Intel inspector general pushes back at claims that whistleblower’s information was secondhand
In a statement released Monday, the inspector general said the whistleblower had “direct knowledge of certain alleged conduct.” The statement appears to debunk a theory that has been pushed by Trump and several of his Republican allies, who have sought to raise questions about the complaint’s credibility by falsely claiming that it is based on “hearsay.”
A rough transcript released by the White House shows Trump repeatedly pushed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Biden, Trump’s potential 2020 political rival, and his son Hunter Biden.
There is no evidence of wrongdoing by Joe or Hunter Biden.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was on Trump’s July call with the Ukrainian President
Pompeo was asked about the whistleblower complaint last week while in New York for the United Nations General Assembly and said at the time that he had not yet read it in full. When asked if he or his staff had acted improperly Pompeo did say that, to the best of his knowledge, “each of the actions that were undertaken by State Department officials was entirely appropriate.”
Trump pressed Australian leader to help with Justice Department review of Russia probe origins
The call happened with Barr’s knowledge and at his suggestion, the official said.
The official notes this is seeking assistance with the review, which is being conducted by US Attorney John Durham, and so is seen as appropriate and completely different from the Ukraine matter. Justice Department officials say it is appropriate for the attorney general and the President to seek help from foreign countries with an investigation of 2016 election interference.
Ukrainians named in whistleblower report say Giuliani was clear about wanting to open an investigation into political rivals dealings in Kiev
Andreii Telizhenko, who worked in the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington between December 2015 and May 2016, says Giuliani approached him for a face-to-face meeting in May of this year. And Sergeii Leschenko, an adviser to Zelensky, says Giuliani began applying pressure on Zelensky’s team to dig up dirt on Biden and his son shortly after the former comedian was elected in April.
While each has a different perspective on the crisis — Telizhenko believes that the issues surrounding Biden merit further investigation — both agree that Giuliani was open in his motivations.
House Democrats subpoena Giuliani for Ukraine documents in impeachment inquiry
The whistleblower complaint labels Giuliani as “central figure” in the controversy. US officials were concerned, the whistleblower said, with Giuliani and his contacts with Ukrainian officials.
Mitch McConnell says the Senate would ‘have no choice but to’ take up House’s impeachment of Trump
CNN poll finds support for impeaching Trump is up among independents and Republicans
About half, 47%, support impeaching the President and removing him from office, up from 41% who felt that way in a CNN poll in May. The current level matches the high point for impeaching Trump in previous CNN polling — 47% said they felt that way in September 2018.
CNN’s Zachary Cohen, Evan Perez, Alex Rogers, Clare Foran and Jennifer Agiesta contributed to this report.
