrevocably altered,” Schiff said later in his statement. “That is not what the founders wanted.”
Nunes, a Republican, in turn cast the impeachment inquiry hearing as a “televised, theatrical performance staged by the Democrats.”
“You’ve been cast in the low-rent Ukrainian sequel,” Nunes said to Kent and Taylor. “This spectacle is doing great damage to our country. It is nothing more than an impeachment process in search of a crime.”
3. Rudy Giuliani’s efforts to “gin up politically motivated investigations” were “infecting” U.S.-Ukraine relations, Kent says
During his opening statement, Kent said that Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal lawyer, was conducting a “campaign to smear” former Ukraine ambassador Marie Yovanovitch and that his efforts to induce a Ukrainian investigation into the Bidens was impacting U.S. and Ukraine relations.
“In mid-August, it became clear to me that Giuliani’s efforts to gin up politically motivated investigations were now infecting U.S. engagement with Ukraine, leveraging President Zelenskyy’s desire for a White House meeting,” Kent said.
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4. Rep. Jim Jordan (R.-Ohio) attacks Taylor’s testimony: “I’ve seen church prayer chains that are easier to understand than this”
GOP Rep. Jim Jordan scored points by noting that Taylor’s testimony was based in part on second- and third-hand accounts: “Ambassador Taylor recalls that Mr. Morrison told Ambassador Taylor that I told Mr. Morrison that I conveyed this message to Mr. Yermak on Sept. 1, 2019 in connection with Vice President Pence’s visit to Warsaw and a meeting with President Zelensky.”
“We got six people having four conversations in one sentence and you just told me this is where you got your clear understanding,” Jordan said to Taylor at one point. “I’ve seen church prayer chains that are easier to understand than this.”
He scoffed that Taylor, who was not on Trump’s telltale July 25 call with the Ukrainian president, was presented as, in his words, a “star witness” for the Democrats.
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5. The White House says Trump wasn’t watching the hearing — but his Twitter feed suggests otherwise
White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham toldreporters earlier during Wednesday’s hearing that Trump was in the Oval Office taking meetings. “Not watching. He’s working,” Grisham said.
At the same time, Trump’s personal Twitter account began retweeting videos of House Republicans criticizing the inquiry. Grisham also tweeted that the “sham” hearing was “boring.”
During the hearing Trump’s 2020 campaign also sent out an email to supporters:
“The Impeachment Scam hearings begin today! This is a complete Fake Hearing (trial) to interview Never Trumpers and a Pelosi-Schiff SCAM against the Republican Party and me. It’s obvious they hate me, but more importantly, they HATE YOU. The Democrats know they can’t win in 2020, so they want to rip the power from your hands by ERASING your VOTE, ERASING your VOICE, and ERASING your FUTURE! BOTTOM LINE: THIS WITCH HUNT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO PROCEED. The Radical Left and Lamestream Media are just trying to make it hard for TRUE AMERICANS, including YOUR PRESIDENT, to win in 2020. We can’t let them get away with this.”
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Watch Wednesday’s hearing in full above. The next hearing will take place on Friday.
2020 Presidential Contenders: Who's Still Challenging Donald Trump and Who's Dropped Out (Photos)
There's just over a year to go until the 2020 presidential election, but the competition to potentially replace Donald Trump in the White House is already stiff.
There's a lot to keep track of, but we're here to help. Here's TheWrap's list of everyone who is running for president so far — and who has dropped out.
Joe Biden – Democratic Party
Entered Race: April 25, 2019
The former Obama VP was a late entry to the race, formally declaring his run for the presidency on April 25. But he's long been a presumed frontrunner, leading many early polls. This is his third presidential run, and for months he's been telling anyone who'll listen that he'd be the most qualified candidate for the job. He's also already been under scrutiny over criticism about his behavior with women, prompting him to post a video promising he'd be "more mindful and respectful" of a woman's "personal space."
The Massachusetts Senator formally announced her candidacy on Feb. 9 at a rally in her home state, and shortly after followed up with a tweet that read: "I believe in an America of opportunity. My daddy ended up as a janitor, but his little girl got the chance to be a public school teacher, a college professor, a United States Senator – and a candidate for President of the United States. #Warren2020."
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Bernie Sanders – Democratic Party
Entered Race: Feb. 19, 2019
Bernie Sanders, the runner-up in the 2016 contest for the Democratic nomination, has recorded a campaign video in which he says he is running for president in 2020, according to a report in Politico.
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Pete Buttigieg – Democratic Party
Entered Race: April 14, 2019
The 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Indiana would become the first openly gay presidential nominee from a major political party. Buttigieg's platform includes a plan to further empower Black America and economic reform.
