>> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I'M JUDY WOODRUFF.

WE'RE BACK WITH DAY TWO OF OUR COVERAGE OF THE SENATE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

LAST NIGHT THE SENATE WAS IN SESSION UNTIL ALMOST 2:00 A.M. AS THEY CONSIDERED A VARIETY OF AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES OF THIS TRIAL, ALL 11 OF THE 11 AMENDMENTS FAILED TO PASS.

TODAY WE EXPECT TO HEAR OPENING STATEMENTS FROM THE HOUSE MANAGERS WHO ARE PROSECUTING THE CASE AGAINST THE PRESIDENT.

WATCHING IT ALL, I'LL BE JOINED BY LISA DESJARDINS ON CAPITOL HILL AND IN THE SENATE CHAMBER.

AN YAMICHE ALCINDOR WILL BE AT THE WHITE HOUSE FOLLOWING IT ALL.

ALONG WITH FOUR DISTINGUISHED EXPERTS ON THE SENATE AND THE LAW HERE WE MANY AT THE TABLE.

IN OUR PBS STUDIO, THEY ARE MARTIN PAONE, A 30-YEAR SENATE VETERAN.

HE WAS THE DEMOCRATIC SENATE SECRETARY FOR 13 YEARS.

INCLUDING DURING PRESIDENT CLINTON'S TRIAL.

MARTY SERVED AS THE WHITE HOUSE SENATE LIAISON THE LAST TWO YEARS OF THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.

ELIZABETH CHRYST IS ALSO ON THE PANEL.

VICTORIA NOURSE WAS SPECIAL COUNSEL TO THE SPECIAL SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE IN THE 90s.

SHE SERVED AS AN APPELLATE LAWYER UNDER PRESIDENT BUSH AND JOE BIDEN'S CHIEF COUNSEL FOR 2015-16.

AND JOHN HART WORK FOR CONGRESSMAN TOM COBURN, REPUBLICAN OF OKLAHOMA DURING THE IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON.

WANT TO WELCOME YOU ALL BACK TO THE TABLE.

ALL OF YOU, THE THREE OF YOU EXCEPT FOR VICTORIA WERE HERE WITH US YESTERDAY.

VICTORIA, WELCOME.

IT'S HISTORY IN THE MAKING THAT WE'RE WATCHING.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR BEING HERE TO OBSERVE IT AND TO COMMENT.

WE'RE LOOKING AT LIVE PICTURES OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER.

THE CHIEF JUSTICE IS NOT YET IN THE PRESIDING CHAIR.

SO WE HAVE TO BELIEVE WE'RE A LITTLE BIT AWAY IN THE START.

WHAT WILL BE DIFFERENT TODAY IS TODAY IS THE DAY WE BELIEVE THEY WILL START WITH ARGUMENTS.

THE HOUSE MANAGERS WHO ARE REPRESENTING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DEMOCRATS ARE BRINGING THEIR CASE TO THE SENATE, TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE, AND THEY WILL HAVE A TOTAL OF 24 HOURS OVER THE COURSE OF THREE DAYS TO MAKE THOSE ARGUMENTS.

AND THEN THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY UP TO 24 HOURS THAT THE PRESIDENT'S ATTORNEYS, WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL WILL HAVE TO COUNTER THE ARGUMENT AND MAKE THE PRESIDENT'S CASE AND IN THE DAYS TO COME, THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY QUESTIONS FROM THE SENATORS AND THEN THEY ALLOW VOTES ON WITNESSES AND EVIDENCE.

BEFORE WE GET TO THAT, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW IN TODAY.

YAMICHE ALCINDOR, FOLLOWING IT FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEEN WATCHING IT CLOSELY EVEN THOUGH HE'S BEEN IN EUROPE.

HE'S FLYING BACK FROM EUROPE FROM SWITZERLAND TO WASHINGTON.

HE'S IN THE AIR.

BUT BEFORE HE LEFT, HE HAD A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THIS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS BEING UPDATED MOMENTARILY AND BY THE MEN WHEN IT CAME TO THIS SENATE TRIAL.

AIDES TOLD ME THEY TALKED TO HIM PLAY BY PLAY ABOUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID AT A LAST-MINUTE PRESS CONFERENCE SAID HE WAS HAPPY WITH THE WHITE HOUSE LAWYERS DEFENDING HIM, SAYING HE DID NOTHING WRONG, THIS IS UNFAIR.

HE SAID HE MIGHT WANT TO JOIN AND GO TO THE TRIAL EVEN THOUGH HIS LAWYERS WOULDN'T LIKE HIM TO DO THAT.

HE DID TALK ABOUT WITNESSES.

HE TALKED JOE BIDEN AND MIKE POMPEO BEING GOOD WITNESSES.

HE SAID THAT JOHN BOLTON HAS A LOT OF INFORMATION.

I KNOW WHAT HE KNOWS WHAT I KNOW ABOUT NATIONAL FIGURES AND NATIONAL LEADERS.

THERE'S PROBLEMS THAT HE MIGHT KNOW TOO MUCH AND MIGHT SHARE SECRETS THAT HE SHOULDN'T BE SHARING.

WHAT WE SAW WITH THE PRESIDENT FEELING CONFIDENCE ABOUT THE LEGAL TEAM AND THE ARGUMENTS THAT THEY HAD BEEN MAKING, HE'S BEEN MAKING THE AIM ARGUMENTS ON TWITTER AND AT THE WHITE HOUSE HIMSELF.

>> LISA DESJARDINS ALSO JOINING US.

BEFORE I COME TO YOU, I WANT TO GO TO THE SENATE FLOOR WHERE THEY ARE HAVING THEIR OPENING PRAYER.

LET'S LISTEN TO THAT.

>> OF THESE IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS.

GIVE WISDOM TO THE DISTINGUISHED CHIEF JUSTICE, JOHN ROBERTS AS HE PRESIDES.

LORD, YOU'RE ALL POWERFUL AND KNOW OUR THOUGHTS BEFORE WE FORM THEM.

AS OUR LAWMAKERS HAVE BECOME JURORS, REMIND THEM OF YOUR ADMONITION IN FIRST CORINTHIANS 10:31 THAT WHATEVER THEY DO, SHOULD BE DONE FOR YOUR GLORY.

HELP THEM REMEMBER THAT PATRIOTS RESIDE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, THAT WORDS HAVE CONSEQUENCES AND THAT HOW SOMETHING IS SAID CAN BE AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT IS SAID.

GIVE THEM CIVILITY BUILT UPON INTEGRITY THAT BRINGS CONSISTENCY IN THEIR BELIEFS AND ACTIONS.

WE PRAY IN YOUR POWERFUL NAME, AMEN.

>> THAT WAS THE SENATE CHAPLAIN, BARRY BLACK.

VERY CLEARLY REFERRING TO SOME OF THE STRONG RHETORIC FROM YESTERDAY.

LET'S LISTEN.

>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> WOULD YOU PLEASE BE SEATED?

IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, THE JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE TRIAL ARE APPROVED TO DATE.

THE SERGEANT AT ARMS WILL MAKE THE PROCLAMATION.

>> HEAR YE, ALL PERSONS ARE COMMANDED TO BE SILENT ON PAIN OF IMPRISONMENT.

THE TRIAL IS AGAINST DONALD JOHN TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> THE MAJORITY LEADER IS RECOGNIZED.

>> FIRST OF ALL, OUR COLLEAGUES, NO MOTIONS, NO MOTIONS WERE FILED THIS MORNING.

SO WE'LL PROCEED TO THE HOUSE MANAGER'S PRESENTATION.

WE'LL GO FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS AND TAKE A SHORT RECESS WHEN THERE IS AN APPROPRIATE BREAK TIME BETWEEN PRESENTERS.

>> PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS, THE MANAGERS OF THE HOUSE OF THE REFS WILL HAVE 24 HOURS TO PRESENT THEIR CASE.

THE SENATE WILL NOW HEAR YOU.

>> MR. CHIEF JUSTICE, SENATORS, COUNSEL FOR THE PRESIDENT AND MY FELLOW HOUSE MANAGERS, I WANT TO BEGIN BY THANKING YOU, CHIEF JUSTICE, FOR A VERY LONG DAY, FOR THE WAY YOU PRESIDED OVER THESE PROCEEDINGS.

AND I WANT TO THANK THE SENATORS ALSO.

WE WENT WELL INTO THE MORNING, AS YOU KNOW, TILL I BELIEVE AROUND 2:00 A.M. AND YOU PAID ATTENTION TO EVERY WORD AND ARGUMENT YOU HEARD FROM BOTH SIDES IN THIS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.

I KNOW WE ARE BOTH DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

IT WAS AN EXHAUSTING DAY FOR US, CERTAINLY.

BUT WE HAVE ADRENALINE GOING THROUGH OUR VEINS, AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE REQUIRED TO SIT AND LISTEN, IT IS A MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TASK.

OF COURSE, WE KNOW OUR POSITIONS.

YOU HAVE THE ADDED DIFFICULTY OF HAVING TO WEIGH THE FACTS AND THE LAW.

SO I WANT TO BEGIN BY THANKING YOU FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE PROCEEDINGS YESTERDAY AND FOR INVITING YOUR PATIENCE AS WE GO FORWARD.

WE HAVE VERY LONG DAYS YET TO COME.

SO LET US BEGIN.

WHEN A MAN UNPRINCIPLED IN PRIVATE LIFE, BOLD IN HIS TEMPER, POSSESSED OF CONSIDERABLE TALENTS, HAVING THE ADVANTAGE OF MILITARY HABITS, DESPOTIC IN HIS ORDINARY DEMEANOR, NORMED TO SCOFFED AT THE PRINCIPLES OF LIBERTY, WHEN A MAN MOUNTS THE HOBBY HORSE OF POPULARITY, TO TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY OF EMBARRASSING THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND BRINGING IT UNDER SUSPICION, TO FLATTER AND FALL IN WITH ALL THE NONSENSE OF THE ZEALOTS OF THE DAY, IT MAY JUSTLY BE SUSPECTED THAT HIS OBJECT IS TO THROW THINGS IN CONFUSION, THAT HE MIGHT RIDE THE STORM AND DIRECT THE WHIRLWIND.

THOSE WORDS WERE WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER HAMILTON IN A LETTER TO PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANIC OF 1792.

THE FINANCIAL CREDIT CRISIS THAT SHOOK OUR YOUNG NATION.

HAMILTON WAS RESPONDING TO SENTIMENTS RELAYED TO WASHINGTON AS HE TRAVELED THE COUNTRY IN THE FACE OF THAT CRISIS MIGHT DESCEND FROM A REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT PLUNGING TO MONARCHY.

THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION WORRIED THEN AS WE WORRY TODAY THAT A LEADER MIGHT COME TO POWER NOT TO CARRY OUT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE HE WAS TO REPRESENT BUT TO PURSUE HIS OWN INTERESTS.

A FEAR THAT THE PRESIDENT WOULD SUBVERT OUR DEMOCRACY BY ABUSING THE AWESOME POWER OF HIS OFFICE FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL OR POLITICAL GAIN.

SO THEY DEVISED A REMEDY AS POWERFUL AS THE EVIL IT WAS MEANT TO COMBAT, IMPEACHMENT.

AS CENTURIES HAVE PASSED, OUR FOUNDERS HAVE ACHIEVED AN ALMOST MYSTICAL CHARACTER.

WE'RE AWARE OF THEIR FLAWS.

CERTAINLY SOME VERY PAINFUL AND PRONOUNCED INDEED.

WHEN IT CAME TO THE DRAFTING OF A NEW SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT NEVER SEEN BEFORE AND WITH NO GUARANTEE IT WOULD SUCCEED, WE CANNOT HELP BE AWE OF THEIR GENIUS.

THEY IMPRESENTATIONS VINDICATED TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

STILL MAY BE BECAUSE OF THEIR BRILLIANCE AND THE BRILLIANCE OF THEIR WORDS THAT WE FIND YEAR AFTER YEAR MORE DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE THEM AS HUMAN BEINGS.

THIS IS NO LESS TRUE OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON NOT WITHSTANDING HIS RECENT RETURN TO CELEBRITY.

THEY WERE HUMAN BEINGS.

THEY UNDERSTOOD HUMAN FRAILTIES.

THEY COULD APPRECIATE AS WE CAN HOW POWER CAN CORRUPT AND AS WE STRUGGLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE FRAMERS MIGHT HAVE RESPONDED TO PRESIDENTIAL MISCONDUCT OF THE KIND AND CHARACTER THAT WE ARE HERE TO TRY.

WE SHOULD NOT IMAGINE FOR ONE MOMENT THAT THEY LACKED BASIC COMMON SENSE.

OR REFUSED TO APPLY IT OURSELVES.

THEY KNEW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO LIVE UNDER A DESPITE AND RISKS THEIR LIVES TO BE FREE OF IT.

THEY KNEW THEY WERE CREATING A POWERFUL EXECUTIVE AND KNEW THEY NEEDED TO CONSTRAIN IT.

THEY DID NOT INTEND FOR THE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT TO BE USED FREQUENTLY OR MATTER OF POLICY BUT THEY PUT IT IN THE CONSTITUTION FOR A REASON.

FOR A MAN THAT WOULD SUBVERT THE INTERESTS OF THE NATIONS TO PURSUE HIS OWN INTERESTS TO PERPETUATE HIMSELF IN OFFICE TO CHEAT IN AN ELECTION.

FOR A MAN THAT WOULD BE DISDAINFUL OF CONSTITUTIONAL LIMIT, IGNORING OR DEFEATING THE OTHER BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

FOR A THAN MAN THAT BELIEVED THE CONSTITUTION GAVE HIM THE RIGHT TO DO WHATEVER HE WANTED AND PRACTICED IN THE ART OF DECEPTION.

FOR A MAN IN SHORT THAT WOULD BE A KING.

WE ARE HERE TODAY IN THIS HALLOWED CHAMBER UNDERTAKING THE SOLEMN ACTION FOR THE THIRD TIME IN HISTORY BECAUSE DONALD J. TRUMP, THE 45th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS ACTED PRECISELY AS HAMILTON AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES FEARED.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SOLICITED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE TO SEEK HELP FROM ABROAD TO IMPROVE HIS RE-ELECTION PROSPECTS AT HOME.

WHEN HE WAS CAUGHT, HE USED THE POWERS OF THAT OFFICE TO OBSTRUCT THE INVESTIGATION INTO HIS OWN MISCONDUCT.

THE IMPLEMENT THIS CORRUPT SCHEME, THE PRESIDENT PRESSURED THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE TO BENEFIT HIS 2020 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.

WHEN UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT DID NOT ASCENT, PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHHELD A MEETING AND FUNDING.

BOTH WERE OF CONSEQUENCE BUT ONE LOOMS LARGEST.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHHELD MILLIONS OF AID TO A STRATEGIC PARTNER AT WAR WITH RUSSIA TO SECURE FOREIGN HELP WITH HIS RE-ELECTION, IN OTHER WORDS, TO CHEAT.

IN THIS WAY, THE PRESIDENT USED OFFICIAL STATEMENT POWERS AVAILABLE ONLY TO HIM AND UNAVAILABLE TO ANY POLITICAL OPPONENT TO ADVANTAGE HIMSELF IN A DEMOCRATIC ELECTION.

HIS SCHEME WAS UNDERTAKEN FOR A CORRUPT REASON, TO HELP HIM WIN RE-ELECTION IN 2020.

BUT THE EFFECT OF HIS SCHEME WAS TO UNDERMINE OUR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS AND PUT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AT RISK.

IT WAS NOT EVEN NECESSARY THAT UKRAINE UNDERTAKE THE POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS THE PRESIDENT WAS SEEKING.

THEY MERELY HAD TO ANNOUNCE THEM.

THIS IS SIGNIFICANT FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP, HAD NO INTEREST IN FIGHTING CORRUPTION AS HE WOULD CLAIM AFTER HE WAS CAUGHT.

RATHER HIS INTEREST WAS IN FURTHERING CORRUPTION BY THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF INVESTIGATIONS THAT WERE COMPLETELY WITHOUT MERIT.

THE FIRST SHAM INVESTIGATION THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP DESIRED WAS IN TO FORMER VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WHO HAD SOUGHT THE REMOVAL OF A CORRUPT UKRAINIAN PROSECUTOR, THE PREVIOUS -- DURING THE PREVIOUS U.S. ADMINISTRATION.

THE VICE PRESIDENT ACTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH U.S. OFFICIAL POLICY AT THE TIME.

AND WAS SUPPORTED UNANIMOUSLY BY OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES AND KEY GLOBAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND SHARED THE CONCERN OVER CORRUPTION.

DESPITE THIS FACT IN THE COURSE OF THE SCHEME, PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS AGENTS PRESSED THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT TO ANNOUNCE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE FALSE CLAIM THAT VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN WANTED THE CORRUPT PROSECUTOR REMOVED FROM POWER IN ORDER TO STOP AN INVESTIGATION INTO BURISMA HOLDINGS.

A COMPANY ON WHOSE BOARD BIDEN'S SON HUNTER SAT.

THIS ALLEGATION IS SIMPLY UNTRUE.

AND IT HAS BEEN WIDELY DEBUNKED BY UKRAINIAN AND AMERICAN EXPERTS ALIKE.

THAT REALITY MATTERED NOT TO PRESIDENT TRUMP.

TO HIM THE VALUE IN PROMOTING A NEGATIVE TALE ABOUT FORMER VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN TRUE OR FALSE, WAS A SMEAR TACTIC AGAINST A POLITICAL OPPONENT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP APPARENTLY FEARED.

REMARKABLY, BUT PREDICTABLY, RUSSIA TOO HAS SOUGHT THIS -- TO SUPPORT THIS EFFORT TO SMEAR MR. BIDEN.

REPORTEDLY HACKING INTO THE UKRAINIAN ENERGY COMPANY AT THE CENTER OF THE PRESIDENT'S DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN ONLY LAST WEEK.

RUSSIA ALMOST CERTAINLY WAS LOOKING FOR INFORMATION RELATED TO THE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT'S SON SO THAT THE KREMLIN COULD ALSO WEAPONIZE IT AGAINST MR. BIDEN JUST LIKE IT DID AGAINST HILLARY CLINTON IN 2016 WHEN RUSSIA HACKED E-MAILS FROM HER PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS MADE IT ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT HE WOULD LIKE NOTHING MORE THAN TO MAKE USE OF SUCH DIRT AGAINST MR. BIDEN JUST AS HE MADE USE OF SECRETARY CLINTON'S HACKED AND RELEASED E-MAILS IN HIS PREVIOUS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS RELATED TO A DEBUNKED CONSPIRACY THEORY ALLEGING THAT UKRAINE, NOT RUSSIA, INTERFERED IN THE 206 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

THIS NARRATIVE PROPAGATED BY THE RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE SERVICES CONTENDS THAT UKRAINE SOUGHT TO HELP HILLARY CLINTON AND HARM THEN CANDIDATE TRUMP AND THAT A COMPUTER SERVING PROVIDING THIS FICTION IS HIDDEN SOMEWHERE IN UKRAINE.

THAT IS THE SO-CALLED CROWD STRIKE CONSPIRACY THEORY.

THIS TALE IS ALSO PATENTLY FALSE.

REMARKABLY IT'S PRECISELY THE INVERSE OF WHAT THE U.S. INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITIES UNANIMOUS ASSESSMENT WAS THAT RUSSIA INTERFERED IN THE 2016 ELECTION AND SWEEPING FASHION IN ORDER TO HURT HILLARY CLINTON AND HELP TRUMP ARE P. NEVERTHELESS, THE PRESIDENT APPEARED THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT LENDING CREDENCE TO THESE ALLEGATIONS BY THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT COULD ASSIST HIS RE-ELECTION BY PUTTING TO REST ANY DOUBTS AMERICANS MAY HAVE HAD OVER THE LEGITIMACY OF HIS FIRST ELECTION.

EVEN AS HE INVITED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN THE NEXT.

TO THE DEGREE THAT MOST AMERICANS HAVE FOLLOWED THE PRESIDENT'S EFFORTS TO INVOLVE ANOTHER FOREIGN POWER IN OUR ELECTION, THEY MAY BE MOST FAMILIAR TO THE TREATY WITH THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT ON THE JULY JULY 25th CALL TO DO US A FAVOR AND INVESTIGATE BIDEN IN THE 2016 CONSPIRACY THEORY.

THAT CALL WAS NOT THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY OF THE PRESIDENT'S CORRUPT SCHEME NOR THE END.

IT WAS MERELY PART.

ALTHOUGH A SIGNIFICANT PART OF A MONTH'S LONG EFFORT BY PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS ALLIES AND ASSOCIATES THAT APPLIED SIGNIFICANT AND INCREASING PRESSURE ON UKRAINE TO ANNOUNCE THESE TWO POLITICALLY MOTIVATED INVESTIGATIONS.

KEY FIGURES IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WERE AWARE OR DIRECTLY INVOLVED OR PARTICIPATED IN THE SCHEME.

AS WE SAW YESTERDAY, ONE WITNESS, A MILLION DOLLAR DONOR TO THE PRESIDENT'S COMMITTEE PUT IT THIS WAY.

EVERYONE WAS IN THE LOOP.

AFTER TWICE INVITING UKRAINE'S NEW PRESIDENT TO THE WHITE HOUSE WITHOUT PROVIDING A SPECIFIC DATE FOR THE PROPOSED VISIT, PRESIDENT TRUMP CONDITIONED THIS COVETED HEAD OF STATE MEETING ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THESE SHAM INVESTIGATIONS.

IMPORTANT UKRAINE'S NEW AND UNTESTED LEADER, AN OFFICIAL MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE OVAL OFFICE WAS CRITICAL.

IT WAS HELP BESTOW ON HIM IMPORTANT DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL LEGITIMACY AS HE SOUGHT TO IMPLEMENT AN AMBITIOUS ANTI-CORRUPTION PLATFORM.

ACTUAL AND APPARENT SUPPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WOULD ALSO STRENGTHEN HIS POSITION AS HE SOUGHT TO NEGOTIATE A PEACE AGREEMENT WITH VLADIMIR PUTIN SEEKING TO END THEIR ILLEGAL ANNEXATION AND CONTINUED MILITARY OCCUPATION OF PARTS OF THE UKRAINE.

BUT PRESIDENT TRUMP CONDITIONED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CONGRESSIONALLY APPROPRIATED TAXPAYER ASSISTANCE FOR THE SAME PURPOSE, TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE HAHN UKRAINE'S LEADER TO ANNOUNCE THE INVESTIGATIONS.

THIS MILITARY AID WHICH HAS ENJOYED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT WAS DESIGNED TO HELP UKRAINE TO DEFEND ITSELF FROM THE KREMLIN'S AGGRESSION.

MORE THAN 15,000 UKRAINIANS HAVE DIED FIGHTING RUSSIAN FORCES AND THEIR PROXIES.

15,000.

THE MILITARY AID WAS FOR SUCH ESSENTIALS AS SNIPER RIFLES, ROCKET LAUNCHES AND OTHER VITAL SUPPORT FOR THE WAR EFFORT.

MOST CRITICALLY, THE MILITARY AID THAT WE PROVIDE UKRAINE HELPS TO PROVIDE AND ADVANCE AMERICAN NATIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS IN THE REGION AND BEYOND.

AMERICAN HAS AN ABIDING INTEREST IN STEMMING RUSSIAN EXPANSIONISM AND RESISTING ANY NATION'S EFFORT BY A DENT OF MILITARY FORCE EVEN AS WE HAVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TROOPS STATIONED THERE.

MOREOVER AS ONE WITNESS PUT IT DURING THE INQUIRY, THE UNITED STATES AIDS UKRAINE AND HER PEOPLE SO THAT WE CAN FIGHT RUSSIA OVER THERE AND WE DON'T HAVE TO FIGHT RUSSIA HERE.

WHEN THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEME WAS EXPOSED AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PROPERLY PERFORMED THEIR DUTY TO INVESTIGATE THE MATTER, PRESIDENT TRUMP USED THE SAME UNRIVALLED AUTHORITY TO COVER UP HIS WRONGDOING.

IN UNPRECEDENTED FASHION, THE PRESIDENT ORDERED THE ENTIRE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO CATEGORICALLY REFUSE AND COMPLETELY OBSTRUCT THE HOUSE'S IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION.

SUCH A WHOLESALE OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESSIONAL IMPEACHMENT HAS NEVER BEFORE OCCURRED IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

IT REPRESENTS ONE OF THE MOST BLATANT EFFORTS AT A COVER-UP IN HISTORY.

IF NOT REMEDIED BY HIS CONVICTION IN THE SENATE AND REMOVAL FROM OFFICE, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ABUSE OF HIS OFFICE AND OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS WILL PERMANENTLY ALTER THE BALANCE OF BRANCHES AMONG THE GOVERNMENT INVITING FUTURE PRESIDENTS TO OPERATE AS IF THEY ARE ALSO BEYOND THE REACH OF ACCOUNTABILITY, CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT AND THE LAW.

ON THE BASIS OF THIS EGREGIOUS MISCONDUCT, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RETURNED TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST THE PRESIDENT.

FIRST CHARGING PRESIDENT TRUMP CORRUPTLY ABUSED THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCY TO SOLICIT FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION FOR HIS PERSONAL POLITICAL BENEFIT.

SECOND, PRESIDENT TRUMP OBSTRUCTED AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY TO THAT ABUSE OF POWER IN ORDER TO COVER UP HIS MISCONDUCT.

THE HOUSE DID NOT TAKE THIS EXTRAORDINARILY STEP LIGHTLY.

AS WE WILL DISCUSS IMPEACHMENT EXISTS FOR CASES IN WHICH THE CONDUCT OF THE PRESIDENT RISES BEYOND MERE POLICIES, DISPUTES TO BE DECIDED OTHERWISE AND WITHOUT URGENCY AT THE BALLOT BOX.

INSTEAD WE ARE HERE TODAY TO CONSIDER A MUCH MORE GRAVE MATTER.

THAT IS AN ATTEMPT TO USE THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCY TO CHEAT IN AN ELECTION FOR PRECISELY THIS REASON.

THE PRESIDENT'S MISCONDUCT CANNOT BE DECIDED AT THE BALLOT BOX.

FOR WE CANNOT BE ASSURED THAT THE VOTE WILL BE FAIRLY WON.

AND CORRUPTLY USING HIS OFFICE TO GAIN A POLITICAL ADVANTAGE, IN ABUSING THE POWERS OF THAT OFFICE IN SUCH A WAY TO JEOPARDIZE OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS, IN OBSTRUCTING THE INVESTIGATION TO HIS OWN WRONG DOING, THE PRESIDENT HAS SHOWN THAT HE BELIEVES THAT HE'S ABOVE THE LAW.

SCORNFUL OF CONSTRAINT.

AS WE SAW YESTERDAY ON THE SCREEN THAT UNDER ARTICLE 2 HE COULD DO ANYTHING HE WANTS.

MOREOVER, GIVEN THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE CONDUCT AT ISSUE AND ITS PERSISTENCE, THIS MATTER CANNOT AND LET'S NOT BE DECIDED BY THE COURTS WHICH APART FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE HERE TODAY ARE GIVEN NO ROLE IN IMPEACHMENTS IN EITHER THE HOUSE OR THE SENATE.

BEING DRAWN INTO LITIGATION TAKING MANY MONTHS OR YEARS TO COMPLETE WOULD PROVIDE THE PRESIDENT WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE HIS MISCONDUCT.

HE WOULD REMAIN SECURE IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT HE MAY TIE UP THE CONGRESS AND THE COURTS INDEFINITELY.

AS HE HAS WITH DON McGANN, RENDERING IMPEACHMENT POWER EFFECTIVELY MEANINGLESS.

WE ALSO TOOK THIS STEP WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE PRESIDENT SOLICITED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

IN 2016, CANDIDATE TRUMP IMPLORED RUSSIA TO HACK HIS OPPONENTS' E-MAIL ACCOUNTS, SOMETHING THAT THE RUSSIAN MILITARY AGENCY DID ONLY HOURS LATER.

ONLY HOURS LATER.

WHEN THE PRESIDENT SAID HEY, RUSSIA, IF YOU'RE LISTENING, THEY WERE LISTENING.

ONLY HOURS LATER THEY HACKED HIS OPPONENT'S CAMPAIGN.

THE PRESIDENT MADE IT CLEAR THIS ALSO WON'T BE THE LAST TIME, ASKING CHINA RECENTLY TO JOIN UKRAINE IN INVESTIGATING HIS POLITICAL OPPONENT.

OVER THE COMING DAYS WE WILL PRESENT TO YOU AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THE EXTENSIVE EVIDENCE COLLECTED IN THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY TO THE PRESIDENT'S ABUSE OF POWER, OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE.

NOT WITHSTANDING HIS UNPRECEDENTED AND WHOLESALE OBSTRUCTION OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO THAT MISCONDUCT.

YOU WILL HEAR AND READ TESTIMONY FROM COURAGEOUS PUBLIC SERVANTS THAT HAVE HELD THEIR OATH TO THE CONSTITUTION AND THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATIONS TO COMPLY WITH CONGRESSIONAL ACTION DESPITE A CATEGORICAL ORDER BY PRESIDENT TRUMP NOT TO COOPERATE WITH THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.

THESE ARE COURAGEOUS AMERICANS THAT WERE TOLD BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES NOT TO COOPERATE, NOT TO APPEAR, NOT TO TESTIFY BUT WHO HAD THE SENSE OF DUTY TO DO SO.

MORE THAN THAT, YOU WILL HEAR FROM WITNESSES THAT HAVE NOT YET TESTIFIED.

LIKE JOHN BOLTON AND MICK MULVANEY, MR. BLAIR AND MR. DUFFEY.

IF YOU CAN BELIEVE THE PRESIDENT'S WORDS, YOU'LL HEAR FROM SECRETARY POMPEO.

YOU'LL HEAR THEIR TESTIMONY AT THE SAME TIME AS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THAT IS, IF YOU ALLOW IT.

IF WE HAVE A FAIR TRIAL.

DURING OUR PRESENTATION, YOU'LL SEE DOCUMENTARY RECORDS.

THOSE THE PRESIDENT WAS UNABLE TO SUPPRESS THAT EXPOSE THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEME IN DETAIL.

YOU WILL LEARN OF FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT HAS BEEN REVEALED IN THE DAYS SINCE THE HOUSE VOTED TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP EVEN AS THE PRESIDENT AND HIS AGENTS HAVE PERSISTED IN EFFORTS TO COVER UP THEIR WRONG DOING FROM CONGRESS AND THE PUBLIC.

AND YOU WILL SEE DOZENS OF NEW DOCUMENTS PROVIDING NEW AND CRITICAL EVIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT'S GUILT THAT REMAIN AT THIS TIME IN THE PRESIDENT'S HANDS AND IN THE HANDS OF DEFENSE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AND THE WHITE HOUSE.

YOU'LL SEE THEM AND SO WILL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IF YOU ALLOW IT.

IF IN THE NAME OF A FAIR TRIAL YOU WILL DEMAND IT.

THESE ARE POLITICALLY CHARGED TIMES.

TEMPERS CAN RUN HIGH, PARTICULARLY WHERE THIS PRESIDENT IS CONCERNED.

THESE ARE NOT UNIQUE TIMES.

THE FRAMERS DESIGNED IMPEACHMENT POWER IN A WAY TO INSULATE IT AS BEST THEY COULD FROM THE CRUSH OF PARTISAN POLITICS.

THE FRAMERS PLACED THE QUESTION OF REMOVAL BEFORE THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

A BODY ABLE TO RISE ABOVE THE FREY, SOBERLY JUDGE THE PRESIDENT'S CONDUCT OR MISCONDUCT FOR WHAT IT WAS.

NOTHING MORE AND NOTHING LESS.

IN FEDERALIST 65, HAMILTON WROTE "WHERE ELSE THAN IN THE SENATE COULD HAVE BEEN FOUND A TRIBUNAL DIGNIFIED OR SUFFICIENTLY INDEPENDENT, WHAT OTHER BODY WOULD BE LIKELY TO FEEL CONFIDENCE ENOUGH IN ITS OWN SITUATION TO PRESERVE AN UNINFLUENCED, THE NECESSARY PARTIALITY BETWEEN AN INDIVIDUAL ACCUSED AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE, HIS ACCUSER."

IT'S UP TO YOU TO BE THE TRIBUNAL THAT HAMILTON ENVISIONED.

IT'S UP TO YOU TO SHOW THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT THE CONFIDENCE IN THE FOUNDERS WAS RIGHTLY PLACED.

THE CONSTITUTION TRUSTS YOU TO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ACTS AS IMPARTIAL JURORS.

TO WEIGH THE EVIDENCE BEFORE YOU KNOW MATTER WHAT YOUR PARTY AFFILIATION IS OR YOUR VOTE IS ON THE NEXT.

OUR DUTY IS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND THE RULE OF LAW.

I RECOGNIZE THERE'S TIMES DURING THE TRAIL THAT YOU LONG TO RETURN TO THE BUSINESS OF THE SENATE.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE LOOK FORWARD TO THE SAME.

BUT NOT BEFORE YOU DECIDE WHAT KIND OF DEMOCRACY THAT YOU BELIEVE WE OUGHT TO BE.

AND WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXPECT IN THE CONDUCT OF THEIR PRESIDENT.

THE HOUSE BELIEVES THAT AN IMPARTIAL JUROR UPON HEARING THE EVIDENCE THAT THE MANAGERS WILL LAY OUT IN THE COMING DAYS WILL FIND THAT THE CONSTITUTION DEMANDS THE REMOVAL OF DONALD J. TRUMP FROM HIS OFFICE AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

BUT THAT WILL BE FOR YOU TO DECIDE.

WITH THE WEIGHT OF HISTORY UPON YOU AND AS PRESIDENT KENNEDY ONCE SAID, A GOOD CONSCIOUS, YOU'RE ONLY SURE REWARD.

IN DRAFTING OUR CONSTITUTION, THE FRAMERS DESIGNED A NEW AND UNTESTED FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

IT WOULD BE BASED ON FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS TO ENSURE THAT OUR POLITICAL LEADERS WILL BE CHOSEN DEMOCRATICALLY AND BY CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTRY ALONE.

HAVING BROKEN FREE FROM A KING WITH UNBRIDALED AUTHORITY, THE FRAMERS ESTABLISHED A STRUCTURE THAT WOULD GUARANTEE THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S POWER FLOWED ONLY FROM HIS OBLIGATION TO THE PEOPLE.

RATHER THAN FROM A SOVEREIGN WHOSE POWER WAS CONFERRED ON HIM BY DIVINE RIGHT.

IN THIS NEW ARCHITECTURE, NO BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT OR INDIVIDUAL WOULD PREDOMINATE OVER ANOTHER.

IN THIS WAY, THE FOUNDERS ENSURED THAT THEIR ELECTED LEADERS AND PRESIDENT WOULD USE THE POWER OF OFFICE ONLY TO UNDERTAKE THAT WHICH THE PEOPLE DESIRED AND NOT FOR THEIR PERSONAL GRANDIZEMENT OR ENRICHMENT.

NO PERSON, INCLUDING AND ESPECIALLY THE PRESIDENT WOULD BE ABOVE THE LAW.

NOTHING COULD BE MORE DANGEROUS TO A DEMOCRACY THAN A COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF THAT BELIEVES HE COULD OPERATE WITH IMPUNITY, FREE FROM ACCOUNTABILITY.

NOTHING THAT IS EXCEPT A CONGRESS THAT IS WILLING TO LET IT BE SO.

TO ENSURE THAT NO SUCH THREAT COULD TAKE ROOT AND SUBVERT OUR FLEDGELING DEMOCRACY, THE FRAMERS MADE THREE EQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

SO AMBITION MAY BE MADE TO COUNTER AMBITION.

THEY PROVIDED FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS EVERY FOUR YEARS AND THE FRAMERS REQUIRED THE PRESIDENT SWEAR AN OATH TO FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE LAW.

AND TO PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

EVEN WITH THESE GUARDRAILS IN PLACE, THE FRAMERS UNDERSTOOD THAT AN INDIVIDUAL COULD COME TO POWER THAT DEFIED THAT OATH, PURSUED HIS OWN INTERESTS RATHER THAN THE COUNTRY THAT HE LED.

FOR THAT REASON, THE FRAMERS ADOPTED A TOOL USED BY THE BRITISH TO CON STRAIN THEIR OFFICIALS.

THE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT.

RATHER THAN A MECHANISM TO OVERTURN AN ELECTION, IT WOULD BE A REMEDY OF LAST RESORT.

UNLIKE IN ENGLAND, THE FRAMER AS EMPLOYED THIS ULTIMATE CHECK TO THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE LAND, TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

IMPEACHMENT AND REMOVAL OF THE DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT WAS NOT FOR POLICY DISPUTESES OR POOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE STATE.

INSTEAD, THE FRAMERS HAD IN MIND THE MOST SERIOUS OF OFFENSES.

THOSE AGAINST THE PUBLIC ITSELF.

HAMILTON EXPLAINED AN IMPEACHMENT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO COVER STATUTORY OR COMMON LAW CRIMES, BUT INSTEAD CRIMES AGAINST THE BODY POLITIC.

HAMILTON WROTE "THE SUBJECTS OF ITS JURISDICTION ARE THOSE OFFENSES WHICH PRECEDE FROM THE MISCONDUCT OF PUBLIC MEN."

IN OTHER WORDS FROM THE ABUSE OR VIOLATION OF SOME PUBLIC TRUST.

THEY ARE OF A NATURE WHICH MAY WITH PECULIAR PROPRIETY BE DENOMINATED POLITICAL AS THEY RELATE CHIEFLY TO INJURIES DONE IMMEDIATELY TO SOCIETY ITSELF.

IN OTHER WORDS, IMPEACHMENT WOULD BE CONFINED TO ABUSES OF PEOPLE'S TRUST AND TO THE SOCIETY ITSELF.

THIS IS PRECISELY THE ABUSE THAT HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN BY OUR CURRENT PRESIDENT.

WHEN HE WITHHELD MONEY IN SUPPORT FOR AN ALLY AT WAR TO SECURE A POLITICAL BENEFIT.

THE PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE CRIMES WOULD FIT THE POLITICAL NATURE OF THE OFFENSE AS JAMES WILSON, A DELEGATE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION AND FUTURE ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT REASONED, IMPEACHMENTS ARE CONFINED TO POLITICAL CHARACTERS, TO POLITICAL CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS AND TO POLITICAL PUNISHMENTS.

THAT PUNISHMENT THE FRAMERS DETERMINED WOULD BE NEITHER PRISON, NOR FINES, BUT INSTEAD LIMITED TO REMOVAL FROM OFFICE AND DISQUALIFICATION FROM HOLDING FUTURE OFFICE.

THE FRAMERS CHOSE TO UNDERTAKE IMPEACHMENT FOR TREASON, BRIBERY OR OTHER HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS TO UNDERSCORE THE REQUIREMENT OF AN OFFENSE AGAINST SOCIETY.

IN THIS PHRASE, HIGH MODIFIES BOTH THE CRIMES AND THE MISDEMEANORS.

IN THAT BOTH RELATE TO A HIGH IN JUSTICE.

A TRANSGRESSION COMMITTED AGAINST THE PEOPLE AND TO THE PUBLIC TRUST.

THE FRAMERS HAD TWO BROAD CATEGORIES IN MIND.

THOSE ACTIONS THAT ARE FACIALLY PERMISSIBLE UNDER THE PRESIDENT'S AUTHORITY BUT BASED ON CORRUPT MOTIVES SUCH AS SEEKING TO OBTAIN A PERSONAL BENEFIT THROUGH PUBLIC OFFICE, AND THOSE THAT FAR EXCEED THE PRESIDENT'S CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY OR VIOLATE THE LEGAL LIMITS ON THAT AUTHORITY.

IN ARTICLE 1 WE DEAL WITH THE FIRST EVIL, CASES IN WHICH A PRESIDENT CORRUPTLY MISUSED THE POWER OTHERWISE BESTOWED ON HIM TO SECURE A PERSONAL REWARD.

GUARDING AGAINST A PRESIDENT WITH A CORRUPT MOTIVE IS AT THE HEART OF THE IMPEACHMENT POWER.

AS ONE SCHOLAR EXPLAINED, THE PRESIDENT'S DUTY TO FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE LAW REQUIRES THAT HE UNDERTAKES ACTIONS ONLY WHEN MOTIVATED IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST RATHER THAN IN THEIR PRIVATE SELF-INTEREST.

EFFORTS TO WITHHOLD OFFICIAL ACTS FROM PERSONAL GAIN ARE AGAINST THE PRESIDENT'S OATH AND CONSTITUTE IMPEACHABLE BEHAVIOR AS CONCEIVED OF BY THE FRAMERS.

IN ARTICLE 2, WE DEAL WITH A SECOND EVIL CONTEMPLATED BY THE FOUNDERS THAT MADE IT CLEAR THE PRESIDENT OUGHT NOT OPERATE BEYOND THE LIMITS PLACED ON HIM BY LEGISLATIVE AND JUDICIAL BRANCHES.

IMPEACHMENT WAS WARRANTED FOR A PRESIDENT WHO USED THE POWER OF THE CONSTITUTION THAT WAS NOT GRANTED TO HIM SUCH AS TO DEFY CONGRESS THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE THE PROPRIETY, THE SCOPE AND THE NATURE OF AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY TO HIS OWN MISCONDUCT.

THE FRAMERS FASHIONED A POWERFUL CHIEF EXECUTIVE BUT NOT BEYOND A COULDN'T ABILITY OF LAW.

WHEN A PRESIDENT WIELDS POWER INAPPROPRIATELY AND SEEK TO DISTINGUISH THE RIGHTS OF THE CONGRESS, HE EXCEEDS THE POWER OF HIS CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY AND VIOLATES THE LIMITS PLACED ON HIS CONDUCT.

ON INSTRUCTION OF A SEPARATE AND CO-EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE PURPOSES OF COVERING UP AN ABUSE OF POWER NOT ONLY IMPLY AS CORRUPT INTENT BUT DEMONSTRATES A REMARKABLE ANTIPATHY OF THE CONSTITUTION.

IT'S THE PRESIDENT'S SACRED OATH OF OFFICE.

HIS DUTY TO PUT THE COUNTRY BEFORE HIM.

ON SEPTEMBER 24th, 2019, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NANCY PELOSI ANNOUNCED THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH AN OFFICIAL IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY TO PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWED PUBLIC RECORDING IN THE UNITED STATES AND UKRAINE THAT THE PRESIDENT AND HIS AGENTS SOUGHT UKRAINE'S HELP IN HIS RE-ELECTION EFFORT AND REVELATIONS THAT THE WHITE HOUSE WAS BLOCKING A WHISTLE-BLOWER COMPLAINT POSSIBLY RELATED TO THIS GRAVE OFFENSE.

THE NEXT DAY ON SEPTEMBER 25, UNDER EXTRAORDINARY PRESSURE, THE WHITE HOUSE RELEASED PUBLICLY THE RECORD OF THE JULY 25 CALL BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR ZELENSKY.

THE CALL RECORD REVEALED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP REQUESTED THE NEW LEADER UNDERTAKE INVESTIGATIONS BENEFICIAL TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

UPON RELEASE OF THE RECORD OF THE CALL, PRESIDENT TRUMP CLAIMED THAT THE CALL WAS PERFECT.

FAR FROM PERFECT.

THE CALL RECORD REVEALED A PRESIDENT WHO USED HIS HIGH OFFICE TO PERSONALLY AND DIRECTLY PRESS THE LEADER OF A FOREIGN COUNTRY TO DO HIS POLITICAL DIRTY WORK.

ASKING FOR A FAVOR, PRESIDENT TRUMP INSISTED THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY INVESTIGATE A FORMIDABLE OPPONENT, JOE BIDEN AS WELL AS THE BASELESS CONSPIRACY THEORY THAT UKRAINE, NOT RUSSIA INTERFERED IN THE ELECTION TO ASSIST THEN CANDIDATE TRUMP'S OPPONENT.

WITNESSES WHO LISTENED TO THE CALL AS IT TRANSPIRED TESTIFIED THAT THEY IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED THESE REQUESTED NOT REPRESENT OFFICIAL U.S. POLICY AND INSTEAD POLITICALLY CHARGED APPEALS, NOT APPROPRIATE FOR A PRESIDENT TO MAKE.

KEY WITNESSES EMPHASIZED IT WAS NOT NECESSARY THAT UKRAINE ACTUALLY UNDERTAKE THE INVESTIGATIONS, ONLY THAT THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT ANNOUNCE THEM.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S OBJECTIVE WAS NOT TO ENCOURAGE A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE LEGITIMATE ALLEGATIONS AND MISCONDUCT OR WRONG DOING ABROAD, MADE CLEAR AS WELL BY THE FACT TRAT THE INVESTIGATIONS HE WANTED ANNOUNCED HAVE BEEN DISCREDITED ENTIRELY.

RATHER THE PRESIDENT SIMPLY WANTED TO REAP A POLITICAL BENEFIT BY TARNISHING A POLITICAL RIVAL AND ATTEMPTS TO ERASE FROM HISTORY HIS PREVIOUS ELECTION MISCONDUCT.

THE COMPEL THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT TO DO HIS POLITICAL DIRTY WORK, PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHHELD FROM PRESIDENT ZELENSKY TWO OFFICIAL ACTS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE THAT COVETED WHITE HOUSE MEETING TO WHICH THE PRESIDENT ZELENSKY HAD ALREADY BEEN INVITED AND $391 MILLION IN MILITARY ASSISTANCE UKRAINE NEEDED TO FIGHT THE RUSSIANS.

FOR STRATEGIC PARTNER OF THE UNITED STATES AND A HOT WAR WITH RUSSIAN-BACKED FORCES INSIDE ITS OWN BORDERS, THE SYMBOLIC SUPPORT CONFERRED ON ITS BY AN OVAL OFFICE VISIT WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND A LIFE SAVINGS SUPPORT OF OUR MILITARY AID WAS ESSENTIAL.

AS THE HOUSE'S PRESENTATION WILL MAKE CLEAR AND DIRECTLY SOLICITING FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN WITHHOLDING THOSE OFFICIAL ACTS IN EXCHANGE NOR POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS, THE PRESIDENT PUT HIS OWN INTERESTS ABOVE THE NATIONAL INTERESTS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP UNDERMINED THE INTEGRITY OF OUR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS BY PRESSING A FOREIGN POWER TO INFLUENCE OUR MOST SACRED RIGHT AS CITIZENS.

OUR RIGHT TO FREELY CHOOSE OUR LEADERS.

HE THREATENED OUR NATIONAL SECURITY BY WITHHOLDING CRITICAL AID FROM A PARTNER ON THE FRONT LINES OF WAR WITH RUSSIA, AN AGGRESSOR THAT HAS THREATENED PEACE AND STABILITY ON AN ENTIRE CONTINENT.

IN SO DOING, THE PRESIDENT'S SACRIFICE NOT ONLY THE SECURITY OF OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES BUT ALSO OUR NATION'S CORE NATIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP UNDERTOOK THE PRESSURE CAMPAIGN THROUGH HAND-PICKED AGENTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF GOVERNMENT WHO CIRCUMVENTED TRADITIONAL POLICY CHANNELS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP BYPASSED MANY U.S. GOVERNMENT CAREER OFFICIALS WITH RESPONSIBILITY OVER UKRAINE AND ADVANCED HIS SCHEME PRIMARILY THROUGH THE EFFORT OF HIS PERSONAL ATTORNEY, RUDY GULIANI.

PRESIDENT TRUMP CARRIED OUT THIS SCHEME WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT'S ACTING CHIEF OF STAFF, MICK MULVANEY, SECRETARY STATE MIKE POMPEO, VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE, NATIONAL SECURITY COUNSEL LEADER JOHN EISENBERG AND PAT CIPOLLONE.

WHEN THE PRESIDENT BECAME AWARE THAT THE SCHEME WOULD BE UNCOVERED, HE UNDERTOOK AN UNPRECEDENTED EFFORT TO OBSTRUCT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY TO HIDE IT FROM THE PUBLIC AND CONGRESS, INCLUDING ALL EVIDENCE RELATED TO HIS MISCONDUCT.

THAT COVER-UP CONTINUES TODAY.

AS THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT PROVIDED A SINGLE DOCUMENT PURSUANT TO LAWFUL SUBPOENAS BY THE HOUSE.

ADMINISTRATIONS WILL CONTINUES TO PREVENT WITNESSES FROM COOPERATING FURTHER OBSTRUCTING THE HOUSE, EFFORTS THE PRESIDENT IS NO DOUBT PROUD OF.

BUT WHICH THREATEN THE INTEGRITY OF THIS INSTITUTION.

OF THIS CONGRESSES A CO EQUAL BRANCH OF POWER.

OUR ABILITY NOT ONLY TO DO OVERSIGHT, BUT TO HOLD A PRESIDENT WHO IS UNINDICTABLE ACCOUNTABLE.

DESPITE THESE EFFORTS TO OBSTRUCT OUR INQUIRY, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UNDERCOVERED EVIDENCE THROUGH INTERVIEWS WITH 17 WITNESSES WHO APPEARED BEFORE THE INTELLIGENCE OVERSIGHT AND REFORM AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEES.

MANY OF THESE WITNESSES BRAVELY DEFIED WHITE HOUSE ORDERS NOT TO COMPLY WITH DULY CONGRESSIONAL SUBPOENAS.

WERE IT NOT FOR THEM, WERE IT NOT FOR AMBASSADOR MARIE YOVANOVITCH THAT WAS THE FIRST THROUGH THE BREACH, WE MAY NEVER HAVE KNOWN THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEME.

I WANT YOU TO IMAGINE WHAT KIND OF COURAGE THAT TOOK.

FOR AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH.

THE SUBJECT OF THAT VICIOUS SMEAR CAMPAIGN.

TO RISK HER REPUTATION AND CAREER TO STAND UP TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WHO IS INSTRUCTING HER THROUGH HIS AGENTS, YOU WILL NOT COOPERATE, YOU WILL NOT TESTIFY.

YOU WILL TELL THEM NOTHING.

OR BILL TAYLOR.

WESTPOINT GRADUATE.

VIETNAM VETERAN WITH A BRONZE STAR.

AND SOMETHING THAT HE WAS EVEN MORE PROUD OF, A COMBAT INFANTRYMAN'S BADGE.

HE KNOWS WHAT COURAGE IS.

SHOWED A DIFFERENT KIND OF COURAGE IN VIETNAM.

HE ALSO SHOWED COURAGE AS DID OTHERS IN COMING FORWARD IN DEFYING THE PRESIDENT'S ORDER THAT HE OBSTRUCT TO TELL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHAT HE KNEW.

BUT FOR THE COURAGE OF PEOPLE LIKE THIS AND COLONEL VINDMAN, A PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT, BUT FOR THEIR COURAGE, WE HAVE KNOWN NOTHING OF THE PRESIDENT'S MISCONDUCT.

NOTHING.

WHEN THE PRESIDENT DIRECTS HIS IRE TOWARDS THESE PEOPLE, THIS IS WHY.

BECAUSE THEY SHOWED THE COURAGE TO COME FORWARD.

NOW, WE HELD IN THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE SEVEN OPEN HEARINGS WITH 12 FACT WITNESSES SEPARATELY THE JUDICIALRY HELD PUBLIC HEARINGS WITH CONSTITUTIONAL LAW EXPERTS AND COUNSEL FROM THE INTELLIGENCE -- HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE AS THEY SOUGHT TO TERM WHETHER TO DRAFT AND CONSIDER ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT.

THE HOUSE ALSO COLLECTED TEXT MESSAGES RELATED TO THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEME FROM A WITNESS THAT PROVIDED LIMITED PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS.

SINCE THE CONCLUSION OF OUR INQUIRY, NEW EVIDENCE COMES TO LIGHT FROM COURT OR ORDERED RELEASES AND REPORTING AND UNDERSCORING THERE'S SIGNIFICANTLY MORE EVIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT'S GUILT WHICH HE CONTINUES TO BLOCK FROM CONGRESS.

INCLUDING THIS SENATE.

NEVERTHELESS, THE DOCUMENTS AND TESTIMONY THAT WE WERE ABLE TO COLLECT PAINTS AN OVERWHELMING AND DAMNING PICTURE OF THE PRESIDENT'S EFFORTS TO USE THE POWERS OF HIS OFFICE TO CORRUPTLY SOLICIT FOREIGN HELP IN HIS ELECTION CAMPAIGN AND WITHHOLD OFFICIAL ACTS AND MILITARY AID TO COMPEL THAT SUPPORT.

OVER THE COMING DAYS, YOU'LL HEAR REMARKABLY CONSISTENT EVIDENCE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CORRUPT SCHEME AND COVER-UP.

WHEN YOU FOCUS ON THE EVIDENCE UNCOVERED DURING THE INVESTIGATION, YOU'LL APPRECIATE THERE'S NO SERIOUS DISPUTE ABOUT THE FACTS UNDERLYING THE PRESIDENT'S CONDUCT.

AND THIS IS WHY YOU WILL HEAR THE PRESIDENT'S LAWYERS MAKE THE ASTOUNDING CLAIM THAT YOU CAN'T IMPEACH A PRESIDENT FOR ABUSING THE POWERS OF HIS OFFICE.

BECAUSE THEY CAN'T CONTEST THAT THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HE DID.

SO THEY MUST GO FIND A LAWYER SOMEWHERE.

APPARENTLY THEY COULDN'T GO TO THEIR OWN ATTORNEY GENERAL.

IT WAS JUST REPORTED IN A MEMO HE WROTE, THAT SHE OPINED THAT THE PRESIDENT CAN BE IMPEACHED FOR ABUSING A PUBLIC TRUST.

COULDN'T GO TO BILL BARR FOR THAT OPINION OR EVEN JONATHAN TURLEY.

HAD TO GROW TO EXPERTS OUTSIDE TO A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER AND PROFESSOR.

WHY?

BECAUSE THEY CAN'T CONTEST THE FACTS.

THE PRESIDENT WAS THE KEY PLAYER IN THE SCHEME.

EVERYONE WAS IN THE LOOP.

HE DIRECTED THE ACTIONS OF HIS TEAM.

HE PERSONALLY ASKED A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE HIS OPPONENT.

THESE FACTS ARE NOT IN DISPUTE.

ULTIMATELY THE QUESTION FOR YOU IS WHETHER THE PRESIDENT'S INDISPUTED ACTIONS REQUIRE THE REMOVAL OF THE 45th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FROM OFFICE.

BECAUSE HE ABUSED HIS OFFICE AND THE PUBLIC TRUST BY USING HIS POWER FOR PERSONAL GAIN BY SEEKING ELICIT FOREIGN ASSISTANCE IN HIS RE-ELECTION AND COVERING IT UP.

OTHER THAN VOTING ON WHETHER TO SEND OUR MEN AND WOMEN TO WAR, THIS IS -- THERE IS NO GREATER RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE YOU THAN THE ONE BEFORE YOU NOW.

THE OATH TO PARTIAL LIST WEIGH THE FACTS AND EVIDENCE, REQUIRES SERIOUS AND OBJECTIVE CONSIDERATION.

DECISIONS THAT ARE ABOUT COUNTRY, NOT PARTY.

ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION, NOT POLITICS.

ABOUT WHAT IS RIGHT, WHAT IS WRONG.

AFTER YOU CONSIDER THE EVIDENCE AND WEIGH YOUR OATH TO RENDER A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL VERDICT, I SUGGEST TO YOU TODAY THE ONLY CONCLUSION CONSISTENT WITH THE FACTS OF LAW, NOT JUST THE LAW BUT THE CONSTITUTION IS CLEAR AS DESCRIBED BY A CONSTITUTIONAL LAW EXPERT'S TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HOUSE IF THIS CONDUCT IS NOT IMPEACHABLE, THEN NOTHING IS.

LET ME TAKE A MOMENT TO DESCRIBE HOW WE INTEND TO PRESENT THE CASE OVER THE COMING DAYS.

TODAY YOU'LL HEAR THE DETAILS OF THE PRESIDENT'S CORRUPT SCHEME IN NARRATIVE FORM.

ILLUSTRATING THE TIMELINE OF THE EFFORT THROUGH THE TESTIMONY OF NUMEROUS WITNESSES THAT CAME BEFORE THE HOUSE AS WELL AS THE DOCUMENTS AND MATERIALS WE COLLECTED IN THE INVESTIGATION.

AFTER YOU HEAR THE FACTUAL CHRONOLOGY, WE WILL DISCUSS THE CONSTITUTIONAL FRAME WORK OF IMPEACHMENT AS IT WAS ENVISIONED BY THE FOUNDERS.

BEFORE WE ANALYZE HOW THE FACTS OF THE PRESIDENT'S MISCONDUCT LEADS TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE PRESIDENT UNDERTOOK THE CORRUPT COURSE OF ACTION THAT IMPEACHMENT WAS INTENDED TO REMEDY.

LET ME START WITH A PREVIEW OF THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEME THAT DETAILS YOU'LL HEAR DURING THE COURSE OF THIS DAY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S MONTH-LONG SCHEME TO EXTRACT HELP FROM THE NEW UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT TO ANNOUNCE POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT WOULD REFERENCE TWO SPECIFIC INVESTIGATIONS.

ONE WAS INTENDED TO UNDERMINE THE CONSENSUS OF INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES, CONGRESS AND SPECIAL COUNSEL ROBERT MUELLER THAT RUSSIA INTERFERED IN THE 2016 ELECTION TO HELP THEN CANDIDATE TRUMP AND ANOTHER TO HURT THE PRESIDENCY OF FORMER VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.

THE KREMLIN ITSELF HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRST PROPAGATING ONE OF THE TWO FALSE NARRATIVES THAT THE PRESIDENT DESIRED.

IN FEBRUARY 2017, LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER THE U.S. INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY RELEASED ITS ASSESSMENT THAT RUSSIA WAS INVOLVED IN A COVERT CAMPAIGN DESIGNED TO HELP PRESIDENT TRUMP WIN THE 2016 ELECTION, PRESIDENT PUTIN SAID AS WE ALL KNOW DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IN THE UNITED STATES, THE UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT ADOPTED A UNILATERAL POSITION IN FAVOR OF ONE OF THE CANDIDATES.

MORE THAN THAT, CERTAIN OLIGARCHS WITH THE APPROVAL OF POLITICAL LEADERSHIP FUNDED THIS CANDIDATE OR FEMALE CANDIDATE TO BE MORE PRECISE.

THOSE WERE PUTIN'S WORDS FEBRUARY 2, 2017.

OF COURSE, THIS IS FALSE.

IT'S PART OF A RUSSIAN COUNTER NARRATIVE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP AND SOME OF HIS ALLIES HAVE ADOPTED.

FIONA HILL FROM THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL DESCRIBED RUSSIA'S EFFORT TO PROMOTE THIS BASELESS THEORY.

>> BASED ON STATEMENTS THAT I'VE HEARD, SOME OF YOU ON THIS COMMITTEE APPEAR TO BELIEVE THAT RUSSIA AND ITS SECURITY SERVICES DID NOT CONDUCT THIS AGAINST OUR COUNTRY.

SOMEHOW UKRAINE DID.

THIS IS A FICTIONAL NARRATIVE BEING PERPETRATED AND PROPAGATED BY THE RUSSIAN SECURITY SERVICES THEMSELVES.

THE UNFORTUNATE TRUTH IS THAT RUSSIA WAS A FALLEN POWER THAT SYSTEMATICALLY ATTACKED OUR DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IN 2016.

THIS IS A PUBLIC CONCLUSION OF OUR INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES CONFIRMED IN BIPARTISAN AND CONGRESSIONAL REPORTS.

IT IS BEYOND DISPUTE EVEN IF SOME OF THE UNDERLYING DETAILS REMAIN CLASSIFIED.

>> THIS OF COURSE WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP I'M BASED RUSSIAN ACTIVITY AND DISINFORMATION.

ON JULY 24 OF LAST YEAR, SPECIAL COUNSEL ROBERT MUELLER TESTIFIED BEFORE CONGRESS THAT RUSSIA INTERFERED IN THE ELECTION IN A SWEEPING AND SYSTEMIC FASHION TO BENEFIT DONALD TRUMP'S POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

MUELLER AND HIS TEAM FOUL THAT THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT PERCEIVED THAT THEY WOULD BENEFIT FROM A TRUMP PRESIDENCY AND WORK TO SECURE THAT OUTCOME.

THEY ALSO FOUND THAT THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN EXPECTED IT WOULD BENEFIT ELECTORALLY FROM INFORMATION STOLEN AND RELEASED THROUGH RUSSIAN EFFORTS.

JUST AS HE SOLICITED HELP FROM UKRAINE IN 2019, IN 2016 THEN CANDIDATE TRUMP SOLICITED HELP FROM RUSSIA IN HIS ELECTION EFFORT.

AS YOU RECALL, AT A RALLY IN FLORIDA, HE SAID THE FOLLOWING.

>> RUSSIA, IF YOU'RE LISTENING, I HOPE YOU CAN FIND THE 30,000 E-MAILS THAT ARE MISSING.

I THINK OU'LL PROBABLY BE REWARDED MIGHTILY BY OUR PRESS.

LET'S SEE IF THAT HAPPENS.

>> FOLLOWING ROBERT MUELLER'S TESTIMONY DURING WHICH HE WARNED AGAINST FUTURE INTERFERENCE IN OUR ELECTIONS, DID THE PRESIDENT RECOGNIZE THE THREAT POSED TO OUR DEMOCRACY AND RENOUNCE RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE IN OUR DEMOCRACY?

DID HE CHOOSE TO STAND WITH HIS OWN INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES, BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS AND THE SPECIAL COUNSELS INVESTIGATION IN A FIRMING THAT RUSSIA INTERFERED IN OUR LAST ELECTION?

HE DID NOT.

INSTEAD, ONLY ONE DAY AFTER SPECIAL COUNSEL MUELLER TESTIFIED BEFORE CONGRESS, EMPOWERED IN THE BELIEF THAT HE HAD EVADE ACCOUNTABILITY, PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS ON THE PHONE WITH THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE, PRESSING HIM TO INTERVENE ON PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BEHALF IN THE NEXT ELECTION.

LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO LET THAT SINK IN.

JULY 24, BOB MUELLER CONCLUDES LENGTHY INVESTIGATION.

HE COMES BEFORE THE CONGRESS.

HE TESTIFIES THAT RUSH INTERFERED IN OUR ELECTION TO HELP ELECT DONALD TRUMP, THAT THE CAMPAIGN UNDERSTOOD THAT AND THAT WILLFULLY MADE USE OF THAT HELP.

JULY 24.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS.

THE VERY NEXT DAY, THE VERY NEXT DAY, HE'S ON THE PHONE, PRESIDENT TRUMP IS ON THE PHONE WITH A DIFFERENT FOREIGN POWER, THIS TIME UKRAINE, TRYING TO GET UKRAINE TO INTERFERE IN THE NEXT ELECTION THE NEXT DAY.

THAT SHOULD TELL US SOMETHING.

THAT SHOULD TELL US SOMETHING.

HE DID NOT FEEL SHAMED BY WHAT THE SPECIAL COUNSEL FOUND.

HE DID NOT FEEL DETERRED BY WHAT THE SPECIAL COUNSEL FOUND.

HE FELT EMBOLDENED BY ESCAPING ACCOUNTABILITY.

THE VERY NEXT DAY HE'S ON THE PHONE SOLICITING FOREIGN INTERFERENCE AGAIN.

NOW, THAT JULY 25 PHONE CALL BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WAS A KEY PART IN PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DIRECT AND CORRUPT SOLICITATION OF FOREIGN HELP ON THE 2020 ELECTION.

THE REQUEST LIKELY SOUNDED FAMILIAR TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WHO HAD BEEN SWEPT INTO OFFICE IN A LANDSLIDE VICTORY ON A CAMPAIGN OF ROOTING OUT JUST THE TYPE OF CORRUPTION THAT HE WAS BEING ASKED TO UNDERTAKE ON THIS CALL WITH OUR PRESIDENT.

SELL CAMPAIGNED AS A REFORMER.

AS SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF POLITICS WHO WOULD COME AND CLEAN UP CORRUPTION, THAT WOULD END THE POLITICAL PROSECUTIONS.

END THE POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS AND WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT AND POWERFUL, PATRON ASKING HIM TO DO, TO DO EXACTLY WHAT HE CAMPAIGNED AGAINST.

NO WONDER HE RESISTED THIS PRESSURE CAMPAIGN.

NOW PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD BEEN PROVIDED TALKING POINTS FOR DISCUSSION BY THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL'S STAFF BEFOREHAND, INCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENCOURAGE PRESIDENT ZELENSKY TO CONTINUE, TO PROMOTE ANTI-CORRUPTION REFORMS IN UKRAINE SO THE NATIONAL SECURITY STAFF UNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS IN THE INTERESTS.

THAT WAS ROOTING OUT CORRUPTION.

THEY ENCOURAGED THE PRESIDENT TO TALK ABOUT IT.

AS YOU SEE FROM THE RECORD OF THE CALL AND I JOIN THE PRESIDENT SAYING READ THE CALL, THAT TOPIC WAS NEVER ADDRESSED.

THE WORD CORRUPTION ESCAPES HIS LIPS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP OPENLY PURSUED HIM TO PERSIST THE TWO INVESTIGATIONS THAT WOULD BENEFIT HIM PERSONALLY.

IN THE GRATITUDE FOR THE SIGNIFICANT MILITARY SUPPORT, THE UNITED STATES HAS PROVIDED TO UKRAINE PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO US A FAVOR THOUGH BECAUSE OUR COUNTRY HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT AND UKRAINE KNOWS A LOT ABOUT IT.

I WOULD LIKE YOU TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED WITH THIS WHOLE SITUATION WITH UKRAINE.

THEY SAY CROWD STRIKE.

I GUESS YOU HAVE ONE PATCHY FROST YOUR WEALTHY PEOPLE, THE SERVER.

THEY SAY UKRAINE HAS IT.

THAT'S THAT CRAZY CONSPIRACY THEORY I TALKED ABOUT EARLIER THAT THERE'S THIS SERVER SOMEWHERE IN UKRAINE THAT SHOWS THAT IN FACT IT WAS UKRAINE THAT HACKED THE DNC, NOT THE RUSSIANS.

THAT'S A RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA CONSPIRACY THEORY, AND HERE IT IS BEING PROMULGATED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

MORE THAN PROMULGATED, HE'S PRESSURING AN ALLY TO FURTHER THIS RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA.

BECAUSE HE WAS REFERRING TO THIS EXTENSIVELY DISCREDITED CONSPIRACY THEORY THAT UKRAINE WAS THE ONE THAT REALLY HACKED THE DNC, THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE SERVERS IN 2016 AND THAT REFERENCE TO CROWDSTRIKE, THAT IS AN AMERICAN CYBER SECURITY FIRM.

THE THEORY THAT CROWDSTRIKE MOVED THE DNC SERVERS TO UKRAINE TO PREVENT U.S. LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM GETTING THEM.

IF UKRAINE ANNOUNCED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS FABRICATION, PRESIDENT TRUMP WOULD REMOVE WHAT HE PERCEIVED TO BE A CLOUD OVER THE LAST ELE ELECTION.

AND SUGGEST IT WAS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY THAT WAS THE REAL BENEFICIARY OF HELP.

ON THE CALL, PRESIDENT TRUMP TOLD ZELENSKY WHATEVER YOU CAN DO, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO IT IF IT'S POSSIBLE.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AGREED THAT HE WOULD DO THE INVESTIGATIONS SAYING YES, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME.

EVERYTHING THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED EARLIER.

PRESIDENT TRUMP THEN TURNED TO HIS SECOND REQUEST ASKING PRESIDENT ZELENSKY TO LOOK INTO THE SHAM ALLEGATION OF FORMER VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY, "THE OTHER THING, THERE'S A LOT OF TALK OF -- ABOUT BIDEN'S SON, THAT BIDEN STOPPED THE PROSECUTION.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO FIND OUT ABOUT THAT.

SO WHATEVER YOU CAN DO WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL BE GREAT.

BIDEN WENT AROUND BRAGGING THAT HE STOPPED THE PROSECUTION.

WHATEVER YOU CAN DO.

SOUNDS HORRIBLE TO ME."

THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THE PRESIDENT LOOKED INTO HIS RIVAL.

EVEN AFTER THE IMPEACHMENT BEGAN, HIS CONFIRMED HIS DESIRE ON THE SOUTH LAWN DECLEARING NOT ONLY SHOULD UKRAINE INVESTIGATE BIDEN BUT CHINA DO THE SAME.

LET'S SEE WHAT HE SAID.

>> I WOULD THINK THAT IF THEY WERE HONEST ABOUT IT THEY WOULD START A MAJOR INVESTIGATION INTO THE BIDENS.

IT'S A SIMPLE ANSWER.

THEY SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE BIDENS.

HOW DOES A COMPANY NEWLY FORMED AND -- BY THE WAY, LIKEWISE, CHINA SHOULD START AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE BIDENS.

WHAT HAPPENED IN CHINA IS JUST ABOUT AS BAD AS WHAT HAPPENED WITH UKRAINE.

>> NOW, THE DAY AFTER THAT JULY 25th PHONE CALL, PRESIDENT TRUMP SOUGHT CONFIRMATION THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY UNDERSTOOD HIS REQUEST TO ANNOUNCE THE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED INVESTIGATIONS AND THAT HE WOULD FOLLOW-THROUGH.

AFTER MEETING WITH UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AND HIS TOP AIDE, THE PRESIDENT'S HAND-PICKED AMBASSADOR TO THE EUROPEAN UNION, GORDON SONDLAND, CALLED PRESIDENT TRUMP FROM AN OUTDOOR RESTAURANT IN KIEV TO REPORT BACK.

THIS WAS THE SECOND CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE TWO AND UKRAINE IN AS MANY DAYS.

DAVID HOMES, AN AMERICAN D DIPLOMAT OVERHEARD THE CARD.

I DESCRIBED PART OF THAT CALL LAST NIGHT.

HOLMES TESTIFIED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP ASKED SONDLAND, SO HE'S GOING TO DO THE INVESTIGATION?

SONDLAND REPLIED THAT HE'S GOING TO DO IT.

ADDING THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WILL DO ANYTHING YOU ASK HIM TO.

AFTER THE PHONE CALL, HOLMES TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK AMBASSADOR SONDLAND ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S VIEWS ON UKRAINE.

ACCORDING TO HOLMES -- >> IN PARTICULAR I ASKED AMBASSADOR SONDLAND IF IT WAS TRUE THAT THE PRESIDENT DID NOT GIVE AN EXPLETIVE ABOUT UKRAINE.

INVESTIGATION SONNEDLAND A GREAT.

I ASKED WHY NOT?

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND SAID THE PRESIDENT CARES ABOUT BIG STUFF.

I NOTED THAT THERE WAS BIG STUFF GOING ON IN UKRAINE LIKE A WAR WITH RUSSIA.

ANNOUNCEMENT SONDLAND SAID THE BIG STUFF LIKE THE BIDEN INVESTIGATION THAT RUDY GULIANI WAS PUSHING.

THE CONVERSATION MOVED ON TO OTHER TOPICS.

>> THOSE THREE DAYS IN JULY, THE 24th, THE 25th AND THE 26th REVEAL A LOT ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EFFORT TO SOLICIT HELP FROM A FOREIGN COUNTRY IN ASSISTING HIS OWN RE-ELECTION.

ON THE 24th SPECIAL COUNSEL MUELLER TESTIFIES.

RUSSIA INTERFERED IN OUR 2016 ELECTION TO ASSIST THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN.

KNEW ABOUT THE INTERFERENCE, WELCOMED IT AND UTILIZED IT.

THE 25th IS THE DAY OF THE CALL.

PRESIDENT TRUMP BELIEVING HE ESCAPED ACCOUNTABILITY FOR RUSSIAN MEDDLING IN THE FIRST ELECTION AND ASKED THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT TO ASK HIM WITH THE SPECIAL COUNSEL'S CONCLUSION AND HELPLE THEM SMEAR A POLITICAL OPPONENT, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN.

THE THIRD DAY IN A ROW IN JULY, PRESIDENT TRUMP SOUGHT TO ENSURE THAT UKRAINE HAD RECEIVED HIS REQUEST AND UNDERSTOOD IT AND WOULD TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO ANNOUNCE THE INVESTIGATIONS THAT HE WANTED.

THREE DAYS IN JULY.

IN MANY WAYS THOSE THREE DAYS IN JULY TELLS SO MUCH OF THE STORY.

THIS COURSE OF CONDUCT ALONE SHOULD ASTOUND ALL OF US THAT VALUE THE SANCTITY OF OUR ELECTIONS.

AND TO UNDERSTAND THE VAST POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCY ARE RESERVED ONLY FOR ACTIONS WHICH BENEFIT THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE RATHER THAN THE POLITICAL FORTUNES OF ANY ONE INDIVIDUAL.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EFFORT TO USE AN OFFICIAL HEAD OF STATE PHONE CALL TO SOLICIT THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF INVESTIGATIONS HELPFUL TO HIS RE-ELECTION IS NOT ONLY CONDUCT UNBECOMING A PRESIDENT BUT CONDUCT OF ONE THAT BELIEVES HIS POWERS OF THE OFFICE ARE POLITICAL TOOLS TO BE WIELDED AGAINST HIS OPPONENTS, INCLUDING BY ASKING A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO INVESTIGATE A UNITED STATES CITIZEN AND FOR A CORRUPT PURPOSE.

THAT ALONE IS GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OF THE 45th PRESIDENT.

BUT THESE THREE DAYS IN JULY WERE NEITHER THE BEGINNING OR THE END OF THIS SCHEME.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ACTING THROUGH AGENTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE U.S. GOVERNMENT INCLUDING HIS PERSONAL ATTORNEY, RUDY GULIANI, SOUGHT TO COMPEL UKRAINE TO ANNOUNCE THE INVESTIGATIONS BY WITHHOLDING THE HEAD OF STATE MEETING IN THE OVAL OFFICE UNTIL THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE COMPLIED.

HOSTING AN OVAL OFFICE MEETING FOR A FOREIGN LEADER IS AN OFFICIAL ACT AVAILABLE ONLY TO ONE PERSON.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

IT IS AN OFFICIAL ACT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD ALREADY OFFERED TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY DURING THEIR FIRST PHONE CALL ON APRIL 21 AND IN A SUBSEQUENT LETTER TO THE UKRAINIAN LEADER.

MULTIPLE WITNESSES TESTIFIED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING FOR UKRAINE.

FOR EXAMPLE, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY GEORGE KENT EXPLAINED THAT A WHITE HOUSE MEETING WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR UKRAINIANS TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH UKRAINE'S STRONGEST SUPPORTER.

DR. FIONA HILL EXPLAINED THAT A WHITE HOUSE MEETING WOULD SUPPLY THE NEW UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT WITH "THE LEGITIMACY IT NEEDED, ESPECIALLY VIS A VIS THE RUSSIANS."

AND THAT THE UKRAINIANS VIEWED A WHITE HOUSE MEETING AS A RECOGNITION OF THE LEGITIMACY OF A SOVEREIGN STATEMENT.

IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT FOR THREE HAND-PICKED AGENTS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP PLACED IN CHARGE OF UKRAINIAN ISSUES.

SONDLAND, VOLCKER AND RICK PERRY.

THE SO-CALLED THREE AMIGOS.

THEY HOPED TO CONVINCE PRESIDENT TRUMP TO HOLD AN OVAL OFFICE MEETING WITH ZELENSKY.

DURING THE MEETING OF THE THREE AMIGOS ON MAY 23, PRESIDENT TRUMP TOLD THEM THAT UKRAINE HAD TRIED TO TAKE HIM DOWN IN 2016.

HE THEN DIRECTED THEM TALK TO RUDY GULIANI ABOUT UKRAINE.

IT WAS IMMEDIATELY CLEAR THAT GULIANI, THAT WAS PURSUING THE INVESTIGATIONS IN UKRAINE ON THE PRESIDENT'S BEHALF WAS THE KEY TO UNLOCKING AN OVAL OFFICE MEETING FOR PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

GULIANI BY THEN HAD SAID PUBLICLY THAT HE WAS ACTIVELY PURSUING INVESTIGATIONS PRESIDENT TRUMP CORRUPTLY DESIRED AND PLANNING A TRIP TO UKRAINE.

GULIANI ADMITTED "WE'RE NOT MEDDLING IN AN ELECTION.

WE'RE MEDDLING IN AN INVESTIGATION."

ON MAY 10, HOWEVER, GULIANI CANCELLED THE TRIP TO UKRAINE TO DIG UP DIRT ON FORMER VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THE 2016 CONSPIRACY THEORY.

JUST AS PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WON ELECTIONS FOR THE PRESIDENCY AND PARLIAMENT.

FACED WITH THE CHOICE OF WORKING WITH GULIANI TO PURSUE AN OVAL OFFICE MEETING, UNDERSTANDING IT MEANT TAKING PART IN A CORRUPT EFFORT TO SECURE THE POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS OR ABANDONING EFFORTS TO SUPPORT OUR UKRAINIAN ALLY, THE PRESIDENT'S AGENTS FELL INTO LYING.

THEY WOULD PURSUE THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING AND EXPLAIN TO UKRAINE THAT ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THE INVESTIGATIONS WAS THE PRICE OF ADMISSION.

AS AMBASSADOR SONDLAND MADE CLEAR -- >> I KNOW THAT MEMBERS OF THIS COMMITTEE FREQUENTLY FRAMED THESE COMPLICATED ISSUES IN THE FORM OF A SIMPLE QUESTION.

WAS THERE A QUID PRO QUO?

AS I TESTIFIED PREVIOUSLY WITH REGARD TO THE REQUESTED QUITE HOUSE CALL AND THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING, THE ANSWER IS YES.

>> THIS QUID PRO QUO WAS NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT'S AGENTS, RUDY GULIANI AND UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER OF 2019 IN NUMEROUS TELEPHONE CALLS, TEXT MESSAGES AND MEETINGS INCLUDING DURING A MEETING HOSTED BY THEN NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER JOHN BOLTON ON JULY 10.

NEAR THE END OF THAT JULY 10 MEETING, AFTER THE UKRAINIANS AGAIN RAISED THE ISSUE OF A WHITE HOUSE VISIT AMBASSADOR SONDLAND BLURTED OUT THERE WOULD BE AGREEMENT FOR A WHITE HOUSE MEETING ONCE THE INVESTIGATIONS BEGAN.

AT THAT POINT BOLTON IMMEDIATELY STIFFENED AND ABRUPTLY ENDED THE MEETING.

DURING A SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSION THAT DAY, SONDLAND WAS MORE EXPLICIT.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL ALEXED VINDMAN FROM THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL TESTIFIED THAT SONDLAND DISCOVERED THE DELIVERABLE REQUIRED TO GET THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING WHERE HE MENTIONED INVESTIGATION OF THE BIDENS.

THIS IS AGAIN IN THAT MEETING IN THE WHITE HOUSE WITH UKRAINIAN DELEGATION AND AN AMERICAN DELEGATION.

SONDLAND EXPLAINED IN THAT MEETING HE HAD AN AGREEMENT WITH ACTING CHIEF OF STAFF MICK MULVANEY WHERE PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WOULD BE GRANTED THE OVAL OFFICE MEETING IF HE WENDT FORWARD WITH THE INVESTIGATIONS.

AFTER THE MEETING, VINDMAN'S SUPERVISOR, DR. HILL, REPORTED BACK TO BOLTON WHO TOLD HER TO TELL JOHN EISENBERG THAT HE WAS NOT PART OF WHATEVER DRUG DEAL SONDLAND AND MULVANEY ARE COOKING UP ON THIS.

SHE REPORTED HER CONCERNS AS DID VINDMAN.

IT REMAINS UNCLEAR BOLTON OR EI, ONCE THEY WERE MADE AWARE OF MULVANEY AND SONDLAND'S DRUG DEAL.

BOTH REFUSED TO TESTIFY IN OUR INQUIRY.

HOWEVER, DR. HILL TESTIFIED THAT SHE UNDERSTOOD THAT MR. EISENBERG INFORMED MR. CIPOLLONE ABOUT HER CONCERNS ABOUT THE DRUG DEAL.

IF THIS BODY IS SERIOUS ABOUT A FAIR TRIAL, ONE THAT IS FAIR TO THE PRESIDENT AND TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, WE AGAIN URGE YOU TO ALLOW THE HOUSE TO CALL BOAST EISENBERG AND BOLTON AS WELL AS OTHER KEY WITNESSES WITH FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE WHO REFUSED TO TESTIFY BEFORE THE HOUSE ON THE ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT.

ADDITIONAL TESTIMONY AND DOCUMENTS ARE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE ACCORDING TO SONDLAND, EVERYONE WAS IN THE LOOP, WHEN IT CAME TO THE PRESIDENT'S SELF SERVING EFFORT.

IN PART, RELYING ON E-MAIL EXCERPTS, SONDLAND EXPLAINED THAT THE PRESIDENT'S SENIOR AIDES AND WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS KNEW THAT THE WHITE HOUSE WAS PREDICATED ON THE NOWXGHTS OF THE INVESTIGATION BENEFICIAL TO THE PRESIDENT'S POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

HILL L CHARACTERIZED THE QUID PRO QUO SUCCINCTLY.

>> BUT IT STRUCK ME YESTERDAY WHEN YOU PUT UP ON THE SCREEN AMBASSADOR SONDLAND'S E-MAILS AND WHO WAS ON THESE E-MAILS AND HE SAID THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT NEED TO KNOW, THAT HE WAS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

HE WAS BEING INVOLVED IN A DOMESTIC POLITICAL ERRAND AND WE WERE BEING INVOLVED IN NATIONAL SECURITY FOREIGN POLICY, AND THOSE TWO THINGS HAD JUST DIVERGED.

>> IN EFFECT, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WAS BEING DRAWN INTO THIS DOMESTIC POLITICAL ERRAND.

HE GREW WARY OF BECOMING INVOLVED IN ANOTHER COUNTRY'S ELECTION AND DOMESTIC AFFAIRS.

BILL TAYLOR THE ACT U.S.

AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE AT THE TIME, DESCRIBED A CONVERSATION HE HAD WITH A SENIOR AIDE TO THE UKRAINIAN LEADER.

HE SAID: >> ALSO ON JULY 20th I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH ALEXANDER WHO EMPHASIZE THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY DID NOT WANT TO BE USED AS A INSTRUMENT IN A U.S.

REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

>> REMEMBER THAT CONVERSATION WHEN YOU HEAR COUNSEL SAY THAT THE UKRAINIANS FELT NO PRESSURE TO BE INVOLVED IN A U.S.

REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

BUT THAT CONCERN DID NOT DETER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

IN HIS CONVERSATION WITH SONDLAND SHORTLY BEFORE THE 25th OF JULY CALL, THE PRESIDENT MADE CLEAR THAT HE NOT ONLY WANTED UKRA YUEN TO DO THE INVESTIGATIONS OR ANNOUNCE THEM BUT A WHITE HOUSE MEETING WOULD ONLY BE SCHEDULED IF PRESIDENT ZELENSKY CONFIRMED THESE INVESTIGATIONS, AS VOLKER COMMUNICATED BY TEXT LESS THAN 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE PHONE CALL BETWEEN TRUMP AND ZELENSKY, AND AGAIN, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT JULY 25th, IN A TEXT 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE TRUMP-ZELENSKY PHONE CALL, HERE IS WHAT IS SAID: WITH VOLKER TEXTING ANDRE YERMAK A TOP AID TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

GOOD LUNCH, THANKS, HEARD FROM WHITE HOUSE, ASSUMING PRESIDENT Z CONVINCES TRUMP HE WILL INVESTIGATE, GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT WOULD HAPPEN END QUOTE IN 2016, WE WILL NAIL DOWN DAY FOR VISIT TO WASHINGTON.

GOOD LUCK, SEE YOU TOMORROW, KURT.

WELL, THOSE WORDS COULDN'T BE MUCH CLEARER.

ASSUMING PRESIDENT Z CONVINCES TRUMP HE WILL INVESTIGATE GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT HAPPENED IN 2016, WE'LL NAIL DOWN THE VISIT TO WASHINGTON.

THAT IS A TEXT 30 MINUTES BEFORE THAT CALL.

COUNSEL FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL WOULD LIKE TO YOU THINK THIS IS JUST ABOUT THAT CALL.

YOU DON'T GET TO LOOK OUTSIDE THE FOUR CORNERS OF THAT CALL.

THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO LOOK AT THE MONTHS THAT WENT INTO PREPARING FOR THAT CALL.

OR THE MONTHS OF PRESSURE THAT FOLLOWED IT.

BUS YOU CAN JUST LOOK AT RIGHT NOW, WHAT HAPPENED 30 MINUTES BEFORE THAT CALL.

IN THIS TEXT MESSAGE, HEARD FROM WHITE HOUSE, ASSUMING PRESIDENT Z CONVINCES TRUMP HE WILL INVESTIGATE GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT HAPPENED IN 2016.

IF YOU WERE WONDERING HOW IT SEEMED THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WAS AWARE OF WHAT HE WAS GOING TO BE ASKED ON THAT CALL, THIS IS HOW YOU CAN TELL.

HE WAS PREPPED.

OF COURSE HE WAS PREPPED.

AND IN FACT, THE MISSING REFERENCE IN THE CALL RECORD TO BURISMA, WAS A SIGNAL COLONEL VINDMAN RECOGNIZED.

THAT CLEARLY HE HAD BEEN PREPPED FOR THAT CALL.

WHY ELSE WOULD IF NAME OF -- THE NAME OF THIS PARTICULAR ENERGY COME UP IN THAT CONVERSATION?

WELL, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY CLEARLY GOT THE MESSAGE.

TOWARDS THE END OF THE CALL WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY SAID, I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVITATION TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES, SPECIFICALLY WASHINGTON, D.C. ON THE OTHER HAND, I ALSO WANT TO INSURE YOU WE WERE BE VERY SERIOUS ABOUT THE CASE AND WE WILL WORK ON THE INVESTIGATION.

THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION.

ON THE OTHER HAND, I WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT WE WILL BE VERY SERIOUS ABOUT THE CASE AND WE'LL WORK ON THE INVESTIGATION.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKY CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD THE QUID PRO QUO.

FOR THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING ON JULY 25th.

BUT HIS RETICENCE TO BE USED AS A POLITICAL PAWN KEPT PRESIDENT TRUMP FROM MOVING FORWARD WITH A PROMISE TO SCHEDULE THE MEETING.

AND SO THE PRESIDENT AND HIS AGENTS PRESSED ON.

IN AUGUST, GIULIANI MET WITH A TOP UKRAINIAN AID AND MADE IT CLEAR THAT UKRAINE MUST ISSUE A STATEMENT ANNOUNCING INVESTIGATIONS IN ORDER TO GET THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING.

FEARFUL OF GETTING INVOLVED IN U.S.

DOMESTIC POLITICS AND HAVING ENTERED OFFICE WITH A PROMISE TO CLEAN UP GOVERNMENT AND CORRUPTION, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AND HIS AIDES PREFERRED A GENERIC STATEMENT ABOUT INVESTIGATIONS.

BUT GIULIANI INSISTED NO, THE STATEMENT MUST REFER TO TWO INVESTIGATIONS THAT WOULD BENEFIT PRESIDENT TRUMP.

LET'S ACCURACY A STATEMENT THE UKRAINIANS PREFERRED AND ONE THAT GIULIANI REQUIRED.

SO ON THE LEFT, AND I WILL READ IT IN CASE YOU CAN'T SEE THE SCREENS.

THE DRAFT, THE YERMAK DRAFT, THE UKRAINIAN DRAFT SAYS WE PLAN TO INITIATE AN UNBIASED INVESTIGATION OF ALL AVAILABLE FACTS AND EPISODES WHICH WILL IN TURN PREVENT REAR OCCURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE.

THAT'S PRETTY GENERIC.

BUT HERE'S THE GIULIANI-VOLKER, SONDLAND RESPONSE.

THIS IS WHAT HAD TO BE INCLUDED.

WE INTEND TO INITIATE AND COMPLETE A TRANSPARENT AND UNBIASED INVESTIGATION, OF ALL AVAILABLE FACTS AND EPISODES, UP TO THAT POINT IT'S EXACTLY THE SAME, UNTIL YOU GET TO, INCLUDING THOSE INVOLVING BURISMA AND THE 2016 U.S.

ELECTIONS.

AND THEN IT GOES BACK TO THE UKRAINIAN DRAFT WHICH IN TURN WILL PREVENT THE RECURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE.

YOU CAN SEE IN THIS SUCH GRAPHIC EVIDENCE, UKRAINIANS DID TO THE WANT TO DO THIS.

THEY DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO MENTION THIS.

GIULIANI HAD TO INSIST, NO NO NO, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE SATISFIED WITH SOME GENERIC STATEMENT.

AFTER ALL, I THINK WE CAN SEE, THIS ISN'T ABOUT CORRUPTION.

NO, THIS ISN'T ABOUT ANNOUNCING INVESTIGATIONS TO DAMAGE BIDEN AND TO PROMOTE THIS FICTION ABOUT THE LAST ELECTION.

SO HERE IN THESE TEXTS YOU SEE THAT GIULIANI, VOLKER AND SONDLAND HAVE ADDED THESE REFERENCES TO BURISMA.

A THINLY VEILED REFERENCE TO JOE BIDEN AND THE 2016 ELECTION.

THEY WANT TO ENSURE MENTIONS THE SHAM INVESTIGATIONS PRESIDENT TRUMP REQUIRED.

NOW THE UKRAINIANS RECOILED AT THE NEW STATEMENT.

RECOGNIZING THAT RELEASING IT WOULD RUN DIRECTLY COUNTER TO THE ANTICONSTRUCTION PLATFORM THAT ZELENSKY CAMPAIGNED ON AND WOULD EMTBROIL THEM INIST ELECTION POLITICS.

AS A RESULT, ZELENSKY DIDN'T GET HIS WHITE HOUSE MEETING.

HE STILL HASN'T GOTTEN HIS WHITE HOUSE MEETING.

SENATORS, WITNESS TESTIMONY, TEXT MESSAGES, E-MAILS AND THE CALL RECORD ITSELF CONFIRM A CORRUPT QUID PRO QUO FOR THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING.

AN OFFICIAL ACT AVAILABLE ONLY TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN EXCHANGE FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS, THE PRESIDENT WHOSE ALLIES HAVE OFFERED NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS EFFORT.

EXCEPT THE PRESIDENT CAN ABUSE HIS OFFICE ALL HE LIKES AND THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

CAN'T CAN INDICT HIM, CAN'T IMPEACH HIM.

THAT IS BECAUSE THEY CANNOT SERIOUSLY DISPUTE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP CORRUPTLY USED AN OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE VISIT FOR A FOREIGN LEADER TO COMPEL THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT INTO HELPING HIM CHEAT IN THE NEXT ELECTION.

THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING WAS NOT THE ONLY OFFICIAL ACT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP INTO BIDEN AND THE CONSPIRACY THEORY, MEANT TO RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE IN HIS BEHALF IN THE LAST ELECTION.

IN A FAR MORE DRACONIAN STEP AS WE HAVE DISCUSSED, THE PRESIDENT WITHHELD $391 MILLION OF MILITARY AID.

SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THIS PHONE CALL WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY, BUT AFTER GIULIANI WAS ALREADY PRESSING UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS TO CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATIONS HIS CLIENTS SOUGHT, PRESIDENT TRUMP ORDERED THE HOLD ON UKRAINE'S MILITARY AID.

SIGNIFICANTLY, THIS WAS AFTER CONGRESS HAD ALREADY BEEN NOICHED THAT MOST OF IS -- NOTIFIED THAT MOST OF IT WAS PREPARED TO BE SPENT.

UKRAINE HAD MET ALL THE CRITICAL CONDITIONS FOR ANTICORRUPTION AND DEFENSE REFORMS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE FUNDS.

WE CONDITION THE FUNDS.

THEY MET THE CONDITIONS.

THE FUNDS WERE READY TO GO.

AT THE TIME AND EVEN TODAY WITNESSES UNIFORMLY TESTIFIED THAT THE ORDER TO HOLD THE FUNDING CAME WITHOUT EXPLANATION TO THE FOREIGN POLICY AND NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR UKRAINE.

THE ONLY MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET WAS THAT THE HOLD WAS IMPLEMENTED AT THE DIRECTION OF THE PRESIDENT.

SINCE RUSSIA'S ILLEGAL INCURSION INTO UKRAINE IN 2014, THE U.S. HAS MAINTAINED A POLICY OF PROVIDING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF AID TO UKRAINE EACH YEAR, AND IT WAS PRESIDENT TRUMP HIMSELF WHO ORIGINALLY AUTHORIZED ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE IN 2017 AND 2018.

WITHOUT RESERVATION.

MAKING HIS ABRUPT DECISION TO WITHHOLD ASSISTANCE IN 2019, WITHOUT EXPLANATION, ALL THE MORE SURPRISING TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR UKRAINE POLICY.

THAT CONFUSION HOWEVER, WOULD SOON DISAPPEAR.

THE PRESIDENT USED THE WHOLE HOLD ON MILITARY AID AS PRESSURE TO ANNOUNCE THESE INVESTIGATIONS THAT HE HOPED WOULD HELP HIS REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PRIOR YEARS, WHEN THE PRESIDENT APPROVED THE AID WITHOUT QUESTION, AND THE INEXPLICABLE AID IN 2019 WAS THE EMERGENCE OF JOE BIDEN AS A POTENTIALLY FORMIDABLE OBSTACLE TO THE PRESIDENT'S REELECTION.

THEE -- THESE FUNDS THAT THE PRESIDENT WITHHELD, THESE FUNDS, THEY DON'T JUST BENEFIT UKRAINE.

THEY BENEFIT THE SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES.

BY ENSURING THAT UKRAINE IS EQUIPPED TO DEFEND ITS OWN BOANDERS AGAINST RUSSIAN CONGREGATION.

AS RADAR AND WEAPONS AND SNIPER RIFLES, COMMUNICATION THAT SAVE LIVES, IT MAKES UKRAINIANS MORE EFFECTIVE, IT MIGHT EVEN SHORTEN THE WAR.

THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE OHOPE IS TO SHOW THE UKRAINIANS CAN DEFEND THEMSELVES.

AND THE RUSSIANS IN THE END WILL SAY OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO STOP.

THAT'S IN OUR INTEREST.

THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT UKRAINE OR ITS NATIONAL SECURITY.

IT'S ABOUT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.

THIS SEASONALITY CHARITY.

IT'S ABOUT OUR DEFENSE AS MUCH AS UKRAINE'S.

AMBASSADOR TAYLOR ALSO SAID THAT THE PAPER AID WAS A CONCRETE DEMONSTRATION OF THE UNITED STATES' COMMITMENT TO RIS CONGREGATION RESIST AGGRESSION AND TO DEEIVED FREEDOM.

THAT'S WHAT THIS COUNTRY IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT, RESISTING AGGRESSION, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE OUT, RIGHT?

IT WAS AGAINST THIS BACKDROP THAT AMERICAN OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR UKRAINE POLICY SAT IN ASTONISHMENT ACCORDING TO AMBASSADOR TAYLOR WHEN THEY LEARNED ABOUT THE HOLD.

OFFICIALS IMMEDIATELY EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE LEGALITY OF PRESIDENT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S HOLD ON ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE.

THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WHICH WAS JUST LAST NIGHT PAO PAOED BY THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL, JUST SOME INSTITUTION OF CONGRESS, THEY ARE A NONPARTISAN ORGANIZATION THAT BOTH PARTIES HAVE COME TO RELY UPON.

BUT I'M NOT SURPRISED THEY DON'T LIKE THE INCLUSION OF THE GAO BECAUSE IF DEFENSE DEPARTMENT WARNED THEM THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE THE CONCLUSION.

AND THAT CONCLUSION WAS THE HOLD ON AID WAS NOT ONLY WRONG, IT WAS NOT ONLY IMMORAL, IT WAS ALSO ILLEGAL, IT VIOLATED THE LAW.

A LAW THAT WE PASSED, SO THAT PRESIDENTS COULD NOT REFUSE TO SPEND MONEY THAT WE ALLOCATED FOR DEFENSE OF OTHERS AND FOR OURSELVES.

THE EMPOWERMENT CONTROL ACT PREVENTS THE PRESIDENT AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL OFFICIAL FROM UNILATERALLY MAKING FUNDING DECISIONS WHEN CONGRESS HAS MADE ITS INTENT CLEAR.

IN FACT THE ACT EXISTS PRECISELY BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS PRESIDENTIAL ABUSES OF CONGRESS'S POWER OF THE PURSE DURING THE NIXON ERA.

THE NONPARTISAN GAO RULED THAT THE HOLD ON MILITARY AID WAS NOT ONLY ILLEGAL BUT THAT HOLDING UNDERSCORES THE PRESIDENT'S EFFORTS TO GO TO ANY LENGTHS TO ENSURE HIS OWN PERSONAL BENEFIT, RATHER THAN TAKE CARE THAT THE LAWS BE FAITHFULLY EXECUTED.

AS HE SWORE HE WOULD DO WHEN HE TOOK HIS OATH OF OFFICE.

NOW, BECAUSE OF RECENTLY FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT RESPONSES AND MEDIA REPORTS WE NOW KNOW ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT HOW SENIOR OFFICIALS EXPRESSED SERIOUS RES RESERVES REFERTIONS ABOUT THE HOLD AT THE TIME.