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Tulsi Gabbard – Democratic Party
Entered Race: Jan. 11, 2019
Gabbard, a U.S. Representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district, endorsed Bernie Sanders in 2016, but in 2020 she's all-in on herself. Gabbard is running on immigration and criminal justice reform.
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Andrew Yang – Democratic Party
Entered Race: Nov. 6, 2017
The entrepreneur and son of immigrant parents from Taiwan became a contender a year ago, telling The New York Times that he will advocate for a universal basic income.
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John Delaney – Democratic Party
Entered Race: July 28, 2017
The U.S. Representative for Maryland's 6th district declared back in July 2017. He says he'll "end reckless trade wars and expand trade," "create a universal health care system" and "launch a national AI strategy."
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Amy Klobuchar – Democratic Party
Entered Race: Feb. 10, 2019
The Minnesota Democrat, first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006, announced her bid on Feb. 10, 2019, saying that she wanted to work for "everyone who wanted their work recognized." Klobuchar's key issues she wants to tackle if elected president include revising voting rights protections and prioritizing cybersecurity.
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Michael Bennet – Democratic Party
Entered Race: May 2, 2019
The Colorado senator has been a vocal supporter on advancing the field of artificial intelligence and expanding the Child Tax Credit. He didn't qualify for the fourth Democratic debate but he's vowed to keep running.
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Wayne Messam – Democratic Candidate
Entered Race: March 28, 2019
The mayor of Miramar, Florida, a city near Miami, is a first-generation American who has called for end the filibuster and erasing student debt. He only raised $5 -- five -- during the quarter that ended Sep. 30, but he's still in the race.
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Tom Steyer – Democratic Party
Entered Race: July 9, 2019
The billionaire and climate change activist entered the race in July, saying in a video "if you think that there's something absolutely critical, try as hard as you can and let the chips fall where they may. And that's exactly what I'm doing. My name's Tom Steyer, and I'm running for president."
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Joe Sestak – Democratic Party
Entered Race: June 23, 2019
The former Pennsylvania Congressman has a plan for America that includes investing in American manufacturing and strengthening antitrust laws.
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Deval Patrick - Democratic Party
Entered Race: Nov. 14, 2019
The former governor of Massachusetts acknowledged the challenge of jumping into the Democratic primary so late in the game. But in his announcement he took a veiled swipe at other candidates, saying the party was torn between "nostalgia" and "our big idea or no way.”
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Michael Bloomberg - Democratic Party
Entered Race: Nov. 24, 2019
The former mayor of New York is the second billionaire to enter the crowded Democratic field with just one year until the election. Bloomberg plans to fund his own campaign and is reportedly spending $30 million in TV ads to launch his campaign.
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Bill Weld – Republican Party
Entered Race: April 15, 2019
Weld is a former Governor of Massachusetts who has been on the record about his displeasure of Trump, specifically Trump's desire to be more of a "king than a president."
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Joe Walsh – Republican Party
Entered Race: Aug. 25, 2019
The former congressman from Illinois turned conservative talk show host announced in August 2019 that he would enter the GOP primaries to challenge President Trump. "I'm running because he's unfit; somebody needs to step up and there needs to be an alternative. The country is sick of this guy's tantrum -- he's a child," he told ABC News.
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Cory Booker – Democratic Party
Entered Race: Feb. 1, 2019
Dropped Out: Jan. 13, 2020
The New Jersey senator and former mayor of Newark formally tossed his name into the presidential hat on Feb. 1, the first day of Black History Month. Booker ran on a platform of ending mass incarceration if he were to be elected president. His absence in the race ahead of the caucuses made the remaining Democratic field significantly less diverse.
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Marianne Williamson – Democratic Party
Entered Race: Jan. 28, 2019
Dropped Out: Jan. 10, 2020
The "Healing the Soul of America" author and founder of Project Angel Food announced her candidacy during a political rally at the Saban Theater in Los Angeles on Jan. 28. Williamson ran on a platform of reparations and "economic justice for women and children."
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Eric Swalwell
Entered Race: April 8, 2019 Dropped Out: July 8, 2019
The California congressman wrote in a statement on his campaign's website about his decision to bow out of the 2020 presidential race, "I’ll never forget the people I met and lessons I learned while travelling [sic] around our great nation – especially in the communities most affected by gun violence."
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Seth Moulton – Democratic Party
Entered Race: April 22, 2019
Dropped Out: August 23, 2019
The Massachusetts congressman and Iraq War veteran ended his campaign for president in a speech to the DNC in San Fransisco. “I think it’s evident that this is now a three-way race between Biden, Warren and Sanders, and really it’s a debate about how far left the party should go,” Mr. Moulton told the New York Times.