THIS IS NOT NEW SURPRISE, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT JUST CAME OUT OF THE BLUE.

AN INDEPENDENT WATCH DOGS AGENCY FOUND THIS WAS ILLEGAL.

NO, THEY KNEW THIS WAS ILLEGAL AT THE TIME.

THEY YOU KNEW AT THE TIME, CERTAIN OFFICIALS HAVE REFUSED TO OF THE, AT THE PRESIDENT'S DIRECTION, INCLUDING HIS CHIEF OF STAFF, MICK MULVANEY, HIS DEPUTY, ROBERT BLAREMICHAEL DUFFY ALL OF THEM DEFIED CONGRESSIONAL SUBPOENAS BUT WERE INCLUDED IN IMPORTANT E-MAIL COMMUNICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE PUBLIC ONLY RECENTLY.

AS YOU KNOW, THESE AND MANY OTHER CATEGORIES OF DOCUMENTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, DEFENSE DEPARTMENT, OMB WAS SUBPOENAED BY THE HOUSE AND NONE WERE PRODUCED, NONE, AT THE PRESIDENT'S DIRECTION AND THROUGH MR. CIPOLLONE'S INTERVENTION.

ALTHOUGH THE INVESTIGATION IMPLEMENTED THIS HOLD TO PRESSURE UKRAINE TO ANNOUNCE INVESTIGATIONS, THE FULL STORY BEHIND THE HOLD, THE FULL AND COMPLETE STORY, IS WITHIN YOUR POWER TO REQUEST.

AS YOU CONSIDER THE EVIDENCE WE PRESENT TO YOU, ASK YOURSELF WHETHER THE DOCUMENTS AND WITNESSES THAT HAVE BEEN DENIED BY THE PRESIDENT'S COMPLETE AND UNPRECEDENTED OBSTRUCTION SHOULD SAID MORE LIGHT ON THIS CRITICAL TOPIC.

YOU MAY AGREE WITH THE HOUSE MANAGERS THAT THE EVIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT'S WITHHOLDING OF MILITARY AID TO COERCE UKRAINE IS ALREADY 74thED BY OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE AND NO FURTHER INSIGHT IS NECESSARY TO CONVICT THE PRESIDENT.

BUT IF THE PRESIDENT'S LAWYERS ATTEMPT TO CONTEST THESE OR OTHER FACTUAL MATTERS, YOU ARE LEFT WITH NO CHOICE BUT TO DEMAND TO HEAR FROM EACH WITNESS WITH FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE, A FAIR TRIAL REQUIRES NOTHING LESS.

LET'S LOOK AT SOME OF THE EVIDENCE THAT WE GATHER NOTWITHSTANDING THIS OBSTRUCTION.

FIRST, PRESIDENT WITHHELD THE AID WITHOUT EXPLANATION, AND AGAINST THE ADVICE OF HIS OWN AGENCIES, CABINET OFFICIALS, NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICIALS, INCLUDING SECRETARY POMPEO, AMBASSADOR BOLTON AND OTHERS, ONLY MICK MULVANEY REPORTEDLY SUPPORTED THE HOLD AND HE TOLD US WHY.

DURING A PRESS BRIEFING MULVANEY PERSONALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE HOLD WAS ORDERED AS PART OF A QUID PRO QUO DESIGNED TO GET UKRAINE TO UNDERTAKE THE INVESTIGATION PRESIDENT TRUMP SOUGHT.

FTC SECOND, THE REASON FOR THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE HOLD WAS UNDOUBTEDLY ON THE PRESIDENT'S MIND DURING THE TELEPHONE CALL WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY ON JULY 25th.

NEAR THE BEGINNING OF MAYOR CONVERSATION PRESIDENT ZELENSKY SUPPRESSHIS GRATITUDE FOR U.S. MILITARY ASSISTANCE, NOTING GREAT SUPPORT IN THE AREA OF DEFENSE, IMMEDIATELY AFTER PRESIDENT ZELENSKY'S REFERENCE TO DEFENSE AND MILITARY SUPPORT PRESIDENT TRUMP RESPONDED BY SAYING, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO US A FAVOR, THOUGH.

BECAUSE YUR COUNTRY HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT.

AND UKRAINE KNOWS A LOT ABOUT IT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP THEN PROCEEDED TO OPENLY PRESS UKRAINE DO CONDUCT THESE INVESTIGATIONS.

THIRD.

NUMEROUS OFFICIALS WERE AWARE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS WITHHOLDING THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING, UNTIL THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED THE INVESTIGATIONS.

THAT THE PRESIDENT AWAY RATCHET UP PRESSURE ON UKRAINE, STUN UKRAINIAN EXPERTS LIKE AMBASSADOR TAYLOR YET FOLLOWED LOGICALLY IN THE PRESIDENT'S CORRUPT SCHEME.

FOURTH, BY THE END OF AUGUST THERE WAS STILL NO EXPLANATION FOR THE HOLD DESPITE ONGOING EFFORTS FROM NUMEROUS OFFICIALS TO PERSUADE THE PRESIDENT TO RELEASE THE MONEY.

AND THE LEVERAGE OF THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING HAD NOT SUCCEEDED IN COARSING UKRAINE TO ANNOUNCE THE INVESTIGATIONS, PROVIDING THE PRESIDENT AMOUNT HIS AGENTS EVERY REASON TO USE THE MOST AGGRESSIVE LEVER OF INFLUENCE, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF MILITARY SUPPORT, TO COMPEL UKRAINE TO ACT.

THEY DIDN'T FEEL PRESSURE, THEY WOULD HAVE DONE IT.

THEY WOULD HAVE DONE IT.

BUT OF COURSE THEY DID.

IMAGINE, IF THIS COUNTRY WERE DEPENDENT ON A MORE POWERFUL COUNTRY FOR OUR DEFENSE.

IMAGINE WE WERE AT WAR.

IMAGINE WE WERE WAITING FOR WEAPONS TO DEFEND OURSELVES, SOMETHING OUR TRAILERS COULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD.

IMAGINE THAT WE FOUND OURSELVES IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, AND MUCH TO OUR ASTONISHMENT, WE COULDN'T EVEN GET A MEETING WITH OUR ALLY.

MUCH TO OUR ASTONISHMENT THEY WERE WITHHOLDING AID FROM US.

YOU THINK WE WOULD FEEL PRESSURE?

OF COURSE WE WOULD.

THE FRAMERS HAD COMMON SENSE AND SO MUST WE.

ARE WE TO ACCEPT WELL, THE PRESIDENT SAID THERE WAS NO QUID PRO QUO, I GUESS THAT CLOSES THE CASE.

IN EVERY COURTROOM IN AMERICA, JURORS AND I KNOW YOU ARE NOT JUST JURORS, I READ THE RULES OF TRIAL, YOU'RE JURORS AND JUDGES.

JURORS ALL OVER AMERICA ARE TOLD YOU DON'T LEAVE YOUR COMMON SENSE AT THE DOOR.

WE DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE OUR COMMON SENSE AT THE DOOR HERE TOO.

TWO PLUS TWO EQUALS FOUR.

THE AID IS WITHHELD.

YOU'RE ASKING FOR IT.

WE'RE ASKING FOR IT.

HIS OWN AIDES ARE ASKING FOR IT.

NO ONE CAN GET AN EXPLANATION.

ET AN EXPLANATION.

ALL THE UKRAINIANS GET IS, WE WANT YOU TO DO THESE INVESTIGATIONS.

THEY'RE PROMPTED A WHITE HOUSE MEETING.

THEY WANT A WHITE HOUSE MEETING.

THEY NEED A WHOIS MEETING.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE GOING INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH PUTIN.

THEY WANT TO SHOW STRENGTH.

THEY CAN'T GET IN THE DOOR.

THEY SEE THE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER GET IN THE DOOR OF THE WHITE HOUSE.

WE SEE THE PHOTOS OF THE PRESIDENT AND THE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, THE AMBASSADOR, WHAT A GREAT TIME THEY'RE HAVING BUT NO THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE OUR ALLY CAN'T GET IN THE DOOR.

THEY'RE NOT STUPID.

THEY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.

THEY'RE NOT STUPID.

THAT CONVERSATION I REFERENCED YESTERDAY, WHEN THE UKRAINIANS THROUGH IT RIGHT BACK IN OUR FACE, WHEN AMBASSADOR VOLKER SAID TO HIS UKRAINIAN COUNTERFARTHER, YOU SHOULDN'T INVESTIGATE THE FORMER PRESIDENT, WE SHOULDN'T ENGAGE IN THOSE POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS, OH THE CRIMEAN RESPONSE WAS, YOU MEAN LIKE THE ONE YOU WANT US TO DO OF THE BIDENS AND THE CLINTONS, THEIR NOT STUPID.

-- THEY'RE NOT STUPID.

BY THE END OF AUGUST IT WAS STILL NO EXPLANATION FOR THE HOLD.

DESPITE EFFORTS BY NUMEROUS PEOPLE TO SEEK THE RELEASE OF THE FUNDING.

THE LEVERAGE HADN'T SUCCEEDED IN GETTING THE PRESIDENT TO, IN COURSE OF UKRAINE TO ANNOUNCE THE INVESTIGATIONS, AND SO THE AID WAS WITHHELD.

TWO WITNESSES TESTIFIED THAT THE ONLY LOGICAL CONCLUSION TO REACH ON THE PRESIDENT'S CONTINUED HOLD ON THE AID WAS IT WAS INTENDED TO PUT MORE PRESSURE ON UKRAINE TO ANNOUNCE THE INVESTIGATIONS.

AS I SAID THEY TESTIFIED IT WAS AS SIMPLE AS TWO PLUS TWO EQUALS FOUR.

WE CAN DO MATH AND MORE IMPORTANTLY SO CAN UKRAINIANS AND MAYBE EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY THAN THAT, SO CAN THE RUSSIANS.

MULTIPLE SENIOR OFFICIALS INCLUDING PRESIDENT TRUMP HIMSELF HAVE CONFIRMED THIS LOGICAL CONCLUSION.

ON SEPTEMBER 7th, AMBASSADOR SONDLAND SPOKE TO PRESIDENT TRUMP, WHO BY THAT TIME WAS AWARE THAT A W WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT, ASKING PROBING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HOLD ON AID INCLUDING WHETHER THE WITHHOLDING OF THE AID WAS IN EXCHANGE FOR REELECTION HELP.

DURING THAT CALL, SEPTEMBER 7th, SO JULY, YOU'VE GOT BOB MUELLER'S TESTIMONY, YOU'VE GOT THE CALL ITSELF, YOU'VE GOT THE FOLLOW-UP CALL THE NEXT DAY WITH THE PRESIDENT SPEAKING TO SONDLAND, WANTS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE GOING TO DO THE INVESTIGATIONS, YOU'VE GOT AUGUST WHERE THEY'RE TRYING TO HAMMER OUT A STATEMENT AND THE UKRAINIANS ARE STILL RESISTING AND THEN YOU HAVE SEPTEMBER.

SEPTEMBER 7th.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND ON THE PHONE WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THAT AT THAT POINT HE IS AWARE A WHISTLEBLOWER HAS FILED A COMPLAINT, LEGISLATING THE CONTOURS OF THIS SCREAM AND CONGRESS AND THE PUBLIC ARE BEGINNING TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HOLD ON AID INCLUDING WHETHER THIS WAS TO GET HELP IN HIS REELECTION.

AND DURING THIS CALL BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND AMBASSADOR SONDLAND, WITHOUT A PROMPT, PRESIDENT TRUMP TOLD SONDLAND, THERE'S NO QUID PRO QUO.

NOW, WHY WOULD HE DO THAT?

THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT COMES UP IN NORMAL CONVERSATION, RIGHT?

HELLO, MR. PRESIDENT, HOW ARE YOU TODAY?

NO QUID PRO QUO.

THAT'S THE KIND OF THING THAT COMES UP IN CONVERSATION IF YOU'RE TRYING TO PUT YOUR ALIBI OUT THERE.

IF YOU HEARD IF A WHIBL COMPLAINT, IF IF YOU HAVE SEEN CONGRESS IS STARTING TO SNIFF AROUND, NO QUBD.

QUINO QUID PRO QUO.BUT, AND I S ASTONISHING, SO MUCH OF THE LAST FEW YEARS HAS BEEN A COMBINATION OF SHOCK AND YET NO SURPRISE.

AND YET EVEN WHILE THE PRESIDENT IS SAYING NO QUID PRO QUO, WHAT DOES HE SAY?

ZELENSKY MUST PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE THE TWO POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS AND HE SHOULD WANT TO DO IT.

NO QUID PRO QUO, EXCEPT THIS QUID PRO QUO.

SONDLAND IMMEDIATELY RELAYED THE MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

INFORMING HIM THAT WOOUS THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS THEY WOULD BE AT A STALEMATE.

SONDLAND MADE CLEAR THAT THIS REFERENCE TO A STALE MATE METROPOLITAN THE RELEASE OF THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AFTER HESITATING FOR WEEKS TO JOIN THE PRESIDENT'S CORRUPT SCHEME FINALLY RELENTED.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKY INFORMED SONDLAND THAT HE AGREED TO DO A CNN INTERVIEW.

AND SONDLAND UNDERSTOOD THAT HE WOULD USE THAT OCCASION TO MENTION THESE ITEMS.

MEANING THE TWO INVESTIGATIONS, AT THE HEART OF THE SCHEME.

THE CANDIDATE ZELENSKY WHO WAS SWEPT INTO OFFICE WITH A LANDSLIDE VICTORY ON A PROMISE OF FIGHTING CORRUPTION, WOULD BE FORCED TO UNDERTAKE JUST THE SAME KIND OF CORRUPT ACT HE HAD BEEN ELECTED TO CLEAN UP.

UPON LEARNING THIS, AMBASSADOR TAYLOR CALLED SONDLAND TO REGISTER HIS DEEP CONCERN.

TELLING HIM THAT IT WAS CRAZY, CRAZY.

TAYLOR LATER TEXTED SONDLAND TO REINFORCE THE POINT.

AS I SAID ON THE PHONE I THINK IT'S CRAZY TO WITHHOLD SECURITY ASSISTANCE FOR HELP WITH A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

AS I SAID ON THE PHONE.

CLEARLY, THEY HAD DISCUSSED IT.

AS I SAID ON THE PHONE.

TAYLOR TESTIFIED ABOUT THE MESSAGE AND THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO IT.

TAYLOR SAID THAT SECURITY SYSTEM WAS SO -- ASSISTANCE WAS SO -- I'M SORRY, SECURITY SYSTEM WAS SO IMPORTANT FOR UKRAINE AS WELL AS OUR OWN NATIONAL INTEREST TO WITHHOLD THAT ASSISTANCE FOR NO GOOD REASON OTHER THAN HELP WITH THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN MADE NO SENSE.

IT WAS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO ALL OF WHAT WE HAD BEEN TRYING TO DO.

IT WAS ILLOGICAL.

IT COULD NOT BE EXPLAINED.

IT WAS CRAZY.

WHAT'S MORE, AMBASSADOR TAYLOR ALSO CAME TO LEARN THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTED ZELENSKY IN A PUBLIC BOX.

HE TESTIFIED MR. GOLDMAN ASKING THE QUESTION NOW YOU REFERENCE THE TELEVISION INTERVIEW AND A DESIRE FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP TO PUT ZELENSKY IN A PUBLIC BOX WHICH YOU ALSO HAVE IN QUOTES.

WAS THAT IN YOUR NOTES?

NOW THIS IS A REFERENCE TO I THINK HIS WRITTEN TESTIMONY.

WAS THAT REFERENCE TO IN A PUBLIC BOX IN HIS NOTES, REMEMBER HE KEPT DETAILED NOTES.

TAYLOR'S ANSWER, IT WAS IN MY NOTES.

AND WHAT DID YOU UNDERSTAND TO MEAN TO PUT ZELENSKY IN A PUBLIC BOX?

AND TAYLOR RESPONDS, I UNDERSTOOD THAT TO MEAN THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP THROUGH AMBASSADOR SONDLAND WAS ASKING FOR PRESIDENT ZELENSKY TO PUBLICLY COMMIT TO THESE INVESTIGATIONS, THAT IT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO DO THIS IN PRIVATE, THAT THIS NEEDED TO BE DONE, THIS NEEDED TO BE A VERY PUBLIC STATEMENT.

SO WE SAW EARLIER, THE SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON, RIGHT, OF WHAT THE UKRAINIANS WANTED TO SAY.

THEY WANTED TO MAKE NO MENTION OF THE SPECIFIC INVESTIGATION AND HOW GIULIANI INSISTED NO NO NO, THIS ISN'T GOING TO BE CREDIBLE UNLESS YOU MENTION THIS SPECIFIC INVESTIGATION.

THIS IS WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE.

AND NOW YOU SEE AMBASSADOR SONDLAND HAS ACKNOWLEDGED TO AMBASSADOR TAYLOR, THAT NOT ENOUGH TO USE EVEN THE RIGHT LANGUAGE, APPARENTLY.

GOT TO BE DONE IN PUBLIC.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE ANY PRIVATE COMMITMENT, GOT TO BE DONE IN PUBLIC.

AS WE WOULD LATER COME TO UNDERSTAND, THIS IS BECAUSE PRESIDENT TRUMP DIDN'T CARE ABOUT THE INVESTIGATIONS BEING DONE.

HE JUST WANTED THEM ANNOUNCED.

HE WANTED ZELENSKY IN A PUBLIC BOX.

HE WANTED IT ANNOUNCED PUBLICLY.

AMBASSADOR TAYLOR ALSO TESTIFIED THAT HE UNDERSTOOD FROM SONDLAND THAT BECAUSE PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS A BUSINESSMAN HE WOULD EXPECT TO GET SOMETHING IN RETURN BEFORE SIGNING A CHECK.

DURING OUR MEETING, DURING OUR CALL ON SEPTEMBER 8th, AMBASSADOR SONDLAND TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO ME THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS A BUSINESSMAN.

WHEN A BUSINESSMAN IS ABOUT TO SIGN A CHECK TO SOMEONE WHO OWES HIM SOMETHING THE BUSINESSMAN ASKS THAT PERSON TO PAY UP BEFORE SIGNING THE CHECK.

AMBASSADOR VOLKER USED THE SAME LANGUAGE SEVERAL DAYS LATER WHEN WE WERE TOGETHER AT THE YALTA EUROPEAN STRATEGY CONFERENCE.

I ARGUED TO BOTH THAT THE EXPLANATION MADE NO SENSE.

UKRAINIANS DID NOT OWE PRESIDENT TRUMP ANYTHING.

>> I -- THIS IS VERY TELLING.

AMBASSADOR TAYLOR, VIETNAM VETERAN, WEST POINT GRADUATE, UKRAINIANS DIDN'T OWE US ANYTHING.

CLEARLY, DONALD TRUMP FELT THE UKRAINIANS OWED HIM.

RIGHT?

THIS IS NOT ABOUT UKRAINE'S NATIONAL SECURITY.

IT'S NOT ABOUT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.

IT'S NOT ABOUT CORRUPTION.

NO, IT'S ABOUT WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?

THOSE UKRAINIANS OWE ME!

BEFORE I SIGN A CHECK, AND BY THE WAY, THAT'S NOT HIS MONEY.

THAT'S YOUR MONEY.

THAT'S THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'S MONEY FOR THEIR DEFENSE.

BUT HERE, WE SEE AMBASSADOR SONDLAND EXPLAINING NO, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S A BUSINESSMAN.

BEFORE HE'S GOING TO SIGN A CHECK HE WANTS TO GET SOMETHING.

AND OF COURSE THAT SOMETHING THAT HE WAS GOING TO SIGN THAT CHECK OR HE WAS GOING TO MAKE THAT PAYMENT FOR, WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS, THAT THING HE WAS GOING TO BUY WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS WAS A SMEAR OF HIS OPPONENT.

AND AN EFFORT TO LIFT WHATEVER CLOUD HE FELT WAS OVER HIS PRESIDENCY BECAUSE OF THE RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE ON HIS BEHALF IN THE LAST ELECTION.

NOW, THE PRESIDENT HAS OFFERED AN ASSORTMENT OF SHIFTING EXPLANATIONS AFTER THE FACT FOR THE HOLD ON AID.

INCLUDING THAT HE WITHHELD THE MONEY BECAUSE OF CORRUPTION IN UKRAINE OR CONCERNS ABOUT BURDEN-SHARING, WITH OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.

BUT THOSE ARGUMENTS ARE COMPLETELY WITHOUT MERIT.

FIRST, THE PRESIDENT'S OWN ADMINISTRATION HAD DETERMINED BT UKRAINE HAD UNDERTAKEN ALL NECESSARY EANLT CORRUPTION AND DEFENSE REFORMS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE FUNDS.

THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT AND STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS REPEATEDLY MADE THIS CLEAR AS THE HOLD REMAINED AND THREATENED THE ABILITY OF THE AGENCIES TO SPEND THE MONEY BEFORE THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

SECOND, THE EVIDENCE REVEALED THAT THE PRESIDENT ONLY ASKED ABOUT FOREIGN CONTRIBUTIONS TO UKRAINE IN SEPTEMBER.

NEARLY TWO MONTHS AFTER THE PRESIDENT IMPLEMENTED THE HOLD.

AND AS IT BECAME CLEAR, THAT THE PUBLIC, CONGRESS AND OWHIIVEL WERE BECOMING AWARE OF THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEME.

-- A WHISTLEBLOWER WERE BECOMING AWARE OF THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEMES.

THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES PROVIDE FAR MORE SUPPORT TO UKRAINE THAN THE UNITED STATES.

THEIR SUPPORT IS LARGELY ECONOMIC, OURS ALSO INCLUDES A LOT OF MILITARY SUPPORT.

BUT EUROPE IS A SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL BACKER OF UKRAINE.

SOMETHING ELSE REMARKABLE ABOUT THIS.

I WAS STRUCK BY YESTERDAY.

AS WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WITNESS TESTIMONY.

AND LOOKING AT SOME OF THOSE REDACTED E-MAILS, IN WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION SOUGHT TO HIDE ITS MISCONDUCT.

IN THOSE REDACTIONS, WHEN WE GOT TO SEE WHAT WAS BENEATH THEM, AND THERE WAS AN INDICATION, THIS IS VERY CLOSE HOLD.

THIS IS A NEED-TO-KNOW BASIS ONLY.

REMEMBER THAT?

WE'LL SHOW YOU THAT AGAIN BUT ONE OF THOSE E-MAILS THAT ONLY CAME TO LIGHT I BELIEVE RECENTLY AND NOT BECAUSE THE ADMINISTRATION WANTED YOU TO SEE THIS INFORMATION, WE SEE THERE'S A DESIRE NOT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THIS HOLD.

IF THE PRESIDENT WAS FIGHTING CORRUPTION, IF HE WANTED EUROPEANS TO PAY MORE, WHY WOULD HE HIDE IT FROM US?

WHY WOULD HE HIDE IT FROM THE UKRAINIANS, WHY WOULD HE HIDE IT FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD?

IF THIS WAS A DESIRE FOR EUROPE TO MAY MORE, WHY WOULDN'T HE CHARGE SONDLAND TO GO ASK EUROPE FOR MORE?

WHY WOULDN'T HE BE PROUD TO TELL THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES I'M HOLDING UP THIS AID AND I'M HOLDING IT UP BECAUSE I'M WORRIED ABOUT CORRUPTION.

WHY WOULDN'T HE?

BECAUSE OF COURSE IT WASN'T TRUE.

THERE'S NO EVIDENCE OF THAT.

AND WHAT'S MORE, THE WHITE HOUSE ADMITTED WHY THE PRESIDENT HELD UP THE MONEY.

THE PRESIDENT'S OWN CHIEF OF STAFF EXPLAINED PRECISELY WHY, DURING OCTOBER 17th AND OCTOBER 17th PRESS CONFERENCE.

LET'S SEE AGAIN WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> THAT WAS -- THOSE WERE THE DRIVING FACTORS.

THAT HE ALSO MENTIONED TO ME IN PASS THE CORRUPTION RELATED TO THE DNC SERVER, ABSOLUTELY, NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

BUT THAT'S IT, THAT'S WHY WE HELD UP THE MONEY.

THERE IS A REPORT -- >> SO THE DEMANDS FOR THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEMOCRATS WAS PART OF THE REASON, IN ORDER TO WITHHOLD FUNDING TO UKRAINE.

>> TO LOOK BACK TO WHAT HAPPENED IN 2016 CERTAINLY WAS PART OF THE THINGS HE WAS WORRIED ABOUT IN CORRUPTION IN THAT NATION.

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY APPROPRIATE.

>> BUT MULVANEY DIDN'T JUST ADMIT THAT THE PRESIDENT WITHHELD THE CRUCIAL AID APPROPRIATED BY CONGRESS TO APPLY PRESSURE ON UKRAINE TO DO THE PRESIDENT'S POLITICAL DIRTY WORK.

HE ALSO SAID THAT WE SHOULD JUST GET OVER IT.

LET'S WATCH.

>> LET'S BE CLEAR, WHAT YOU DESCRIBED IS A QUID PRO QUO.

IT IS FUNDING WILL NOT FLOW UNLESS THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEMOCRATIC SERVER HAPPENED AS WELL.

>> WE DO THAT ALL THE TIME.

WITH FOREIGN POLICY.

IF YOU READ THE NEWS REPORTS AND YOU BELIEVE THAT WHAT DID McKINNEY SAY YESTERDAY, McKINNEY SAID YESTERDAY HE WAS REALLY UPSET WITH THE POLITICAL INFLUENCE IN FOREIGN POLICY.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS HE WAS SO UPSET.

I HAVE NEWS FOR EVERYBODY, GET OVER IT.

THERE'S GOING TO BE POLITICAL INFLUENCE IN FOREIGN POLICY.

>> SHOULD THE CONGRESS JUST GET OVER IT?

SHOULD THE AMERICAN PEOPLE JUST COME TO EXPECT THAT OUR PRESIDENTS WILL CORRUPTLY ABUSE THEIR OFFICE TO SEEK THE HELP OF A FOREIGN POWER TO CHEAT IN OUR ELECTION?

SHOULD WE JUST GET OVER IT?

IS THAT WHAT WE'VE COME TO?

I HOPE AND PRAY THAT THE ANSWER IS NO.

WE CAN'T ALLOW A PRESIDENT TO WITHHOLD MILITARY AID FROM AN ALLY AT WAR FOR ILLICIT HELP IN A REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

I HOPE THAT WE DON'T JUST HAVE TO GET OVER THAT.

I HOPE THAT WE JUST DON'T HAVE TO GET ACCUSTOMED TO THAT.

IS THAT WHAT WE WANT TO TELL OUR CONSTITUENTS?

YEAH, THE PRESIDENT WITHHELD AID FROM AN ALLY.

YEAH, IT DAMAGED OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND YEAH, HE WOULDN'T MEET WITH A FOREIGN LEADER WHO WAS IMPORTANT TO US UNLESS HE GOT HELP IN THE NEXT ELECTION AND YEAH, IT'S WRONG DO TRY TO GET A FOREIGN POWER TO HELP, IT'S KIND OF CHEATING REALLY, IF WE'RE GOING TO BE HONEST ABOUT IT AND BLATANT ABOUT IT, CHEATING.

AMERICANS ARE SUPPOSED TO DECIDE AMERICAN ELECTIONS BUT YOU KNOW I GUESS WE JUST NEED TO GET OVER IT.

I GUESS THAT IS WHAT WE SHOULD NOW EXPECT OF A PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

I GUESS THERE'S REALLY NO REMEDY FOR THAT ANYMORE.

THE IMPEACHMENT, MAYBE THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA, 200 YEARS AGO.

BUT I GUESS WE JUST NEED TO GET OVER IT.

I GUESS MAYBE THE PRESIDENT REALLY IS ABOVE THE LAW, BECAUSE THEY SAY YOU CAN'T INDICT THE PRESIDENT.

THE PRESIDENT SAYS YOU CAN'T EVEN INVESTIGATE THE PRESIDENT.

THE PRESIDENT IS IN COURT SAYING YOU CANNOT ONLY NOT INDICT THE PRESIDENT.

YOU CAN'T EVEN INVESTIGATE THE PRESIDENT.

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S POSITION IS YOU CAN'T EVEN INVESTIGATE THE PRESIDENT.

ARE WE REALLY PREPARED TO SAY THAT?

THE ONLY ANSWER TO PRESIDENTIAL MISS CONDUCT IS WE JUST NEED TO GET OVER IT?

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO SAY WITH THE NEXT PRESIDENT?

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO SAY WITH THE PRESIDENT WHO IS FROM A DIFFERENT PARTY?

WHO REFUSES THE SAME KIND OF SUBPOENAS?

AND THE PRESIDENT SAYS TO YOU OR HIS CHIEF OF STAFF SAYS TO YOU OR HER CHIEF OF STAFF SAYS TO YOU, JUST GET OVER IT.

I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING DIFFERENT THAN DONALD TRUMP DID.

JUST GET OVER IT.

HE ASKED FOR HELP IN THE NEXT ELECTION.

I'M ASKING FOR HELP IN THE NEXT ELECTION.

JUST GET OVER IT.

WE DO THIS KIND OF THING ALL THE TIME.

PEOPLE ARE CYNICAL ENOUGH AS IT IS ABOUT POLITICS, ABOUT PEOPLE'S COMMITMENT TO THEIR GOOD.

CYNICAL ENOUGH WITHOUT HAVING US CONFIRM IT FOR THEM.

I THINK IT'S MORE THAN CRAZY.

THAT WAS AMBASSADOR TAYLOR'S WORD.

I THINK IT'S MORE THAN CRAZY.

I THINK IT'S A GROSS ABUSE OF POWER.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT IMPEACHMENT POWER IS A RELIC.

IF IT IS A RELIC, I WONDER HOW MUCH LONGER OUR REPUBLIC CAN SUCCEED.

FOR MONTHS PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS AGENTS HAD PRESSURED UKRAINE THE ANNOUNCE INVESTIGATIONS.

AND PRESIDENT ZELENSKY FINALLY YIELDED.

AS PREVIOUSLY NOTED HE SCHEDULED A CNN INTERVIEW AND PLANNED TO PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE THE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED INVESTIGATIONS.

HE INFORMED SONDLAND OF HIS PLAN DURING A SEPTEMBER 7th PHONE CALL.

IN THE SAME CALL SONDLAND RELATED TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY THAT TRUMP REQUIRED THAT THE UKRAINIAN LEADER MAKE THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT IN ORDER TO GET THE CRITICAL MILITARY AID.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CORRUPTION HAD FINALLY WORN DOWN PRESIDENT ZELENSKY, OVERCOMING HIS EFFORT TO REMAIN TRUE TO HIS ANTICORRUPTION PLATFORM.

UNTIL EVENTS INTERVENED.

BEFORE ZELENSKY COULD DO THE INTERVIEW, PRESIDENT TRUMP LEARNED THAT HIS SCHEME HAD BEEN EXPOSED.

FACING PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL PRESSURE ON SEPTEMBER 11th, THE PRESIDENT FINALLY RELEASED THE HOLD ON AID TO UKRAINE.

JUST LIKE WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HOLD HE PROVIDED NO REASON FOR THE RELEASE.

BUT THE REASON IS QUITE SIMPLE.

THE PRESIDENT GOT CAUGHT.

IN LATE AUGUST, PRESIDENT TRUMP LEARNED ABOUT A WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT THAT WAS WINDING ITS WAY THROUGH THE INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES ON ITS WAY TO CONGRESS.

ON SEPTEMBER 9th, THREE HOUSE COMMITTEES ANNOUNCED AN INVESTIGATION INTO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S UKRAINE MISCONDUCT AND THAT OF HIS PROXY, RUDY GIULIANI.

LATER THAT DAY, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL NOTIFIED THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE COMPLAINT AND THE FACT THAT IT'S BEING WITHHELD FROM CONGRESS IN AN UNPRECEDENTED FASHION.

FACING SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC PLEASURE ON SEPTEMBER 11th, THE PRESIDENT GAVE UP THE MONEY TO UKRAINE.

ONE WEEK LATER PRESIDENT ZELENSKY CANCELLED THE CNN INTERVIEW.

AND RATHER THAN DEMONSTRATE CONTRITION, OR ACKNOWLEDGE WRONGDOING, THE PRESIDENT INSTEAD HAS CONTINUED HIS EFFORT, EVEN AFTER THE IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION BEGAN.

HE NOT ONLY CONTINUED TO CALL ON UKRAINE TO INVESTIGATE HIS POLITICAL OPPONENT, AND CALLED ON CHINA TO DO THE SAME, THIS SHOULD CONCERN ALL OF US.

IT'S A CONFIRMATION ON ONLY THE SCHEME TO PRESSURE UKRAINE THE HELP HIS POLITICAL CAMPAIGN BUT A CLEAR SIGN THAT THE PRESIDENT BELIEVES THAT THESE CORRUPT ACTS ARE ACCEPTABLE.

THE PRESIDENT THIS UNAPOLOGETIC, THIS LAWLESS, THIS UNBOUND TO THE CONSTITUTION, AND THE OATH OF OFFICE, MUST BE REMOVED FROM THAT OFFICE.

LEST HE CONTINUE TO USE THE VAST PRESIDENTIAL POWERS AT HIS DISDISPOSAL TO SEEK ADVANTAGE IN THE NEXT ELECTION.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ABUSE OF POWERS OF HIS OFFICE UNDERMINE THE INTEGRITY OF OUR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS AND COMPROMISE AMERICA'S NATIONAL SECURITY.

IF WE DON'T STAND UP TO THIS POWER TODAY WE WILL REWRITE THE HISTORY WITH OUR OWN HAND.

IF PRESIDENT TRUMP IS NOT HELD TO COUNT, WE SEND TO FUTURE PRESIDENTS, FUTURE CONGRESSES AND AMERICANS, THAT THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENT CAN FAIRLY TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER THE NATION.

THE EFFECT WILL BE A WEAKNESS OF TRUST AND THE RULE OF LAW AND A STEADY DECLINE OF THE SPREAD OF DEMOCRATIC VALUES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

FOR HOW CAN ANY COUNTRY TRUST THE UNITED STATES AS A MODEL OF GOVERNANCE, IF IT IS ONE THAT SANCTIONS PRECISELY THE POLITICAL CORRUPTION AND INVITATION TO FOREIGN MEDDLING THAT WE HAVE LONG SOUGHT TO ERADICATE IN BURGEONING DEMOCRACIES AROUND THE WORLD?

TO PROTECT AGAINST FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN OUR ELECTIONS WE HAVE GUARD REMAINS BUILT INTO OUR DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM.

WE HAVE CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS TO ENSURE THAT POLITICAL ASSISTANCE CAN COME FROM ONLY DOMESTIC ACTORS AND WE TAKE SERIOUSLY THE NEED TO SHORE UP THE INTEGRITY OF OUR VOTING SYSTEMS SO THAT A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OR ACTOR CANNOT CHANGE VOTE TALLIES.

THE PROMISE OF ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE IS ONLY EFFECTIVE IF EACH VOTE IS CAST FREE OF FOREIGN INTERFERENCE.

AMERICANS DECIDE AMERICAN ELECTIONS.

AT LEAST THEY SHOULD.

NOW, WHAT IF ELECTORAL CORRUPTION IS EVEN MORE INSIDIOUS?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE INVITATION COMES FROM WITHIN?

OUR FRAMERS UNDERSTOOD THAT THREAT TOO.

GEORGE MASON NOTED AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION THAT IMPEACHMENT WAS A NECESSARY TOOL BECAUSE THE MAN WHO HAS PRACTICED CORRUPTION AND BY THAT MEANS, COULD SEEK TO REPEAT HIS GUILT.

IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR, PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS CLEAR THAT IF A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OFFERED DIRT ON HIS POLITICAL OPPONENT HE WOULD TAKE IT.

A STATEMENT DEEPLY AT ODDS WITH THE GUIDANCE PROVIDED AT THE TIME BY HIS OWN FBI DIRECTOR.

THE FORMAL FEDERAL ELECTIONS COMMISSION CHAIR.

AND OUR CONSTITUTION WRITTEN SOME 233 YEARS AGO.

IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS, IT ADMONISHES THAT ANY PERSON HOLDING OFFICE OF PROFIT OR TRUST, IT DMOSHTS AGAINST THEM -- ADMONISHES AGAINST ANY PRESIDENT FROM A FOREIGN STATE.

BUT PRESIDENT TRUMP DID MORE THAN TAKE THE FOREIGN HELP IN 2019.

AS HE HAD DONE IN 2016.

THIS TIME, HE NOT ONLY ASKED FOR IT IN THE JULY 25th CALL, BUT WHEN HE DIDN'T GET THE HELP FROM THE CLOON PRESIDENT IN THE -- UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT IN THE FORM OF THE ANNOUNCED INVESTIGATIONS HE WITHHELD HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF TAXPAYER MILITARY MEETING TO COMPLY.

AND LATER HE DEMONSTRATED NO REMORSE AND CONTINUED TO ENCOURAGE UKRAINE TO CONDUCT THE POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS HE WANTED EVEN ASKING OTHER COUNTRIES TO DO SO.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF THESE ACTIONS ALONE HAVE SHAKEN OUR DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM.

WHAT MESSAGE WILL WE SEND IF WE CHOOSE NOT TO HOLD THIS PRESIDENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS ABUSE OF POWER TO SOLICIT REELECTION INTERFERENCE IN OUR UPCOMING ELECTION?

THE MISCONDUCT UNDERTAKEN BY THIS PRESIDENT MAY LEAD FUTURE PRESIDENTS TO BELIEVE THAT THEY TOO CAN USE THE SUBSTANTIAL POWER CONFERRED PHENOMENON THEM BY THE CONSTITUTION IN ORDER TO UNDERMINE IT.

NOTHING COULD WEAKEN THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR ELECTIONS MORE AND NO CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW OR STATEMENT BY A FUTURE FBI DIRECTOR COULD STAND UP TO THE PRECEDENT OF ELECTORAL MISCONDUCT SET BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, IF WE DO NOT SAY CLEARLY THAT THIS BEHAVIOR IS UNACCEPTABLE AND MORE THAN UNACCEPTABLE, IMPEACHABLE.

WE ALSO UNDERMINE OUR GLOBAL STANDING.

AS A COUNTRY LONG VIEWED AS A MODEL FOR DEMOCRATIC IDEALS WORTH EMULATING.

WE HAVE, FOR GENERATIONS, BEEN THE SHINING CITY UPON A HILL THAT PRESIDENT REAGAN DESCRIBED.

AMERICA IS NOT JUST A COUNTRY BUT ALSO AN IDEA.

BUT WHAT WORTH IS THAT IDEA IF, WHEN TRIED, WE DO NOT AFFIRM THE IDEALS THAT UNDERPIN IT?

WHAT WILL THE NASCENT DEMOCRACIES AROUND THE WORLD CONCLUDE THAT DEMOCRACY IS NOT ONLY DIFFICULT BUT THAT IT'S TOO DIFFICULT, MAYBE IMPOSSIBLE?

AND WHO WILL COME TO FILL THE VOID THAT WE LEAVE WHEN THAT LIGHT FROM THE SHINING CITY ON THE HILL IS EXTINGUISHED?

IF AUTOCRATS WITH WHOM WE COMPETE, AUTOCRATS THAT VALUE NOT FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND OPEN DEBATE BUT DISINFORMATION, PROBLEM BEGAN TODAY AND STATE SANCTIONED LIES.

VLADIMIR PUTIN WOULD LIKE NOTHING BETTER, THE RUSSIANS HAVE LITTLE DEMOCRACY LEFT THANKS TO VLADIMIR PUTIN.

IT IS AN AUTOCRACY, IT IS A THUGOCRACY.

THE RUSSIAN NARRATIVE, THE RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA, THE RUSSIAN VIEW THEY WOULD LIKE PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD TO BELIEVE IS THAT EVERY COUNTRY IS JUDGED THE SAME.

JUST THE SAME CORRUPT SYSTEM.

THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE.

IT'S NOT A COMPETITION BETWEEN AUTOCRACY AND DEMOCRACY.

IT IS JUST BETWEEN AUTOCRATS AND HYPOCRITES.

THEY MAKE NO BONES ABOUT THEIR LOSS OF DEMOCRACY.

THEY JUST WANT THE REST OF THE WORLD TO BELIEVE YOU CAN'T FIND IT ANYWHERE.

WHY TAKE TO THE STREETS IN MOSCOW TO DEMAND SOMETHING BETTER IF THERE'S NOTHING BETTER ANYMORE ELSE?

THAT'S -- ANYWHERE ELSE.

THAT'S THE RUSSIAN STORY.

THAT'S THE RUSSIAN STORY.

THAT'S WHO PROSPERS BY THE DEFEAT OF DEMOCRACY.

THAT'S WHO WINS BY THE DEFEAT OF OUR DEMOCRATIC IDEALS.

IT'S NOT OTHER DEMOCRACIES, IT'S THE AUTOACCURACY.

AUTOCRATS.

EACH SUCCESSIVE GENERATION LIVED WITH MORE FREEDOM THAN THE ONE THAT CAME BEFORE.

WE EACH HAD MORE FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND ASSOCIATION, FREEDOM TO PRACTICE OUR FAITH.

THIS WAS TRUE AT HOME.

IT WAS TRUE ALL OVER THE WORLD.

AND I THINK WE CAME TO BELIEVE THIS WAS SOME IMMUTABLE LAW OF NATURE.

ONLY TO FIND IT ISN'T.

ONLY TO COME TO THE TERRIBLE REALIZATION THAT THIS YEAR ENSURE PEOPLE HAVE HAD FREEDOM THAT LASTS AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT NEXT YEAR PEOPLE WILL LIVE IN MORE FREEDOM OF THAN TODAY.

AND THE PROSPECT FOR OUR CHILDREN IS EVEN MORE IN DOUBT.

TURNS OUT, THERE'S NOTHING IMMUTABLE ABOUT THIS.

EVERY GENERATION HAS TO FIGHT FOR IT.

WE'RE FIGHTING FOR IT RIGHT NOW.

THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS DEMOCRACY THAT HAS SERVED US SO WELL WILL CONTINUE TO PROSPER.

WE WILL STRUGGLE TO PROTECT THIS IDEA.

AND EVEN AS WE DO MANY WE WILL STRUGGLE TO PROTECT OUR SECURITY IN MORE TANGIBLE WAYS.

SUPPORT FOR AN INDEPENDENT AND DEMOCRATIC UKRAINE WHICH IS THE LIT RAM BULK WORK AGAINST RUSSIAN EXPANSIONISM IN EUROPE IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR SECURITY.

RUSSIA SHOWED THAT WHEN IT INVADED UKRAINE IN 2014 AND SOUGHT TO REDRAW THE MAP OF EUROPE.

WAS OUR COMMITMENT TO UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE AND SOVEREIGNTY JUST AN EMPTY PROMISE OR ARE WE PREPARED TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS TO KEEP RUSSIA CONTAINED SO THAT HE THEY AND WE MAY ALL EVENTUALLY ENJOY A LONG PEACE?

RUSSIA IS NOT A THREAT.

I DON'T NEED TO TELL YOU, TO EASTERN EUROPE ALONE.

UKRAINE HAS BECOME THE DE FACTO PROVING GROUND THAT THE 21st CENTURY WILL BECOME DEFINED BY.

CYBER ATTACKS, DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGNS, EFFORTS TO REDEFINE LEGITIMACY OF INSTITUTIONS WHETHER IT'S VOTING SYSTEMS OR FINANCIAL MARKETS.

THE MALLINEED SKILLS THEY HELD N UKRAINE THEY WILL NOT STAY IN UKRAINE.

INSTEAD, TO ATTACK OUR INSTITUTIONS AND THEY WILL DO SO AGAIN.

INDEED THEY HAVE NEVER STOPPED.

WILL WE ALLOW THE PRIMARY COUNTRY NOW FIGHTING RUSSIA TO BE WEAKENED PLACING OUR ESTABLISHMENT IN EUROPE INTO GREATER AFFAIRS AT HOME.

IF YOU ALLOW THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO PURSUE HIS POLITICAL AND PERSONAL INTERESTS RATHER THAN THE NATIONAL INTEREST WE SEND A MESSAGE TO OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES THAT OUR COMMITMENT TO A EUROPE FREE AND WHOLE IS FOR SALE TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER.

THE STRENGTH OF OUR GLOBAL RELIANCES, WHEN BUILT ON THE RULE OF LAW ON FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS ON A SHARED STRUGGLE AGAINST AGGRESSION FROM AUTOCRATIC REGIMES, A COMMIT TO OUR PEOPLE, NOT UNYIELDING LOYALTY TO A PRESIDENT WHO WOULD BE KING.

A PRESIDENT HAS THE RIGHT TO HOLD A CALL WITH A FOREIGN LEADER, YES.

AND HE HAS A RIGHT TO DECIDE THE TIME AND LOCATION OF A MEETING WITH THAT LEADER, YES.

AND HE HAS A RIGHT TO WITHHOLD FUNDING TO THAT LEADER SHOULD THE LAW BE FOLLOWED AND THE PURPOSE BE JUST.

BUT HE DOES NOT UNDER OUR LAWS AND UNDER OUR CONSTITUTION HAVE A RIGHT TOO USE THE POWERS OF HIS OFFICE -- TO USE THE POWERS OF HIS OFFICE TO CORRUPTLY USE FOREIGN AID, PROHIBIT FOREIGN AID IN HIS REELECTION.

HE DOES NOT.

HE DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO WITHHOLD OFFICIAL PRESIDENTIAL ACTS TO SECURE THAT ASSISTANCE.

AND HE CERTAINLY DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO UNDERMINE OUR ELECTIONS AND PLACE OUR SECURITY AT RISK FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL BENEFIT.

NO PRESIDENT, REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, CAN BE PERMITTED TO DO THAT.

NOW, LET ME TURN TO THE SECOND ARM OF IMPEACHMENT WHICH CHARGES THE PRESIDENT WITH MISUSING THE POWERS OF HIS OFFICE TO OBSTRUCT AND INTERFERE WITH THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.

THE EVIDENCE YOU'LL HEAR DURING THE HOUSE PRESENTATION IS EQUALLY UNDENIABLE AND DAMNING.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ISSUED A BLANKET ORDER DIRECTING THE ENTIRE EXECUTIVE BRANCH NOT TO COOPERATE WITH THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY AND TO WITHHOLD ALL DOCUMENTS AND TESTIMONY.

THIS ORDER WAS CATEGORICAL, IT WAS INDISCRIMINATE, AND NO PRESIDENT AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS EVER ORDERED THE COMPLETE DEGUY ANSWER OF AN IMPEACHMENT QUISH, SOUGHT TO IMPEDE SO AGGRESSIVELY, TO INVESTIGATE HIGH CRIMES AND MISDMEERPS.

THE PRESIDENT -- MISDEMEANORS.

THE PRESIDENT WAS ABLE TO BLOCK AGENCIES ACROSS THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH FROM PRODUCING ANY RECORDS, OR DOCUMENTS TO THE HOUSE INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEES, DESPITE DULY AUTHORIZED SUBPOENAS.

THE WHITE HOUSE HAS CONSISTENTLY FAILED TO PRODUCE, THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE A SINGLE DOCUMENT OR RECORD IN RESPONSE TO HOUSE SUBPOENAS THAT REMAIN IN FULL FORBES AND EFFECT.

IT IS WORTH UNDERSCORING THIS POINT: THE HOUSE HAS YET TO RECEIVE A SINGLE DOCUMENT FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, AGENCIES PURSUANT THE ITS SUBPOENAS.

NOT A SINGLE PIECE OF PAPER, E-MAIL OR OTHER RECORD HAS BEEN TURNED OVER, NOT ONE.

I'LL ONLY PAUSE TO GET A DRINK OF WATER.

LET ME KNOW FOR YOUR TIMING I HAVE ABOUT TEN MINUTES LEFT IN MY PRESENTATION.

SO THE END IS IN SIGHT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ALSO SFERL BLOCKED WITNESSES NINE OF THEM UNDER SUBPOENA FROM TESTIFYING.

WITNESSES WITH FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE PRESIDENT'S ACTION HE INCLUDING HIS CLOSEST AIDES, SOME OF WHOM WERE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN EXECUTING THE PRESIDENT'S IMPROPER ORDERS.

THESE WITNESSES INCLUDE MICK MULVANEY, ROBERT BREYER, MICHAEL DUFFY A SENIOR OFFICIAL AND THE PRESIDENT'S CHIEF LEGAL ADVISORY ON THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL, JOHN EISENBERG AMONG OTHERS.

THE MANAGERS WILL PRESENT IN DAME WHAT THESE OFFICIALS NEW ABOUT THEIR ROLE IN EXECUTING DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEME.

THERE IS NO DISPUTE, NOR COULD THERE BE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ORDER SUBSTANTIALLY OBSTRUCTED THE HOUSE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.

THAT OBSTRUCTION CONTINUES UNABATED TODAY EVEN AS WE START HERE AT THE START OF THE PRESIDENT'S TRIAL.

AND THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN ABLE TO DO SO ONLY BECAUSE OF THE UNIQUELY POWERFUL POSITION THAT HE HOLDS AS OUR COMMANDER IN CHIEF.

NO OTHER AMERICAN COULD SEEK TO OBSTRUCT AN INVESTIGATION INTO HIS OWN WRONGDOING THIS WAY.

NO OTHER AMERICAN COULD USE THE VAST POWERS AND LEVERS OF HIS GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT A CORRUPT SCHEME TO BENEFIT THEMSELVES AND THEN USE THOSE SAME POWERS TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE AND BAR ANY COOPERATION WITH THE AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING HIM.

NOT A POLICE CHIEF, NOT A MAYOR, NOT A GOVERNOR, NOT ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL IN THE COUNTRY.

AND CERTAINLY NOT ANY NONELECTED OFFICIAL IN THE COUNTRY.

THOSE FOLKS WATCHING US FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY, YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THEM IF THEY DEFIED A LAWFUL SUBPOENA.

THEY GOT A SUBPOENA COMMANDING THEM TO APPEAR.

YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT ABOVE THE LAW.

THEY'D BE ARRESTED, THEY'D BE DETAINED, THEY WOULD BE INCARCERATED, THEY WOULD BE FORCED TO COMPLY.

THEY'RE NOT ABOVE THE LAW.

AND NEITHER ARE WE.

AND NEITHER IS THE PRESIDENT.

AND YET, DESPITE THE FACT THAT HE IS NOT ABOVE THE LAW, THE PRESIDENT'S EXTENSIVE AND PERSISTENT EFFORTS, THE PRESIDENT, THE HOUSE HEARD FROM COURAGEOUS WITNESSES WHO DID OBEY LAWFUL SUBPOENAS.

AND WE GATHERED OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE TO HOUSE BILL A FORMIDABLE CASE THAT FORMS THE BASIS OF THESE ARTICLES.

THE SECOND ARTICLE FOR OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS IS NOT SIMPLY ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DECISION TO OBSTRUCT A CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION OR EVEN AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.

IT SHOULD NOT BE MISUNDERSTOOD AS SOME ROUTINE DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

NOR SHOULD IT BE REDUCED TO THE NOTION THAT THE PRESIDENT WAS SIMPLY PROTECTING HIMSELF OR FIGHTING BACK AGAINST A PARTISAN OR OVER ZEALOUS CONGRESS.

CHARGES IN THE SECOND ARTICLE ARE MUCH MORE SERIOUS AND URGENT THAN THAT.

FIRST, THE PRESIDENT'S ATTEMPT TO OBSTRUCT THE INQUIRY SO CATEGORICALLY AND COMPREHENSIVELY, IS PART AND PARCEL OF THE PRESIDENT'S ATTEMPT TO COVER UP HIS OWN MISCONDUCT.

FROM THE VERY FIRST MOMENT HIS ACTION HE WERE COMING THE LIGHT, THE PRESIDENT SOUGHT TO COVER UP AND HIDE KEY EVIDENCE EVEN AS THE INVESTIGATION WAS STILL UNDER WAY.

THE PRESIDENT'S COVER UP STARTED EVEN BEFORE THE HOUSE BEGAN TO INVESTIGATE THE PRESIDENT'S UKRAINE RELATED ACTIVITY.

THE PRESIDENT LEARNED EARLY ON OF THE EXISTENCE OF A WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT.

HE DEPLOYED THE WHITE HOUSE AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO INTERVENE IN AN UNPRECEDENTED FASHION TO CONSEEM AND WITHHOLD FROM CONGRESS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER A CREDIBLE AND URGENT WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT EVEN THOUGH THE LAW REQUIRES THAT IT BE PROVIDED TO THE CONGRESSIONAL INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES.

ONCE THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY WAS UNDERWAY IN LATE SEPTEMBER THE PRESIDENT USED THE IMMENSE AND UNIQUE POWER AT HIS DISPOSAL TO DIRECT AND MAINTAIN AT EVERY TURN THE CATEGORICAL DEFIANCE OF CONGRESSIONAL SCRUTINY, EVEN AS HE ATTACKED THE INQUIRY ITSELF AND ITS WITNESSES.

THE PRESIDENT OFFERED MULTIPLE AND SHIFTING JUSTIFICATIONS FOR OBSTRUCTING THE HOUSE'S INQUIRY EACH OF THEM DEFICIENT WHILE HIS ACTIONS AND STATEMENTS POWERFULLY REFLECT HIS OWN CONSCIOUSNESS OF GUILT.

SECOND, THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THE PRESIDENT'S ON DESTRUCTION GO BEYOND THE SINISTER MOTIVES OF SIMPLY COVERING UP HIS ACTIONS.

HIS OBSTRUCTION STRIKES AT THE HEART OF OUR VERY CONSTITUTION.

I.T.

THREATENS TO PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY.

IF PRESIDENTS CAN OBSTRUCT AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY UNDERTAKEN BY THE HOUSE AND EVADE ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THE SENATE FROM DOING SO THEY USURP A POWER GRANTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE CONGRESS FOR AREASON.

PRESIDENTS COULD SEIZE FOR THEMSELVES THE POWER TO NEUTRALIZE AND NULLIFY THE IMPEACHMENT CLAUSE IN ORDER TO SHIELD THEMSELVES FROM ANY ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND IF CONGRESS IS UNABLE TO INVESTIGATE AND IMPEACH A PRESIDENT FOR ABUSE OF THEIR OFFICE, OUR DEMOCRACY'S CENTRAL CHECK ON A ROGUE PRESIDENT GO FAIL.

IT WOULD NO LONGER PROTECT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FROM A CORRUPT PRESIDENT WHO PRESENTS AN ONGOING THREAT.

THIS IS THE OUTCOME EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT.

AND ONE THAT THE FOUNDERS WARNED US ABOUT.

THROUGH THE IMPEACHMENT CLAUSE, THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION EMPOWERED CONGRESS THE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE PRESIDENTIAL MALFEASANCE AND TO RESPOND BY REMOVE THE PRESIDENT FROM OFFICE.

THIS ENTIRE FRAMEWORK DEPENDS UPON CONGRESS'S ABILITY TO DISCOVER AND THEN TO THOROUGHLY AND EFFECTIVELY INVESTIGATE PRESIDENTIAL MISCONDUCT.

WITHOUT THE ABILITY OF CONGRESS TO DO THAT, THE IMPEACHMENT POWER IS A NULLITY.

IF YOU CAN'T INVESTIGATE IT, YOU CAN'T ENFORCE IT, YOU CAN'T APPLY IT.

WHAT WE CONFRONT HERE IN THE SECOND ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT IS, THEREFORE, AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE AIMED AT DESTROYING THE IMPEACHMENT POWER ITSELF.

WHEN A PRESIDENT ABUSES THE POWER OF HIS OFFICE TO SO COMPLETELY DEFY HOUSE INVESTIGATORS, AND DOES SO WITHOUT LAWFUL CAUSE OR EXCUSE, HE ATTACKS THE CONSTITUTION ITSELF.

HE CONFIRMS THAT HE SEES HIMSELF AS ABOVE THE LAW.

HIS ACTIONS DESTABILIZE THE FEDERATION OF FOURS THAT DEFINES OUR DEMOCRACY AND PRESERVES OUR FREEDOM AND ESTABLISH AN EXCEEDINGLY DANGEROUS PRECEDENT.

AND HE PROVES THAT HE IS WILLING TO DESTROY A VITAL SAFEGUARD AGAINST TYRANNY, A SAFEGUARD MEANT TO PROTECT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE JUST TO ADVANCE HIS OWN PERSONAL INTEREST IN COVERING UP EVIDENCE.

THE HOUSE PRESENTATION OF THE SECOND ARTICLE WILL THEREFORE FOCUS ON THREE CORE AREAS THAT CONFIRM THE PRESIDENT'S OBSTRUCTION AND REQUIRE HIS REMOVAL FROM OFFICE.

FIRST, THE SINGULAR IMPORTANCE AND ROLE OF THE IMPEACHMENT CLAUSE FOR OUR DEMOCRACY AND WHY AN EMPT BY A PRESIDENT TO OBSTRUCT AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY IS IN AND OF ITSELF AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.

SECOND, WITH WHY THE PRESIDENT'S EXTENSIVE EFFORT TO COVER UP EVIDENCE OF HIS MISCONDUCT IS UNPRECEDENTED IN AMERICAN HISTORY AND WITHOUT LAWFUL CAUSE OR JUSTIFICATION.

AND FINALLY, WHY THE PRESIDENT'S OBSTRUCTION IMPOSES A DIRECT THREAT TO OUR SYSTEM OF SELF GOVERNANCE, WITH CONSEQUENCES FOR ALL AMERICANS TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE AND FOR BOTH CHAMBERS OF CONGRESS.

OVER THE COMING DAYS, YOU WILL HEAR FROM HOUSE MANAGERS, DETAILS OF THIS SCHEME.

AND THE EFFORT TO HIDE IT FROM CONGRESS.

THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT THAT THE HOUSE PRESENTED GO TO THE HEART OF THOSE EFFORTS, AND LET ME SHARE A FEW KEY TAKE AWAYS.

THE HOWSSMENTS HAS FOUND -- THE HOWCHTH HAS FOUNDER THAT USING THE -- THE HOWSSMENTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS FOUND THAT USING THE POWERS OF HIS HIGH OFFICE, HE HAD DO THROUGH A SCHEME OR COURSE OF CONDUCT THAT INCLUDED SOLICITING THE GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE TO PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE INVESTIGATIONS THAT WOULD BENEFIT HIS REELECTION, HARM THE ELECTION PROSPECTS OF A POLITICAL OPPONENT AND INFLUENCE THE 2020 U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IMPROPERLY AND TO HIS ADVANTAGE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ALSO SOUGHT TO PRESSURE THE GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE THE TAKE THESE STEPS BY CONDITIONING OFFICIAL UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ACCESS EVER SIGNIFICANT VALUE TO UKRAINE ON UKRAINE'S PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THESE INVESTIGATIONS.

AND HE ENGAGED IN THIS SCHEME OR COURSE OF CONDUCT FOR CORRUPT PURPOSES IN PURSUIT OF HIS PERSONAL POLITICAL BENEFIT.

IN DOING SO PRESIDENT TRUMP USED THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCY IN A MANNER THAT COMPROMISED THE NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES AND UNDERMINED THE INTEGRITY OF THE U.S. DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

HE THUS IGNORED AND INJURED THE INTERESTS OF THE NATION.

AS PART OF THE HOUSE'S IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY, THE COMMITTEES UNDERTAKING THAT INVESTIGATION SERVED SUBPOENAS SEEKING DOCUMENTS AND TESTIMONY DEEMED VITAL TO THE INQUIRY FROM VARIOUS EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES AND OFFICES CURRENT AND FORMER OFFICIALS.

IN RESPONSE AND WITHOUT LAWFUL CAUSE, OR EXCUSE, PRESIDENT TRUMP DIRECTED EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES, OFFICES AND OFFICIALS NOT TO COMPLY WITH THOSE SUBPOENAS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP THUS INTERPOSED THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCY AGAINST THE LAWFUL SUBPOENAS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AND ASSUMED TO HIMSELF FUNCTIONS AND JUDGMENTS NECESSARY TO THE EXERCISE OF THE SOUL POWER OF IMPEACHMENT VESTED BY THE CONSTITUTION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

GEORGE WASHINGTON AND HIS TROOPS RETREATED ACROSS THE DELAWARE RIVER IN EARLY DECEMBER 1776 THEY WERE READ THE WORD OF THOMAS PAYNE PUBLISHED IN HIS PAMPHLET, THE AMERICAN CRISIS.

THESE ARE THE TIMES THAT TRY MEN'S SOULS, THE SUMMER SOLDIER AND THE SUN SHIERN PATRIOT WILL IN THIS CRISIS SHRINK IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY.

BUT HE THAT STANDS BY IT NOW DESERVES THE LOVE AND THANKS OF MAN AND WOMAN.

17 DAYS LATER, GEORGE WASHINGTON CROSSED THE DELAWARE, LEADING TO A DECISIVE VICTORY FOR THOSE WHO CAME TO SHAPE OUR PROMISING YOUNG COUNTRY.

AS MUCH AS OUR FOUNDERS FEARED AN UNCHECKED CHIEF EXECUTIVE ABLE TO PURSUE HIS OWN WILL OVER THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE, THEY ALSO FEARED THE POISON OF EXCESSIVE FACTIONALISM.

THAT COULD DIVERT US FROM A DIFFICULT SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.

AS GEORGE WASHINGTON WARRANT IN HIS FAIR WELL ADDRESS -- FAREWELL ADDRESS THE COMMON ANDE PERSISTENT, DID DUTY OF A WISE PEOPLE TO DISCOURAGE AROUND RESTRAIN IT.

NOW OUR POLITICAL PARTIES AND AFFILIATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR DEMOCRACY, ENSURING THAT GOOD AND BAD POLITICAL PHILOSOPHIES ALIKE ARE CONSIDERED IN THE MARKETPLACE OF IDEAS.

HERE, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE CAN CHOOSE BETWEEN THE POLICIES OF ONE PARTY OR ANOTHER AND MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR POLITICAL LEADERS, UP TO AND INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, BASED ON THE DEGREE TO WHICH THAT PERSON REPRESENTS THEIR INTERESTS AND VALUES.

THAT IS NOT FACTIONALISM.

THAT IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

BUT WHEN A LEADER TAKES THE REINS OF THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN OUR LAND AND USES THAT AWESOME POWER TO SOLICIT THE HELP OF A FOREIGN COUNTRY TO GAIN AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE IN OUR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS, WE ALL, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ALIKE, MUST ASK OURSELVES WHETHER OUR LOYALTY IS TO OUR PARTY OR WHETHER IT IS TO OUR CONSTITUTION.

IF WE SAY THAT WE WILL ALIGN OURSELVES WITH THAT LEADER, ALLOWING OUR SENSE OF DUTY TO BE USURPED BY AN ABSOLUTE EXECUTIVE, THAT IS NOT DEMOCRACY.

IT IS NOT EVEN FACTIONALISM.

IT IS A STEP TON ROAD TOWARDS TYRANNY.

THE DAMAGE THAT THIS PRESIDENT HAS DONE TO OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH A KEY STRATEGIC PARTNER WILL BE REMEDIED OVER TIME.

AND UKRAINE CONTINUES TO ENJOY STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN CONGRESS.

BUT IF WE FAIL TO ACT, THE DAMAGE TO OUR DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS, TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY, TO OUR SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES, WILL BE LONG LASTING AROUND POTENTIALLY IRREVERSIBLE.

AS YOU WILL HEAR IN THE COMING DAYS, PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ACTED IN A MANNER GROSSLY INCOMPATIBLE WITH SELF GOVERNANCE.

HIS CONDUCT HAS VIOLATED HIS OATH OF OFFICE, AND HIS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE LAW.

HE HAS SHOWN NO WILLINGNESS TO BE CONSTRAINED BY THE RULE OF LAW AND HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO ABUSE HIS POWER AND OBSTRUCT INVESTIGATION INTEES HIMSELF, CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE PILLARS OF OUR DEMOCRACIES, IF HE IS NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

HE CANNOT BE CHARGED WITH A CRIME, SO SAYS THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

THERE IS NO REMEDY FOR SUCH A THREAT BUT REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

IF IMPEACHMENT AND REMOVAL CANNOT HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE THEN HE TRULY IS ABOVE THE LAW.

WE ARE NEARLY TWO AND A HALF CENTURIES INTO THIS BEAUTIFUL EXPERIMENT OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY BUT OUR FUTURE IS NOT ASSURED.

AS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN DEPARTED THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION HE WAS ASKED, WHAT HAVE WE GOT, A REPUBLIC OR A MONARCHY, HE RESPONDED SIMPLY, A REPUBLIC IF YOU CAN KEEP IT.

A FAIR TRIAL.

IMPARTIAL CONSIDERATION OF ALL OF THE EVIDENCE.

AGAINST THE PRESIDENT IS HOW WE KEEP OUR REPUBLIC.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR INTRODUCTION.

>> THE MAJORITY LEADER IS RECOGNIZED.

>> COLLEAGUES, I SUGGEST WE HAVE A RECESS UNTIL TEN MINUTES TO 4:00.

AT WHICH MOMENT WE WILL RECONVENE SUBJECT TO CALL OF THE CHAIR.

>> WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO ORDER HE.

>> Woodruff: AND WITH THAT CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS CALLS TO RECESS THE UNITED STATES SENATE WHICH HAS SPENT ROUGHLY THE LAST TWO AND A HALF HOURS LISTENING TO OPENING ARGUMENTS FROM THE LEAD MANAGER, REPRESENTING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MAKING THE CASE FOR IMPEACHMENT AND CONVICTION OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

WE'VE BEEN LISTENING TO ADAM SCHIFF, THE CONGRESSMAN FROM CALIFORNIA, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE Iñ ADAM SCHIFF.

TO READ THE CASE THE DEMOCRATS ARE MAKING AGY THE PRESIDENT CALLING FOR HIM TO BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE.

WITH ME AT THE TABLE ARE FOUR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE TRIAL ALONG WITH US AND HAVE EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN THE ACCEPT NAT AND CONSTITUTION.

MARTY AND VICTORIA.

HELLO TO ELIZABETH AND JOHN HART.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE REALLY PROFOUND ARGUMENT THAT CONGRESS SCHIFF WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE.

HE WENT DOWN THE LIST OF PARTICULARS.

HE WENT BACK TO THE RUSSIA INVESTIGATION.

THE ROBERT MULLER INVESTIGATION.

THE TESTIMONY OF M THE CONGRESS HE USED THAT AS IT LAUNCHING PLACE TO SAY THE PRESIDENT USED THE UKRAINIANS TO INVESTIGATE JOE BIDEN AND HIS SON HUNTER.

HE REALLY IN THE END TRIED TO CAST IT IN GLOBAL TERMS AND CONSTITUTIONAL TERMS.

HE SPOKE ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON, ALEXANDER HAMILTON.

IT WAS A BILL OF PARTICULARS BUT CAST IN A MUCH MORE CONSEQUENTIAL LIGHT.

>> HE BASICALLY ENDED HIS OPENING REMARKS WITH IF WE DON'T STOP HIM HE WILL DO IT AGAIN AND IT WILL DAM AUTOMATICALLY OUR ELECTORATE AND COULD DAMAGE OUR PHONE RELATIONS.

IT WAS CLEAR THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF IT AND MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

THE THEME OF CORRUPTION.

I WAS REMEMBERING THE CAN CLINTON IMPEACHMENT AND THAT WAS PERJURY.

HE SAID HE TRIED TO GET AROUND IT BUT THE SITUATION WAS DIFFERENT.

THIS GOES TO MOTIVE AND THAT WAS MORE SOMETHING HE HAD DONE AND SHOULD HE BE IMPEACHED FOR IT.

HE WAS PROTECTING HIMSELF AND FAMILY GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

IT WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

HE LIED ABOUT HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH MONICA.

MARTY, YOU WERE THERE TOO.

TODAY I THINK GIVEN THE FACT YOU DIDN'T HAVE AN INDEPENDENT COUNCIL OUT THERE WITH A FULL BILL OF EVIDENCE AND SET OF CHARGES IF YOU WILL.

A PILE OF PAPERS YOU COULD PRESENTMENT SCHIFF SAID WE DON'T HAVE THAT BUT THIS IS WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE TRUE AND WHY WE THINK WE NEED TO VOTE TO CONVICT.

>> IT'S CLEARER TERMS.

WE DID A REALLY GOOD JOB.

AS YOU NOTED THE CLINTON INVESTIGATION WENT ON FOR YEARS AND STARR STARTED OUT WITH WEIGHT WATER AND TRAVELGATE.

THERE WERE MANY DEPOSITIONS.

THE PRESIDENT WAS DEPOSED A FEW TIMES.

HOUSEMANNAGEERS DON'T HAVE THAT LUXURY.

THEY HAD TO PUT TOGETHER WHAT THEY COULD.

HE'S LAYING IT OUT WITH ALL SERIOUSNESS.

THIS IS EXTREMELY SERIOUS.

>> HE PAINTED IT IN STARK TERMS.

AS QUOTED AT THE END IT WAS A DEMOCRACY.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WATCHING THIS AND SAID I HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT THIS FROM WEEKS OR MONTHS.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT WHAT'S NEW.

THIS IS A PULLING TOGETHER OF THE ENTIRETY OF THE DEMOCRATS ARGUMENT ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

WE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE CALL AND TRANSCRIPTS.

WE KNOW ABOUT THE CRIME AGAINST DEMOCRACY.

THIS IS LIKE A TRIAL OPENING.

WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS HAVE A LIST OF THE FACTS AND LAW.

YESTERDAY THEY TALKED ABOUT WITNESSES.

>> ONE CAN'T HELP BUT THINK, JOHN HART, THEY ARE THE MAJORITY.

THEY ARE LISTENING TO THIS AND MOST OF THEM HAVE DECLARED THEY DON'T THINK THE PRESIDENT COMMITTED AN IMPEACHABLE DEFENSE.

THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER THEY ARE WILLING TO VOTE FOR WITNESSES.

WE WON'T KNOW THAT FOR SEVERAL MORE DAYS.

AT THIS POINT WE CAN'T SEE ANY OF THEIR FACES.

WE HAVE TO RELY ON REPORTERS FOR THAT.

THEY ARE TAKING IT SERIOUSLY.

>> I THINK THEY ARE.

WHAT SCHIFF TRIED TO DO TODAY IS THROW DOWN THE FACTS.

THE AID WENT THROUGH AND THERE WAS NO INVESTIGATION.

REPUBLICANSHEAR ADAM SCHIFF SAY TWO PLUS TWO EQUALS FOUR BUT THEY MIGHT HEAR TWO MINUS TWO EQUALS ZERO.

I'M NOT SURE IF ADAM SCHIFF HAS DONE ANYTHING.

WHAT HIS ARGUMENT IS IS TRUMP WAS COME PER HENCE -- COME COMPREHENCIVE LIQUOR Y LIQUOR ILY CORRUPT.

>> WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE SENATORS IN THEIR SEATS LISTENING IN THIS UNUSUAL FORMAT.

LISA IS WITH ONE OF THE DEMOCRATIC SENATORS.

IT'S TOM OF DELAWARE.

LISA, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU.

OUR AUDIENCE HEARD FROM MR.

SHIFT.

THE PANEL HEARD ABOUT PROCEDURE AND POLITICS.

I WANT TO ASK YOU A MORE DIFFICULT QUESTION.

WHY SHOULD THEY BELIEVE THEY ARE OPEN TO MAKING UP THEIR MIND DURING THE TRIAL WHEN IT'S SO PARTISAN RIGHT NOW AND BOTH SIDES SET UP WHAT THEY THINK AHEAD OF TIME.

>> A NUMBER OF THE PEOPLE HAVE NOT JUST LIVED DISTINGUISH LIVES BUT WITH HONOR.

A RETIRED OFFICER.

WHEN NATHAN CAN ME FOR MY SERVICE NATHAN CAN ME FOR MY MILITARY SERVICE.

THERE IS A LOT OF FOLKS.

I DON'T CARE IF YOU ARE A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN.

THERE ARE GREAT PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISLE.

>> HOW DO YOU PAY ATTENTION IN THERE.

THERE IS A LOT OF TESTIMONY AND YOU HAVE TO STAY FOCUSEDMENT THERE IS NOT A LOT TO HELP YOU KEE FOCUSED.

>> MY STAFF GAVE ME MY REQUESTED JOURNAL.

FOR EVERYDAY, EVERY HOUR.

I PUT MANY ENTRIES TO REMIND ME OF WHAT WAS SAID AND HELP ME FRAME MY OWN THOUGHTS.

IT'S BEEN VERY HELPFUL.

AS WE GOT INTO LAST NIGHT 11:00, 12:00, 1:00 I THOUGHT IT GOT STRONGER.

>> DO YOU THINK THE PRESIDENT SHOULD BE REMOVED?

>> THE POINT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE NOT JUST TO COLLEAGUES BUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WE ARE COMMITTED AND WE HAVE TO THE BE TRUE TO THE UNDER PINNING OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

PUT INTO THE CONSTITUTION.

THAT'S THE KEY.

THAT'S THE KEY.

THAT'S WHAT IS AT RISK AND BEING TESTED TODAY.

MY HOPE IS WE'LL ARISE TO THAT TEST.

MANY KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT JURIES.

THEY KNOW YOU HAVE TO HAVE WITNESSES AND INFORMATION THAT'S RELEVANT TO THE TRIAL.

THAT MASSAGE IS BREAKING THROUGH.

I HOPE WE CAN CONVINCE REPUBLICANS TO BRING IN WITNESSES AND HAVE RELATIVE THE VENT INFORMATION.

NOT 100 AND NOT 1,000 WITNESSES.

THEY WERE CLOSE TO THE PRESIDENT AND KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON.

SENATOR CARPER, THANK YOU.

>> WE KNOW HE HAD TO RUSH OUT.

THE BREAK IS JUST 15 OR 20 MINUTES.

WE'LL GO BACK AS SOON AS THEY RECONVENE.

THEY ANNOUNCED THAT AFTER MITCH McCONNELL SAID COME BACK AT 3:50 P.M. EASTERN.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT WHILE WE ARE IN THE STUDIO WITH PBS COVERAGE CONSIDER WHAT WE HAVE BEEN HEARING OVER THE LAST TWO AND HALF HOURS AS IT DEMOCRATS UNDER ADAM SCHIFF ALSO ACTING RIGHT NOW AS A LEAD HOUSEMANNAGER MAKING THE CASE AGAINST THE PRESIDENT.

ELIZABETH CHRYST IS AT THE TABLE WITH ME.

SENATOR CARPER SAID I GOT MORE ENGAGED.

THEY WERE THERE MORE THAN 13 HOURS IF YOU ADD IT ALL UP.

THEY ARE NOT SUPER COMFORTABLE CHAIRS.

>> IS THAT RIGHT.

THE FACT THAT ONLY WATER IS ALLOWED.

THEY HAD TO CHECK THEIR ELECTRONICS IN THE CLOAK ROOM.

THEY HAVE TO BE LASER FOCUSED AND IT'S HARD FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

>> IT'S AN ENDURANCE TEST.

MARTY, THERE IS SOME GUIDANCE.

THIS IS EMPART BASED ON THE PRESIDENT AND WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BILL CLINTONTON IMPEACHMENT.

>> THE MEMBERS ARE FINDING OUT THIS TIME WHAT THEY FOUND OUT IN '99.

IT'S UNCOMFORTABLE TO SIT-IN THOSE CHAIRS FOR 8 HOURS.

THEY NEED BREAKS.

WE HAD SEVERAL MEMBERS BACK IN '99 THAT NOTICED PEOPLE LIKE TED KENNEDY AND THE SENATOR OF MARYLAND HAD SMALL CARPETED FOOTSTOOLS AT THEIR DESKS.

WE GOT REQUESTS FROM MEMBERS.

>> EVERYBODY WANTED ONE.

THE CARPENTER SHOP HAD TO WORK OVERTIME.

>> WHAT WE KNOW IS THERE IS A STRICT RULE ABOUT WHAT BEVERAGES THEY CAN TAKE.

IT CAN BE WATER OR MILK.

IN A STARTLING REVELATION ONE SENATOR IS HAVING SPARKLING WATER.

I DON'T REMEMBER WHO IT IS.

THERE IS THE FAMOUS CANDY DISH STORY.

WE KNOW THE TWO OF YOU HAVE STORIES TO TELL ABOUT HOW MUCH THE SENATORS ENJOY GRABBING A PIECE OF CANDY.

>> DURING VOTES, SOMETIMES,L THAT WAS THEIR FOOD.

THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS A GOOD AMOUNT OF CHOCOLATE.

>> WE CAN ALL SYMPATHIZE WITH THAT.

YAMICHE HAS BEEN WATCHING ALL OF THIS.

THE HOUSEMANNAGERS WERE GIVEN 24 HOURS OF FLOOR TIME TO MAKE THEIR CASE.

WE WON'T HEAR FROM THE WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL, FROM THE PRESIDENT'S LAWYERS.

HOW ARE THEY USING THIS TIME.

THEY BASICALLY HAVE TO SIT THERE AND LISTEN.

>> THE ELECTRICALLY TEAM IS USING THIS TIME TO BUILD THEIR CASE.

THEY ARE HEARING AND LISTENING CLOSELY TO WHAT REPRESENTATIVE SCHIFF IS SAYING.

HE SAID PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS THE KEY PLAYER.

HE WAS THE CENTRAL FIGURE.

HE WENT BACK TO THE MULLER INVESTIGATION.

HE IF HE WOULD EMBOLDEN.

HE FELT LIKE HE GOT AWAY WITH SOMETHING.

THIS IS SOMETHING THE WHITE HOUSE IS PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO HIM.

HE PLAYED HIS OWN WORDS SAYING CHINA AND UKRAINE SHOULD LOOK INTO THE BIDENS.

THEY ALSO PLAYED, OF COURSE, ACTIVE CHIEF OF STAFF SAID EVERYONE SHOULD GET OVER IT.

THEY ARE TAKING NOTES AND MAKING THEIR CASE AND MAKING SURE THEY REACT TO SOME OF THE KEY THINGS SCHIFF WAS TALKING ABOUT.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO GUESS WHAT THE REACTION WAS.

WE HAVE A SHORT CLIP OF SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM.

I'M SORRY WE DON'T HAVE IT?

WE DO OR WE DON'T.

NOT QUIET READY.

YAMICHE, WE DON'T KNOW UNTIL THEY COME OUT AND TALK TO THE PRESS.

OKAY, WE DO HAVE IT NOW.

THIS WAS RIGHT BEFORE THE TRIAL STARTED TODAY.

HE WAS TALKING ABOUT WHAT HE EXPERIENCED YESTERDAY.

LET'S LISTEN.

>> SO THIS IS WHAT I SAW YESTERDAY.

I SAW AN EFFORT TO ASK THE SENATE TO IGNORE EVERY PRIVILEGE THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON WAS ABLE TO EXERCISE AND SUGGEST TO THE SENATE THAT AN INDEPENDENT REALLY IS A NONPLAYER.

IF I WAS THE PRESIDENT I WOULDN'T COOPERATE WITH THESE GUYS AT ALL.

I'M THE SAME GUY.

YOU CAN'T FIRE MULLER.

I ENCOURAGED HIM TO WORK WITH MULLER.

MULLER IS A MAN OF THE LAW.

SCHIFF,LER, AND PELOSI IMPEACHED HIM IN 48 DAYS.

THEY DON'T CARE WHAT THEY DESTROY IN THE PROCESS.

I DO CARE.

TO MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUESMENT YOU CAN SAY WHAT YOU WANT ABOUT ME BUT I'M COVERING UP NOTHING.

I'M EXPOSING YOUR HATED OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE POINT THAT YOU WOULD DESTROY THE INSTITUTION.

NOBODY WOULD BE SAYING THIS ABOUT A MISDEMEANORRIC DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT.

ALL OF YOU WOULD BE IN OUR FACE SAYING THERE IS A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT AND YOU ARE DENYING THAT PERSON, HE OR SHE A CHANCE TO GO TO COURT AND LITIGATE THE MATTERS BECAUSE YOU HATE THEM SO MUCH.

THIS SHOWS HOW ACCOMPLISSED PEOPLE HAVE BECOME WHEN IT COMES TO TRUMP.

NOT ONE QUESTION ABOUT THE IDEA THAT A DEMOCRATIC CONTROLLED HOUSE IN 48 DAYS IMPEACHED THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN A PROCESS WHERE HE COULDN'T HAVE A LAWYER OR CALL A WITNESS.

THEY HOLD IT AGAINST HIM BECAUSE HE WOULD LIKE TO REJECT TURNING OVER.COM .COM OVER DOCUMENTS TO THEM.

YOU WOULD BE ALL OVER US.

LET ME TELL YOU WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN NOVEMBER.

THIS WOULDN'T MATTER MUCH.

THEY WILL JUDGE HIM FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE AND CAN DO.

THEY WILL ASK IF I WILL BE BETTER OFF WITH THIS PERSON INSTEAD OF TRUMP.

I'LL REMEMBER THIS.

I'LL REMEMBER THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED AROUND THIS PLACE.

WORKING WITH MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES I TRIED TO GIVE MULLER THE SPACE TO DO HIS JOB.

I TOLD THE PRESIDENT TO HIS FACE.

IF IT'S PROVEN YOU WEREN'T WITH THE RUSSIANS OR YOU SOUGHT SOMETHING FROM THE RUSSIANS AND GOT IT.

THAT'S IT FOR ME AND YOU.

NOW, THE SAME PEOPLE THAT PATTED ME ON THE BACK ARE ASKING ME TO RAILROAD THE GUY.

TO LEGITTIZE THE PROCESS.

>> HE SPOKE TO REPORTERS JUST BEFORE TODAY'S SESSION.

THE PRESIDENT'S ATTORNEY WERE ADMITTED AT POINTS ALONG THE WAY.

IT'S INTERESTING TO BRING IT OUT TO OUR GUESTS.

BACK TO YOU, LISA AT THE CAPITAL.

SOME OF THE SENATORS ARE NOT READY TO ANSWER HOW THEY WILL VOTE.

IF YOU ASK LINDSEY GRAHAM HOW HE WILL VOTE HE WON'T VOTE TO CONVICT THE PRESIDENT.

>> THAT WAS A VERIFIERED UP LINDSEY GRAHAM.

YOU COULD SEE THE RED IN HIS EYES.

I WANTED TO BRING UP SOMETHING YAMICHE RAISED ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S WORDS BEING PLAYED IN THE CHAMBER AND HOW THEY REACTED TO THAT.

I PAID CAREFUL ATTENTION.

THE REACTION DEPENDED ON THE SOUND BITE.

WHEN DEMOCRATS PLAYED THE SOUND OF THE PRESIDENT ASKING CHINA EVEN TO INVESTIGATE THE THAT SOUND BITE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE WAS MET WITH SKEPTICISM.

I SAW JOE DISHAKE Y R HEAD.

I SAW SOMBER MOMENTS ACROSS THE CHAMBER.

THEY SEE RUSSIA AS A THREAT.

THAT SOUND BITE SEEMED TO HIT HOME.

THIS IS SOMETHING THEY WERE LISTENING TO.

SAME WITH FEE HILL'S SOUND BITES.

THE IDEA UKRAINE WAS TRYING TO MANIPULATE THE 2016 ELECTIONS.

THOSE SOUND BITES SEEMED TO BE ENTERING THE MINDS OF SENATORS ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE MORE THAN OTHER SOUND BITES.

THEY DIDN'T DISMISS THEM AS POLITICAL.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

THAT SUGGESTS WHEN THE DEMOCRATS USE THE PRESIDENT'S SOUND BITE.

I REMEMBER THAT DAY.

HE WAS TALKING TO REPORTERS OUTSIDE ON THE SOUTH LAWN OF THE WHITE HOUSE.

ALMOST AS A THROW AWAY LINE.

HE SAID CHINA, WHY DON'T YOU LOOK INTO THE BIDENS.

REPUBLICANS ARE LOOKING AT THAT AS SOMETHING THEY DON'T TAKE AS SERIOUSLY.

>> RIGHT.

THAT'S PART OF THE STRATEGY OF THE DEMOCRATS TO DECIDE HOW MUCH OF THAT DO THEY WANT TO BRING INTO THE TRIAL.

THERE WAS A LOT SAID BY WITNESS AFTER WITNESS AFTER WITNESS IN THE HOUSE IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS.

THEY HAVE A DECISION TO MAKE ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY WANT TO REAIR OR REPLAY WHETHER IT'S HILL.

THEY HAVE TO MAKE A CALCULATION ABOUT ABOUT THE IT'S EFFECTIVE OR NOT.

YOU KNOW, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK ALL OF YOU.

AS IT SENATORS ARE LISTENING VICTORIA, ARE THEY PAYING ATTENTION AND WEIGHTING THE EVIDENCE AS THEY HERE IT?

>> THAT'S THE EXPECTATION.

THEY HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO DO.

I TAKE LAPTOPS A WAY FROM MY STUDENTS SO THEY LISTEN.

THIS IS UNUSUAL EVEN WHEN THEY DEBATE SERIOUS LEGISLATION.

THERE ARE ONLY A FEW PEOPLE ON THE FLOOR.

WHEN THEY SIT THERE AND CAN'T TALK TO EACH OTHER.

MAYBE A FEW ARE PASSING NOTES, I DON'T KNOW.

IT'S LIKELY THEY ARE JOURNALING TO PASS THE TIME SO THEY REMEMBER THIS.

THIS IS, YOU KNOW, A UNICORN.

IT'S RARE IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

THEY WILL WANT TO REMEMBER WHAT THEY WERE THINKING AND FEELING AT THE TIME.

>> JOHN, YOU WORKED FOR A REPUBLICAN SENATOR.

YOU WORKED FOR HIM IN THE HOUSE.

THIS QUESTION ABOUT WHICH SENATORS ARE OPEN TO HEARING THE EVIDENCE AT WHICH ALREADY HAVE THEIR MINDS MADE UP.

HOW DO YOU READ THAT?

>> THEY ARE ALL OPEN TO ANSWERING IN DIFFERENT WAYS AS IT TRIAL DEVELOPS.

THEIR CONCLUSIONS ARE BAKED IN.

IT WILL TAKE SOMETHING EXTRA ORDINARY TO CHANGE THE VOTE TOTALS.

>> FOR ALL OF THEM.

89% OF THEM IT'S THE TRUE ANSWER.

THEY ARE LISTENING AND THINKING ABOUT HOW THEY RESPOND TO WHAT'S BEING PRESENTED.

THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT THE QUESTIONS THEY ARE POSED IN THE NEXT PHRASE OF THE TRIAL AND HOW THEY WILL EXPLAIN THIS TO CONSTITUENTS AND MEDIA.

EVEN THOUGH THEIR VOTE MIGHT BE BAKED IN 95% ACROSS THE SENATE.

THEY ARE LISTENING AND TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY.

>> YOU MAKE THAT POINT, ELIZABETH.

SENATOR CARPER SAID HE HAS A JOURNAL AND TAKING NOTES.

I WOULD IMAGE A LOT OF THEM ARE DOING THIS.

>> I REMEMBER BACK IN '99 MANY OF THEM TOOK NOTES AND HAD FORMAL JOURNAL BOOKS THEY WOULD TAKE HOME.

YOU FELT LIKE THEY POWERED OVER THEM AT NIGHT.

THE NEXT DAY THEY WOULD BE NOT TALKING ABOUT IT BUT SORT OF TALKING ABOUT IT AND THUMBING THROUGH THEIR NOTES AND WHAT NOTE.

THEY TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY.

>> I'M THINKING ABOUT THE POINTS THAT ADAM SCHIFF MADE, MARTY PAONE, ABOUT WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP DID IN REGARDS TO THE UKRAINE AND BRINGING IN HISTORICAL REFERENCES AND WHAT THE FOUNDING FATHERS WANTED THE PUBLIC TO EVOLVE.

HE HAD TO DECIDE WHEN WILL I USE MY TWO PLUS HOURS TO DO.

WHAT WILL I REALLY SAY HERE THAT MIGHT CHANGE SOMEBODY'S MIND.

YEAH, IT'S A DIFFICULT TASK.

ESPECIALLY AS JOHN NOTED.

HE PUT TOGETHER A GOOD CASE OF THE HE IS HISTORICAL PROSPECTIVE OF WHAT THEY WERE AFRAID OF.

HE TRIED TO LAYER ON TOP OF THAT WHAT FACTS THEY HAD.

THANKS TO THE PEOPLE THAT DID COME AND TESTIFY ON THE HOST SIDE DESPITE BEING TOLD THEY SHOULDN'T.

UNFORTUNATELY, THOSE ARE THE FACTS THEY HAVE FROM HARD WITNESSES BECAUSE EVERYONE ELSE IS TOLD TO STAY AWAY.

>> ONE POINT THAT CAME UP, WE WILL HEAR ABOUT THAT LATER.

VICTORIA NOURSE, HE WANTED THEM TO INVESTIGATE.

EVENTUALLY THEY GOT THE MONEY.

WHAT DOES THE CONSTITUTION SAY ABOUT THAT.

IT SAYS HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS.

MISDEMEANOR WASN'T A SMALL CRIME.

NO CONSTITUTIONALIST BELIEVES THAT IT HAS TO BE A CRIME.

ABUSE OF POWER IS SUFFICIENT.

THAT'S NOT THE WORDS OF THE CONSTITUTION.

YOU WILL SEE, HAMILTON, THIS IS WHY WE BEGAN WITH HAMILTON AND ENDED WITH FRANKLIN.

HE'S ON THE HOUSES SIDE ABOUT THIS NOT BEING RELATIVE TO IMPEACHMENT.

>> HE MADE A POINT OF QUOTING ALEXANDER HAMILTON AND SET UP THE ARGUMENT.

I THINK OF SENATORS OVERTIME PAYING A LOT OF ATTENTION TO THE CONSTITUTION AND FOUNDING FATHERS.

IN THIS HIGHLY POLARIZED MOMENT.

HOW MUCH DOES HISTORY COME INTO PLAY.

>> I THINK WHAT ADAM PRESENTED MOST REPUBLICAN SENATORS AGREE WITH HIM.

THAT'S A POTENTIAL PROBLEM FOR THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> IN WHAT WAY?

THEY DEFINED THE IMPEACHMENT STANDARDS AS A CRIME AGAINST SOCIETY.

IT DOESN'T LIMIT IT TO ILLEGALLALITY.

>> IT'S NOT ON THE BOOKS AS A CRIME.

>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE STANDARD WE HAVE A LA DIFFERENT SOCIETY.

WE HAVE NATURAL LAMENT THERE IS THE RULE OF NATURAL LAW.

IF THERE IS A CRIME AGAINST SOCIETY THAT'S AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.

>> WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

THEY ARE BACK WITH JERRY A- WITH JERRY.

>> THE FACTS BEFORE US ARE NOT IN DISPUTE.

THERE ARE NO CLOSE CALLS.

THE EVIDENCE SHOWS PRESIDENT TRUMP UNLAWFULLY WITHHELD MILITARY ASSISTANCE APPROPRIATED BY CONGRESS TO AID OUR ALLY TO HELP HIM WITH REELECTION AND TRIED TO COVER IT UP WHEN HE GOT CAUGHT.

THIS IS THE STORY OF A CORRUPT GOVERNMENT WIDE EFFORT THAT DREW IN AMBASSADORS, CABINET OFFICIALS, AND THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT.

THIS EFFORT THREATENED THE SECURITY OF UKRAINE AND COMPROMISED OUR OWN NATIONAL SECURITY INTEREST BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT CARED ONLY ABOUT HIS PERSONAL POLITICAL INTEREST.

IN THE SPRING OF 2019 THE PEOPLE ELECTED A NEW LEADER.

THEY ARE ROOTING OUR CORRUPTION IN THE COUNTRY.

THE PLEDGE WAS WELCOMED BY THE UNITED STATES AND ALLIES.

THE NEW GOVERNMENT THREATENED THE WORK OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CHIEF AGENT IN THE UKRAINE.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WAS TAKEN POWER.

HE ANNOUNCED TWO INVESTIGATIONS.

THE FIRST WAS AN EFFORT TO SMEAR FORMER VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.

THE SECOND WAS DESIGNED TO UNDERMINED THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY THAT RUSSIA INTERFERED IN THE ELECTION.

ONE OBSTACLE WAS AMBASSADOR MARIE.

A 33 YEAR VETERAN OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE.

HE HAD PARTNERED WITH THE UKRAINE TO ROOT OUT THE KIND OF INSTRUCTION TO ROUTE OUT HIS LIFE TO FLOURISH.

TO COMPLETE HIS MISSION MR. RUDOLPH GIULIANI NEEDED THE AMBASSADOR OUT-OF-THE-WAY.

IN EARLY 2019 HE LAUNCHED A PUBLIC SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE AMBASSADOR.

THE PRESIDENT EASAL LIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND EVENTUALLY PRESIDENT TRUMP HIMSELF.

PLEASE REMEMBER, THE OBJECT OF THE PRESIDENT'S UKRAINE SCREAM WAS SCHEME WAS TO OBN ADVANTAGE.

THE PRESIDENT WENT THROUGH EXTRA ORDINARY LENGTHS TO COMMITTEE IN THE NEXT ELECTION.

THAT BEGINS WITH THE ATTEMPT TO GET THE AMBASSADOR OUT-OF-THE-WAY.

BY ALL ACCOUNTS THE AM BOSS TOR WAS VERY EFFECTIVE.

THEY PRAISED HER 33 YEAR CAREER AS A NONPARTISAN PUBLIC SERVANT.

SHE EXCELLED IN FIGHTING CORRUPTION ABROAD.

PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH NAMED HER AS AMBASSADOR TWICE AND PRESIDENT OBAMA NOMINATED HER AS AMBASSADOR OF UKRAINE WHERE SHE SEVERED FROM 2016 TO 2019.

ERADICATING CORRUPTION HAS BEEN A KEY POLICY PRIORITY FOR YEARS.

DURING THE HOUSE INQUIRY THEY EXPLAINED WHY THIS WAS SO IMPORTANT.

>> IT'S CRITICAL AS IT WAR AGAINST RUSSIA IS UKRAINES DEMOCRACY IS CHALLENGED CORRUPTION MAKES UKRAINE'S LEADER ESTIMATE VULNERABLE TO RUSSIA AND THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT.

THAT'S WHY THEY LAUNCHED THE REVOLUTION OF DIGNITY DEMANDING TO BE APART OF EUROPE AND THE TRANSFER TRANSFER TRANSFER MEDIN OF THE SYSTEM.

UKRAINIANS WANTED THE LAW TO APPLY EQUALLY TO ALL PEOPLE.

WHETHER IT INDIVIDUAL IS THE PRESIDENT OR ANY OTHER CITIZEN.

IT WAS A QUESTION OF FAIRNESS AND DIGNITY.

AGAIN, THERE IS A COINCIDENCE OF EQUALNESS.

THIS MAKES THE PARTNERSHIP MORE RELIABLE AND VALUABLE TO THE UNITED STATES.

>> ON THE EVENING OF APRIL 24th 2019 THE AMBASSADOR WAS HOSTING AN EVENT AT THE U.S. AM BASSCY.

THEY HONORED THE MEMBER OF THE FIGHTER THAT HAD BEEN KILLED WHEN ACID WAS THROWN IN HER FACE.

AT 10:00 THAT NIGHT THE EMBASSY WAS INTERRUPTED BY A TELEPHONE CALL.

THE HEAD OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

>> SHE SAID THERE WAS GREAT CONCERN ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

THAT'S WHERE THE LEADERSHIP SITS.

THERE WAS GREAT CONCERNED AND THEY WERE WORRIED.

SHE WANTED TO GIVE ME A HEADS UP ABOUT THIS.

SHE JUST WANTED TO GIVE ME A HEADS UP.

>> CONFUSED, THE AMBASSADOR ASKED MORE INFORMATION FROM WASHINGTON.

THREE HOURS LATER THEY SPOKE AGAIN.

THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT HER UP THE STREET, THAT'S AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

THE AMBASSADOR WAS TOLD TO GET ON THE FIRST PLANE HOME.

WHY WAS THIS CAREER DIPLOMAT REMOVED FROM HER POST?

WHY WAS SHE, IN FACT, URGED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT TO CATCH THE FIRST PLANE HOME.

SHE WAS IN DANGER AND SHOULDN'T WAIT.

AT THE TIME THE WHITE HOUSE WOULDN'T SAY.

TODAY WE KNOW THE TRUTH.

THE TRUTH IS AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH WAS ATTACKED BY RUDOLPH GIULIANI.

THEY CALLED HER WITHOUT WARNING.

RUDOLPH GIULIANI ADMITTED AS MUCH TO THE PRESS.

TO UNDERSTAND HIS SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT A FEW OTHER CARRIC RICHTERS.

THE FIRST IS VICTOR.

THE DISGRACED FORMER PROSECUTOR GENERAL OF UKRAINE.

AT THE URGING OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT THE PARLIAMENT OF UKRAINE VOTED TO REMOVE HIM AS PROSECUTOR GENERAL BECAUSE HE WAS CORRUPT.

AT THE URGING OF THE UNITED STATES THE EUROPEAN UNION AND MONETARY FUND ALL URGED THE UKRAINE GOVERNMENTS TO DISMISS HIM.

THEN THEY REPLACED HIM.

HE ALSO HAD A REPUTATION OF DISON NECESSITY AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH AND GORGE KENT TIFFED THEIST EMBASSY EVENTUALLY STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER.

THE GOALS OF ALL THREE CHARACTERS ALIGNED.