Entered Race: March 4, 2019 Dropped Out: Aug. 15, 2019
The former Colorado governor supported stricter gun control laws and free trade.
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Jay Inslee – Democratic Party
Entered Race: March 1, 2019 Dropped Out: Aug. 21, 2019
The Governor of Washington ran on a platform focused on climate change, proposing a "100% Clean Energy for America Plan" that would see emissions drop to zero by 2035.
He announced he was dropping out of the race during an appearance on "The Rachel Maddow Show."
"It's become clear that I'm not going to be carrying the ball," Inslee told Maddow. "I'm not going to be the President, I'm withdrawing tonight from the race."
Inslee added that he's optimistic that climate change will be a major part of the Democratic party's priorities.
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Kirsten Gillibrand - Democratic Party
Entered Race: Jan. 15, 2019
Dropped Out: Aug. 28, 2019
The senator from New York announced her bid Tuesday, Jan. 15 on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert." Gillibrand, whose campaign slogan is "Brave Wins," supported paid family leave and protecting women's rights.
On August 28, 2019, she announced her withdrawal. "To our supporters: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Now, let's go beat Donald Trump and win back the Senate," she tweeted.
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Howard Schultz – Independent
Dropped Out: Sept. 6, 2019
In January the former Starbucks CEO expressed initial interest in running. In August, Schultz reportedly suspended his campaigning until after Labor Day, citing medical issues. In September, Schultz cited those issues and more in a letter on his website as reasons he had to take himself out of the running.
"My belief in the need to reform our two-party system has not wavered, but I have concluded that an independent campaign for the White House is not how I can best serve our country at this time," he wrote.
Schultz is a co-founder of the venture capital firm Maveron, which is an investor in TheWrap.
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Bill De Blasio – Democratic Party
Entered Race: May 16, 2019
Dropped Out: Sept. 20, 2019
The New York City mayor was looking for more taxes for the wealthy and regulating "gig jobs" under his proposed Universal Labor Standards.
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Beto O'Rourke – Democratic Party
Entered Race: March 14, 2019
Dropped Out: November 1, 2019
The former congressman from El Paso, Texas, announced he is running for president on March 14, saying: "This is a defining moment of truth for this country and for every single one of us," and that the challenges have never been greater. "They will either consume us, or they will afford us the greatest opportunity to unleash the genius of the United States of America," he added. O'Rourke has already made a name for himself as a record-breaking fundraiser, the subject of an HBO documentary and a favorite among Hollywood elite. He dropped out Nov 1., tweeting, "I am announcing that my service to the country will not be as a candidate or as the nominee."
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Mark Sanford – Republican Party
Entered Race: Sept. 8, 2019
Dropped Out: Nov. 12, 2019
The former governor of South Carolina -- who resigned in disgrace in 2007 after lying about an extramarital affair -- announced his challenge to Trump, saying, "We have lost our way." Sanford, who was also a U.S. congressman from 1995 to 2001 and 2013 to 2019, pledged to tackle the nation's ballooning national debt and reverse Trump's policies on trade protectionism. He dropped out in November saying the issues on his platform were overshadowed by the ongoing impeachment process.
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Steve Bullock – Democratic Party
Entered Race: May 14, 2019
Dropped Out: Dec. 2, 2019
The Montana governor said in a statement, "While there were many obstacles we could not have anticipated when entering this race, it has become clear that in this moment, I won’t be able to break through to the top tier of this still-crowded field of candidates."
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Kamala Harris – Democratic Party
Entered Race: Jan. 21, 2019
Dropped Out: December 3, 2019
The California senator announced her bid for the presidency on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 21, while appearing on ABC’s "Good Morning America." As a possible indication of her chances, her January CNN town hall was the network's highest rated single presidential candidate town hall ever. Harris is pro Medicare-for-all and raising teacher pay.
Harris came out of the gate strong with a solid showing at the first debate, but failed to carry that momentum. Reports of staff mismanagement and fundraising challenges led to her to suspend her candidacy in early December.
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Julián Castro – Democratic Party
Entered Race: Jan. 12, 2019
Dropped Out: Jan. 2, 2020
The former mayor of San Antonio -- and former Obama cabinet member -- supports immigration reform and eliminating lead poisoning. Castro was the only Latino candidate in the running, and he said in a video released by his campaign that he's "not done fighting."
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The Democratic candidate field remains robust as late entries including Michael Bloomberg and Deval Patrick join the race
There's just over a year to go until the 2020 presidential election, but the competition to potentially replace Donald Trump in the White House is already stiff.
There's a lot to keep track of, but we're here to help. Here's TheWrap's list of everyone who is running for president so far — and who has dropped out.
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