HE HAD IT OUT FOR VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN BECAUSE OF THE ROLE THE VICE PRESIDENT PLAYED IN HIS 2016 FIRING.

HE URGED THE UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT TO DISMISS THE CORRUPT UT HIM.

THEY URGED HE BE FIRED RUDOLPH GIULIANI MEANT TO BOOST HIS OWN CAMPAIGN.

ALL THREE WANTED YOVANOVITCH OUT-OF-THE-WAY.

THE SUMMER CAMPAIGN BEGAN.

DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECTARY GEORGE KENT TESTIFIED THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH WERE MOTIVATED BY REVENGE.

>> OVER THE COURSE OF 2018 AND 2019 I BECAME AWARE OF AN EFFORT BY RUDOLPH GIULIANI AND OTHERS TO RUN A CAMPAIGN TO SMEAR OFFICIALS AT THE U.S. EMBASSY.

THE CHIEF AGITATORS WERE SOME OF THOSE SAME CORRUPT FORMER PROSECUTORS I HAD ENCOUNTERED.

THEY WERE PEDDLING FALSE INFORMATION TO EXTRACT REVENGE AGAINST THOSE WHO WOULD EXPOSE THEIR MISCONDUCT INCLUDING U.S. DIPLOMATS.

>> AS MR. KENT INDICATED THE SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH WAS OR STRAITED BY CORRUPT UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS WORKING AT MR. RUDOLPH GIULIANI'S DETECTION.

THEY WERE INDICTED ON SEVERAL CHARGES INCLUDING LARGE DONATIONS MADE TO SUPPORT PRESIDENT TRUMP.

SIMPLY PUT IN DOING HER JOB WELL AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH DREW ATTENTION.

YOU CAN'T HAVE ANTI-CORRUPT EFFORTS WITHOUT PISSING OFF CORRUPT PEOPLE.

THEY FEARED THAT THE AMBASSADOR WOULD STAND-IN THE WAY OF HIS CORRUPT EFFORTS TO CORRUPT UKRAINE.

RUDOLPH GIULIANI'S SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH BECAME PUBLIC.

BASED ON INTERVIEWS WITH LUTSENKO.

ON MARCH 20th, 2019.

LUTSENKO FALSELY SAID AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH GAVE HIM A DO NOT PROSECUTE LIST.

NOT ONLY WAS THE ALLEGATION FALSE BUT AFTER HAVING HELP ORIGINATE THE CLAIM LUTSENKO WwU3% LATER GO ONTO RETRACT IT.

THE SAME PIECE ALSO SAID AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH MADE DISPARAGING STATEMENTS ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT CINCO DE MAYO THIS WAS A TOTAL FABRICATION.

PRESIDENT TRUMP PROMOTED THE ARTICLE IN A TWEET THAT INTENSIFIED THE PUBLIC ATTACKS AGAINST AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH.

ON MARCH 24, DONALD TRUMP JR. CALLED AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH A JOKER ON TWITTER AND CALLED FOR HER REMOVAL.

YOU CAN SEE THE SLIDES OF THE TWO TWEETS.

THESE UNFOUNDED SMEARS BY THE PRESIDENT AND HIS SON WENT TO UKRAINE.

MR. LUTSENKO'S SPOKE WOMAN RE-TWEETED DONALD TRUMP JR.'S TWEET FARTHER UNDERMINING HER STANDING IN UKRAINE.

MR. RUDOLPH GIULIANI WASN'T CONTENT TO STAY BEHIND THE SCENES EITHER.

HE PROMOTED THE SAME ATTACKS ON THE AMBASSADOR ON TWITTER, FOX NEWS, AND ELSEWHERE.

AT THE END OF MARCH THE ATTACKS INTENSIFIED.

THE AMBASSADOR SENT DAVID HALE AN E-MAIL DETAILING HER CONCERNS AND ASKED FOR SUPPORT FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

THE REPLY, THE STATE DEPARTMENT TOLD HER THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP HER.

IF THEY ISSUED A PUBLIC STATEMENT SUPPORTING HER IT COULD BE UNDERMINED BY THE PRESIDENT.

THEY ARE CONCERNED THAT QUOTE, THE REGULAR WILL BE PULLED OUT FROM UNDER THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT CANNOT EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR AN AMERICAN AMBASSADOR THREATENED ABROAD BECAUSE THEY ARE CONCERNED IF THEY EXPRESS SUPPORT THE REGULAR WILL BE PULLED OUT FROM UNDER THEM BY THE PRESIDENT.

WHAT IT'D MUST HAVE TAKEN.

PHONE RECORDS SHOW THAT RUDOLPH GIULIANI KEPT THE WHITE HOUSE FULL OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS.

AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE SLIDES.

AGAIN, IT'S WITH REMEMBERING THAT SMEARING THE AMBASSADOR WAS A MEANS TO AN END.

REMOVING HER WOULD ALLOW THEM THE FREEDOM TO PRESSURE THE UKRAINE FOR SHAME INVESTIGATIONSMENT WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT THE INVESTIGATIONS THAT RUDOLPH GIULIANI WERE PROMOTING ON BEHALF OF THE PRESIDENT.

LET'S FOCUS ON THE ALLEGATION OF UKRAINE, NOT RUSSIA, IN OUR LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

IN FEBRUARY OF 2017, SHORTLY AFTER THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY THE CIA AND FBI AND ALL OF THE INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES SAID RUSSIA INTERFERED IN THE ELECTION TO HELP DONALD TRUMP.

THIS ALTERNATIVE THEORY GAVE SOME ATTENTION WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PUTIN IN A PRESS CONFERENCE.

SEC HE SAID, I'M QUOTING FROM HIM.

IT'S IN RUSSIAN ON THE SLIDES.

SECOND WE KNOW DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN THE UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT ADOPTED A POSITION IN FAVOR OF ONE CANDIDATE.

CERTAIN.

>> THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS I HEARD.

SOME OF YOU APPEAR TO BELIEVE THAT YOU SHALL -- THAA DIDN'T INTEGER BUT UKRAINE DID.

THIS IS FALSE KNOWLEDGE THIS IS A PUBLIC CONCUSSION OF AGENCIES CONFIRMED IN BIPARTISAN REPORTS.

IT'S BEYOND DISPUTE.

EVEN IF THE UNDERLINE DETAILS WERE TESTIFIED.

THE IMPACT OF THE RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN REMAINS EVIDENT TODAY.

OUR HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL EXPECT OF SERVICE IS UNDERMINED.

THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT IS TO WEAKEN OUR COUNTRY AND DIMINISH AMERICANS GLOBAL ROLE AND DECEIVE THE THREAT TO RUSSIAN INTEREST.

>> PRESIDENT TRUMP KNEW THIS TOO.

HIS FORMER HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISER, TOM SAID THE UKRAINE HACKING THE SEVER WASN'T ONLY A CONSPIRACY THEORY BUT COMPLETELY DEBUNKED.

HE AND OTHER OFFICIALS SPENT HOURS WITH THE PRESIDENT EXPLAINING WHY.

THE SECOND FALSE ALLEGATIONS THAT THE PRESIDENT WANTED THE UKRAINIANS TO ANNOUNCE WAS THAT VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN USED HIS POWER TO PROTECT THE COMPANY ON WHOSE BOARD HIS SON SAT BY FORCING THE REMOVAL OF VICTOR THE CORRUPT FORMER PROSECUTOR GENERAL.

IT'S TRUE THAT VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN HELPED REMOVE MR. CHOKIN AND LUTSENKO BE REMOVED.

THEY ARE FULFILLING U.S. POLICY.

NOT TO SECURE A PERSONAL BENEFIT BUT ADVANCE THE OFFICIAL POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES AND ALLIES.

EVEN LUTSENKO WHO DECEIVED THIS LATER ADMITTED THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE VICE PRESIDENT WERE FALSE.

RUDOLPH GIULIANI TOLD KURT VOLKER THAT HE ALSO KNEW THE ATTACKS WERE A LIE.

WITH AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH OUT-OF-THE WAY THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE UKRAINE SCHEME WAS COMPLETE.

MR. RUDOLPH GIULIANI AND AGENTS COULD SPREAD THE TWO FALSEHOODS.

WHO BENEFITTED.

WHO SENT RUDOLPH GIULIANI TO THE YOU UKRAINE IN THE FIRST PLACE?

WE COULD REFRAME THIS QUESTION.

WHAT DID THE PRESIDENT KNOW AND WHEN DID HE KNOW IT?

>> MR. CHIEF JUSTICE, SENATORS COUNCIL.

PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT ZELENSKY'S RELATIONSHIP STARTED OUT WELL.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTED THE TWO INVESTIGATIONS FROM ZELENSKY AND HE HAD NO REASON TO BEHEAVE HE WOULDN'T GET WHAT HE WANTED.

IN APRIL ZELENSKY THAT KNEW TO POLITICS WON THE ELECTION.

THAT EVENING PRESIDENT TRUMP CALLED ZELENSKY TO CONGRATULATE HIM.

ON THE FIRST CALL, THE FIRST CALL ZELENSKY INVITED PRESIDENT TRUMP TO VISIT UKRAINE FOR THE UPCOMING INAUGURATION.

PRESIDENT TRUMP INTURN EN PROMISED THEY WOULD SEND SOMEONE AT A HIGH LEVEL.

DURING THE SAME CALL PRESIDENT TRUMP INVITED ZELENSKY TO THE WHITE HOUSE SAYING WHEN YOU ARE SETTLED IN AND READY I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO TALK ABOUT BUT WE ARE WITH YOU ALL OF THE WAY.

ZELENSKY IMMEDIATELY EXCEPTED THE PRESIDENT'S INVITATION ADDING THE WHOLE TEAM AND I ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE VISIT.

WITNESSES TESTIFIED ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A WHITE HOUSE MEETING FOR THE POLITICAL NEWCOMER.

THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING WILL SHOW UKRAINIANS THAT AMERICA SUPPORTED THE ANTICORRUPTION PLATFORM.

DECLARE BACKING OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

UKRAINES MOST IMPORTANT PATRON WOULD SEND A POWERFUL MASSAGE TO RUSSIA THAT WE HAD UKRAINE'S BACK.

DURING THAT APRIL 24th CALL PRESIDENT TRUMP NEVER EVEN UTTERED THE WORD CORRUPTION.

THE WHITE HOUSE CALL FALSELY RESTATED THAT THE PRESIDENT'S PRESIDENTS DISCUSSED ANTICORRUPTION EFFORTS.

AFTER THE PHONE CALL JENNIFER WILLIAMS LEARNED THAT PRESIDENT ASKED VICE PRESIDENT PENCE TO ATTEND ZELENSKY'S INAUGURATION.

WILLIAMS AND HER COLLEAGUES BEGIN PLANNING FOR PENCE'S TRIP.

AT THE SAME TIME RUDOLPH GIULIANI WAS TRYING TO GET THE UKRAINES TO INVESTIGATION BIDEN.

ON APRIL 24, RUDOLPH GIULIANI WENT ON FOX AND FRIENDS AND HAD THIS TO SAY.

>> KEEP YOU EYE ON UKRAINE.

A LOT OF THE DIRTY WORK WAS DONE.

AMERICAN OFFICIALS LEADERS, UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS WERE USED.

THAT'S LIKE COLLUSION WITH THE UKRAINES.

IN THIS CASE CONSPIRACY.

WE WILL GET INTERESTING INFORMATION ABOUT YOU BIDEN ABOUT HIS SON HUNTER BIDEN.

ABOUT A COMPANY HE WAS ON THE BOARD OF FOR YEARS.

IT MIGHT BE ONE OF THE MOST COOKED COMPANIES.

>> FOR THIS TO BE BENEFICIAL RUDOLPH GIULIANI NEEDED ACCESS TO THE NEW GOVERNMENT IN THE UKRAINE.

HE DISPATCHED HIS ASSOCIATES TO TRY TO MAKIN' ROADS WITH THE ZELENSKY TEAM.

ON APRIL 25, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED HIS BED FOR -- BID FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

IMMEDIATELY HE WAS AT THE TOP OF THE POLLS.

THAT SAME DAY AN AMERICAN DIPLOMAT LEARNED THAT RUDOLPH GIULIANI REACHED OUT TO THE HEAD OF PRESIDENT ZELENSKY'S CAMPAIGN.

AS MR. HOLMES EXPLAINED THEY BEGAN TO THINK THAT RUDOLPH GIULIANI WAS A SIGNIFICANT PERSON IN TERMS OF MANAGING THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES.

AS RUDOLPH GIULIANI AND ASSOCIATES WORK BEHIND THE SCENES TO GET ACCESS TO THE NEW LEADERSHIPIN UKRAINE PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS PUBLICLY SIGNALING HIS INTEREST IN THE INVESTIGATIONS.

ON MAY 2, THE PRESIDENT APPEARED ON FOX NEWS AND ASKED SHOULD THE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT EXPLAIN HIMSELF ON HIS FEELING IN UKRAINE AND WHETHER THERE WAS A CONFLICT WITH HIS SON'S BUSINESS INTEREST.

PRESIDENT TRUMP REPLIED AS FOLLOWS.

>> I'M HEARING IT'S A MAJOR CANDLE AND PROBLEM.

VERY BAD THINGS HAPPENED.

WE WILL SEE WHAT THAT IS.

THEY HAVE HIM ON TAPE TALKING ABOUT IT.

THEY HAVE JOE BIDEN ON TAPE TALKING ABOUT THE PROSECUTOR.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT TAPE.

THAT'S UP TO THEM.

THEY HAVE TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.

>> THE TAPE PRESIDENT TRUMP REFERENCED IS A VIDEO FROM JANUARY OF 2013.

VICE PRESIDENT PLACED AN ULTIMATUM TO REMOVE THE PROSECUTOR GENERAL TO MAKE SURE THE MONEY WOULD BE USED APPROPRIATE.

THIS WAS ALONG WITH U.S. POLICY AS WELL WITH THE OPINIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

ON MAY NINTH THE NEW YORK TIMES PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE ABOUT UKRAINE.

THE ARTICLE CONFIRMED HE PLANNED TO MEET ZELENSKY.

HE WANTED TO PRESS THEM TO PURSUE THE INVESTIGATIONS.

THIS IS SOMETHING THE PRESIDENT PROMOTED DAYS BEFORE.

WE ARE NOT MEDDLING IN AN ELECTION.

RUDOLPH GIULIANI WENT ONTO A ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HIS ACTIONS COULD EFFECT THE PRESIDENT PERSONALLY.

THIS IS NOT FOREIGN POLICY.

I'M ASKING THEM TO DO AN INVESTIGATION THEY ARE DOING ALREADY AND OTHERS ARE TELLING THEM TO STOP.

I'LL GIVE THEM REASONS WHY THEY SHOULDN'T STOP IT BECAUSE THAT INFORMATION WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL TO MY CLIENT.

IT MAY TURNOUT TO BE HELPFUL TO MY GOVERNMENT.

THAT'S IT, RIGHT THERE.

RUDOLPH GIULIANI ADMITTING HE WAS ASKING UKRAINE TO WORK AN INVESTIGATION THAT WOULD BE VERY, VERY HELPFUL TO THE PRESIDENT.

HE WAS NOT DOING FOREIGN POLICY.

HE WAS NOT DOING THIS ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.

HE WAS DOING THIS THE FOR PERSONAL INTEREST OF HIS CLIENT DONALD J. TRUMP.

THE NEXT MORNING ON MAY 10.

RUDOLPH GIULIANI TWEETED ABOUT BIDEN THEN HAD A FLURRY OF CALLS WITH WITH PEOPLE HELPING PLAN THE TRIP TO UKRAINE.

THAT SAME DAY, RUDOLPH GIULIANI ALSO SPOKE WITH AMBASSADOR VOLKER ON THE PHONE FOR MORE THAN 30 MINUTES.

AMBASSADOR VOLKER LEARNED THAT RUDOLPH GIULIANI INTENDED TO TRAVEL TO UKRAINE AND CALLED6' TO WARN RUDOLPH GIULIANI THAT PROSECUTOR GENERAL LUTSENKO IS NOT CREDIBLE.

DON'T LISTEN TO WHAT HE'S SAYING.

LATER THAT DAY RUDOLPH GIULIANI HAD A 17 MINUTE CALL WITH A MASKED WHITE HOUSE NUMBER BEFORE SPEAKING AGAIN WITH ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL FOR 12 MINUTES.

THEY ASKED PRESIDENT ABOUT RUDOLPH GIULIANI UPCOMING TRIP AND HE REPLIED REPLIED I HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO HIM IN ANY GRATING LENGTHS BUT I WILL.

I WILL SPEAK TO HIM BEFORE HE LEAVES.

THAT EVENING, ON FOX NEWS RUDOLPH GIULIANI ANNOUNCED.

I'M NOT GOING TO UKRAINE BECAUSE I THINK I'M WALKING INTO A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT ARE ENEMIES OF THE PRESIDENT.

SEPARATELY, IN A TEXT MASSAGE TO POLITICO.

HE SAID IT WAS A SEC UP ORCHESTRATED BY SEVERAL CRITICS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT WERE ADVISING ZELENSKY.

RUDOLPH GIULIANI DECLARED HE'S IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMIES OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

RUDOLPH GIULIANI HADN'T STOPPED TRYING.

HE HAD SENT A LETTER TO ZELENSKY'S SENIOR AID ASKING FOR A MEETING.

THAT LATER MADE IT CLEAR THAT RUDOLPH GIULIANI WAS REPRESENTING THE PRESIDENT AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN AND THAT HE WHICH IS WORKING WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP'S KNOWLEDGE AND CONSENT.

THE LETTER IS ON THE SLIDE AND READS, QUOTE.

IN MY CAPACITY AS PERSONAL COUNCIL TO PRESIDENT TRUMP AND WITH HIS KNOWLEDGE AND CONSENT, I REQUEST A MEETING WITH YOU ON THIS UPCOMING MONDAY, MAY 13 OR TUESDAY, MAY 14.

I WILL NEED NO MORE THAN A HALF HOUR OF YOUR TIME.

I'LL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MY COLLEAGUE VICTORIA, A DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN ATTORNEY WHO IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS MATTER.

IT KIDN'T APPEAR THAT RUDOLPH GIULIANI ATTEMPTS TO GET THE MEETING WERE WORKING.

THAT SAME DAY, RUDOLPH GIULIANI SENT A TEXT ASKING THIS GUY IS KANG SELLING MEETING I THINK.

APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS LATER RUDOLPH GIULIANI SENT DRAFTS OF AUTO PUBLIC STATEMENT THAT PEOPLE ADVISING THE PRESIDENT ELECT ARE NO FRIENDS OF THE PRESIDENT THREE DAYS LATER THEY INSPECTED HIM NOT TO ATTEND THE INAUGURATION IN UKRAINE.

JUST THREE DAYS LATER STAFFER GENDER WILLIAMS WE RECEIVED A CALL.

>> ON MAY 13, AN ASSISTANT CALLED AND INFORMED ME THE VICE PRESIDENT WOULDN'T ATTEND THE INAUGURATION IN UKRAINE.

SHE DIDN'T PROVIDE ANY FARTHER EXPLANATION.

I RELAYED THAT TO THOSE INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING OF THE TRIP AND INFORMED THE NFL THE PRESIDENT E VICE PRESIDENT WOULDN'T ATTEND.

>> WILLIAMS CONFIRMED THE INAUGURATION DATE HADN'T BEEN DECIDED OR BEEN SCHEDULED AT THE TIME OF THAT PHONE CALL.

THE REASON FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DECISION WAS CERTAINLY NOT DUE TO A SCHEDULING CONFLICT.

THE SECTARY OF ENERGY RECK PERRY LEAD MEETING.

AMBASSADOR VOLKER AND NFC DIRECTOR.

ALEXANDER, ROB JOHNSON ATTENDED MANY OF THE INAUGURATION WITH DELEGATION.

WHEN ASKED OF THE DELEGATION WAS A GOOD GROUP, HOLMES REPLIED.

IT WASN'T AS SEEN DELEGATION AS EXPECTED.

AFTER THE INAUGURATION, AMBASSADOR SONDLAND HAD A FAVORABLE IMPRESSION OF ZELENSKY.

THEY BELIEVED IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP PERSONALLY ENGAGED WITH THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE IN ORDER TO DEMONSTRATE FULL U.S. SUPPORT FOR HIM.

WITH THE INAUGURATION TEAM RETURNED TO THE UNITED STATES THEY HAD A MEETING WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP ON MAY 23.

THE MAY 23 MEETING WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP PROVED TO BE IMPORTANT FOR TWO REASONS.

FIRST, WITH AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH OUT-OF-THE-WAY PRESIDENT TRUMP AUTHORIZED AMBASSADOR SONDLAND, SECTARY PERRY, AND VOLKER TOLEDO WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION OF UKRAINE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP INSTRUCTED THEM TO SATISFY RUDOLPH GIULIANI'S CONCERNS.

THIS WAS IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD ON UKRAINE MATTERS.

THESE OFFICIALS WERE ALL POLITICAL APPOINTEES.

THE AMBASSADOR DONATED $1 MILLION TO THE PRESIDENT'S INAUGURATION.

THE PRESIDENT SAW THESE THREE POLITICAL APPOINTEES AS OFFICIALS THAT WOULD FULFILL HIS REQUEST.

AMBASSADOR VOLUNTARY R TESTIFIED THAT THEY TOOK TURNS MAKING THEIR CASE THAT THIS IS A NEW CROWD.

IT'S A NEW PRESIDENT IN UKRAINE.

HE'S COMMITTED TO DOING THE RIGHT THING INCLUDING FIGHTING CORRUPTION.

THEY RECOMMENDED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP FOLLOW-THROUGH WITH MEETING WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY IN THE OVAL OFFICE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP DIDN'T RECEIVE THE RECOMMENDATION WELL.

>> WE STRESSED OUR FINDING THAT PRESIDENT PRESIDT ZELENSKY PRESENTED THE BEST CHANCE OF GETTING THE UKRAINE OUT OF CORRUPTION.

REURGED HIM TO INVITE PRESIDENT ZELENSKY TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

THE PRESIDENT WAS SKEPTICAL.

GIVEN THEIR HISTORY OF CORRUPTION.

HE SAID THEY WERE A CORRUPT COUNTRY FULL OF TERRIBLE PEOPLE.

HE SAID THEY TRIED TO TAKE ME DOWN.

HE REFERENCED CONVERSATIONS WITH MAYOR RUDOLPH GIULIANI.

FROM THE CONVERSATIONS CONVEYED PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD A DEEPLY ROOTED NEGATIVE VIEW ON UKRAINE.

HE WAS RECEIVING OTHER INFORMATION FROM OTHER SOURCES INCLUDING RUDOLPH GIULIANI THAT WAS MORE NEGATIVE CAUSING HIM TO RETAIN THIS NEGATIVE VIEW.

>> WITNESSES SAY THE REFERENCE TO TAKING ME DOWN WAS TO UNFOUNDED ALLEGATIONS THAT UKRAINE INTERFERED IN THE 2016 2016 ELECTION.

THIS IS WHAT THEY CONSIDERED TO BE CORRUPT IN THE UKRAINE.

THE PRESIDENT'S WORDS ECHOED RUDOLPH GIULIANI'S MASSAGE.

RATHER THAN COMMITTING TO A MEETING WITH A UKRAINIAN LEADER.

PRESIDENT TRUMP DIRECTED THE DELEGATION TO TALK TO RUDOLPH GIULIANI.

HERE IS HOW THE AMBASSADOR DESCRIBED THAT INSTRUCTION FROM THE PRESIDENT.

>> IF WE WANTED TO GET ANYTHING DONE WITH UKRAINE IT WAS APPARENT WE NEEDED TO TALK TOY.

>> YOU UNDERSTOOD THAT RUDOLPH GIULIANI SPOKE FOR THE PRESIDENT.

>> CORRECT.

THEY SAW THE WRITING ON THE WALL.

SONDLAND CONCLUDED IF WE DIDN'T TALK TO RUDOLPH GIULIANI YOU WOULDN'T TALK TO THE UKRAINE.

>> THEY WILL CONTINUE WITH THEIR FIRST DAY OF ARGUMENTS FOR SEVERAL HOURS.

WE WILL FOCUS ON PREPARING FOR TONIGHT'S NEWS HOUR BROADCAST.

OUR COVERAGE WILL CONTINUE HERE ON TELEVISION AND ON-LINE AT PBS.ORG/NEWSHOUR.

WE'LL BE BACK LATER THIS EVENING AFTER THE NEWS HOUR TO CONTINUE OUR LIVE COVERAGE AND ANALYSIS.

WE'LL RETURN YOU TO CAPITOL HILL WILL CIVIL I SYLVIA GARCIA IS PRESENTING.

>> THE ATTACKS, THE SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE AMBASSADOR AND EXPRESSED REGRETS ABOUT HOW THIS IS UNFOLDING AND THE SHAMEFUL WAY THE AMBASSADOR WAS SMEARED IN ATTACKS.

I WOULD ASK IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE COULD DO ACT IT.

THE AMBASSADOR LOOKED PAINED AND INDICATED WITH BODY LANGUAGE THERE WAS NOTHING WE COULD DO ABOUT IT.

HE THEN, IN THE COURSE OF THE DISCUSSION SAID RUDOLPH GIULIANI WAS A HAND GRENADE THAT WAS GOING TO BLOW EVERYBODY UP?

>> DID YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT HE MEANT?

>> I DID.

WHAT DID YOU THINK?

HE WAS SAYING WAS PRETTY EXPLOSIVE.

HE WAS MAKING REMARKS ABOUT EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS.

HE WAS PUSHING FORWARD ISSUES AND IDEAS THAT WOULD COME BACK TO HAUNT US.

>> ACCORDING TO HILL'S DESCRIPTION.

BOLTON SAID RUDOLPH GIULIANI INFLAW ANSWER WOULD PROBLEMATIC.

HE INSTRUCTED THE STAFF NOT TO MEET WITH RUDOLPH GIULIANI.

IN JUNE HE RELAYED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTED TO HEAR FROM ZELENSKY BEFORE SCHEDULING THE MEETING IN THE OVAL OFFICE.

AMBASSADOR TAYLOR TESTIFIED HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND AT THE TIME WHAT THAT MEANT.

AROUND THIS TIME THE PRESIDENT PUBLICLY EXPRESSED THAT HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE OKAY TO EXCEPT FOREIGN INTERFERENCE TO ASSIST HIS CAMPAIGN IF IT WAS IN THE FORM OPPOSE OPPOSITION RESEARCH ON HIS OPPONENT.

LET'S LISTEN TO THAT SHOCKING INTERVIEW.

>> THE CAMPAIGN THIS TIME OF RAIN IF SOMEONE ELSE OFFERS INFORMS SHOULD THEY EXCEPT IT OR CALL THE FBI?

>> I THINK THEY SHOULD DO BOTH.

THEY MIGHT WANT TO LISTEN.

IF SOMEONE CALLED FROM A COUNTRY, NORWAY, WE HAVE INFORMATION ON YOUR OPPONENT.

OH, I THINK I WOULD WANT TO HEAR IT.

>> YOU WOULD LIKE THAT KIND OF INTERFERENCE IN OUR ELECTIONS?

>> IT'S NOT INTERFERENCE BUT INFORMATION.

>> SHOCKING VIDEO.

MEANWHILE, RUDOLPH GIULIANI CONTINUED TO PRESS THE UKRAINE TO DO THE PRESIDENT'S DIRTY WORK.

ON JUNE 21, RUDOLPH GIULIANI TWEETED THE FOLLOWING.

THEY ARE STILL SIGH LEND ON UKRAINIAN INTERFERENCE.

AN ALLEGED BRIBERY.

IT'S TIME FOR LEADERSHIP AND INVESTIGATE BOTH IF YOU WANT TO PURGE HOW UKRAINE WAS ABUSED BY HILARY AND OBAMA PEOPLE.

THE QUID PRO QUO SCHEME WAS TAKING PLACE.

RUDOLPH GIULIANI WAS PUBLICLY ADVOCATING FOR UKRAINE TO CONDUCT POLITICAL MOTIVATION WHILE PRESIDENT TRUMP REFUSED TO SCHEDULE AN OVAL OFFICE MEETING.

HE TESTIFIED THEY PRESSURED UKRAINE TO CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATION AND THEY WOULD ONLY GET MORE INSIDIOUS WITH TIME.

>> MR. CHIEF JUSTICE.

THE THE MAJORITY LEADER ASKED FOR A BREAK TWO HOURS IN.

I WOULD LIKE TO START AND THEN WE TAKE A BREAK.

>> MR. CHIEF JUSTICE AND MEMBERS OF THE SENATE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

WHERE WERE YOU ON JULY 25, 2019.

IT WAS A THURSDAY.

IT WAS IN THE CHAMBER AND JULY h ACROSS THE ATLANTIC 68 68,00 TROOPS WERE DOING WHAT THAT COULD DO EVERY SOMEDAY.

THEY WERE DEFENDING AGAINST RUSSIA.

THE PROFESSIONALISM AND SACRIFICE OF OUR MEN AND WOMEN INDOWN FORM IS A SOURCE OF GREAT STRAIGHT.

AMERICA IS ALSO STRONG AND SECURE BECAUSE WE HAVE FRIENDS.

ON JULY 25, 2019, ONE OF THOSE FRIENDS WAS A MAN NAMED ALEXANDER.

IN A STORY TOLD TO THE LAS ANGELES TIMES.

HE WAS A SOLDIER IN THE UKRAINIAN ARMY DEFENDING HIS COUNTRY AND EUROPE AGAINST RUSSIAN BACKED FORCES ON UKRAINE'S EASTERN FRONT.

HE WAS 38 YEARS OLD.

ALEXANDER WOULD LATER DIE DEFENDING HIS COUNTRY DURING A MORTAR ATTACKS.

THIS IS GIVING HIS LIFE JUST LIKE OVER 13,000 OF HIS FELLOW UKRAINIANS ON THE FRONT LINE.

THAT SAME LAS ANGELES TIMES ARTICLE PAINED A PICTURE OF WHAT UKRAINIANS WERE GOING THROUGH DURING THIS TIME.

QUOTE, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIANS VOLUNTEERED TO HELP FIGHT THE RUSSIAN BACKED SEPARATIST IN THE EAST.

MANY WERE SENT TO THE FRONT LINE WEARING SNEAKERS AND WITHOUT JACKETS AND HELMETS LET ALONE AMMUNITION.

UKRAINIANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ORGANIZED IN ABUNPRESS -- UNPRECEDENTED MILITARY.

FROM SOLDIERS BOATS TO BULLETS.

WHILE OTHER FRIENDS WERE AT WAR WITH RUSSIAN WEARING SNEAKERS.

SOME WITHOUT HELMETS.

SOMETHING ELSE WAS HAPPENING.

ON JULY 25, PRESIDENT TRUMP MADE A PHONE CALL.

HE SPOKE WITH UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AND ASKED FOR A FAVOR.

ON THAT'wm AFTER HIS CALL.

HIS ADMINISTRATION WAS QUIETLY PLACING AN ILLEGAL HOLD ON CRITICAL MILITARY AID TO SUPPORT OUR FRIENDS.

WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN UKRAINE.

TIMOTHY MORRISON, THE FORMER SENIOR DIRECTOR PUT IT BLUNTLY.

>> TO BELIEVE THAT UKRAINE IS ON THE FRONT LINE IN THE WEST.

RUSSIA IS A FAILING POWER.

IT'S STILL A DANGEROUS ONE.

THE UNITED STATES AIDS UKRAINE AND HER PEOPLE SO THEY CAN FIGHT RUSSIA OVER THERE AND WE DON'T HAVE TO FIGHT RUSSIA HERE.

THE FIGHT HAS BEEN A BIPARTISAN OBJECTIVE.

IT MUST CONTINUE TO BE.

>> WE HELP OUR PARTNER FIGHT RUSSIA OVER THERE SO WE DON'T HAVE TO FIGHT RUSSIA HERE.

OUR FRIENDS ON THE FRONT LINE IN TRENCHES WITH STHAEBGERS.

FOLLOWING RUSSIA'S EN VATION OF YOU CRANE IN 2014, THE UNITED STATES HAS STOOD BY UKRAINE.

WE HAVE LONG SAID THAT SUPPORTING AOU CLEAN MAKES US SAVER.

YOU DON'T NODE ME TO TELL THAT YOU.

YOU ALL KNOW IT VERY WELL.

WHEN THE FUNDING CAME UP FOR A VOTE UNDER THIS ROOF 17 OF YOU VOTED FOR THE AID.

MANY HAVE BEEN STAUNCH AD ROW KATE FOR UKRAINE.

WORKING IN A NON PARTISAN WAY TO SUPPORT OUR FRIENDS.

THAT SUPPORT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.

BECAUSE POLITICS SHOULD NOT PLAY A PART IN INSURING UKRAINE CAN BATTLE RUSSIAN AGGRESSION AND INSURE THAT FREEDOM WINS IN EUROPE.

THIS BODY IN SO MANY WAYS HAS SET THE EXAMPLE.

PROTECTING EUROPE FROM RUSSIA IS NOT A POLITICAL GAIN.

LET ME PROVIDE SOME BACKGROUND.

IN EARLY 2014 IN WHAT WAS KNOWN AS THE REVOLUTION OF DIGNITY DEMOCRATIC REFORMS WERE WARRANTED IN THE ED FOR CORRUPTION.

WITHIN DAYS MILITARY FORCES INNOVATED UKRAINE AND EASTERN UKRAINE.

SINCE 2014 MORE THAN 13,000 UKRAINIANS HAVE BEEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THE CONFLICT.

OVER 1.4 MILLION FORCED FROM THEIR HOMES.

RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE IS THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO REDRAW AOURPZ BORDER'S SINCE WORLD WAR II.

IN 2017 THEN SECRETARY OF DEFENSE JAMES PH-RBG ADIS SUMMED IT WELL. "

-- UNDER MINING THE SOVEREIGN AND FREE NATIONS OF EUROPE."

AS AMBASSADOR TAYLOR PUT IT: IT'S CLEAR OUR FRIENDS AND ALLIES HAVE ALSO RESPONDED.

IMPOSING SAEURPBGSS ON RUSSIA.

PROVIDING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN HOW MAN TAEURPB AND ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE.

THIS HAS BEEN A UNTER NATIONAL EFFORT.

TODAY THE EUROPEAN UNION IS THE LARGEST CONTRIBUTOR TO UKRAINE.

PROVIDING 12 BILLION IN GRANTS AND LOANS.

THE UNITED STATES HAS PROVIDED 3 BILLION IN ASSISTANCE IN THAT TIME.

WE HO WE CAN'T SEPARATE OUR OWN SECURITY FROM THE SECURITY OF OUR FRIENDS AND ALLIES.

THAT'S WHY THE U.S.

PROVIDES ECONOMIC SECURITY AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING.

AMBASSADOR TRAILER TESTIFIED AMERICAN AID IS A CONCRETE DEMONSTRATION TO "OUR COMMITMENT TO RESIST AND TO DEFEND FREEDOM."

HE DETAILED OUR ASSISTANCE FOR UKRAINE SOURCES.

>> MR. CHAIRMAN, THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE WE PROVIDE TAKES MANY FORMS.

ONE OF THE COMPONENT OF THE ASSISTANCE IS COUNTER BATTERY RADAR.

ANOTHER ARE STIPER WEAPONS.

THESE WEAPONS AND ASSISTANCE ALLOWS THE UKRAINIAN MULL TEARY TO DETER FURTHER INCURSIONS BY THE RUSSIANS AGAINST UKRAINIAN TERRITORY.

IF THAT FURTHER AGGRESSION WAS TO TAKE PLACE MORE AOU SCREENIANS TO DIE.

IT'S A DETERRENT EFFECT THAT THESE WEAPONS PROVIDE.

IT ALSO GIVES THE UKRAINIANS THE ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE FROM A POSITION OF A LITTLE MORE STRENGTH WHEN THEY NEGOTIATE AN END TO THE WAR, NEGOTIATING WITH THE RUSSIANS.

THIS IS A WAY TO REDUCE UKRAINIANS WHO WOULD DIE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A FINER POINT HOW THIS TYPE OF AID HELPS.

I KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT COUNTER BATTERY RADAR.

IN 2005 I WAS AN ARMY RANGER SERVING IN A SPECIAL OPERATIONS TASK FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN.

WE WERE AT A REMOTE OPERATING BASE ALONG THE AFGHAN/PAKISTAN BORDER.

FREQUENTLY THE INSURGENCE WE WERE FIGHTING WOULD LAUNCH ROCKETS AND MISSILES ONTO OUR SMALL BASE.

LUCKILY WE WERE PROVIDED WITH COUNTER BATTERY RADAR.

SO 20, 30, 40 SECONDS BEFORE THE ROCKET AND MORTARS RAINED DOWN ON US AN ALARM WOULD SOUND.

WE WOULD RUN OUT FROM OUR TENTS AND JUMP INTO OUR CONCRETE BUNKERS AND WAIT FOR THE ATTACK TO END.

THIS IS NOT A THEORETICAL EXERCISE.

THE UKRAINIANS KNOW IT.

FOR UKRAINE AID FROM THE U.S. CCONSTITUTES ABOUT TEN PERCENT F THEIR MILITARY BUDGET.

IT'S SAFE TO SAY THEY CAN'T FIGHT EFFECTIVELY WITHOUT IT.

NO DOUBT U.S. MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE MAKES A REAL DIFFERENCE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST RUSSIA.

IN 2019 CONGRESS PROVIDED $311 MILLION IN ASSISTANCE.

THIS INCLUDED 250 MILLION THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE VIA UKRAINE SECURITY INITIATIVE ASSISTANCE AND MORE THROUGH THE FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING PROGRAM.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED THE BILL TO AUTHORIZE THIS AID IN AUGUST 2018.

SIGNED ANOTHER BILL TO FUND IT THE FOLLOWING MONTH.

THE AID WAS UNDER WAY.

THE TRAIN WAS LEAVING THE STATION AND FOLLOWING THE SAME TRACK IT HAD FOLLOWED EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

ALL OF HA THIS WAS ABOUT TO CHA.

IN JULY 2019, PRESIDENT TRUMP ORDERED THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, OMB, TO PUT A HOLD ON ALL OF THE AID.

THE PRESIDENT PERSONALLY MADE THIS DECISION EVEN AH HIS OWN APPOINTED ADVISORS WARNED HIM IT WASN'T WITHIN OUR COUNTRY'S INTEREST TO HOLD THE AID.

AFTER OVERWHELMING SUPPORT IN THE SENATE AND LONGSTANDING POLICY EVEN IN HIS OWN ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT IS MOST INTERESTING TO ME ABOUT THIS IS THAT HE WAS ONLY INTERESTED IN THE UKRAINE AID.

NOBODY ELSE.

THE U.S.

PROVIDES AID TO DOZENS OF COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD.

LOT OF PARTNERS AND ALLIES.

HE CAN'T ASK ABOUT ANY OF THEM JUST UKRAINE.

THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION HERE IS WHY WOULD HE DO THAT, WHAT WAS THE MOTIVATION?

WELSHING WE NOW KNOW WHY.

THIS SHOCKED OUR GOVERNMENT THIS CERTIFIED THE CONGRESS THAT UKRAINE SUBMITTED SUFFICIENT ANTICORRUPTION REFORMS TO GET THE GUNS.

THEY NOTIFIED THE A TENT TO DELIVER ASSISTANCE.

LET'S RECAP ALL OF THIS.

CONGRESS FUNDED IT.

OUR OWN GOVERNMENT CERTIFIED AND CONGRESS WAS NOTIFIED LIKE EVERY OTHER YEAR.

IN A SERIES OF MEETINGS OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCIES EVERYONE ACCEPT THE OMB ACCEPTED THE ASSISTANCE.

THE OMB IS HEADED BY NICK MULVANEY THE PRESIDENT'S STAFF.

EXPERTS AT DOD AND THE WHITE HOUSE EMPHASIZED OF THE IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST OF THE U.S. TO SUPPORT UKRAINE IN THEIR FIGHT.

IT WASN'T JUST THE NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNED.

MANY PEOPLE THOUGHT THE HOLD WAS OUT RIGHT ILLEGAL.

THEY WERE RIGHT.

IT WAS.

THE PRESIDENT DID VIE HATE THE HAW.

JUST LAST WEEK CONGRESS' NON PARTISAN WATCHDOG RELEASED AN OPINION FIND THE HOLD WAS A LEAK.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HELD THE MILITARY AID MONEY TORE SO LONG THAT THE ADMINISTRATION RAN OUT OF TOMB TO SPEND THE MONEY.

ULTIMATELY AFTER THE PRESIDENT LIFTED THE HOLD ON SEPTEMBER 11th WITH NO CLEAR EXPLANATION WHY WE THE CONGRESS HAD TO PASS ANOTHER LEW TO EXTEND THE DEAD LINE.

DELAYING THE DELIVERY OF THE AID.

IN THE SAME LA TIMES ARTICLE THAT TOLD THE STORY ABOUT OUR FRIEND UKRAINIAN DEFENSE SPOKES PERSON SAID EVEN THOUGH THE HOLD WAS LIFTED.

THIS WAS IN SEPTEMBER.

"IT HAS NOT REACHED US YET."

THAT SPOKES PERSON WENT ONTO SAY "IT'S NOT JUST MONEY FROM THE BANK.

IT'S ARMS, EQUIPMENT, AND HARDWARE ."

TO THIS DAY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS STILL HAVEN'T BEEN SPENT.

ALTHOUGH OUR GOVERNMENT NEITHER INFORMED UKRAINE OR PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED UKRAINE QUICKLY LEARNED ABOUT IT.

ON JULY 25th THE SAME DAY OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CALL WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY, DOD WAS E MAILED TO ASK ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE FUND WILL.

BY MID AUGUST THERE WERE NUMEROUS QUESTIONS FROM UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS ABOUT THE HOLD.

EVERYONE WAS WORRIED.

NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE URGENT NODE FOR THE EQUIPMENT ON THE FRONT FRONT BUT THE MESSAGE THAT IT SENT.

YOU SEE PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WAS JUST SWORN IN.

THEY WERE VERY SRULER TPHABL.

AS WE ALL KNOW VLADIMIR PUTIN LOOKS FOR VULNERABILITY, HE LOOKS FOR HESITATION AND HE LOOKS FOR DELAY.

ANY PUBLIC SIGN OF A HOLD ON THE AID COULD BE A SIGN OF WEAKNESS THAT COULD SHOW HIM IT WAS TIME TO POUNCE.

PRESIDENT'S TRUMP HOLD WAS REPORTED ON AUGUST 27.

UKRAINE UNDERSTOOD THAT THIS WAS PART OF THE INVESTIGATIONS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTED.

ON FEBRUARY 28th, DOD NOTIFIED CONGRESS THEY MANNED TO DELIVER 125 MILLION OF ASSISTANCE APPROPRIATED IN SEPTEMBER.

"MORE THAN 50 MILLION IN ASSISTANCE FOR COUNTER ARTILLERY RADAR?

LEGAL ASSISTANCE ."

DOD WAS ABLE TO SPEND THE FUNDS CLEARED BY CONGRESS.

FOR UKRAINE TO RECEIVE THE REMAINING 125 MILLION CONGRESS REQUIRED THAT THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFY THE GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE TOOK SUCK INSTANTIAL ANTICORRUPTION REFORMS.

LAURA COOPER AND SENIOR OFFICIALS ACROSS OUR GOVERNMENT CONDUCTED A REVIEW FOR THE REQUIRED BENCH MARKS.

MS. COOPER "ALL OF THE VIEWS OF THE KEY EXPERT ON U CRANE'S DEFENSE."

COMING UP WITH A CONSENSUS VIEW RAN UP THE CHAIN OF THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT TO QUOTE, MAKE SURE WE HAVE APPROVAL.

BY MAY 23rd THE EN INVESTIGATION WAS COMPETE AND UKRAINE HAD COMPLIED WITH ALL CONDITIONS AND THE REMANNING HALF OF THE AID SHOULD BE RELEASED.

IN MAY 23rd A LETTER TO CON COMPRESS, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SENIOR POLITICAL A IMPORTANTIES WROTE, QUOTE, ON BE HALF OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE AND COORDINATION OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE I HAVE CERTIFIED THE GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE HAS TAKEN SUBSTANTIAL ACTIONS TO MAKE DEFENSE INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DECREASING CORRUPTION, INCREASING ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUSTAINING COMBAT ABILITY ENABLED BY U.S. ASSISTANCE.

END QUOTE.

CONGRESS THEN CLEARED THE FUNDING.

THAT SHOULD OF ALLOWED UKRAINE TO RECEIVE THE AID.

WE KNOW THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

ON JUNE 1st AS DOD PREPARED TO SEND THE AID THEY ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE LIKE THEY NORMALLY DO.

ANNOUNCING IT WOULD PROVIDE 250 MILLION IN SECURITY A STAINS TO UKRAINE.

FOR QUOTA DIGS AL TRAINING AND BUILD UKRAINE'S ARMED FORCES.

THIS INCLUDED SNIPER RIFLES, ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADES, ELECTRONIC WARFARE, SECURE COMMUNICATION, NIGHT VISION, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.

HOWEVER ACCORDING TO THE NEW YORK TIMES ONE DAY AFTER THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT ISSUED THIS PRESS RELEASE, ONE DAY, ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT WHO WORKS FOR NICK MULVANEY CALLED TO SAY WE NEED TO HOLD IT UP.

THE IT WAS THE ASSISTANCE.

AT THAT SAME DAY, JUNE 19th PRESIDENT TRUMP GAVE A INTERVIEW ON FOX NEWS.

HE RAISED THE SO CALLED CROWD STRIKE CONSPIRACY THEORY THAT UKRAINE, NOT RUSSIA, HAD INTERFERED IN THE 2016 ELECTION.

A LINE HE WOULD ECHO DURING HIS JULY 25th CALL WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

THIS THEORY HAS BEEN ADVANCED BY RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA TO TRY TO TAKE ATTENTION FROM RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE AND SHIFT TO UKRAINE.

IT'S A THEORY THAT HAS BEEN UNIVERSALLY DEBUNKED.

NONE THE LESS THE PRESIDENT SPURRED BY THE RELEASE AND FALL THEORY OF THE UKRAINE INTERFERENCE SUPPOSEDLY IN THE 2016 ELECTION THE PRESIDENT STARTED TO ASK THE UKRAINE ASSISTANCE.

ON JUNE 19th, OMB ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR NATIONAL SECURITY, MICHAEL DID YOU HAVELY ERIC MALE THE DOD CONTROLLER.

HE SAID QUOTE, THE PRESIDENT HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PRESS REPORT.

THAT IT WAS SEEKING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

HAD WAS A REFERENCE TO A ARTICLE IN THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER.

SHOWN HERE ON THE SLIDE IN FRONT OF YOU.

THE WHITE HOUSE WITH HELD THE E-MAIL FROM THE HOUSE, OF COURSE.

WE LEARNED FIRST ABOUT IT FROM MARK SANDY THAT HE WAS COPIED ON IT.

SEQUENTIALLY A LAWSUIT UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND THE CONGRESS RECEIVED A COPY OF THE E-MAIL.

THE WHITE HOUSE STILL REFUSES TO SUPPLY WITH THIS AND OTHER DOCUMENT.

ON JUNE 20th McKUSTRE RESPONDED BY PROVIDING INFORMATION ON SANDY PROGRAM.

HE SHARED THE INFORMATION WITH DUFFY BUT DIDN'T KNOW IF DUFFY SHARED THE INFORMATION WITH THE WHITE HOUSE.

LAURA COOPER RECALLED RECEIVING AN E-MAIL, QUOTE, A FEW DAYS AFTER DODs JUNE 1st PRESS RELEASE.

SHE NOTED IT WAS REL IT TIFF HO UNUSUAL TO RECEIVE QUESTION PR-Z THE PRESIDENT.

IN RESPONSE DOD PROVIDED MATERIALS EX LANING THE 250 MILLION FUNDING PACKAGE WAS FOR ADDITIONAL TRAINING, ADVICE HE WAS TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF UKRAINE'S ARMED FORCES.

DOD EMPHASIZED QUOTE ALMOST ALL VENDORS ARE U.S. COMPANIES.

MEANING THE FUNDING BENEFITED U.S.

BUSINESSES AND WORKERS.

NONE THE LESS PRESIDENT TRUMP PUT THE WHEELS IN MOTION TO FREEZE THE FUNDS SHORTLY AFTER LEARNING ABOUT DODs PLANS TO RELEASE THE FUNDS.

ACCORDING TO A NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE JUNE 27th CHIEF OF STAFF MULVANEY E MAILED BLAIR, QUOTE, I'M JUST TRYING TO TIE UP LOOSE ENDS.

DID WE FIND OUT ABOUT THE MONEY FROM UKRAINE AND IF WE CAN HOLD IT BACK.

BLAIR REPORTED, RESPONDED, EXPECT CONGRESS TO BE UNHINGED.

I SUPPOSE HE SAID THAT TORE THE RAPBZ WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.

THIS CHAMBER AND OUR CHAMBER RESOUND IN LISA PORSETT.

THAT WAS THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT FOR UKRAINE.

-- THROUGH THE STATE DEPARTMENT 11 MILLION TO UKRAINE.

UNLIKE THE DEFENSE, OMB BLOCKED THE STATE DEPARTMENT FROM SEEKING CONGRESSES APPROVAL TO RELEASE THE FUNDS.

THE PAUSE HERE ONCE AGAIN STRESSES THAT WE HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND THE INITIAL HOLD ONLY FROM THE PUBLIC RELEASE OF AND REPORTING OF THE E-MAILS IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS.

>> -- THEY REFUSE TO COMPLY WITH THE SUBPOENA TO TESTIFY.

THESE E-MAILS A FEW OF THE MANY THOUSAND THAT EXIST ON THE TOPIC BUT HAVE BEEN CONCEALED FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE BECAUSE OF ON GOING OBSTRUCTION.

LAST NIGHT AS WE WERE HERE LATE NO THE NIGHT SOME TIME AROUND MIDNIGHT A NEW TRAUNCH OF DOCUMENTS WERE RELEASED UNDER A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION WATCHDOG THAT WAS ASKING FOR THEM.

THEY WERE RELEASED LAST NIGHT.

BETWEEN MR. DUFFY AND ELAINE McKUSTER AND OTHERS ON THE THINGS I'M TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

UNFORTUNATELY AS YOU CAN SEE THERE ISN'T A LOT TO READ HERE.

IT'S ALL BLOCKED OUT.

SO IF THE PRESIDENT'S LAWYERS CONTEST ANY OF THE FACTS THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT YOU SHOULD DEMAND TO SEE THE FULL RECORD.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE TO SEE THE FULL TRUTH WHEN IT COMES TO PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS.

BACK TO THE TIME LINE.

FROM JULY TO SEPTEMBER 2019 THE WHITE HOUSE IMPLANTED THE HOLD ON UKRAINE A STAINS YOU THIS A UNUSUAL AND UNLAWFUL PROCESS.

FIRST JULY THIRD THE STATE DEPARTMENT NOTIFIED THAT OMD WAS BLOCKING THE NOTIFICATION TO CONGRESS.

ACCORDING TO JENNIFER WILLIAMS, THE HOLD ON THE ASSISTANCE "CAME OUT OF THE BLUE."

IT WAS NOT BRIEF LOUSILY DISCUSSED BY OMB OR NSC.

AROUND JULY 12th PRESIDENT TRUMP CORRECTED A HOLD ON THE DOD SECURITY ASSISTANCE AS WELL.

THAT DAY MR.

PLAYER SENT AN E-MAIL TO MR. DID YOU HAVELY DIRECT THAGT PRESIDENT IS HOLDING A FUNDING TO THE UKRAINE.

AROUND JULY 15th TIM MORRISON LEARNED FROM DEPUTY DIRECTOR THAT IT WAS THE PRESIDENT'S DIRECTION TO HOLD THE ASSISTANCE.

SEVERAL DAYS LATER DUFFY AND BLAIR EXCHANGED E-MAILS ABOUT UKRAINE'S SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

SANDY TESTIFIED THAT DUFFY ASKED BLAIR FOR THE REASON OF THE HOLD.

WHRAEUR PROVIDED NO EXPLANATION.

INSTEAD HE SAID "WE NEED TO LET THE HOLD TAKE PLACE.

"THEN" REVISIT THE ISSUE WITH THE PRESIDENT ."

BETWEEN JULY 1st AND JULY 31st THE NSC STAFF CONVENED SEVERAL INNER MEETINGS WHERE THE HOLD WAS DISCUSSED.

REMEMBER THOSE DATES.

JULY 18th TO JULY 31st.

ACCORDING TO MARK SANDY AND OTHER WITNESSES MORE EMERGED.

THEY LEARNED THE PRESIDENT DIRECTED THE HOLD HIMSELF THROUGH OMB.

SECOND, NO JUSTIFICATION OR EXPLANATION WAS PROVIDED FOR THE HOLD.

DESPITE REPEATED QUESTIONS.

THIRD ALL AGENCIES BUT OMB PROVIDED AID FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES.

FOURTH, MANY WERE CONCERNED THE HOLD WAS OUT RIGHT ILLEGAL.

AMBASSADOR TAYLOR LEARNED OF THE HOLD ON THE 18th.

SAYING THE DIRECTION CAME FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE CHIEF OF STAFF.

HE SAT IN ASTONISHMENT.

DAVID HOLMES A DIP HO MAT I CAN FROM THE EMBASSY IN KIEV WAS SHOCKED BY THE HOLD.

THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT THE HOLD, IT CAME CLEAR THAT THE HOLD WAS FOR ALL 391 MILLION.

TIM MORRISON TESTIFIED THE DOD MEETING THAT IT WAS LEGALLY PERMISSIBLE FOR THE PRESIDENT TO NOT ALLOW FOR THE DISBURSEMENT OF THE FUNDING.

THIS CONCERNED VIOLATIONS OF THE DELAY ACT.

GIVING THE PRESIDENT THE RIGHT ONLY IF CONGRESS IS NOTIFIED OF THE INTENTIONS AND APPROVES THE APPROVED ACTION.

OF COURSE NEITHER OF THOSE THINGS HAD BEEN DONE.

THE ISSUE WAS ESCALATED QUICKLY.

AT A SENIOR ELEVATED MEETING OMB WAS THE LOAN VOICE FOR HOLDING THE AID.

ACCORDING TO TIM MORRISON PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS CONCERN ABOUT CORRUPTION IN UKRAINE.

COOPER ATTENDED THE MEETING AND RECEIVED NO MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT WAS MEANT BY CORRUPTION.

THIS WAS NEVER A PRINCIPALS MEETING CONVENED ON THE ISSUE.

JULY 31st THIS WAS ONE, A FOURTH AND FINAL ONE.

>> THERE IS A PROCESS MACHING SURE U.S. AID MAKES IT TO THE RIGHT MACE AND RIGHT PEOPLE.

MR. CHIEF JUSTICE I DO SEE THE MEMBERS AND MOVING TO TAKE A BREAK.

WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A BREAK AT THIS TIME.

I HAVE ANOTHER 15 MINUTES.

>> I THINK WE CAN CONTINUE.

>> IF I MAY, WHAT I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST AT 6:30 WE TAKE A 30 MINUTE BREAK FOR DINNER.

>> BREAK AT 6:30.

>> I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST A BREAK FOR DINNER AT 60:00 FOR ABOUT 0 MINUTES.

6:30 FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES.

>> WE KNOW THERE WAS A HOLD.

THERE HAD TO BE CREATIVE METHODS USED.

WILL IS A PROCESS FOR MAKING SURE U.S. AID MONEY MAKES IT TO THE RIGHT PLACE TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

A PROCESS FOLLOWED EVERY YEAR SINCE CONGRESS APPROVED SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE.

THE ADMINISTRATION NEEDED TO FIND A WAY, CREATIVE WAY TO GET AROUND THAT PROCESS.

LATER IN THE EVENING THE OMB FOUND THAT WAY.

HERE IS HOW IT WORKED.

FIRST OMB ISSUED GUIDANCE OF A ON GOING REVIEW OF ASSISTANCE.

EVEN NONE OF THE WITNESSED TESTIFIED WERE AWARE OF ASSISTANCE.

OMB ATTEMPTED TO HIDE THE HOLE.

AND THIRD OMBs LEADERSHIP TRANSFERRED RESPONSE EUBLD FOR APPROVING FUNDING OBLIGATIONS FROM MARK SANDY TO MARK DUFFY.

SOMEONE WITH NO RELEVANT EXPERIENCE IN THIS FUNDING.

SURPBLGT BASED ON RECENT PUBLIC REPORTING AND DOCUMENT UPPED THE PRO DOM OF INFORMATION ACT WE LEARNED JULY 25th PROPERTY 90 MINUTES AFTER PRES PRESIDENT TRS PHONE CALL WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY THIS THREE PRONGED MOTION WAS PUT PO PLAN.

THE E-MAIL IS IN FRONT OF YOU.

IN THIS E-MAIL DUFFY WROTE BASED ON GUIDANCE I HAVE RECEIVED AND IN LIGHT OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN TO REVIEW ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE, INCLUDING THE UKRAINE SECURITY ASSISTANCE TPHURB TIFF.

HE ALSO WROTE GIVEN THE SENSITIVE NATURE OF THE REQUEST, I APPRECIATE YOUR KEEPING THAT INFORMATION CLOSELY HELD TO THOSE WHO NEED TO KNOW TO EXECUTE THE DIRECTION.

KWRORDZ DON'T TELL ANYONE ABOUT IT.

THE NEXT DAY THEY DELAYED FUNDING TO AUGUST 5th.

SANDY TESTIFIED TO THE PURPOSE OF THIS IN SKUB SEQUENT FOOTNOTES.

TO PRECLUDE OBLIGATION FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BUT ALLOW CASEWORK TO CONTINUE.

SANDY TESTIFIED HIS USE OF FOOTNOTES WAS UNUNUSUAL AND HIS 12 YEARS OF OMB EXPERIENCE COULDN'T RECALL ANOTHER EVENT LIKE IT.

>> ON JULY 29th CUFFY TOLD SANDY HE WOULDN'T BE RESPONSIBLE FFOR APPROVING THE RELEASE OF DD FUNDING.

THIS WAS WEEKS AFTER QUESTIONS WERE RAISED ON THE LEGALITY OF THE PRESIDENT'S HOLD.

DID YOU HAVELY REVOKED THE RELEASE OF THE FUNDING AT OMB.

IN SHORT DUFFY APPROVED APPROVAL AUTHORITY OF ALL 391 MILLION OF THE ASSISTANCE.

OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS WITH DUFFY IN CHARGE OMB ISSUED FUNDING DOCUMENTS KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.

SUPPOSEDLY TO ALLOW FOR A INTERACTION PROCESS.

REMEMBER A INTERACTION PROCESS THAT ALREADY WRAPPED UP BACK IN JULY.

WHILE INSERTING THE WHOLE TIME FOOTNOTES THROUGHOUT THE DOCUMENTS STATING THAT THE DELAY WOULDN'T AFFECT THE PROGRAM.

YET CONCERNS CONTINUED TO BE RELAID WITHIN DOD THAT IT HAD.

IN TOTAL OMB ISSUED NINE DOCUMENT BETWEEN JULY 25th AND SEPTEMBER 10th.

EVEN AS OMB IMPLEMENTED THE HOLD OFFICIALS ADVOCATED FOR THE RELEASE OF THE FUNDS.

ON AUGUST 7th OMB STAFF SENT A MEMO TO THE DIRECTOR.

RECOMMENDING REMOVING THE HOLD BECAUSE THE ASSISTANCE WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE NATIONAL SECURITY STRAOT KPWAOE IN TERMS OF ONE SUPPORTING A STABLE PEACEFUL EUROPE, TWO THERE WAS -- AND THEE, THERE WAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FROM THE PROGRAM.

THIS MEANT EXPERTS OPPOSED THE HOLD FROM ALL AGENCIES INVOLVED.

BY MID AUGUST DOD RAISED CONCERNS NOT BE ABLE TO SPEND THE DOD FUNDS.

THEY ESTIMATED 100 MILLION OF THE AID WAS AT RISK OF NOT GETTING TO UKRAINE.

IN THE FOOTNOTE "THIS BRIEF PAUSE IN OBLIGATIONS WILL NOT PRECLUDE DODs EXECUTION OF THE FINAL POLICY EXECUTION."

SANDY TESTIFIED THAT THIS FOOTNOTE, AT THE HEART OF THE ISSUE THAT WE DON'T RUN A FOUL OF THE IMPOUNDMENT CONTROL ACT.

RECORDS PRODUCED IN RESPONSE TO A FOIL LAWSUIT SHOW THAT MR. DUFFY AND MS. McKUSTER EXCHANGED E-MAILS AND THEY MODIFIED THE FOOTNOTE.

THESE E-MAILS ARE ALMOST ENTIRELY RETKABGTED.

ALL OF THE SUBSEQUENT FOOTNOTES REMOVED THE SENTENCE OF DODs ABILITY TO OBLIGATE THE FUNDS BY THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

NEVER THE LESS OMB CONTINUED TO IMPLEMENT THE HOLD AT THE PRESIDENT'S DIRECTION.

WE KNOW FROM E-MAILS RELEASED LAST NIGHT THAT AS SEPTEMBER 5th OMB CONTINUED TO INSTRUCT THE AID TO BE HELD.

OMD GAVE THIS TO A INVESTIGATION BECAUSE OF A FOILED LAWSUIT.

ON SEPTEMBER 5th DUFFY E MAILED THE FOLLOWING.

"NO MOVEMENT FROM UKRAINE."

WE KNOW THAT McKUSTER RESPONDED IN A LENGTHILY E-MAIL.

OMB RETKABGTED ALMOST THE WHOLE THING.

AS I EXPLAINED LAST NIGHT OMB HAS KEY DOCUMENT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP REFUSED TO TURN OVER TO CONGRESS.

KEY DOCUMENTS THAT GO TO THE HEART OF THE PRESIDENT ABUSING HIS POWER.

CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER THE ADMINISTRATION WAS BENDING IF NOT BREAKING THE LAW, LEADING TO TWO OMB OFFICIALS RESIGNING.

INCLUDING A ATTORNEY IN O, MB.

ACCORDING TO SANDY ONE COLLEAGUE DISAGREED ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF THE IMPOUNDMENT CONTROL ACT.

AS I MENTIONED EARLIER THE INDEPENDENT AND NON PARTISAN GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE SAID THE HOLD WAS ILLEGAL.

REMEMBER THE OMB CORRESPONDENTS REFERENCING THE INTERACTION PROCESS.

AS WE NOW KNOW THIS WAS NO INTERACTION PROCESS.

IT HAD ENDED MONTHS BEFORE.

THEY MADE IT UP.

THEY HAD TO MAKE IT UP.

THEY COULDN'T SEE THE REAL REASON FOR THE HOLD.

TH-FT A ONE-ON-ONE MEETING WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

ACCORDING TO MORRISON "THE PRESIDENT WAS NOT READY TO APPROVE THE RELEASE OF THE ASSISTANCE."

THEY LOOKED FOR OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO GET THE CABINET TOGETHER TO HAVE THE DIRECT IN PERSON CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT ABOUT THIS TOPIC.

EVERYONE WAS WORRIED INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT'S NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER.

IN BID AUGUST COL. VINDMAN DRAFTED TO PRESENT TO PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR UKRAINE SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

THE REFERENDUM OFFERED THE HOLD BE LIFTED.

MORRISON TESTIFIED THAT A MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT WAS NEVER ARRANGED IN AUGUST REPORTEDLY BECAUSE OF SCHEDULING PROBLEMS.

ACCORD TO GO RECENT PRESS RECORDS ON AUGUST 30th SKRED OF DEFENSE, SECRETARY OF STATE POMPEO MET WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AND IMPLORED HIM TO RELEASE THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

DOING SO WAS IN THE INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES.

HOWEVER PRESIDENT TRUMP CONTINUED TO IGNORE EVERYBODY.

LATER THAT DAY DID DUFFY E MAILD McKU STER AND WROTE CLEAR DIRECTION FROM POTIS TO HOLD.

THE UKRAINE GOVERNMENT KNEW THE HOLD WELL BEFORE IT WAS PUBLICLY REPORTED ON THE SECOND.

THIS WAS NOT SURPRISING.

THEY TESTIFIED IT WAS INVEST I BELIEVE IT WOULD COME OUT.

SHE SAID TWO INDIVIDUALS FROM THE UKRAINE EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON APPROACHED HER A WEEK APART.

IN QUIET AND CONFIDENCE ABOUT THE OMB HOLD AND SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

SHE WOU COULDN'T RECALL THE DATF THE CONVERSATIONS BUT SURPRISED BY THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE UKRAINIAN COUNTERPARTS.

EVERYONE WAS WORRIED.

WHY WOULD THE DIPLOMATS QUIETLY MAKE THIS INQUIRY?

IF IT HAD GONE PUBLIC IT WOULD SHOW THAT WEAKNESS AGAINST RUSSIA THAT WAS SO CONCERNING TO EVERYONE INVOLVED.

SHE SAID "I THINK THAT IF THIS WAS A PUBLIC IN UKRAINE IT WOULD BE SEEN AS A REVERSAL OF THE POLICY.

IT WOULD BE A BIG DEAL IN UKRAINE AND A EXPRESSION OF U.S. DECLINING SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE.

MEANWHILE LAURA COOPER TESTIFIED THAT DOD HARD FROM THE UKRAINIAN EMBASSY JULY 25th THE SAME DAY OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CALL TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

>> ON JULY 25th A MEMBER OF MY STAFF GOT A QUESTION FROM A UKRAINE EMBASSY CON TACK ASKING WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH UKRAINE'S SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

BECAUSE AT THAT TIME WE DIDN'T KNOW THE GUIDANCE.

A PORTION ARRIVED THAT DAY BUT THE STAFF MEMBER DIDN'T FIND OUT ABOUT IT UNTIL LATER.

I WAS INFORMED THE STAFF MEMBER TOLD THE UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS WE WERE MOVING FORWARD ON UASI BUT RECOMMEND THE UKRAINE EMBASSY CHECK IN WITH STATE REGARDING THE SMFS.

>> USI REFERS TO THE 50 MILLION BLOCKED FROM SENDING TO UKRAINE.

THE OTHER IS 141 MILLION BLOCKED FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

COOPER REVEALED TWO E-MAILS THAT THE UKRAINIAN EMBASSY WAS ASKING ABOUT THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE AND THE HILL KNOWS ABOUT THE SITUATION AND SO DOES THE UKRAINIAN EMBASSY.

ONE OF COOPER STAFF MEMBERS REPORTED ABOUT THE HOLD IN AUGUST.

FINALLY WE KNOW THE UKRAINIANS THOU ABOUT THE HOLD.

THE NEW YORK TIMES PUB HEURBED A INTERVIEW WITH THE FORMER DEPUTY MIN.ERSTER OF UKRAINE.

SHE CLIMBED THAT SHE AND PRESIDENT ZELENSKY'S OFFICE RECEIVED A CABLE IN LATE JULY INFORMING THEM ABOUT THE HOLD.

IN SHORT THE UKRAINIANS WERE WELL AWARE THE AID WAS NOT THE ONLY IMPORTANT OFFICIAL ACT THE WHITE HOUSE WAS WITH HOLDING FROM THEM.

THE LONG SOUGHT WHITE HOUSE VISIT WAS ALSO IN LIMBO FOR PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

AS THIS TRANSPIRED UKRAINIAN TROOPS WERE STILL ON THE FRONT LINE FACING OFF AGAINST RUSSIAN BACKED FORCES.

DIEING IN DEFENSE OF THEIR COUNTRY.

AMBASSADOR BILL TAYLOR VISITED THE UKRAINIAN TROOPS.

HE RECALLED SEEING THE ARMED AND HOSTILE RUSSIAN LEAD FORCE ACROSS THE LINE.

>> WHEN ASKED TO RENEXT ON THAT VISIT HERE IS WHAT AMBASSADOR TAYLOR HAD TO SAY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT JULY 26th A LOT OF YEARS LATER.

YOU GO TO THE FRONT WITH AMBASSADOR VOLKER I BELIEVE YOU'RE ON THE BRIDGING AT THE FRONT LINE OF THE RUSSIAN SOLDIERS.

IS THAT WHAT YOU RECALL STPHUPBLG YES, SIR.

>> YOU SAID THE UKRAINIAN COMMANDER THAEUFPGD YOU FOR THE AMERICAN MILITARY ASSISTANCE YOU KNEW WAS BEING WITH HELD AT THAT MOMENT.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> HOW DID THAT MAKE YOU FEEL, SIR?

>> BADLY.

>> WHY?

URGE IT WAS CLEAR THAT COMMANDER COUNTED ON US.

IT WAS CLEAR THAT COMMANDER HAD CONFIDENCE IN US.

IT WAS CLEAR THAT COMMANDER WAS APPRECIATIVE OF THE CAPABILITY HE WAS GIVEN BY THAT ASSISTANCE.

ALSO THE REASSURANCE WE WERE SUPPORTING HIM.

URGE LIKE ME AMBASSADOR TALE SAEUR COMBAT VETERAN.

HE WAS AWARDED A BRONZE STAR.

HE NOW HOW VITAL OUR AID WAS TO THE UKRAINIAN TROOPS.

HE KNOWS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO HAVE PEOPLE COUNTING ON YOU.

MEMBERS OF THE U.S. SENATE I KNOW YOU BELIEVE AID IS IMPORTANT TOO.

887 MEMBERS OF THIS BODY VOTED O SUPPORT IT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP DIDN'T THUNK THE AID WAS IMPORTANT LAST YEAR.

HE IGNORED YOU AND THE DIRECTION OF CONGRESS.

HE BETRAYED THE CONFIDENCE OF OUR PARTNERS AND U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY WITH HOLDING THAT AID.

HE DID SO BECAUSE HE SIMPLY WANTED TO HELP HIS OWN CAMPAIGN.

OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM DESERVE BETTER.

OUR FRIENDS AND ALLIES DESERVE BETTER.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE BETTER.

>> CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS, SENATORS AND COUNCIL FOR THE PRESIDENT.

NOW I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP OFFERED TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY DURING THEIR FIRST PHONE CALL IN APRIL.

AS YOU KNOW THAT MEETING HAS NOT BEEN SCHEDULED.

IT WAS NEVER SCHEDULED.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND TESTIFIED AFTER THE MAY 23rd MEETING WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP IT WAS CLEAR PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WOULDN'T BE INVITED TO THE OVAL OFFICE UNTIL HE ANNOUNCED AN OPENING OF INVESTIGATION THAT WOULD BENEFIT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S REELECTIONS.

DURING HIS TESTIFY THE AMBASSADOR STRESSED IT WAS A CHEER QUI QUO PRO.

LET'S LISTEN.

>> I KNOW MEMBERS OF THIS COMMITTEE FREQUENTLY FRAME THESE COMPLICATED ISSUES IN THE FORM OF A SIMPLE QUESTION.

WAS THERE A QUI QUO PRO.

AS I TESTIFIED PREVIOUSLY WITH REGARD TO THE REQUESTED WHITE HOUSE CALL AND MEETING THE ANSWER IS YES.

MR. GUILIANI CONVEYED TO SECRETARY PERRY, AMBASSADOR VOLKER AND OTHERS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTED A PUBLIC STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT ZELENSKY ADMITTING TO THE BARISTA AND THE ELECTION.

MR. GUILIANI EXPRESSED THAT DIRECTLY TO THE UKRAINIANS AND ALSO DIRECTLY TO US.

WE ALL UNDERSTOOD THESE PREWRECK PREREQUISITES FOR THE CALL WERE THE REQUIREMENTS.

>> AMBASSADOR SONDLAND ALSO TESTIFIED THAT THE PRESSURE AOU OF THE OVAL OFFICE MEETING BECAME PROGRESS OFIVELY AND MORE SPECIFIC AND PRO PROBLEMATIC.

WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A CONTINUUM OF INSIDIOUSNESS.

HE EXPLAINED THE EVOLUTION FROM GENERIC REQUESTS TO INVESTIGATE CORRUPTION TO PURSUE SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP'S POLITICAL OPPONENT.

HERE IS AMBASSADOR SONDLAND AGAINST.

>> MR. CHAIRMAN WHEN WE LEFT THE OVAL OFFICE I BELIEVE ON MAY 23rd THE REQUEST WAS VERY GENERIC FOR A INVESTIGATION OF CORRUPTION IN A VERY VANILLA SENSE.

DEALING WITH THE OLEGARK PROBLEMS.

AS TIME WENT ON MORE SPECIFIC ITEMS WERE ADDED TO THE MENU.

BARISMA AND THE 201 ELECTION MEDALING SPECIFICALLY, DNC SERVICE SPECIFICALLY.

OVER THIS CONTINUUM IT WAS MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO SECURITY THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING MORE CONDITIONS WERE PLACED ON THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING.

>> IN SHORT IT WAS UNDERSTAND TO UNDERSTOOD TOGET THE MEETING THD MR. DUEL YANNI'S AGREEMENT FIRST.

ON JUNE 21st IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP NEEDED TO HEAR FROM THE UKRAINIAN LEADER BEFORE HE WOULD CONSENT TO A WHITE HOUSE MEETING.

HERE IS HOW AMBASSADOR TAYLOR EXPLAINED IT.

>> JUNE 27th AMBASSADOR SONDLAND TOLL ME DURING A PHONE CONVERSATION THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY NEEDED TO MAKE CLEAR TO PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT HE, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY, WAS NOT STANDING IN THE WAY OF INVESTIGATIONS.

>> DIPLOMAT DAVID HOLMES TESTIFIED HE UNDERSTAND EARLY ON THAT THE INVESTIGATIONS MEANT THAT MR. GUILIANI AND HIS ASSOCIATES WERE SPEAKING ABOUT THIS PUBLICLY.

HE NOTED PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS WITH HOLDING AN OVAL MEETING WITH UKRAINE'S NEWLY ELECTED LEADER HE AGREED TO MEET WITH UKRAINE'S CHIEF VOTE, VLADIMIR PUTIN.

MR. HOLMES HAD THIS TO SAY.

>> ALSO ON JUNE 2nd WHITE PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS NOT MOVING FORWARD ON A MEETING WITH PRESIDENT SO ZELENSKY HE MET WIH PRESIDENT PUTIN IN JAPAN SENDING A FURTHER MESSAGE OF A LACK OF SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE.

>> PRESIDENT TRUMP CONDITIONED OVAL OFFICE MEETING ON PRESIDENT ZELENSKY'S WILLINGNESS TO ANNOUNCE INVESTIGATIONS.

AMBASSADOR VOLKER HELPED MATTERS ALONG.

HE TESTIFIED THAT AT A CONFERENCE IN EARLY JULY HE SUGGESTED THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY SPEAK TO PRESIDENT TRUMP ON THE PHONE TO DISCUSS THE INVESTIGATIONS.

DURING HIS TESTIMONY AMBASSADOR VOLKER DESCRIBED THAT ENCOUNTER.

>> IN THE JULY SECOND OR THIRD MEETING IN TORONTO, THAT YOU HAD WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY YOU HELPINGED INVESTIGATIONS TO HIM, RIGHT?

UPLGT YES.

>> YOU WERE REFERRING -- >> YES.

>> YOU UNDERSTOOD THAT'S WHAT THE UKRAINIANS UNTHEY WERE RECEIPTED TO INVESTIGATIONS RELATED TO BARISTA AND THE 201 ELECTION.

2016ELECTION.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S IT SP-FL BUT THAT'S MY ASSUMPTION THEY WOULD OF BEEN THINKING THAT TOO.

>> MR. FOUL YANNI BECAME A UNESCAPABLE PRESENCE TO UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS AND AMERICAN DIPLOMATS.

TO THE AOU CRANES GUILIANI WAS SEEN AS A CHANNEL TO PRESIDENT TRUMP AND A OBSTACLE TO A U.S./UKRAINE RELATIONSHIP.

A TOP AID TO ZELENSKY TECHED TO VOLKER THAT, I FEEL THAT THE KEY FOR MANY THINGS IS RUDI.

I'M READY TO TALK WITH HIM AT ANYTIME.

EVERYONE UNDERSTOOD THAT MR. GUILIANI WAS NO ROUGE AGENT.

HE WAS ACTING AT THE DIRECTION OF THE PRESIDENT.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND DESCRIBES MR. GUILIANI'S ROLL IN REGARD TO THE PRESIDENT.

LET'S LISTEN.

>> MR. GUILIANI'S REQUEST WERE A QUI QUO PRO FOR ARRANGING A WHITE HOUSE VISIT FOR PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

MR. GUILIANI TPHAPBD THERE BE A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 201 ELECTION, DNC SERVER AND BARISMA.

HE EXPRESSED DESIRES OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

WE KNEW THE INVESTIGATIONES WERE IMPORTANT TO THE PRESIDENT.

>> CONCERNED ABOUT MR. TKPWAOULIAN'S INFLUENCE BEGAN TO GLOW.

ON JULY 10th AT A MEETING BETWEEN AMBASSADOR TALER AND TWO UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS, UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS SAID THEY WERE VERY CONCERNED.

BECAUSE MR. GUILIANI HAD TOLD THE CORRUPT PROSECUTOR GENERAL THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WOULD NOT MEET WITH THE UKRAINIAN LEADER.

BACK IN WASHINGTON TWO IMPORTANT ENCOUNTERS AT THE WHITE HOUSE IF YOU GOER REVEALED THE EXISTENCE OF QUI QUO PRO.

AMBASSADOR S SONDLAND FIRST APPROACHED THE INVESTIGATION IN BOLTON'S OFFICE.

BOLTON'S COUNTERPART AND ZELENSKY'S TOP AID.

ALSO PRESENT WERE SECRETARY PERRY, VOLKER AND OFFICIALS DR. HILL AND LIEUTENANT COLONEL VINDMAN.

TOWARDS THE END OF THE MEETING THE UKRAINIANS RAISED THE TOPIC OF AN OVAL OFFICE MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

AMBASSADOR BOLTON STARTED TO RESPOND WHEN AMBASSADOR SOUNDLAND RESPONDED RAISING THE DEMANDS OF THE INVESTIGATION.

HERE IS HOW LIEUTENANT COLONEL VINDMAN RECALLS THE CONVERSATION.

>> TO THE BEST OF MY RECOLLECTION AMBASSADOR SONDLAND SAID TO HAVE A WHITE HOUSE MOATING THEY WOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE DELIVERABLES.

A INVESTIGATION.

>> LIEUTENANT COL. VOLKER RECALLED THIS IN HIS TESTIMONY.

>> I PARTICIPATED IN THE JULY 10th MEETING BETWEEN BOLTON AND THE DEFENSE COUNCIL.

THE MEETING WAS ESSENTIALLY OVER WHEN AMBASSADOR SONDLAND MADE A GENERAL COMMENT ABOUT INVESTIGATIONS.

I THINK WE ALL THOUGHT IT WAS INAPPROPRIATE.

>> AMBASSADOR BOLTON FOUND AMBASSADOR SONDLAND'S REFERENCE TO BE INAPPROPRIATE AND HE ABRUPTLY ENDED THE MOATING.

HOWEVER AMBASSADOR SONDLAND WAS NOT DETERRED.

HE CONVENED A SECOND MEETING WHERE HE DISCUSSED WHAT NEEDED TO HAPPEN BEFORE A OVAL OFFICE MOATING.

APPARENTLY AMBASSADOR SONDLAND RECEIVED HIS MARCHING ORDERS FROM THE PRESIDENT.

HE WAS DETERMINED TO CARRY THEM OUT.

HE THEN SENT DR. HILL TO JOIN THE MEETING AND REPORT BACK THIS.

IS WHAT DR. HILL HAD TO SAY.

>> SO WHEN I CAME IN THEY SAID LOOK WE HAVE A DEAL HERE.

THERE WILL BE A MEETING.

I HAVE A DEAL WITH CHIEF OF STAFF MULVANEY.

THERE WILL BE A MEETING IF THE UKRAINIANS OPEN UP OR ANNOUNCE THE INVESTIGATIONS INTO 201 AND BARISMA.

I CUT IT OFF.

BY THIS POINT HEARING MR. GUILIANI OVER AND OVER QUESTION ON THE TELEVISION AND THE YOU SHALL USE HE A CERTIFICATED BY THIS POINT IT WAS CLEAR IT WAS CURVED TO THE BIDENS.

GUILIANI WAS LAYING IT OUT THERE.

>> AFTER THE MEETING DR. HILL FOLLOWED UP WITH AMBASSADOR BOLTON AND RELAID WHAT TRANSPIRED.

BOLTON WAS ALARMED.

IN OTHER WORDS AMBASSADOR BOLTON DIDN'T WANT ANY PART OF IT.

HE DIRECTED DR. HILL TO BR BRIEF JOHN ISENBERG AS SHE EX MAINED DURING HER HEARING.

>> WHAT WAS THE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION.

>> THAT I HAD TO GO TO THE LAWYERS TO JOHN ISENBERG, SENIOR COUNCIL TO THE FASHION AL SECURITY COUNCIL, TO WAS I CANNILY SAY YOU TELL ICE EN BURG, THAT AMBASSADOR BOLTON TOLD ME I AM NOT PART OF THIS DRUG DEAL THAT MULVANEY AND SONDLAND ARE COOKING UP INK WHAT DID YOU TAKE THAT TO MEAN?

>> I TOOK IT TO MEAN INVESTIGATIONS FOR A MEETING.

>> DID YOU SPEAK TO THE LAWYERS?

URGENT I CERTAINLY DID.

>> SENATOR AS A FORMER CHIEF OF POLICE I THINK IT'S QUITE INTERESTING THAT AMBASSADOR BOLTON CHARACTERIZED THE PRESSURE CAMPAIGN AS A "DRUG DEAL."

I THINK AMBASSADOR BOLTOP WAS TRYING TO SEND US A VERY POWERFUL MESSAGE.

A MESSAGE THAT NOT ONLY WOULD THE LAWYERS, TOP LAWYER WOULD UNDERSTAND BUT EVERY PERSON WOULD UNDERSTAND.

EVERY MEMBER OF THE HOUSE.

EVERY MEMBER OF THE SENATE.

EVERY MEMBER OF OUR GREAT COUNTRY.

EVERY CITIZEN.

AMBASSADOR BOLTON ALSO WANTED TO MAKE CLEAR ESPECIALLY TO THE TOP ATTORNEY THAT HE DID NOT WANT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE DRUG DEAL IN PROGRESS.

WE DO KNOW, WE KNOW NOW OF COURSE THAT AMBASSADOR BOLTON CAN TESTIFY DIRECTLY ABOUT THIS, HE CAN TESTIFY DIRECTLY FOR HIM SELF ABOUT THIS MEETING IF HE APPEARS BEFORE THIS BODY.

AS HE HAS INDICATED HE IS PREPARED TO DO.

IF THIS BODY IS WILLING TO ISSUE A SUBPOENA.

WE NEED TO HEAR FROM AMBASSADOR BOLTON.

I KNOW THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR FROM AMBASSADOR BOLTON AS WELL.

DR. HILL TESTIFIED SHE SPOKE TO MR. ISENBERG TWICE.

DR. HILL INDICATED THAT MR. ISENBERG TOOK NOTE OF THEIR MEETINGS.

WHICH WE, TO NO SURPRISE NOW, DO NOT HAVE.

WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED BECAUSE OF THE PRESIDENT'S OBSTRUCTION.

>> IT'S CLEAR AMBASSADOR SONDLAND WAS NOT OPERATING A ROUGE OPERATION.

HE TESTIFIED THAT EVERYONE, EVERYONE WAS IN THE LOOP.

LET'S LISTEN.

ONCE AGAIN.

>> EVERYONE WAS IN THE LOOP.

IT WAS NO SECRET.

EVERYONE WAS INFORMED VIA E-MAIL ON JULY 19th DAYS BEFORE THE PRESIDENTIAL CALL.

AS I COMMUNICATED TO THE TEAM I TOLD PRESIDENT ZELENSKY IN ADVANCE THAT ASSURANCES TO RUN A FULLY TRANSPARENT INVESTIGATION AND TURN OVER EVERY STONE WERE NECESSARY IN HIS CALL WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> THE E-MAIL REFERENCE AMBASSADOR SON SONDLAND WROTE TE FOLLOWING TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

HE'S PREPARED TO RECEIVE POTIS' CALL.

WE WILL ASSURE HIM HE PLANS TO RUN A FULLY TRANSPARENT INVESTIGATION AND WILL TURN OVER EVERY STONE.

BOTH BOLTON AND PERRY RESPONDED TO THE E-MAIL NOTING THE HEAD OF STATE CALL WOULD BE SCHEDULED RIGHT AWAY.

YOU MAY ASK WHAT DID MULVANEY KNOW ABOUT THESE INVESTIGATIONS.

DID HE HAVE ANY CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP ABOUT THEM?

SENATORS THIS BODY IS ENTITLED TO SEE ALL OF THE EVIDENCE.

YOU KNOW WHAT, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE ENTITLED TO HEAR ALL OF THE EVIDENCE.

AND WHILE THE NATURE OF THE DRUG DEAL, WE TALKED ABOUT WAS UNCONTESTED, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE COUNTRY TO KNOW THAT EVERYONE WAS INVOLVED.

BECAUSE WE HAVE HEARD IT.

EVERYONE WAS IN THE LOOP.

NOW LATER THAT DAY JULY 1st AMBASSADOR SONDLAND TEXTED VOLKER AND TAYLOR ABOUT THE TELEPHONE CALL.

THE TEXT, LOCKS LIKE POTIS WILL CALL TOMORROW.

I SPOKE DIRECTLY TO ZELENSKY AND GAVE HIM A FULL BRIEFING.

HE HAS GOT IT.

AMBASSADOR VOLKER REPLIED TO THE TEXT, MOST IMPORTANT IS FOR ZELENSKY IS TO SAY THAT HE WILL HELP INVESTIGATIONS.

THE EVIDENCE SHOWS THE UKRAINIANS UNDERSTOOD WHAT THEY NEEDED TO DO TO EARN A WHITE HOUSE MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT.

ON JULY 20th THE DAY AFTER AMBASSADOR SONDLAND'S PHONE CALL WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY, AMBASSADOR TAYLOR SPOKE WITH THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER.

UKRAINE'S NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER CONVEYED THAT THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT DID NOT WANT TO BECOME A INSTRUMENT IN U.S.

POLITICS.

HERE IS HOW AMBASSADOR TAYLOR EXPLAINED THAT CONCERN.

>> IS WHAT DID YOU UNDER IT TO MEAN THAT ZELENSKY HAD CONCERNS ABOUT BEING A INSTRUMENT IN WASHINGTON DOMESTIC REELECTIONS POLITICS.

>> HE UNDERSTOOD THAT THESE INVESTIGATIONS WERE PURSUANT TO MR. GUILIANI'S REQUEST TO DEVELOP INFORMATION, FIND INFORMATION ABOUT BARISMA AND THE BIDENS.

THIS WAS WELL KNOWN IN PUBLIC.

MR. YULE YANNI MADE THIS CHEER MULVANEY MADE IT CLEAR INTHE S. >> WOULD AGREE THAT BECAUSE PRESIDENT ZELENSKY IS WORRIED ABOUT THIS THEY UNDERSTOOD THERE WAS PRESSURE FOR THEM TO PURSUE THE INVESTIGATIONS.

IS THAT FARE?

>> IT WAS INDICATED THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY CERTAINLY UNDERSTOOD IT.

HE DIDN'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THESE TYPE OF ACTIVITIES.

>> THE NEXT DAY AMBASSADOR TAYLOR RELAID THE A CRANIAN LEALEADERS CONCERNS TO VOLKER AD SONDLAND.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND DIDN'T BACK DOWN.

SPECIFICALLY AMBASSADOR SONDLAND TEXTED A RESPONSE TO AMBASSADOR TAYLOR.

WORRY.

ABSOLUTELY.

WE NEED TO GET THE CONVERSATION STARTED.

AND THE RELATIONSHIP BUILDS IRRESPECTIVE.

SONDLAND HAD HIS MARCHING ORDERED AND AND HE WAS DETERMINED TO CARRY THEM OUT.

>> BEFORE THE CALL PRESIDENT TRUMP SPOKE TO SONDLAND AND REITERATED HIS EXPECTATION THAT THE UKRAINIAN LEADER WOULD COMMIT TO THE INVESTIGATION.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND SEQUENTIALLY CONTACTED VOLKER AND RELAID THE MESSAGE TO HIM.

HE THEN TEXTED THE TOP AID WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP INSTRUCTIONS.

ASSUMING PRESIDENT Z CONVINCES TRUMP HE WILL INVESTIGATE, GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT HAPPENED IN 201.

WE WILL NAIL DOWN THE DATE FOR VISIT TO WASHINGTON.

SENATORS, IN OTHER WORDS EVEN BEFORE THE JULY 25th PHONE CALL WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

BEFORE IT EVER TOOK PLACE UKRAINE UNDERSTOOD WHAT IT NEEDED TO INITIATE.

THAT IS NEEDED TO INITIATE THE INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE DEPWUFRPBGT CONSPIRACY THEORY ABOUT THE 201 ELECTION.

AS A CON DUGS FOR PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

THE NEWLY ELECTED UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE.

AAMBASSADOR SOPPED LAND TESTIFID THAT THEY PREPPED PRESIDENT ZELENSKY FOR THE TELEPHONE CALL.

>> YOU WOULD A KPRAOE THE MESSAGE HE CAN PRESSED HERE IS THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY NEEDS TO CONVINCE TRUMP HE WILL DO THE INVESTIGATIONS IN ORDER TO NAIL DOWN THE DATE FOR A VISIT TO WASHINGTON DC.

IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> BY THIS TIME NON PARTISAN CAREER OFFICIALS INVOLVED WITH UKRAINE POLICY HAD BECOME AWARE OF THIS QUI QUO PRO.

HERE IS WHAT THREE OF THEM SAID DURING THEIR TESTIMONY.

AMBASSADOR TAYLOR THE MEETING PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WANTED.

CONDITION OF UNINVESTIGATIONS OF BURISMA AND ALLEGED UKRAINIAN PHROUPBS IN THE 201 ELECTIONS.

AMBASSADOR DAVID HOLMES, IT WAS MADE CHEER THAT SOME ACTION ON A BURRISMA/BIDEN INVESTIGATION WAS A PRECONDITION FOR AN OVAL OFFICE VISIT.

DR. HILL.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A AWFUL LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED, YOU FOE, BASIC HO TURNING A WHITE HOUSE MEETING MOO SOME KIND OF ASSET THAT WAS DANGLED OUT TO THE UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT.

A WHITE HOUSE VISIT.

A VISIT TO THE OVAL OFFICE, DANGLED OUT TO THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT GOVERNMENT.

SENATORS I ASK YOU TO THINK ABOUT THOSE WORDS AS WE DECIDE, YOU DECIDE, WHAT ACTION YOU WILL TAKE.

THINK ABOUT THOSE WORDS.

THERE WAS NO DOUBT THE DIRECTION CAME FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE PRESIDENT WAS THE CENTER OF THIS SCHEME.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND TESTIFIED THAT MR. GUILIANI WAS HE CAN PRESSING T THE DESIRES OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

WE KNEW THAT THESE INVESTIGATIONS WERE IMPORTANT.

TO THE PRESIDENT.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND ADDED THAT MR. GUILIANI FOLLOWED THE DIRECTION OF THE PRESIDENT AND WE FOLLOWED THE PRESIDENT ORDERS.

HOWEVER AS AMBASSADOR TAYLOR TESTIFIED, AMBASSADOR BOLTON WAS NOT INTERESTED IN HAVING.

DID NOT WANT TO HAVE THE CALL.

BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE A DISASTER.

HE THOUGHT THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME TALK OF INVESTIGATIONS OR EVEN WORST THEN THAT.

HE THOUGHT WHAT WAS -- I ASK YOU TODAY, SENATORS.

WHAT WAS AMBASSADOR BOLTON SO AFRAID THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WOULD SAY TO THE NEWLY ELECTED UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT.

WHAT WAS THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER SO AFRAID THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WOULD SAY TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

THIS IS ANOTHER TOPIC WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK AMBASSADOR BOLTON ABOUT.

IF AND WHEN HE APPEARS BEFORE THIS BODY.

>> MR. CHIEF JUSTICE, DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE SENATE I THAEUFPG YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR YOUR INDULGENCE AND COURTESY.

AS WE ALL UNDER TAKE OUR SOLEMN CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES DURING THIS SENATE TRIAL.

GEORGE WASHINGTON ONCE OBSERVED IN HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS TO THE NATION THAT THE CONSTITUTION IS SACREDLY OBLIGATORY UPON ALL.

THAT MEANS EVERYONE.

IN FACT THAT IS WHAT MAKES OUR GREAT COUNTRY SO DISTINCT.

FROM AUGUST ORE TEARIAN REGIMES AND ENEMIES OF DEMOCRACY.

VLADIMIR PUTIN IS ABOVE THE LAW IN RUSSIA.

IRDAWAN IS ABOVE THE LAW IN TURKEY.

KKIM JONG-UN IS ABOVE THE LAW IN NORTH KOREA.

IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW NOT EVEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE YOU CAN STATES.

THAT IS WHAT THIS MOMENT IS ALL ABOUT.

AS WE ALL KNOW CONGRESS IS A SEPARATE AND CO EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

WE DON'T WORK WITH THIS PRESIDENT OR ANY PRESIDENT.

WE OF COURSE WORK FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO SERVE AS A CHECK AND BALANCE ON A OUT OF CONTROL EXECUTIVE WRAPB MUCH.

THAT IS NOT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY PLAY BOOK.

THAT IS NOT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY PLAY BOOK.

THAT IS THE PLAY BOOK IN A DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC.

JJAMES MADISON OBSERVED IN FEDERALIST 51 THAT THE CONGRESS SHOULD SERVE AS A RIVAL TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

IN MY HUMBLE OPINION WHY WOULD MADISON USE THE WORD "RIVAL"?

I THINK THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION DIDN'T WANT A KING, A DICTATOR OR A MONARCH.

HE WANTED A DEMOCK ERA SEW.

THE CONSTITUTION IS SACREDLY OBLIGATORY UPON ALL.

IT'S THROUGH THAT LENS THAT WE PROCEED TODAY.

FOR THE NEXT FEW PHOPLT I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS PRESIDENT TRUMP'S JULY 25th PHONE CALL WITH UKRAINE'S HAD YOULY ELECTED LEADER.

THE PRESIDENT CLAIMS THAT HIS CALL WAS PERFECT.

NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH -F. THE CALL IS DIRECT EVIDENCE OF PRESPRESIDENT TRUMP'S SOLICITATN OF FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN THE 200Y HREBGS AS PART OF A CORRUPT SCHEME.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE CONTEXT OF THIS CALL.

THE NEW UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR ZELENSKY WAS IN A VULNERABLE POSITION.

VIEWED AMERICAN AND DIPLOMATIC MILITARY SUPPORT AS CRITICAL TO HIS STANDING AND TO AOU CREPE'S FRAGILE FUTURE AS A DEMOCRACY.

EQUALLY SIGNIFICANT AS OUTLINED BY MY COLLEAGUES THERE IS A STRONG INTEREST IN SUPPORTING AOU KRAUPB AGAINST RUSSIA'S POSITION.

-- AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE, APPOINTED BY DONALD TRUMP.

TESTIFIED URK CRANE IS A SRA TEAK I CAN PARTNER OF OF THE KIT MANY PORN FOR THE KA OF OUR COUNTRY AS WELL AS YOU'RE.

FAG AL SECURITY COUNCIL OFFER, A TRUMP A UPONY, PURP HEART RESIP KWR-PBT, A CRACK WAR END PENTENT.

STATING AOU CREAN IS CRITICAL TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY INTEREST.

UKRAINE REMAINS UNDER ATTACK.

IT'S AN ON GOING HOT WAR.

UKRAINE IS A FRIEND.

RUSSIA IS A FOE.

UKRAINE IS A DEMOCRACY.

RUSSIA IS A DICTATORSHIP.

UNITED STATES MAYBE ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS STANDING BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE BEING COMPLETELY OVER RUN AS PART OF VLADIMIR PUTIN'S CONTINUED AGGRESSION AGAINST THE FRO WORLD.

THAT IS WHY THIS CONGRESS ALLOCATED $391 MILLION TO A VULNERABLE UKRAINE ON A BIPA.THE JULY 25th CALL THEY WOD OF WORKED TO STRENGTHEN THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UKRAINIAN LEADER.

INSTEAD PRESIDENT TRUMP FOCUSED ON SECURING A PERSONAL FAVOR.

HE WANTED UKRAINE TO CONDUCT PHONY INVESTIGATIONS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE HIS POLITICAL STANDING AND TO SOLICIT FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

ON A JULY 25th CALL PRESIDENT TRUMP MALIGNED A HIGHLY RESPECTED AMERICAN AMBASSADOR KNOWN OTHERS A ANTICORRUPTION CRUSADER.

AT THE SAME TIME HE PRAISED A CORRUPT FOREIGNER UKRAINIAN PROSECUTOR.

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS PRESIDENT TRUMP DIRECTED UKRAINE'S NEW LEADER TO SPEAK WITH HIS PERSONAL LAWYER.

RUDOLPH GUILIANI ON AN OFFICIAL CALL.

MR. GUILIANI IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

FOR THIS AND OTHER REASONS THE JULY 25th CALL WARRANTS CLOSE SCRUTINY.

IT PRESENTS SIGNIFICANT AND SHOCKING EVIDENCE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CORRUPT INTENT.

THE CALL LAYS THERE.

THE PRESIDENT'S WILLINGNESS TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET WHAT HE WANTS.

EVEN IF THE BEHAVIOR UNDER MINDS THE NATIONAL SECURITY INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CALL PRESIDENT ZELENSKY MENTIONED U.S. MILITARY AID.

HE STATE, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT SUPPORT IN THE AREA OF DEFENSE.

THE GREAT SUPPORT IN THE AREA OF DEFENSE INCLUDES THE SECURITY PASSED BY THIS CON COMPRESS ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS.

DONALD TRUMP HELD UP IN VIOLATION OF THE LAW.

PRESIDENT TRUMP RESPONDED I WOULD LIKE YOU TO DO US A FAVOR THOUGH.

THOSE WORDS WILL LIVE IN IN AT .

SAYING AS PART OF THE TWO DEMANDS THAT HE REQUESTED.

I WOULD LIKE TO YOU FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED WITH THIS WHOLE SITUATION IN UKRAINE."

I GUESS YOU HAVE ONE OF YOUR WEALTHY PEOPLE, THE SERVER THEY SAY, UKRAINE HAS IT."

PRESIDENT TRUMP CONTINUES, "I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CALL YOU OR YOUR PEOPLE, AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT.

AS YOU SAW YESTERDAY, THAT WHOLE NONSENSE ENDED WITH A VERY POOR PERFORMANCE BY A MAN NAMED ROBERT MUELLER," A VIETNAM WAR HERO, BY THE WAY, "A VERY POOR PERFORMANCE BY A MAN NAMED ROBERT MUELLER, AN INCOMPETENT PERFORMANCE, BUT THEY SAY A LOT OF IT STARTED WITH UKRAINE.

WHATEVER YOU CAN DO, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO IT IF THAT'S POSSIBLE."

WHO IS THE "THEY"?

WHO IS THE "THEY" REFERRED TO BY PRESIDENT TRUMP, PUTTING FORTH THE BASELESS CONSPIRACY THEORY THAT THE UKRAINIAN, NOT THE RUSSIANS, WERE BEHIND THE HACKS OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE SERVER IN 2016?

"THEY" MEANS RUSSIA.

"THEY" MEANS PUTIN.

"THEY" ARE ENEMIES OF THE UNITED STATES.

NOT A SINGLE WITNESS WHO TESTIFIED BEFORE THE HOUSE KNEW OF ANY FACTUAL BASIS FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BELIEF IN THE CROWDSTRIKE UKRAINE FAIRYTALE.

IN THE CONTRARY, THE U.S. INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY AND THIS SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE ASSESSED THAT RUSSIA INTERFERED IN THE 2016 ELECTION.

AS DR. FIONA HILL TESTIFIED, THE THEORY THAT UKRAINE INTERFERED IN THE 2016 ELECTION IS "A FICTIONAL NARRATIVE THAT HAS BEEN PERM TRAITED AND -- PERPETRATED AND PROPAGATED BY THE RUSSIAN SECURITY SERVICES.

THE CONSPIRACY THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP ADVANCED ON THE JULY 26th PHONE CALL IS STONE-COLD RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA.

AS EARLY AS FEBRUARY 2017, VLADIMIR PUTIN BEGAN TO PROMOTE THIS LIE DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE SAYING, "THE UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT ADOPTED A UNILATERAL POSITION IN FAVOR OF ONE CANDIDATE.

MORE THAN THAT, CERTAIN OLIGARCHS, CERTAINLY WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP, FUNDED THIS CANDIDATE, OR FEMALE CANDIDATE, TO BE PRECISE."

THOSE ARE THE WORDS OF VLADIMIR PUTIN, A SCRIPT APPARENTLY ADOPTED BY PRESIDENT DONALD JOHN TRUMP.

IF THERE WAS ANY DOUBT ABOUT WHO BENEFITS FROM THIS UNFOUNDED RUSSIAN-INSPIRED CONSPIRACY THEORY ADVANCED BY DONALD TRUMP, VLADIMIR PUTIN MADE IT CLEAR WHEN HE SAID IN NOVEMBER OF 2019, "THANK GOD NO ONE IS ACCUSING US ANYMORE OF INTERFERING IN U.S.

ELECTIONS.

NOW THEY'RE ACCUSING UKRAINIANS."

UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME PRESIDENT TRUMP TRIED THE CAPITALIZE ON RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA AND MISINFORMATION FOR HIS OWN POLITICAL BENEFIT.

ON JULY 24th, JUST ONEDY BEFORE THIS CALL, SPECIAL COUNSEL MUELLER TESTIFIED BEFORE CONGRESS THAT THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT INTERFERED IN THE 2016 ELECTION IN SWEEPING AND SYSTEMATIC FASHION IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN AND DIVIDE AMERICA.

MR. MUELLER ALSO FOUND THAT THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN WELCOMED RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE IN THE 2016 ELECTION AND UTILIZED IT AS PART OF ITS CAMPAIGN MESSAGEING DESPITE THE CLEAR AND OVERWHELMING CONCLUSION OF U.S. INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES AS WELL AS THE DISTINGUISHED SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE THAT RUSSIA, NOT UKRAINE, INTERFERED IN THE 2016 ELECTIONS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP CONTINUED TO PRESS THE NEW UKRAINIAN LEADER TO ANNOUNCE THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CROWD STRIKE UKRAINE CONSPIRACY THEORY.

WHY?

PRESIDENT TRUMP SOUGHT A POLITICAL FAVOR.

THAT'S WHY.

IT'S PART OF A SCHEME.

TO SOLICIT FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

THE SECOND DEMAND MADE BY PRESIDENT TRUMP ON THE JULY 25th CALL RELATED TO THE CAMPAIGN OF VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, WHO ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTION TO RUN FOR THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY LAST APRIL.

THROUGHOUT THE SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER OF LAST YEAR, PUBLIC POLLING CONSISTENTLY SHOWED THAT BIDEN WOULD DECISIVELY DEFEAT PRESIDENT TRUMP.

IN FACT, ON JUNE 16th OF LAST YEAR, JUNE 16th, A FOX NEWS POLL SHOWED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WOULD LOSE TO JOE BIDEN BY TEN POINTS.

THE CONCERN WITH JOE BIDEN'S CANDIDACY PROVIDES MOTIVE FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DEMAND THAT THE UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATE THE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT AND HIS SON, HUNTER.

HERE IS WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID ON THAT CALL: "THE OTHER THING, THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT BIDEN'S SON, THAT BIDEN STOPPED THE PROSECUTION, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT THE FIND OUT ABOUT THAT, SO WHATEVER YOU CAN DO WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WOULD BE GREAT.

BIDEN WENT AROUND BRAGGING THAT HE STOPPED THE PROSECUTION, SO IF YOU CAN LOOK INTO IT...

IT SOUNDS HORRIBLE TO ME."

NOW, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY UNANIMOUSLY TESTIFIED THAT THERE WAS NO FACTUAL SUPPORT FOR THE ALLEGATIONS THAT VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN DID ANYTHING WRONG OR MISUSED HIS AUTHORITY WHEN HE PRESSED FOR THE REMOVAL OF UKRAINE'S CORRUPT FORMER PROSECUTOR GENERAL.

JOE BIDEN DID NOTHING WRONG.

THE WITNESSES TESTIFIED THAT VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS, IN FACT, CARRYING OUT OFFICIAL U.S. POLICY TO CLEAN UP THE PROSECUTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE IN UKRAINE.

THIS POLICY, OF COURSE, ALIGNED WITH THE PERSPECTIVE OF MANY IN THIS VERY DISTINGUISHED BODY AS WELL AS OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AS WELL AS THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND.

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN DID NOT REMOVE YURI LUT SENYKO, THE UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT DID WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE FREE WORLD.

NONETHELESS, ON OCTOBER 3, 2019, WHEN A REPORTER ASKED PRESIDENT TRUMP, "WHAT EXACTLY DID YOU HOPE ZELENSKY WOULD DO ABOUT THE BIDENS AFTER YOUR PHONE CALL?"

PRESIDENT TRUMP RESPONDED AS FOLLOWS: >> MR. PRESIDENT, WHAT EXACTLY DID YOU HOPE ZELENSKY WOULD DO ABOUT THE BIDENS AFTER YOUR PHONE CALL?

>> WELL, I WOULD THINK THAT IF THEY WERE HONEST ABOUT IT, THEY WOULD START A MAJOR INVESTIGATION INTO THE BIDENS.

IT'S A VERY SIMPLE ANSWER.

>> START A MAJOR INVESTIGATION INTO THE BIDENS.

THE EVIDENCE OF WRONGDOING BY PRESIDENT TRUMP IS HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT.

DURING THE JULY 25th CALL, PRESIDENT TRUMP ALSO REPEATEDLY PRESSED THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT TO COORDINATE WITH HIS PERSONAL ATTORNEY, RUDOLPH GIULIANI.

WHY WAS RUDOLPH GIULIANI'S NAME MENTIONED MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THE JULY 25th PHONE CALL?

GIULIANI IS NOT THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

HE'S NOT AN AMBASSADOR.

HE'S NOT A MEMBER OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORE.

RUDOLPH GIULIANI IS A COLD-BLOODED POLITICAL OPERATIVE FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP'S REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

THAT IS WHY HE WAS REFERENCED MULTIPLE TIMES ON THAT JULY 25th ON THE CALL.

AND IT IS EVIDENCE OF CORRUPT INTENT BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

BY THE TIME THE CALL TOOK PLACE, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY UNDERSTOOD SCWUL -- GIULIANI'S CONNECTION TO THE SHAKEDOWN SCHEME.

HE RECOGNIZED GIULIANI'S ROLE AS THE PRESIDENT'S POLITICAL OPERATIVE AS MATTERS RELATED TO UKRAINE.

ZELENSKY INFORM PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT ONE OF HIS AIDES SPOKE WITH MR. GIULIANI JUST RECENTLY, AND WE ARE HOPING VERY MUCH THAT MR. GIULIANI WILL BE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO UKRAINE, AND WE WILL MEET ONCE HE COMES.

THE UKRAINIAN LEADER KNEW GIULIANI REPRESENTED PRESIDENT TRUMP'S POLITICAL INTERESTS IN HIS COUNTRY AND COULD HELP UNLOCK THE LONG-SOUGHT-AFTER OVAL OFFICE MEETING THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY DESIRED.

THE PHONY INVESTIGATION SOUGHT BY PRESIDENT TRUMP ON THE JULY 25th CALL WERE NOT DESIGNED TO BOLSTER THE NATIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

QUITE THE CONTRARY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SOUGHT TO BENEFIT HIMSELF AND HIS OWN REELECTION PROSPECTS.

ON A JULY 25th CALL, PRESIDENT TRUMP ALSO SUGGESTED THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY SPEAK WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, WILLIAM BARR, ABOUT THE TWO FAKE INVESTIGATIONS THAT THE PRESIDENT SOUGHT.

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND.

AT IN TIME DURING THIS ENTIRE SORTED SCHEME WAS THERE AN ONGOING AMERICAN LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE PHONY SLANDER RELATED TO JOE BIDEN OR THE CONSPIRACY THEORY RELATED TO UKRAINIAN INTERFERENCE IN THE 2016 ELECTION.

AT NO TIME WAS THERE AN ONGOING AMERICAN LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATION.

AMERICA'S THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD.

WE DO NOT URGE OTHER SOVEREIGN COUNTRIES TO TARGET AMERICAN CITIZENS.

ABSENT ANY LEGITIMATE BASIS WHATSOEVER, ABSENT ANY SCINTILLA OF EVIDENCE.

APPARENTLY PRESIDENT TRUMP DOES NOT PLAY BY THOSE RULES.

DURING THE JULY 25th CALL, PRESIDENT TRUMP DIDN'T RAISE LEGITIMATE CORRUPTION CONCERNS AS IT RELATES THE UKRAINE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP DID NOT MENTION THE WORD "CORRUPTION" ONCE.

THE PRESIDENT DID, HOWEVER, VICIOUSLY MALIGN FORMER U.S.

AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE MARIE YOVANOVITCH, A DISTINGUISHED ANTI-CORRUPTION ADVOCATE, WHOM HE ABRUPTLY REMOVED BECAUSE SHE WAS SEEN AS AN OBSTACLE TO HIS GEOPOLITICAL SHAKEDOWN.

AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH JOINED THE DIPLOMATIC CORE UNDER PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN AND SUBSEQUENTLY SERVED THREE OTHER REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTS.

SHE IS A HIGHLY RESPECTED DIPLOMAT AND FOREIGN SERVICE PROFESSIONAL, YET PRESIDENT TRUMP TOLD THE NEW UKRAINIAN LEADER, THE FORMER AMBASSADOR FROM THE UNITED STATES, THE WOMAN WAS BAD NEWS, AND THE PEOPLE SHE WAS DEALING WITH IN THE UKRAINE WERE BAD NEWS, SO I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT.

HE DIDN'T STOP THERE.

LATER IN THE CALL PRESIDENT TRUMP OMINOUSLY ADDED, "WELL, SHE'S GOING TO GO THROUGH SOME THINGS."

THESE ARE THE WORDS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH DID NOT KNOW OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DISPARAGING REMARKS AT THE TIME.

SHE DIDN'T LEARN OF THEM UNTIL THE CALL RECORD BECAME PUBLIC IN SEPTEMBER.

ASKED WHETHER SHE FELT THREATENED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP'S STATEMENT THAT SHE WAS GOING TO GO THROUGH SOME THINGS, AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH ANSWERED THAT SHE DID.

HERE IS WHAT SHE SAID.

>> THE NEXT EXCERPT WHEN THE PRESIDENT REFERENCES YOU WAS A SHORT ONE, BUT HE SAID, "WELL, SHE'S GOING TO GO THROUGH SOME THINGS."

WHAT DID YOU THINK WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP TOLD PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AND YOU RAID THAT YOU WERE GOING TO GO THROUGH SOME THINGS?

>> I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK, BUT I WAS VERY CONCERNED.

>> WHAT WERE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT?

>> SHE'S GOING TO THROUGH SOME THINGS.

IT DIDN'T SOUND GOOD.

IT SOUNDED LIKE A THREAT.

>> DID YOU FEEL THREATENED?

>> I DID.

>> DURING THAT SAME CALL, PRESIDENT TRUMP ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRAISE YURI LUTSENKO.

MR. LUTSENKO IS THE FORMER UKRAINIAN PROSECUTOR GENERAL WHO WAS WIDELY REGARDED BY THE ENTIRE FREE WORLD, INCLUDING OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES AND THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND, TO BE CORRUPT AND INCOMPETENT, BUT DONALD JOHN TRUMP, OUR PRESIDENT, PRAISED HIM ON THAT CALL.

HE TOLD PRESIDENT ZELENSKY, "I HEARD YOU HAD A PROSECUTOR WHO WAS VERY GOOD, AND HE WAS SHUT DOWN, AND THAT'S REALLY UNFAIR.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TALKING THANT THE WAY THEY SHUT YOUR VERY GOOD PROSECUTOR DOWN, AN YOU HAD SOME VERY BAD PEOPLE INVOLVED."

THINK ABOUT THIS CONTRAST.

THE PRESIDENT BASHED A CAREER AMERICAN DIPLOMAT, AN ANTI-CORRUPTION CHAMPION, WHO WE -- HE UNCEREMONILY IS REMOVED BECAUSE SHE WAS VIEWED AS AN OBSTACLE TO HIS EFFORTS TO SOLICIT FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN THE 2020 ELECTION AND AT THE SAME TIME PRAISED SOMEONE WHO HE THOUGHT COULD BE AN ASSET, A CORRUPT UKRAINIAN PROSECUTOR WHO THE FREE WORLD VIEWED AS AN OBSTACLE TO THE RULE OF LAW.

THE IDEA THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP CARES ABOUT CORRUPTION IS LAUGHABLE.

IT'S LAUGHABLE.

A PLAIN READING OF THE ROUGH TRANSCRIPT OF THE JULY 25th CALL ALSO SHEDS LIGHT TO BE QUID PRO QUO INVOLVING THE OVAL OFFICE MEETING THAT HAD BEEN SOUGHT.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKY SAID ON THE CALL, "I ALSO WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVITATION TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES, SPECIFICALLY WASHINGTON, D.C. ON THE OTHER HAND, I ALSO WANTED TO ENSURE THAT WE WILL BE VERY SERIOUS ABOUT THE CASE AND WILL WORK ON THE INVESTIGATION."

AS ALL OF YOU KNOW, HERE IN THIS DISTINGUISHED BODY, QUID PRO QUO IS A LATIN TERM.

IT MEANS THIS FOR THAT.

THE STATEMENT THAT I JUST READ SHOWS THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY FULLY UNDERSTOOD AT THE TIME OF THIS JULY 25th CALL THAT IF HE YIELDED TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DEMAND FOR PHONY INVESTIGATIONS, HE WOULD GET THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING IN THE OVAL OFFICE THAT HE DESPERATELY SOUGHT.

THIS FOR THAT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS REPEATEDLY INSISTED THAT HIS JULY 25th CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WAS A PERFECT CALL.

HIS STAFF AT THE WHITE HOUSE APPARENTLY BELIEVED OTHERWISE.

THE PRESS OFFICE ISSUED A SHORT AND INCOMPLETE SUMMARY OF THE JULY 25th CALL.

LET ME READ IT FOR YOUR HEARING.

"TODAY PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP SPOKE BY TELEPHONE WITH PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY OF UKRAINE TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON HIS RECENT -- >> THE SENATE WILL BE IN ORDER.

THE SARGENT AT ARMS WILL RESTORE ORDER IN THE GALLERY.

[SOMEONE YELLING] >> THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, "FOR THE LORD LOVES JUSTICE AND WILL NOT ABANDON HIS FAITHFUL ONES.

THAT'S THE OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE CALL READOUT JULY 25, 2019.

TODAY PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP SPOKE BY TELEPHONE WITH PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY OF UKRAINE TO CONGRATULATE HIM LN HIS RECENT ELECTION.

PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT ZELENSKY DISCUSSED WAYS TO STRENGTHEN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND UKRAINE, INCLUDING ENERGY AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION.

BOTH LEADERS ALSO EXPRESSED THAT THEY LOOKED FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET.

THAT IS THE OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE CALL READOUT DATED JULY 25, 2019.

THE OFFICIAL READOUT PROVIDED TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE OMITTED KEY ELEMENTS OF THE PRESIDENT'S CONVERSATION.

LET'S REVIEW.

THE OFFICIAL READOUT DID NOT MENTION THE PHONY INVESTIGATIONS REQUESTED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THE OFFICIAL READOUT DID NOT MENTION THE OVAL OFFENSE MEETING SOUGHT BY PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

THE OFFICIAL READOUT DID NOT MENTION PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ELEVATION OF A DEBUNKED CONSPIRACY THEORY PROMOTED BY VLADIMIR PUTIN ABOUT 2016 ELECTION INTERFERENCE.

THE OFFICIAL READOUT DID NOT MENTION PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DEMANDS THAT UKRAINE INVESTIGATE HIS DOMESTIC POLITICAL RIVAL, JOE BIDEN.

THE OFFICIAL READOUT DID NOT MENTION THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP MALIGNED AND THREATENED AMBASSADOR YOVANOVITCH.

AND THE OFFICIAL READOUT DID NOT MENTION THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP PRAISED A CORRUPT FORMER UKRAINIAN PROSECUTOR.

THE COMPLETE CONVERSATION, HOWEVER, BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT ZELENSKY THAT WE JUST OUTLINED OFFERS POWERFUL EVIDENCE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP ABUSED HIS POWER AND SOLICITED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN THE 2016 ELECTION.

THE 2020 ELECTION.

SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE PRESIDENT'S STAFF LISTENING IN ON THE CALL IMMEDIATELY GREW CONCERNED.

AS HE SAT IN THE WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM LISTENING TO THE CONVERSATION, LIEUTENANT COLONEL ALEXANDER VINDMAN REALIZED THAT& UKRAINIAN LEADER WERE INAPPROPRIATE AND IMPROPER.

HE QUICKLY RECOGNIZED THAT AS THE PRESIDENT BEGAN REFERENCING THE BIDENS AND CROWDSTRIKE, THE CALL WAS DIE VERNALLING FROM THE -- DIVERGING FROM THE OFFICIAL NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL APPROVED TALKING POINTS THAT HE HELPED PREPARE.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL VINDMAN, A 20-YEAR IRAQ WAR VETERAN, PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT, AND AMERICAN PATRIOT, HE TESTIFIED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CALL THAT DUE TO THE UNEQUAL BARGAINING POSITION OF THE TWO LEADERS AND UKRAINE'S DEPENDENCE ON THE UNITED STATES, THE FAVOR THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP SOUGHT WOULD HAVE BEEN PERCEIVED BY PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AS A DEMAND LIEUTENANT COLONEL VINDMAN KNEW IMMEDIATELY HE HAD A DUTY TO REPORT THE CONTENTS OF THE CALL TO WHITE HOUSE LAWYERS.

>> I WAS CONCERNED BY THE CALL.

WHAT I HEARD WAS INAPPROPRIATE, AND I REPORTED MY CONCERNS TO MR. EISBERG.

IT IS IMPROPER FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO DEMAND A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATE A U.S. CITIZEN AND A POLITICAL OPPONENT.

I WAS ALSO CLEAR THAT IF UKRAINE PURSUED AN INVESTIGATION, IT WAS ALSO -- IT WAS ALSO CLEAR THAT IF UKRAINE PURSUED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE 2016 ELECTION, THE BIDENS, AND BURISMA, IT WOULD BE INTERPRETED AS A PARTISAN MOVE, WHICH WOULD LOSE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE AND UNDERMAJOR U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY AND EMBOLDEN RUSSIA IN THE REGION.

>> BASED ON HANDWRITTEN NOTES, LIEUTENANT VINDMAN TOLD LAWYERS THAT HE BELIEVED IT WAS WRONG FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP TO ASK PRESIDENT ZELENSKY TO INVESTIGATE VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN.

OTHER WITNESSES WERE ALSO TROUBLED BY WHAT THEY HEARD.

VICE PRESIDENT PENCE'S ADVISOR, JENNIFER WILLIAM, EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP RAISED A DOMESTIC POLITICAL MATTER ON AN OFFICIAL CALL WITH A FOREIGN LEADER.

SHE TESTIFIED THAT THE MENTION OF INVESTIGATIONS STRUCK HER AS UNUSUAL AND POSSIBLY POLITICAL IN NATURE.

SHE SAID, "I GUESS FOR ME IT SHED SOME LIGHT ON POSSIBLE OTHER MOTIVES BEHIND A SECURITY ASSISTANCE HOLD."

TIMOTHY MORRISON, A FORMER REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER WHO REPLACED DR. FIONA HILL IN JULY OF 2019 ALSO REPORTED THE CALL TO NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL LAWYERS.

AFTER THE CALL, PRESIDENT TRUMP CONTINUED TO PUSH THE SCHEME FORWARD.

ON JULY 26th, THE VERY NEXT DAY, AMBASSADOR SONDLAND AND AMBASSADOR TAYLOR MET WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AND OTHER UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS IN KIEV.

ACCORDING TO DAVID HOLMES, THE UKRAINE-BASED U.S.

DIPLOMAT WHO SERVED AS THE NOTE TAKEN, THE UKRAINIAN LEADER MENTIONED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD BROUGHT UP SOME VERY SENSITIVE ISSUES DURING THE JULY 25th CALL.

"VERY SENSITIVE ISSUES."

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND THEN HAD A PRIVATE MEETING WITH ANDRE YERMAK, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY'S TOP AID.

THE TWO MEN INSISTED THE MEETING BE ONE ON ONE WITH NO NOTE TAKER, PERHAPS DUE TO THE "SENSITIVE ISSUES" THAT MIGHT COME UP.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND TESTIFIED THAT HE AND PRESIDENT ZELENSKY'S AIDE PROBABLY DISCUSSED THE ISSUE OF INVESTIGATIONS.

AFTER THESE KEY MOMENTS IN UKRAINE, AMBASSADOR SONDLAND WENT TO LUNCH WITH DAVID HOLMES AND TWO OTHER AMERICAN OFFICIALS.

MR. HOLMES SAT DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM AMBASSADOR SONDLAND, CLOSE ENOUGH TO HEAR THE DETAILS OF AN EXTRAORDINARY TELEPHONE CALL BETWEEN MR. SONDLAND AND PRESIDENT TRUMP.

AS MR. HOLMES RELAYED DURING HIS SWORN TESTIMONY UNDER OATH, AMBASSADOR SONDLAND PULLED OUT HIS UNSECURED CELL PHONE AND SAID THAT HE WAS GOING TO CALL PRESIDENT TRUMP TO GIVE HIM AN UPDATE.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT WAS SHOCKING.

>> WELL, AMBASSADOR SONDLAND'S PHONE WAS NOT ON SPEAKERPHONE.

I COULD HEAR THE PRESIDENT'S PHONE THROUGH THE EARPIECE OF THE PHONE.

THE PRESIDENT'S VOICE WAS LOUD AND RECOGNIZABLE, AND AMBASSADOR SONDLAND HELD THE PHONE AWAY FROM HIS EAR FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, PRESUMABLY BECAUSE OF THE LOUD VOLUME.

I HEARD AMBASSADOR SONDLAND GREET THE PRESIDENT AND EXPLAIN HE WAS CALLING FROM KIEV.

I HEARD PRESIDENT TRUMP THEN CLARIFY THAT AMBASSADOR SONDLAND WAS IN UKRAINE.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND REPLIED, YES, HE WAS IN UKRAINE AND WENT ON THE STATE THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY "LOVES YOUR ASS."

I THEN HEARD PRESIDENT TRUMP ASK, "SO HE'S GOING TO DO THE INVESTIGATION?"

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND REPLIED THAT "HE'S GOING TO DO IT," ADDING THAT "PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WILL DO ANYTHING YOU ASK HIM TO DO."

>> "HE'S GOING TO DO IT.

HE WILL DO ANYTHING YOU ASK HIM TO DO."

IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS CALL, MR. HOLMES FOLLOWED UP WITH AMBASSADOR SONDLAND.

>> AFTER THE CALL ENDED, AMBASSADOR SONDLAND REMARKED THAT THE PRESIDENT WAS IN A BAD MOOD.

AS AMBASSADOR SONDLAND STATED WAS OFTEN THE CASE EARLY IN THE MORNING.

I THEN TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK AMBASSADOR SONDLAND FOR HIS CANDID IMPRESSION OF THE PRESIDENT'S VIEWS ON UKRAINE, IN PARTICULAR I ASKED ABTS SONDLAND IF IT WAS TRUE THAT THE PRESIDENT DID NOT GIVE A EXPLETIVE ABOUT UKRAINE.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND AGREED THAT THE PRESIDENT DID NOT GIVE AN EXPLETIVE ABOUT UKRAINE.

I ASKED, "WHY NOT?"

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND SAID THE PRESIDENT ONLY CARES ABOUT BIG STUFF.

I NOTED THERE WAS BIG STUFF GOING ON IN UKRAINE, LIKE A WAR WITH RUSSIA.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND REPLIED THAT HE MEANT BIG STUFF THAT BENEFITS THE PRESIDENT, LIKE THE BIDEN INVESTIGATION THAT MR. GIULIANI WAS PUSHING.

THE CONVERSATION THEN PROVED ON TORE TOPICS.

>> DURING THE JULY 25th CALL, PRESIDENT TRUMP ASKED FOR THE FAVOR OF THESE TWO PHONY POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT BROUGHT UP DEFENSE ASSISTANCE FOR UKRAINE.

AND THE FOLLOWING DAY, AMBASSADOR SONDLAND CONFIRMED TO PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT UKRAINE WOULD INDEED INITIATE THE INVESTIGATIONS DISCUSSED ON THE CALL, WHICH WAS THE ONLY THING THE PRESIDENT CARED ABOUT WITH RESPECT TO UKRAINE.

HE DIDN'T CARE THAT RUSSIA WAS FORCEFULLY OCCUPYING EASTERN UKRAINE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP DIDN'T CARE THAT THOUSANDS OF UKRAINIANS APPARENTLY HAVE DIED FIGHTING FOR THEIR DEMOCRACY.

HE DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE THAT SUPPORTING UKRAINE BOLSTERS AMERICA'S NATIONAL SECURITY.

BUT HE CARED ABOUT HIMSELF AS IT RELATES TO THE PROSPECTS OF HIS REELECTION IN 2020.

IN NOVEMBER PRESIDENT TRUMP DENIED THAT HE SPOKE TO AMBASSADOR SONDLAND ON JULY 26th, TELLING REPORTERS I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THAT.

BUT IN HIS PUBLIC TESTIMONY, AMBASSADOR SONDLAND CONTRADICTED THAT ASSERTION WITH OFFICIAL RECORDS HE OBTAINED FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT HOLMES' TESTIMONY REFRESHED HIS REELECTION ABOUT THE JULY 26th CALL, WHICH AMBASSADOR SONDLAND HAD NOT ORIGINALLY DESCRIBED WHEN HE FIRST APPEARED AT A DEPOSITION BEFORE THE HOUSE.

>> ALSO ON JULY 26th, SHORTLY AFTER OUR KIEV MEETING, I SPOKE BY PHONE WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THE WHITE HOUSE, WHICH HAS FINALLY SHARED CERTAIN CALL DATES AND TIMES WITH MY ATTORNEYS CONFIRMS THIS.

THE CALL LASTED FIVE MINUTES.

I REMEMBER I WAS AT A RESTAURANT IN KIEV, AND I HAVE NO REASON TO DOUBT THAT THIS CONVERSATION INCLUDED THE SUBJECT OF INVESTIGATIONS.

AGAIN, GIVEN MR. GIULIANI'S DEMAND THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY MAKE A PUBLIC STATEMENT ABOUT INVESTIGATIONS, I KNEW THAT INVESTIGATIONS WERE IMPORTANT TO PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID THAT JULY 25th CONVERSATION WAS A "PERFECT CALL."

IT WAS FAR FROM PERFECT.

IN A PERFECT CALL, THE PRESIDENT WOULD NOT DEMAND A POLITICAL FAVOR FROM A VULNERABLE UKRAINE UNDER ATTACK BY A RUSSIAN FOE.

IN A PERFECT CALL, THE PRESIDENT WOULD NOT DEMAND THAT A FOREIGN LEADER INVESTIGATE A RUSSIAN-INSPIRED CONSPIRACY ABOUT THE 2016 ELECTION.

IN A PERFECT CALL, THE PRESIDENT WOULD NOT PRESSURE A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT TO TARGET AN AMERICAN CITIZEN FOR POLITICAL, PERSONAL GAIN.

IN A PERFECT CALL, THE PRESIDENT WOULD NOT SOLICIT INTERFERENCE IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

IN A PERFECT CALL, THE PRESIDENT WOULD NOT THREATEN THE WELL-BEING OF A HIGHLY RESPECTED AMERICAN AMBASSADOR AND SAY THAT SHE WAS GOING TO "GO THROUGH SOME THINGS."

IN A PERFECT CALL, THE PRESIDENT WOULD NOT PRAISE A DISGRACED FORMER PROSECUTOR WHO THE FREE WORLD VIEWED AS CORRUPT AND INCOMPETENT.

AND IN A PERFECT CALL, THE PRESIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE DIRECTED A FOREIGN LEADER TO FOLLOW UP WITH RUDOLPH GIULIANI, A HUMAN HAND GRENADE.

THIS WAS NOT A PERFECT CALL.

IT IS DIRECT EVIDENCE THAT PRESIDENT DONALD JOHN TRUMP CORRUPTLY ABUSED HIS POWER AND SOLICITED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

>> THE MAJORITY MAJORITY LEADER IS RECOGNIZED.

>> MR. CHIEF JUSTICE, COLLEAGUES WILL NOW TAKE A 30-MINUTE BREAK FOR DINNER AND RECONVENE AT FIVE MINUTES AFTER 7:00.

SO I ASK CONSENT THE SENATE STAND IN RECESS UNTIL THAT TIME.

>> WITHOUT OBJECTION.

SO ORDERED.

>> COUNSEL FOR THE PRESIDENT AND MY FELLOW HOUSE MANAGERS, I WANT TO BEGIN BY THANKING YOU, CHIEF JUSTICE, FOR A VERY LONG DAY FOR THE WAY YOU HAVE PRESIDED OVER THESE PROCEEDINGS.

AND I WANT THE THANK THE SENATORS ALSO.

WE WENT WELL INTO THE MORNING, AS YOU KNOW.

UNTIL I BELIEVE AROUND 2:00 A.M. AND YOU PAID ATTENTION TO EVERY WORD AND ARGUMENT YOU HEARD FROM BOTH SIDES IN THIS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.

I KNOW WE ARE BOTH DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

IT WAS AN EXHAUSTING DAY FOR US CERTAINLY, BUT WE HAVE ADRENALINE GOING THROUGH OUR VEINS, AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE REQUIRED TO SIT AND LISTEN, IT IS A MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TASK, AND, OF COURSE, WE KNOW OUR POSITIONS.

YOU HAVE THE ADDED DIFFICULTY OF HAVING TO WEIGH THE FACTS AND THE LAW.

SO I WANT TO BEGIN TODAY BY THANKING YOU FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE PROCEEDINGS YESTERDAY.

AND FOR INVITING YOUR PATIENCE AS WE GO FORWARD.

WE HAVE SOME VERY LONG DAYS YET TO COME.

SO LET US BEGIN.

"WHEN A MAN UNPRINCIPLED IN HIS PRIVATE LIFE, DESPERATE IN HIS FORTUNE, BOLD IN HIS TEMPER, HAVING THE ADVANTAGE OF MILITARY HABIT, DESPOTIC IN HIS ORDINARY DEMEANOR, KNOWN TO HAVE SCOFFED IN PRIVATE AT THE PRINCIPLES OF LIBERTY, WHEN SUCH A MAN IS SEEN TO MOUNT THE HOBBY HORSE OF POPULARITY TO JOY IN THE CRY OF DANGER TO LIBERTY, TO TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY OF EMBARRASSING THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND BRINGING IT UNDER SUSPICION, TO FLATTER AND FALL IN WITH ALL THE NONSENSE OF THE ZEALOTS OF THE DAY, IT MAY JUSTLY BE SUSPECTED THAT HIS OBJECT IS TO THROW THINGS INTO CONFUSION, THAT HE MIGHT RIDE THE STORM AND DIRECT THE WHIRLWIND."

THOSE WORDS WERE WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER HAMILTON IN A LETTER TO PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANIC OF 1792, A FINANCIAL CREDIT CRISIS THAT SHOOK OUR YOUNG NATION.

HAMILTON WAS RESPONDING TO SENTIMENTS RELAYED TO WASHINGTON AS HE TRAVEL THE COUNTRY, THAT AMERICA IN THE FACE OF THAT CRISIS, MIGHT DESCEND FROM A REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT, PLUNGING INSTEAD INTO THAT OF MONARCHY.

THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION WORRIED THEN, AS WE WORRY TODAY, THAT A LEADER MIGHT COME TO POWER NOT TO CARRY OUT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE THAT HE WAS ELECTED TO REPRESENT, BUT TO PURSUE HIS OWN INTERESTS.

THEY FEARED THAT A PRESIDENT WOULD SUBVERT OUR DEMOCRACY BY ABUSING THE AWESOME POWER OF HIS OFFICE FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL OR POLITICAL GAIN.

AND SO THEY DEVISED A REMEDY AS POWERFUL AS THE EVIL IT WAS MEANT TO COMBAT, IMPEACHMENT.

AS CENTURIES HAVE PASSED, OUR FOUNDERS HAVE ACHIEVED AN ALMOST MYTHICAL CHARACTER.

WE ARE AWARE OF THEIR FLAWS, CERTAINLY SOME VERY PAINFUL AND PRONOUNCED INDEED, AND YET WHEN IT CAME TO THE DRAFTING OF A NEW SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT NEVER SEEN BEFORE AND WITH NO GUARANTEE IT WOULD SUCCEED, WE CANNOT HELP BUT BE IN AWE OF THEIR GENIUS, THEIR PRESCIENCE EVEN, VINDICATED TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

STILL, IT MAY BE BECAUSE OF THEIR BRILLIANCE AND THE BRILLIANCE OF THEIR WORDS, WE FIND YEAR AFTER YEAR IT MORE DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE THEM AS HUMAN BEINGS.

THIS IS NO LESS TRUE OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON, NOTWITHSTANDING HIS RECENT RETURN TO CELEBRITY.

BUT THEY WERE HUMAN BEINGS.

THEY UNDERSTOOD HUMAN FRAILTIES EVEN AS THEY EXHIBITED THEM.

THEY COULD APPRECIATE JUST AS WE CAN HOW POWER CAN CORRUPT, AND EVEN AS WE STRUGGLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE FRAMERS MIGHT HAVE RESPONDED TO PRESIDENTIAL MISCONDUCT OF THE KIND AND CHARACTER THAT WE ARE HERE TO TRY, WE SHOULD NOT IMAGINE FOR ONE MOMENT THAT THEY LACKED BASIC COMMON SENSE OR REFUSED TO APPLY IT OURSELVES.

THEY KNEW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO LIVE UNDER A DESPOT, AND THEY RISKED THEIR LIVES TO BE FREE OF IT.

THEY KNEW THEY WERE CREATING AN ENORMOUSLY POWERFUL EXECUTIVE, AND THEY KNEW THEY NEEDED TO CONSTRAIN IT.

THEY DID NOT INTEND FOR THE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT TO BE USED FREQUENTLY OR OVER MERE MATTERS OF POLICY, BUT THEY PUT IT IN THE CONSTITUTION FOR A REASON.

"FOR MAN WHO WOULD SUBVERT THE INTERESTS OF THE NATION TO PURSUE HIS OWN INTERESTS, FOR A MAN WHO WOULD SEEK TO PERPETUATE HIMSELF TO OFFICE BY INVITING FOREIGN INTERFERENCE AND CHEATING IN ELECTIONS.

FOR A MAN WHO WOULD BE DISDAINFUL OF CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITS, IGNORING OR DEFEATING THE OTHER BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT AND THEIR COEQUAL POWERS, FOR A MAN WHO BELIEVED THAT THE CONSTITUTION GAVE HIM THE RIGHT TO DO ANYTHING HE WANTED AND PRACTICED IN THE ART OF DECEPTION, FOR A MAN WHO BELIEVED THAT HE WAS ABOVE THE LAW AND BEHOLDEN TO NO ONE, FOR A MAN, IN SHORT, WHO WOULD BE A KING.

WE ARE HERE TODAY IN THIS HALLOWED CHAMBER UNDERTAKING THE SOLEMN ACTION FOR ONLY THE THIRD TIME IN HISTORY BECAUSE DONALD J. TRUMP, THE 45TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, HAS ACTED PRECISELY AS HAMILTON AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES FEARED.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SOLICITED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN OUR DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS, ABUSING THE POWER OF HIS OFFICE, TO SEEK HELP FROM ABROAD TO IMPROVE HIS REELECTION PROSPECTS AT HOME.

WHEN HE WAS CAUGHT, HE USED THE POWERS OF THAT OFFICE TO OBSTRUCT THE INVESTIGATION INTO HIS OWN MISCONDUCT.

TO IMPLEMENT THIS CORRUPT SCHEME, PRESIDENT TRUMP PRESSURED THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE TO PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE INVESTIGATIONS INTO TWO DISCREDITED ALLEGATIONS THAT WOULD BENEFIT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S 2020 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.

WHEN THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY ACCENT, PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHHELD TWO OFFICIAL ACTS TO INDUCE THE UKRAINIAN LEADER TO APPLY, A HEAD OF STATE MEETING IN THE OVAL OFFICE AND MILITARY FUNDING.

BOTH WERE OF GREAT CONSEQUENCE TO UKRAINE AND TO OUR NATIONAL INTEREST AND SECURITY, BUT ONE LOOMS LARGEST.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHHELD HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN MILITARY AID TO A STRATEGIC PARTNER AT WAR WITH RUSSIA TO SECURE FOREIGN HELP WITH HIS REELECTION, IN OTHER WORDS, TO CHEAT.

IN THIS WAY THE PRESIDENT USED OFFICIAL STATE POWERS AVAILABLE ONLY TO HIM AND UNAVAILABLE TO ANY POLITICAL OPPONENT TO ADVANTAGE HIMSELF IN A DEMOCRATIC ELECTION.

THIS SCHEME WAS UNDERTAKEN FOR A SIMPLE BUT CORRUPT REASON, TO HELP HIM WIN REELECTION IN 2020.

BUT THE EFFECT OF HIS SCHEME WAS TO UNDERMINE OUR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS AND TO PUT OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AT RISK.

IT WAS NOT EVEN NECESSARY THAT UKRAINE UNDERTAKE THE POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS THE PRESIDENT WAS SEEKING.

THEY MERELY HAD TO ANNOUNCE THEM.

THIS IS SIGNIFICANT, FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD NO INTEREST IN FIGHTING CORRUPTION, AS HE WOULD CLAIM AFTER HE WAS CAUGHT, RATHER HIS INTEREST WAS IN FURTHERING CORRUPTION BY THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF INVESTIGATIONS THAT WERE COMPLETELY WITHOUT MERIT.

THE FIRST SHAM INVESTIGATION THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP DESIRED WAS INTO FORMER VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, WHO HAD SOUGHT THE REMOVAL OF A CORRUPT UKRAINIAN PROSECUTOR DURING THE PREVIOUS U.S. ADMINISTRATION.

THE VICE PRESIDENT ACTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH U.S. OFFICIAL POLICY AT THE TIME AND WAS SUPPORTED UNANIMOUSLY BY OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES AND KEY GLOBAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND THAT SHARED THE CONCERN OVER CORRUPTION.

DESPITE THIS FACT, IN THE COURSE OF THIS SCHEME, PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS AGENTS PRESSED THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT TO ANNOUNCE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE FALSE CLAIM THAT VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN WANTED THE CORRUPT PROSECUTOR REMOVED FROM POWER IN ORDER TO STOP AN INVESTIGATION INTO BURISMA HOLDINGS, A COMPANY ON WHOSE BOARD BIDEN'S SON HUNTER SAT.

THIS ALLEGATION IS SIMPLY UNTRUE.

AND IT HAS BEEN WIDELY DEBUNKED BY UKRAINIAN AND AMERICAN EXPERTS ALIKE.

THAT REALITY MATTERED NOT TO PRESIDENT TRUMP.

TO HIM, THE VALUE IN PROMOTING A NEGATIVE TALE ABOUT FORMER VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN, TRUE OR FALSE, WAS ITS USEFULNESS TO HIS REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

IT WAS A SMEAR TACTIC AGAINST A POLITICAL OPPONENT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP APPARENTLY FEARED.

REMARKABLY, BUT PREDICTABLY, RUSSIA TOO HAD SOUGHT TO SUPPORT THIS EFFORT TO SMEAR MR. BIDEN, REPORTEDLY HACKING INTO THE UKRAINIAN ENERGY COMPANY AT THE CENTER OF THE PRESIDENT'S DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN ONLY LAST WEEK.

RUSSIA ALMOST CERTAINLY WAS LOOKING FOR INFORMATION RELATED TO THE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT'S SON SO THAT THE KREMLIN COULD ALSO WEAPONIZE IT AGAINST MR. BIDEN, JUST LIKE IT DID AGAINST HILLARY CLINTON IN 2016 WHEN RUSSIA HACKED AND RELEASED E-MAILS FROM HER PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.

AND PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS MADE IT ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT HE WOULD LIKE NOTHING MORE THAN TO MAKE USE OF SUCH DIRT AGAINST MR. BIDEN, JUST AS HE MADE USE OF SECRETARY CLINTON'S HACKED AN RELEASED E-MAILS IN HIS PREVIOUS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.

WHICH BRINGS US TO THE OTHER SHAM INVESTIGATION THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP DEMANDED THAT THE UKRAINIAN LEADER ANNOUNCE.

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS RELATED TO A DEBUNKED CONSPIRACY THEORY ALLEGING THAT UKRAINE, NOT RUSSIA, INTERFERED IN THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

THIS NARRATIVE, PROPAGATED BY THE RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE SERVICES, CONTENDS THAT UKRAINE SOUGHT TO HELP HILLARY CLINTON AND HARM THEN-CANDIDATE TRUM AND THAT A COMPUTER SERVER PROVIDING THIS FICTION IS HIDDEN SOMEWHERE IN UKRAINE.

THAT IS THE SO-CALLED "CROWDSTRIKE" CONSPIRACY THEORY.

THIS TALE IS ALSO PATENTLY FALSE.

REMARKABLY, IT IS PRECISELY THE INVERSE OF WHAT THE U.S. INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY'S UNANIMOUS ASSESSMENT WAS THAT RUSSIA INTERFERED IN THE 2016 ELECTION IN SWEEPING AND SYSTEMATIC FASHION IN ORDER TO HURT HILLARY CLINTON AND HELP DONALD TRUMP.

NEVERTHELESS, THE PRESIDENT EVIDENTLY BELIEVED A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT LENDING CREDENCE TO THESE ALLEGATIONS BY THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT COULD ASSIST HIS REELECTION BY PUTTING TO REST ANY DOUBTS AMERICANS MAY HAVE HAD OVER THE LEGITIMACY OF HIS FIRST ELECTION, EVEN AS HE INVITED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN THE NEXT.

TO THE DEGREE THAT MOST AMERICANS HAVE FOLLOWED THE PRESIDENT'S EFFORTS TO INVOLVE ANOTHER FOREIGN POWER IN OUR ELECTION, THEY MAY BE MOST TO THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT ON THE NOW-INFAMOUS JULY 25TH CALL TO "DO US A FAVOR, THOUGH."

AND INVESTIGATE BIDEN AND THE 2016 CONSPIRACY THEORY.

BUT THAT CALL WAS NOT THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY OF THE PRESIDENT'S CORRUPT SCHEME, NOR WAS IT THE END.

RATHER IT WAS MERELY PART, ALTHOUGH A SIGNIFICANT PART, OF A MONTHS-LONG EFFORT BY PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS ALLIES AND ASSOCIATES WHO APPLIED SIGNIFICANT AND INCREASING PRESSURE ON UKRAINE TO ANNOUNCE THESE TWO POLITICALLY MOTIVATED INVESTIGATIONS.

KEY FIGURES IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WERE AWARE OR DIRECTLY INVOLVED OR PARTICIPATED IN THE SCHEME.

AS WE SAW YESTERDAY, ONE WITNESS, A $1 MILLION DONOR TO THE PRESIDENT'S INAUGURAL COMMITTEE, PUT IT THIS WAY: "EVERYONE WAS IN THE LOOP."

AFTER TWICE INVITING UKRAINE'S NEW PRESIDENT TO THE WHITE HOUSE WITHOUT PROVIDING A SPECIFIC DATE FOR THE PROPOSED VISIT, PRESIDENT TRUMP CONDITIONED THIS COVETED HEAD-OF-STATE MEETING ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THESE SHAM INVESTIGATIONS.

FOR UKRAINE'S NEW AND UNTESTED LEADER, AN OFFICIAL MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE OVAL OFFICE WAS CRITICAL.

IT WOULD HELP BESTOW ON HIM IMPORTANT DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL LEGITIMACY AS HE SOUGHT TO IMPLEMENT AN AMBITIOUS ANTI-CORRUPTION PLATFORM.

ACTUAL AND APPARENT SUPPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WOULD ALSO STRENGTHEN HIS POSITION AS HE SOUGHT TO NEGOTIATE A PEACE AGREEMENT WITH RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SEEKING AN END TO RUSSIA'S ILLEGAL ANNEXATION AND CONTINUED MILITARY OCCUPATION OF PARTS OF UKRAINE.

BUT MOST PERNICIOUS, PRESIDENT TRUMP CONDITIONED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CONGRESSIONALLY APPROPRIATED TAXPAYER FUNDED MILITARY ASSISTANCE FOR THE SAME PURPOSE TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE ON UKRAINE'S LEADER TO ANNOUNCE THE INVESTIGATIONS.

THIS MILITARY AID, WHICH HAS LONG ENJOYED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, WAS DESIGNED TO HELP UKRAINE DEFEND ITSELF FROM THE KREMLIN'S AGGRESSION.

MORE THAN 15,000 UKRAINIANS HAVE DIED FIGHTING RUSSIAN FORCES AND THEIR PROXIES -- 15,000.

AND THE MILITARY AID WAS FOR SUCH ESSENTIALS AS SNIPER RIFLES, ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE LAUNCHERS, RADAR, NIGHT VISION GOGGLES, AND OTHER VITAL SUPPORT FOR THE WAR EFFORT.

MOST CRITICALLY, THE MILITARY AID THAT WE PROVIDE UKRAINE HELPS TO PROTECT AND ADVANCE AMERICAN NATIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS IN THE REGION AND BEYOND.

AMERICA HAS AN ABIDING INTEREST IN STEMMING RUSSIAN EXPANSIONISM AND RESISTING ANY NATION'S EFFORTS TO REMAKE THE MAP OF EUROPE BY DINT OF MILITARY FORCE EVEN AS WE HAVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TROOPS STATIONED THERE.

MOREOVER, AS ONE WITNESS PUT IT DURING OUR IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY, "THE UNITED STATES AIDS UKRAINE AND HER PEOPLE SO THAT WE CAN FIGHT RUSSIA OVER THERE AND WE DON'T HAVE TO FIGHT RUSSIA HERE."

NOW, WHEN THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEME WAS EXPOSED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THEY PROPERLY PERFORMED THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO INVESTIGATE THE MATTER, PRESIDENT TRUMP USED THE SAME UNRIVALED AUTHORITY AT HIS DISPOSAL AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF TO COVER UP HIS WRONGDOING.

IN UNPRECEDENTED FASHION, THE PRESIDENT ORDERED THE ENTIRE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO CATEGORICALLY REFUSE AND COMPLETELY OBSTRUCT THE HOUSE'S IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION.

SUCH A WHOLESALE OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESSIONAL IMPEACHMENT HAS NEVER BEFORE OCCURRED IN OUR DEMOCRACY, AND IT REPRESENTS ONE OF THE MOST BLATANT EFFORTS OF A COVER-UP IN HISTORY.

IF NOT REMEDIED BY HIS CONVICTION IN THE SENATE AND REMOVAL FROM OFFICE, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ABUSE OF HIS OFFICE AND OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS WILL PERMANENTLY ALTER THE BALANCE OF POWER AMONG THE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, INVITING FUTURE PRESIDENTS TO OPERATE AS IF THEY ARE ALSO BEYOND THE REACH OF ACCOUNTABILITY, CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT, AND THE LAW.

ON THE BASIS OF THIS EGREGIOUS MISCONDUCT, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RETURNED TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST THE PRESIDENT, FIRST CHARGING THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP CORRUPTLY ABUSED THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCY TO SOLICIT FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION FOR HIS PERSONAL POLITICAL BENEFIT, AND SECOND, THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP OBSTRUCTED AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY INTO THAT ABUSE OF POWER IN ORDER TO COVER UP HIS MISCONDUCT.

THE HOUSE DID NOT TAKE THIS EXTRAORDINARY STEP LIGHTLY.

AS WE WILL DISCUSS, IMPEACHMENT EXISTS FOR CASES IN WHICH THE CONDUCT OF THE PRESIDENT RISES BEYOND MERE POLICY TO DISPUTES TO BE DECIDED OTHERWISE AND WITHOUT URGENCY AT THE BALLOT BOX.

INSTEAD WE ARE HERE TODAY TO CONSIDER A MUCH MORE GRAVE MATTER, AND THAT IS AN ATTEMPT TO USE THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENCY TO CHEAT IN AN ELECTION FOR PRECISELY THIS REASON: THE PRESIDENT'S MISCONDUCT CANNOT BE DECIDED AT THE BALLOT BOX.

FOR WE CANNOT BE ASSURED THAT THE VOTE WILL BE FAIRLY WON.

IN CORRUPTLY USING HIS OFFICE TO GAIN A POLITICAL ADVANTAGE AND ABUSING THE POWERS OF THAT OFFICE IN SUCH A WAY TO JEOPARDIZE OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS, IN OBSTRUCTING THE INVESTIGATION INTO HIS OWN WRONGDOING, THE PRESIDENT HAS SHOWN THAT HE BELIEVES THAT HE'S ABOVE THE LAW AND SCORNFUL OF CONSTRAINT.

AS WE SAW YESTERDAY ON THE SCREEN, THAT UNDER ARTICLE 2, HE CAN DO ANYTHING HE WANTS.

MOREOVER, GIVEN THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE CONDUCT AT ISSUE AND ITS PERSISTENCE, THIS MATTER CANNOT AND MUST NOT BE DECIDED BY THE COURTS, WHICH APART FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE HERE TODAY, ARE GIVEN NO ROLE IN IMPEACHMENT IN EITHER THE HOUSE OR THE SENATE.

BEING DRAWN INTO LITIGATION TAKING MANY MONTHS OR YEARS TO COMPLETE WOULD PROVIDE THE PRESIDENT WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE HIS MISCONDUCT.

HE WOULD REMAIN SECURE IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT HE MAY TIE UP THE CONGRESS AND THE COURTS INDEFINITELY, AS HE HAS WITH DON MCGAHN, RENDERING THE IMPEACHMENT POWER EFFECTIVELY MEANINGLESS.

WE ALSO TOOK THIS STEP WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS WAS NOT FIRST TIME THE PRESIDENT SOLICITED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

IN 2016, THEN-CANDIDATE TRUMP IMPLORED RUSSIA TO HACK HIS OPPONENT'S E-MAIL ACCOUNT, SOMETHING THAT THE RUSSIAN MILITARY AGENCY DID ONLY HOURS LATER.

ONLY HOURS LATER.

WHEN THE PRESIDENT SAID, "HEY, RUSSIA, IF YOU'RE LISTENING," THEY WERE LISTENING.

ONLY HOURS LATER THEY HACKED HIS OPPONENT'S CAMPAIGN.

AND THE PRESIDENT HAS MADE IT CLEAR THIS WOULD ALSO NOT BE THE LAST TIME, ASKING CHINA ONLY RECENTLY TO JOIN UKRAINE IN INVESTIGATING HIS POLITICAL OPPONENT.

OVER THE COMING DAYS, WE WILL PRESENT TO YOU AND TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THE EXTENSIVE EVIDENCE COLLECTED DURING THE HOUSE'S IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY INTO THE PRESIDENT'S ABUSE OF POWER, OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE.

NOTWITHSTANDING HIS UNPRECEDENTED AND WHOLESALE OBSTRUCTION OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO THAT MISCONDUCT, YOU WILL HEAR AND READ TESTIMONY FROM COURAGEOUS PUBLIC SERVANTS WD UPHELD THEIR OATH TO THE CONSTITUTION AND THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATIONS TO COMPLY WITH CONGRESSIONAL ACTION DESPITE A CATEGORICAL ORDER BY PRESIDENT TRUMP NOT TO COOPERATE WITH THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.

THESE ARE COURAGEOUS PERSONS WHO WERE TOLD BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES NOT TO COOPERATE, NOT TO APPEAR, NOT TO TESTIFY, BUT WHO HAD THE SENSE OF DUTY TO DO SO.

MORE THAN THAT, YOU WILL HEAR FROM WITNESSES WHO HAVE NOT YET TESTIFIED, LIKE JOHN BOLTON AND MICK MULVANEY, MR. BLAIR AND MR. DUFFEY, AND IF YOU CAN BELIEVE THE PRESIDENT'S WORDS LAST MONTH, YOU WILL ALSO HEAR FROM SECRETARY POMPEO.

YOU WILL HEAR THEIR TESTIMONY AT THE SAME TIME AS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, THAT IS IF YOU ALLOW IT.

IF WE HAVE A FAIR TRIAL.

DURING OUR PRESENTATION, YOU WILL SEE DOCUMENTARY RECORDS, THOSE THE PRESIDENT WAS UNABLE TO SUPPRESS, THAT EXPOSE THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEME IN DETAIL.

YOU WILL LEARN OF FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT HAS BEEN WE FIELD -- EVIDENCE THAT HAS BEEN REVEALED IN THE DAYS SINCE THE HOUSE VOTED TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP, EVEN AS THE PRESIDENT AND HI AGENTS HAVE PERSISTED IN THEIR EFFORTS TO COVER-UP THEIR WRONGDOING FROM CONGRESS AND THE PUBLIC.

AND YOU WILL SEE DOZENS OF NEW DOCUMENTS PROVIDING NEW AND CRITICAL EVIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT'S GUILT THAT REMAINS AT THIS TIME IN THE PRESIDENT'S HANDS AND IN THE HANDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, EVEN THE WHITE HOUSE.

YOU WILL SEE THEM, AND SO WILL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, IF YOU ALLOW IT, IF, IN THE NAME OF A FAIR TRIAL, YOU WILL DEMAND IT.

THESE ARE POLITICALLY CHARGED TIMES.

TEMPERS CAN RUN HIGH, PARTICULARLY WHERE THIS PRESIDENT IS CONCERNED.

BUT THESE ARE NOT UNIQUE TIMES.

DEEP DIVISIONS AND DISAGREEMENTS WERE HARDLY ALIEN CONCEPTS TO THE FRAMERS.

SO THEY DESIGNED IMPEACHMENT POWER IN SUCH A WAY AS TO INSULATE IT AS BEST THEY COULD FROM THE CRUSH OF PARTISAN POLITICS.

THE FRAMERS PLACED THE QUESTION OF REMOVAL BEFORE THE UNITED STATES SENATE, A BODY ABLE TO RISE ABOVE THE FRAY, TO SOBERLY JUDGE THE PRESIDENT'S CONDUCT OR MISCONDUCT FOR WHAT IT WAS, NOTHING MORE AND NOTHING LESS.

IN FEDERALIST 65, HAMILTON WROTE, "WHERE ELSE THAN IN THE SENATE COULD HAVE BEEN FOUND A TRIBUNAL SUFFICIENTLY DIGNIFIED OR SUFFICIENTLY INDEPENDENT?

WHAT OTHER BODY WOULD BE LIKELY TO FEEL CONFIDENT ENOUGH IN ITS OWN SITUATION TO PRESERVE, UNAWED AND UNINFLUENCED, THE NECESSARY IMPARTIALITY BETWEEN AN INDIVIDUAL ACCUSED AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE, HIS ACCUSER?"

IT IS UP TO YOU TO BE THE TRIBUNAL THAT HAMILTON ENVISIONED.

IT IS UP TO YOU TO SHOW THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND YOURSELVES THAT HIS CONFIDENCE AND THAT OF THE OTHER FOUNDERS WAS RIGHTLY PLACED.

THE CONSTITUTION ENTRUSTS YOU TO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ACTING AS IMPARTIAL JURORS, TO HOLD A FAIR AND THOROUGH TRIAL AND TO WEIGH THE EVIDENCE BEFORE YOU, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR PARTY AFFILIATION OR YOUR VOTE IN THE PREVIOUS ELECTION OR THE NEXT.

OUR DUTY IS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND TO THE RULE OF LAW.

I RECOGNIZE THERE WILL BE TIMES DURING THE TRIAL THAT YOU MAY LONG TO RETURN TO THE BUSINESS OF THE SENATE.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE LOOK FORWARD TO THE SAME.

BUT NOT BEFORE YOU DECIDE WHAT KIND OF DEMOCRACY THAT YOU BELIEVE WE OUGHT TO BE AND WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO EXPECT IN THE CONDUCT OF THEIR PRESIDENT.

THE HOUSE BELIEVES THAT AN IMPARTIAL JUROR, UPON HEARING THE EVIDENCE THAT THE MANAGERS WILL LAY OUT IN THE COMING DAYS, WILL FIND THAT THE CONSTITUTION DEMANDS THE REMOVAL OF DONALD J. TRUMP FROM HIS OFFICE OF PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT THAT WILL BE FOR YOU TO DECIDE.

WITH THE WEIGHT OF HISTORY UPON YOU, AND AS PRESIDENT KENNEDY ONCE SAID, "A GOOD CONSCIENCE YOUR ONLY SURE REWARD."

IN DRAFTING OUR CONSTITUTION, THE FRAMERS DESIGNED A NEW AND UNTESTED FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

IT WOULD BE BASED ON FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS TO ENSURE THAT OUR POLITICAL LEADERS WOULD BE CHOSEN DEMOCRATICALLY AND BY CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTRY ALONE.

HAVING BROKEN FREE FROM A KING WITH UNBRIDLED AUTHORITY WHO OFTEN PLACED HIS OWN INTEREST ABOVE THAT OF THE PEOPLE, THE FRAMERS ESTABLISHED A STRUCTURE THAT WOULD GUARANTEE THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S POWER THROWED ONLY FROM HIS OBLIGATION TO THE PEOPLE, RATHER THAN FROM A SOVEREIGN WHOSE POWER WAS CONFERRED ON HIM BY DIVINE RIGHT.

IN THIS NEW ARCHITECTURE, NO BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT OR INDIVIDUAL WOULD PREDOMINATE OVER ANOTHER.

IN THIS WAY THE FOUNDERS ENSURED THAT THEIR ELECTED LEADERS AND THEIR PRESIDENT WOULD USE THE POWERS OF OFFICE ONLY TO UNDERTAKE THAT WHICH THE PEOPLE DESIRED AND NOT FOR THEIR PERSONNEL AGGRANDIZEMENT OR ENRICHMENT.

WHAT DID THOSE WHO REBELLED AND FOUGHT A REVOLUTION DESIRE?

NO DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE, THE GENERATIONS THAT HAVE FOLLOWED, DESIRE.

THAT NO PERSON, INCLUDING AND ESPECIALLY THE PRESIDENT, WOULD BE ABOVE THE LAW.

NOTHING COULD BE MORE DANGEROUS TO A DEMOCRACY THAN A COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF WHO BELIEVES THAT HE CAN OPERATE WITH IMPUNITY, FREE FROM ACCOUNTABLE, NOTHING THAT IS, EXCEPT A CONGRESS THAT IS WILLING TO LET IT BE SO.

TO ENSURE THAT NO SUCH THREAT COULD TAKE ROOT AND SUBVERT OUR FLEDGLING DEMOCRACY, THE FRAMERS DIVIDED POWER AMONG THREE COEQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, THE EXECUTIVE, THE LEGISLATIVE, AND THE JUDICIAL BRANCHES.

SO THAT AMBITION MAY BE MADE TO COUNTER AMBITION.

THEY PROVIDED FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS EVERY FOUR YEARS, AND THE FRAMERS REQUIRED THAT THE PRESIDENT SWEAR AN OATH TO FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE LAW AND TO PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

EVEN WITH THESE GUARDRAILS IN PLACE, THE FRAMERS UNDERSTOOD THAT AN INDIVIDUAL COULD COME TO POWER WHO DEFIED THAT SOLEMN OATH, WHO PURSUED HIS OWN INTERESTS RATHER THAN THOSE OF THE COUNTRY HE LED.

FOR THAT REASON THE FRAMERS ADOPTED A TOOL USED BY THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT TO CONSTRAIN ITS OFFICIALS, THE POWER OF IMPEACHMENT.

RATHER THAN A MECHANISM TO OVERTURN AN ELECTION, IMPEACHMENT WOULD BE A REMEDY OF LAST RESORT.

AND UNLIKE IN ENGLAND, THE FRAMERS APPLIED THIS ULTIMATE CHECK TO THE HIGHEST OFFICE IF THE LAND, TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

IMPEACHMENT AND REMOVAL OF A DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT WAS NOT INTENDED FOR POLICY DISPUTES OR POOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE STATE.

INSTEAD THE FRAMERS HAD IN MIND THE MOST SERIOUS OF OFFENSES, THOSE AGAINST THE PUBLIC ITSELF.

HAMILTON EXPLAINED THAT IMPEACHMENT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO COVER ONLY STATUTORY OR COMMON LAW CRIMES BUT INSTEAD CRIMES AGAINST THE BODY POLITIC.

HAMILTON WROTE, "THE SUBJECTS OF ITS JURISDICTION ARE THOSE OFFENSES WHICH PROCEED FROM THE MISCONDUCT OF PUBLIC MEN," IN OTHER WORDS, FROM THE ABUSE OR VIOLATION OF SOME PUBLIC TRUST.

THEY'RE OF A NATURE WHICH MAY with me cureall propriety be DENOMINATED POLITICALLY AS THEY RELATE CHIEFLY TO INJURIES DONE IMMEDIATELY TO SOCIETY ITSELF.

IN OTHER WORDS, IMPEACHMENT WOULD BE CONFINED TO ABUSES OF PEOPLE'S TRUST AND TO THE SOCIETY ITSELF.

THIS IS PRECISELY THE ABUSE THAT HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN BY OUR CURRENT PRESIDENT.

WHEN HE WITHHELD MONEY AND SUPPORT FOR AN ALLY AT WAR TO SECURE A POLITICAL BENEFIT.

THE PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE CRIMES WOULD FIT THE POLITICAL NATURE OF THE OFFENSE.

AS JAMES WILSON, A DELEGATE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, AND A FUTURE ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT REASONED, "IMPEACHMENTS ARE CONFINED TO POLITICAL CHARACTERS, TO POLITICAL CRIMES, AND MISDEMEANORS AND TO POLITICAL PUNISHMENT."

THAT PUNISHMENT THE FRAMERS DETERMINED WOULD BE NEITHER PRISON NOR FINES, BUT INSTEAD LIMITED TO REMOVAL FROM OFFICE AND DISQUALIFICATION FROM HOLDING FUTURE OFFICE.

THE FRAMERS CHOSE TO UNDERTAKE IMPEACHMENT FOR TREASON, BRIBERY, OR OTHER HIGH CRIMES AND MS DEMEANORS TO UNDERSCORE THE REQUIREMENTS OF AN OFFENSE AGAINST SOCIETY.

IN THIS PHRASE, "HIGH" MODIFIES BOTH THE CRIMES AND THE MISDEMEANORS IN THAT BOTH RELATE TO A HIGH INJUSTICE, A TRANSGRESSION COMMITTED AGAINST THE PEOPLE AND TO THE PUBLIC TRUST.

THE FRAMERS HAD TWO BROAD CATEGORIES IN MIND, THOSE ACTIONS THAT ARE FACIALLY PERMISSIBLE UNDER THE PRESIDENT'S AUTHORITY BUT ARE BASED ON CORRUPT MOTIVES, SUCH AS SEEKING TO OBTAIN A PERSONAL BENEFIT THROUGH PUBLIC OFFICE, AND THOSE THAT FAR EXCEED THE PRESIDENT'S CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY OR VIOLATE THE LEGAL LIMITS ON THAT AUTHORITY.

>> I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN TWO IMPEACHMENT TRIALS.

THIS IS THE SECOND ONE.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE AN OBSERVATION HERE.

WHAT THE HOUSE MANAGERS WERE PROPOSING YESTERDAY IS BASICALLY TO DESTROY THE INSTITUTION, THE PRESIDENCY AS WE KNOW IT, MAKE IT NAKED WHEN IT COMES TO PARTISAN IMPEACHMENT.

NOT HAVE A VENUE TO GO TO COURT AND LITIGATE PRIVILEGES THAT HAVE BEEN EXERCISED BY PRIOR PRESIDENTS.

WHEN IT COMES TO DONALD TRUMP, THEY'RE WILLING TO DESTROY THE INSTITUTION OF THE OFFICE IN THE NAME OF GETTING HIM.

SO, BOTTOM LINE, THE CLINTON IMPEACHMENT WAS CONDUCTED BY OUTSIDE COUNSEL.

THERE'S NONE HERE.

KEN STARR SPENT FIVE YEARS INVESTIGATING THE PRESIDENT BEFORE WE TOOK UP THE MATTER IN THE HOUSE.

THE PRESIDENT WAS ALLOWED TO CROSS-EXAMINE KEN STARR AT THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

HE RECOMMENDED 11 GROUNDS FOR IMPEACHMENT, AND PRESIDENT CLINTON UTILIZED THE COURT'S EXTENSIVELY ON HIS BEHALF.

ROBERT MUELLER WAS AN OUTSIDE COUNSEL APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE THIS PRESIDENT.

I WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THAT THIS PRESIDENT COOPERATED WITH MR. MUELLER.

HE TURNED OVER ONE MILLION DOCUMENTS.

HIS LAWYER TESTIFIED FOR 30 HOURS, AND AFTER TWO YEARS OF INVESTIGATION, WITH 19 LAWYERS, 40 F.B.I.

AGENTS, 2,000 SUBPOENAS AND 500 SEARCH WARRANTS, THEY DECIDED TO TAKE NO ACTION.

THEY SAID THERE WAS NO COLLUSION BETWEEN THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN AND THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT, AND WHEN IT CAME TO OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, THEY DID NOT RECOMMEND ANY ACTION.

I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE THE END OF IT.

I ACTUALLY INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO SAY THAT ROBERT MUELLER CANNOT BE REMOVED EXCEPT FOR CAUSE, BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT FELT LIKE THE MUELLER INVESTIGATION WAS A WITCH HUNT.

I DID NOT.

THE PRESIDENT WAS FRUSTRATED BECAUSE HE SAID HE DID NOTHING WRONG.

I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COUNTRY WOULD HAVE SOMEBODY TO LOOK AT THESE ALLEGATIONS, BECAUSE THEY'RE VERY SERIOUS.

AN I SUPPORTED MUELLER'S ABILITY TO LOOK, AND HE LOOKED FOR A LONG TIME, AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE OVER.

MR. SCHIFF SAID YESTERDAY WHAT THEY DID IN THE HOUSE WAS JUST LIKE WHAT WE DID WITH THE CLINTONS, THAT IS ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE.

FROM THE TIME THEY AUTHORIZED IMPEACHMENT, IT TOOK 48 DAYS, NOT TWO YEARS WITH MUELLER, NOT FIVE YEARS LIKE CLINTON, BUT 48 DAYS.

THE FACT-FINDING PROCESS WAS DONE IN THE INTEL COMMITTEE, NOT THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

THE PRESIDENT WAS DENIED THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL IN THE INTEL COMMITTEE AND COULD NOT REQUEST WITNESSES.

THEY SPENT ONE DAY IN THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE TAPES OF HOW LONG KEN STARR TESTIFIED BEFORE THE SENATE -- EXCUSE ME, THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, OF WHICH I WAS A PART.

WHAT WE'VE DONE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MESH HISTORY IS IMPEACH A PRESIDENT WITHOUT OUTSIDE COUNSEL INVOLVED IN A 48-DAY PERIOD, BUT HERE'S WHAT STRUCK ME THE MOST: ONE OF THE HOUSE MANAGERS SAID, "THE REASON WE DIDN'T GO TO COURT OR WE DIDN'T WANT TO GO THROUGH THE COURTS IS THAT WE COULDN'T IMPEACH HIM BEFORE THE ELECTIONS."

THEY WITHDREW FROM THE CUMBER HASN'T -- THE DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR CASE FOR THE DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR WENT TO COURT AND SAID, "TELL ME WHAT TO DO, JUDGE?"

THE HOUSE ACTUALLY WITHDREW THE SUBPOENA BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT THE COURT PROCESS TO STOP THE IMPEACHMENT TRAIN.

THEY WOULD HAVE THE UNITED STATES SENATE CREATE AN IMPEACHMENT PROCESS WHERE THE PRESIDENT WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO GO TO ARTICLE 3 COURT TO ARGUE PRIVILEGES THAT HAVE BEEN ARGUED IN EVERY OTHER IMPEACHMENT TRIAL AND HAVE BEEN ARGUED BY PRESIDENTS SINCE GEORGE WASHINGTON.

THAT WOULD DESTROY THE INSTITUTION OF THE PRESIDENCY AS WE KNOW IT.

WHAT WOULD IT DO?

IT WOULD ALLOW A HANDFUL IN A 300 PLUS MILLION COUNTRY OF PEOPLE ALONG PARTISAN LINES TO IMPEACH A PRESIDENT WITHOUT INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL REVIEW.

BEFORE I CAME HERE, I USED TO TRY CASES.

WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD LAWYERS IN THIS BODY.

ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT WHEN THE COURT DATE WAS SET, AND IF I SHOWED UP AND I ASKED FOR A BUNCH OF SUBPOENAS AND DOCUMENTS TO BE PRODUCED ON THE DAY OF TRIAL THAT I HAD NOT PURSUED BEFORE THE TRIAL IN ANY SERIOUS WAY, I WOULD GET TOSSED OUT.

WHAT DID WE DO YESTERDAY?

EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED IN THE CLINTON IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.

WE'RE GOING THE HEAR THE HOUSE'S CASE.

THE PRESIDENT'S RESPONSE.

WE'RE GOING TO ASK QUESTIONS.

THEN WE'LL DECIDE AMONG OURSELVES DO WE WANT TO KNOW ANYTHING MORE.

YESTERDAY WAS ABOUT 11 HOURS OF THEM TELLING US HOW BAD THEIR CASE WAS, IN MY VIEW.

THEY DID NOT PURSUE THESE WITNESSES BECAUSE THEY KNEW THE PRESIDENT WOULD SEEK JURAL REDRESS, AND IT LITERALLY WOULD STOP THEM IMPEACHING THEM BEFORE THE ELECTION.

SO THE ONLY THING I CAN TELL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, WHEN IT COMES TO REPLACING THIS PRESIDENT, NINE MONTHS PLUS FROM THE ELECTION, YOU GOT AN UPHILL BATTLE WITH ME, BECAUSE I REALLY THIS BELIEVE THAT THE BEST PERSON, GROUP OF PEOPLE TO PICK A PRESIDENT ARE THE VOTERS, NOT A BUNCH OF PARTISAN POLITICIANS.

AND EVERY DAY WE'RE HERE DOING THIS IS A DAY WE'RE TAKEN AWAY FROM DOING THINGS THAT REALLY MATTER.

SO WHEN THEY SAY IT WAS LIKE CLINTON, NO.

WHEN THEY SAY THE COURTS REALLY HAVE NO PLACE IN IMPEACHMENT, THAT IT'S ALL GOING TO BE DONE BY THE HOUSE AND THE ESTIMATE WITHOUT ANY INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL REVIEW, GOD HELP US ALL.

>> THE SENATOR FROM MONTANA.

WE HAD A LOT OF TIME LAST NIGHT TO THINK, SOME 12 HOURS ON THE FLOOR OF THE U.S. SENATE.

IF -- IT'S THE FIRST IMPEACHMENT TRIAL I'VE BEEN.

TO SENATOR GRAHAM HAS EXPERIENCED THAT IN HIS PRIOR POLITICAL LIFE.

IT REMINDED ME WHEN I WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL IN BOSEMAN, MONTANA, IF I TURNED IN A TERM PAPER AND IT WAS HALF COMPLETE, MY TEACHER WOULD TOSS IT BACK TO ME AND SAY, YOU DIDN'T GET IT DONE, IT'S INCOMPLETE.

SHE'D PROBABLY GIVE ME AN F AND TELL ME TO TRY AGAIN.

THAT'S WHAT IT FELT LIKE LAST NIGHT.

IT REMINDED ME WHAT NANCY PELOSI SAID BACK IN 2010 ON OBAMACARE.

SHE SAID, FIRST WE GOT TO PASS IT TO FIND OUT WHAT'S IN IT.

THAT FEELS LIKE WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT.

WE HAVE TO RUSH THIS THROUGH THE HOUSE AND THEN WE'LL FIND OUT WHAT'S REALLY IN IT AND TRY TO FIX IT THERE.

LET ME REMIND ALL OF US THAT IN 244 YEARS OF THE HISTORY OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY, THE UNITED STATES SENATE HAS NEVER REMOVED A PRESIDENT FROM OFFICE -- NEVER.

YOU LOOK AT THE TWO IMPEACHMENT TRIALS MORE -- FOR PRESIDENTS THAT WE HAVE HAD IN THE SENATE OVER THE COURSE OF OUR HISTORY, PRESIDENT JOHNSON IN 18 68 AND PRESIDENT CLINTON IN 1999.

WHAT'S YOU NIKE ABOUT THIS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL VERSUS THE OTHER TWO, THE OTHER TWO BOTH HAD CRIMES ALLEGED IN THE IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES.

PRESIDENT TRUMP DOES NOT.

THE OTHER TWO IMPEACH.

TRIALS HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S IMPEACHMENT COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE DID NOT.

IT'S FIRST TIME WE'VE EVER SEEN THAT.

THERE WEREN'T MANY THINGS THAT I AGREED WITH WITH CHAIRMAN NADLER SAID LAST NIGHT, BUT HE DID SAY SOMETHING THAT I HOPE EVERYBODY HEARD THAT ACTUALLY WENT BACK TO THE CLINTON DAYS.

AND I WILL PARAPHRASE IT, GOD HELP US IF WE EVERY MOVE THROUGH AN IMPEACHMENT ON A PURELY PARTISAN BASIS.

NADLER'S WORDS BACK THEN WERE WISE.

I HOPE HE WOULD HEED THEM TODAY, BECAUSE THIS IS THE MOST PAR SAN IMPEACHMENT PROCESS EVER SEEN IT COUNTRY.

NO CRIMES ALLEGED IN THE TRUMP IMPEACHMENT ARTICLE, NOT BIPARTISAN, AND A VERY IMPORTANT AND FINAL POINT, IF YOU LOOK ATP FROM OFFICE AND TO BAR HIM FROM EVER HOLDING OFFICE AGAIN.

WHAT'S ALSO UNIQUE ABOUT THIS TRIAL VERSUS PRESIDENT CLINTON, THIS IS DONE IN AN ELECTION YEAR.

THIS REALLY BEGS A FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION AS WELL, SHOULD THE UNITED STATES SENATE DECIDE THE 2020 ELECTION AND OVERTURN THE 2016 ELECTION BY REMOVING THIS PRESIDENT FROM OFFICE?

I PUT THE TRUST IN THE VOTERS OF THIS COUNTRY, THEY SHOULD HAVE THAT SAY, NOT THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

>> SENATOR MIKE BRAUN FROM INDIANA.

I ALWAYS LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO SPEAK BEFORE ME BECAUSE I THINK YOU LEARN A LOT FROM THAT.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHERE THIS TRIAL IS GOING TO GO, PUT IT INTO CONTEXT A LITTLE BIT.

I HAVEN'T BEEN HERE THAT LONG, BUT, NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE FIRST YEAR'S BEEN A DOOZIE, AND NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE SITTING IN ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

I WAS LISTENING TO LINDSEY, THOUGHT IT WOULD BE OVER.

I THINK WE ALL WISHED IT WOULD HAVE BEEN.

THE MUELLER REPORT FELL FLAT, AND NOW WE'RE INTO THE SECOND ACT.

I'M GOING TO RELATE THIS TO THE YEAR I SPENT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, RUNNING IN A PRACTICAL, FUNCTIONAL STATE LIKE INDIANA, AND I GENERALLY GET A PRETTY GOOD IDEA OF WHAT LIES DOWN THE ROAD.

THAT'S THE ESSENCE OF BEING A GOOD MAINSTREAM ENTREPRENEUR, AND ALL I CAN TELL YOU IS WE MADE IT THROUGH THE PRIMARY, AND I DIDN'T REALIZE THE VITRIOL THAT WE'VE GOT IN THIS COUNTRY, AND NOW BEING HERE A YEAR, YOU KNOW, WONDER HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET THROUGH IT.

MY ELECTION PLAYED OUT LIKE THAT.

BY THE TIME WE WERE DONE, AND I THOUGHT I CAME FROM A WHOLESOME PLACE, SMALL TOWN IN INDIANA, BUILT MY BUSINESS THERE OVER 37 YEARS, BUT WHEN YOU'RE CATEGORIZED AS A LIAR AND HYPOCRITE AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF, THAT IS WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE COUNTRY.

WE'RE POLARIZED AND WE SHOULD BE SYNCING UP ON THE CONN'S OF HEALTHCARE, INFRASTRUCTURE, STABILIZING ENTITLEMENTS.

LISTEN TO WHAT STEVE SAID, THE CASE WAS BUILT LIKE A HALF-PREPARED TERM PAPER.

REMEMBER BACK IN COLLEGE, TO GET GOOD GRADES, YOU HAD TO KNOW THE PROCESS, YOU HAD TO KNOW WHAT YOUR PROFESSOR WAS INTERESTED IN HEARING FROM YOU.

MAY SOUND LIKE THAT DOESN'T SOUND VERY WHOLESOME IN TERMS OF REALLY LEARNING, BUT WE'RE IN THE CONTEXT, CURRENTLY, WHERE THE COUNTRY IS DIVIDED, IT'S POLARIZED, AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IMPEACHING A PRESIDENT, IMPEACHING A PRESIDENT BEFORE INAUGURATION, AND YOU'RE DOING IT UP THROUGH WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOW, THAT'S THE CONTEXT PLAYING OUT.

WHAT YOU SAW YESTERDAY WAS THE PROCESS PLAYING OUT, WHEN IT WAS FULL OF VISUAL AIDS, FULL OF REGURGITATION OF INFORMATION WE'VE ALREADY HEARD BECAUSE, A LOT OF TIMES, WHEN YOUR CASE IS WEAK, YOU TRY TO REPEAT IT OVER AND OVER, WEAR THE OPPOSITION OUT.

SO, ALL ALONG, I'VE SAID I'M GOING TO BE ATTENTIVE, I'M GOING TO LISTEN TO ALL THE NEW INFORMATION THAT COMES ALONG.

I WANT THIS TO END UP IN A FAIR TRAIL -- FAIR TRIAL WITH A VERDICT, AND I THINK THE BIG DYNAMIC WE HAVE BEEN MISSING SO FAR HAS BEEN WE HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM THE DEFENSE OR THE OTHER SIDE, AND ALL Y I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT MANY OF US IN AMERICA WERE FED UP WITH BUSINESS AS USUAL.

THAT WAS THE MAIN REASON I RAN, AND WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP CAME ALONG, WE ALL KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING PRESIDENCY, IT'S PLAYING OUT.

I HOPE WHEN WE'RE ALL THROUGH THIS AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO ARRIVE AT A VERDICT THAT'S GOING TO VINDICATE THE PRESIDENT, THAT WE COME BACK TOGETHER AND UNIT ON THE COMMON ELEMENTS.

SO THE CONTEXT HAS BEEN BAD, THAT'S WHAT'S GOT US TO THIS POINT.

THE PROCESS, KEEP AN EYE ON IT.

I THINK ONE SIDE'S GOING TO BE OVERLY EMPHASIZING THAT, AND WE'RE GOING TO GET DOWN TO THE MERITS OF THE CASE AND THAT'S WHY THE PRESIDENT WILL BE VINDICATED WITH A VERDICT OF ACQUITTAL.

WE WILL TAKE QUESTIONS.

>> (INAUDIBLE) I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD COMMENT ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S STATEMENTS LAST NIGHT AND TODAY SAYING HE'S WILLING TO TESTIFY BUT HIS TEAM DOESN'T LET HIM.

ALSO, THEY'RE HOLDING ON TO ALL THE MATERIALS THAT THE WHITE HOUSE (INAUDIBLE) LAST YEAR WHICH IS WHAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE (INAUDIBLE) AND WHY THEY'RE DEMANDING -- (INAUDIBLE) WOULD YOU RESPOND?

>> SURE, I WILL BE GLAD TO.

LET ME RESPOND TO THE IDEA THAT I DON'T THINK ANY PRESIDENT'S ABOVE THE LAW.

CHRIS COONS CAME TO ME AND SAID WILL YOU SEND A MESSAGE THAT THE PRESIDENT CAN'T BE DISMISSED WITHOUT CAUSE BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT WAS SAYING TOUGH THINGS ABOUT MUELLER.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GOT NIXON IN TROUBLE IS HE FIRED THE PROSECUTOR.

SO HERE'S WHAT I SAW YESTERDAY, I SAW AN EFFORT TO ASK THE SENATE TO IGNORE EVERY PRIVILEGE THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON WAS ABLE TO EXERCISE, NIXON WAS ABLE TO EXERCISE AND TO SUGGEST TO THE SENATE THAT AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY REALLY IS A NON-PLAYER.

IF I WAS THE PRESIDENT, I WOULDN'T COOPERATE WITH THESE GUYS AT ALL.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHIEF JUSTICE.

JUST SO SENATORS HAVE AN IDEA OF THE EVENING, WE EXPECT TO GO TWO, TWO AND A HALF HOURS.

I'LL MAKE A PRESENTATION, REPRESENTATIVE LOFGREN FROM CALIFORNIA WILL MAKE A PRESENTATION, I WILL MAKE A PRESENTATION, AND THEN WE WILL BE DONE BY THE EVENING.

AN ENCOURAGING VOICE TOLD ME, KEEP IT UP, BUT DON'T KEEP IT UP TOO LONG.

SO WE WILL DO OUR BEST NOT TO KEEP IT UP TOO LONG.

I'M GOING TO TURN NOW TO PART OF THE CHRONOLOGY THAT PICKS UP RIGHT AFTER THAT JULY JULY 25th CALL AND WALK THROUGH THE INCREASINGLY EXPLICIT PRESSURE CAMPAIGN WAGED ON UKRAINE IN ORDER TO GET PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DELIVERABLE, THE INVESTIGATIONS MEANT TO TARNISH HIS OPPONENT AND HELP HIS REELECTION.

NOW, REMEMBER, BY THE END OF JULY, UKRAINE WAS AWARE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S REQUESTS FOR INVESTIGATION TO HELP HIS POLITICAL EFFORTS AND HAD COME TO KNOW THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP PUT A FREEZE ON SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

SO THIS IS BY THE END OF JULY.

THEY ALSO CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS WITHHOLDING AN OVAL OFFICE MEETING, UNTIL THOSE INVESTIGATIONS WERE ANNOUNCED, BOTH WERE VERY CRITICAL TO UKRAINE AS A SIGN OF U.S. SUPPORT AND AS A MATTER OF THEIR NATIONAL SECURITY.

AND THEIR NATIONAL SECURITY, OF COURSE, IMPLICATES OUR NATIONAL SECURITY.

IN THE WEEKS AFTER THE JULY 25th CALL, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S HANDPICKED REPRESENTATIVES ESCALATED THEIR EFFORTS TO GET THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE INVESTIGATIONS FROM UKRAINE.

SO LET'S GO THROUGH THIS STEP BY STEP, BECAUSE THE THREE WEEKS FOLLOWING THE JULY 25th CALL TELL SO MUCH ABOUT THIS PRESSURE SCHEME.

LET'S START WITH JULY 26.

ON JULY 26 -- SO THIS IS THE DAY AFTER THE CALL -- AMBASSADOR VOLCKER SENDS A TEXT MESSAGE TO GIULIANI, AND THAT TEXT MESSAGE SAYS, HI, MR. MAYOR.

YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THE PRESIDENT HAD A GREAT CALL WITH UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT YESTERDAY, EXACTLY THE RIGHT MESSAGES AS WE DISCUSSED.

PLEASE SEND DATES WHEN YOU WILL BE IN MADRID, I AM SEEING EAR MARKED TOMORROW MORNING.

HE WILL COME TO YOU IN MADRID.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

KURT.

SO, HERE WE ARE THE DAY AFTER THAT CALL, AS MY COLLEAGUE DEMONSTRATES, THIS SAME DAY, SO JULY 26, SO THE DATE OF THAT SECOND INFAMOUS CALL BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP THIS TIME AND GORDON SONDLAND THAT YOU HEARD THE DIPLOMAT DAVID HOLMES DESCRIBE, SO THAT SAME DAY, JULT RIGHT NOW WHERE THERE'S THIS TEXT MESSAGE.

OF COURSE, IN THAT JULY 25 CALL, THE PRESIDENT WANTS TO CONNECT RUDY GIULIANI WITH THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE AND HIS PEOPLE.

AND, SO, THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP WHERE AMBASSADOR VOLCKER IS SAYING TO GIULIANI, IT WAS A GREAT CALL WITH THE UKRAINE PRESIDENT, EXACTLY THE RIGHT MESSAGES AS WE DISCUSSED, AND WE, OF COURSE, KNOW THOSE MESSAGES WERE THE NEED TO DO THIS POLITICAL INVESTIGATION.

PLEASE SEND DATES WHEN YOU WILL BE IN MADRID, I AM SEEING HERE MARKED TOMORROW IN MADRID.

HERE IS AMBASSADOR VOLKER.

ONE OF THE THEE AMIGOS FOLLOWING UP WITH THIS MEETING BETWEEN GUILIANI AND THE UKRAINIANS.

GUILIANI REPLIED ABOUT A MEETING THE NEXT WEEK.

I WILL ARRIVE AUGUST 1 UNTIL 5.

REMEMBER JULY 22nd, A AOU DAYS BEFORE THE CALL AMBASSADOR SROELER CONNECTED GUILIANI AND THEY AGREED TO MEET.

YOU HAVE THAT A REASONINGMENT BEFORE THE CALL.

THEN THE CALL AND NOW THE FOLLOW-UP TO ARRANGE THE MOATING IN MADRID.

THEY MEET IN MADRID, AUGUST 2nd.

ZELENSKY'S TOP AID MEET WITH TPWOUL YANNI WHO IS REPRESENTING THE PRESIDENT'S INTEREST.

THEY WALK AWAY FROM THE MEETING IN MADRID CLEARLY UNDERSTANDING A WHITE HOUSE MEETING WITH HR-FPGD TO ZELENSKY'S ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE EN INVESTIGATIONS.

IN SEPARATE CONVERSATIONS AFTER THE MEETING VOLKER SAID HE LEARNED THAT THE UKRAINIANS WANTED TO ISSUE A STATEMENT.

ACCORDING TO AMBASSADOR VOLKER'S TESTIMONY HE WAS TOLD THAT THE MOATING WITH GUILIANI WAS VERY GOOD.

THE UKRAINIANS ASKED FOR A WHITE HOUSE MEETING DURING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16th.

THEN HE PRESSES VOLKER WAITING CON FUR PHAEUGS.

THIS IS A RECURRENT THEME WE SEE THE RECURRENT REQUEST FOR THE MEETING.

THE PRESS CAN THE MEET BY THE UKRAINIANS.

THEY WERE CLEAR WITH THOSE WHO TOOK OVER CONVERSATION WITH YERMAK.

HERE IS AMBASSADOR SONDLAND.

>> MR. GUILIANI EMPHASIZED THAT THE PRESIDENT WANTED A PUBLIC STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT ZELENSKY COMMITTING UKRAINE TO LOOK INTO THE CORRUPTION ISSUES.

MR. GUILIANI SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED THE 2016 ELECTION INCLUDING THE DNC SERVER AND BURISMA AS TWO TOPICS IMPORTANT TO THE PRESIDENT.

>> DUEL YANNI EXERTED SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE IN THIS.

AGAIN YERMAK INQUIRED ABOUT THE MEETING.

VOLKER DIDN'T TURN TO THE STAFF OR STATE DEPARTMENT TO ARRANGE IT AND FOLLOW-UP, HE TURNED TO GUILIANI AGAIN.

VOLKER SAID HE WOULD CALL THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT'S AID AFTER TALKING WITH GUILIANI.

HE THEN WENT TO SET UP THE CALL.

THE PHONE RECORDS OB ATTEND BY THE COMMITTEE SHOW A 16 MINUTE CALL ON AUGUST 5th BETWEEN AMBASSADOR VOLKER AND GUILIANI.

HE THEN TEXTED YERMAK.

HI, ANDREA, HAD A LONG TALK WITH RUDY.

CALL ANYTIME.

KURT.

HE SAID GUILIANI WAS HAPPY WITH THE MEETING AND LOOKS LIKE THINGS WERE TURNING AROUND -FPL A REFERENCE THAT SATISFYING GUILIANI WOULD BREAKDOWN PRESIDENT TRUMP'S RESERVATION CONCERNING UKRAINE -FPL THINGS HAD NOT TURNED AROUND BY AUGUST 7th.

THE AID WAS STILL ON HOLD.

THERE WAS NO MOVEMENT ON SETTING THE DATE OF THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING.

AMBASSADOR VOLKER THEN REACHES OUT TO GUILIANI TO GET THINGS MOVING.

AMBASSADOR VOLKER TEXTED TKPWAOULY REPORTING HE REPORTED THE MEETING IN MADRID.

SPECIFICALLY HE WROTE, RUDI, I HOPE YOU MADE IT BACK SAFELY.

LET MEET IF YOU ARE COMING TO DC.

AND WOULD BE GOOD IF YOU COULD CONVEY RESULTS OF YOUR MEETING WITH THE BOSS SO WE COULD GET A FIRM DATE THIS.

IS THE FOLLOW-UP MEETING WITH THE TOP AID OF UKRAINE IN MADRID.

HE WANTS GUILIANI TO CONVEY TO THE BOSS HOW GOOD THE MEETING WAS SO THEY CAN GET THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE IN THE DOOR TO THE WHITE HOUSE -FPL THINK ABOUT HOW UNUSUAL THIS IS.

THIS IS THE PRESIDENT'S PERSONAL LAWYER ON THIS PERSONAL MISSION ON BE HALF OF HIS CLIENT TO GET INVESTIGATIONS IN UKRAINE.

THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE CAN'T GET IN THE DOOR OF THE OVAL OFFICE.

DO THEY GO TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS THIS NO THEY GO TO THE PRESIDENT'S PERSONAL LAWYER.

DOES THAT SOUND LIKE A OFFICIAL POLICY TO TRY TO FIGHT CORRUPTION IS THIS WHY GO CORRUPTION.

WHY GO OUTSIDE TO DO THAT.

NO YOU GO TO YOUR PERSONAL ATTORNEY ON A PERSONAL MISSION WHEN THE OBJECTIVE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH POLICY.

IT'S A CORRUPT ONE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO HAVE A CORRUPT OBJECTIVE.

IT MEANS AN ELICIT ONE, PAPER MIAPERMISSIBLE ONE.

IT'S AT THE COST OF THE NATIONAL INTERESTS.

THE WILLINGNESS BY HOLDING BACK AID.

THE LENGTHS TO GO AGAINST U.S. POLICY.

NOT EVEN A DIFFERENCE ON POLICY AT ALL.

THE MERE PURSUIT OF PERSONAL INTERESTS, THE PURSUIT OF AN ILLEGAL EFFORT TO GET FOREIGN INTERFERENCE.

IT'S AN EMBODIMENT OF A CORRUPT ATTEMPT.

HERE WE ARE AUGUST 7th.

VOLKER IS SAYING RUDI IF YOU'RE IN DC LET'S GET TOGETHER, WE CAN TALK TO THE BOSS.

WE CAN'T GET A MEETING IF I OTHER WAY.

AROUND THAT TIME AMBASSADOR VOLKER RECEIVED A TEXT MESSAGE FROM YERMAK ASKING VOLKER.

HI, KURT, HOW ARE YOU.

DO YOU HAVE NEWS ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING DATE.

VOLKER RESPONDS, NOT YET.

I TEXTED RUDI EARLIER.

GORDON, MEANING SONDLAND SHOULD BE SPEAKING WITH THE PRESIDENT ON FRIDAY.

WE ARE PRESSING THIS.

SO THERE IS GORDON SONDLAND PRESSING THIS.

YOU HAVE HEARD FROM HIM ALREADY.

GORDON SONDLAND WHO SAYS IT WAS ABSOLUTELY A QUI QUO PRO.

THERE WAS A QUI QUO PRO ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING.

THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

TPWOERD ON WILL BE SPEAKING WITH THE PRESIDENT ON FRIDAY.

WE ARE PRESSING THIS.

VOLKER'S CONTACT WITH RUDY GUILIANI SPARKED A YOURY OF CONVERSATIONS.

GUILIANI IS ATTEMPTING TO CALL THE WHITE HOUSE.

LEFT A MESSAGE.

THEN HAD A FOUR MINUTE CALL WITH THE OFFICIAL LATER THAT HEIGHT.

WE DON'T KNOW FROM THE RECORDS WHO THAT OFFICIAL WAS.

RECALL THAT GUILIANI PUBLICLY STATED WHEN HE SPOKE TO THE WHITE HOUSE HE SPOKE TO HIS CLIENT, PRESIDENT TRUMP.

ALWAYS AUGUST 8th YERMAK TEXTED VOLKER HE HAD NEWS.

VOLKER REHIGHS HE CAN TALK THEN.

HE UPDATES GUILIANI IN A TEXT NEXT DAY.

HE SAYS TO DUEL YANNI IN THE TEXT HI MR. MAYOR, HAD A GOOD CHAT WITH YERMAK LAST NIGHT.

HE WAS PLEASED WITH YOUR PHONE CALL.

MENTIONED, HE IS REFERRING TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY MAKING A STATEMENT.

CAN WE ALL GET ON THE PHONE TO MAKE SURE I ADVICE.

REFERRING TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY CORRECTLY AS TO WHAT HE SHOULD BE SAYING -FPL WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THIS DONE RIGHT.

SO, HERE AUGUST 9th THERE IS AN EFFORT BY VOLKER TO MAKE SURE TO GET THIS STATEMENT RIGHT ABOUT THE INVESTIGATIONS.

IF THEY CAN'T GET IT RIGHT HE WON'T GET IN THE DOOR OF THE OVAL OFFICE.

IT MAKES CLEAR WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THIS.

THAT'S RUDY GUILIANI.

THE AMBASSADOR IS CHECKING ARE GUILIANI.

WE KNOW GUILIANI IS TAKING ORDERS FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP.

TEXT RECORDS SHOW AL BASS DORE VOLKER AND GUILIANI CONNECTED BY PHONE TWICE AROUND TPHAOUPB ON AUGUST 9th FOR SEVERAL MINUTES EACH.

THERE WAS ALLY WAY GROUP CHAT WITH WHATS STPH-FPLT AP INCLUDING HIMSELF SONDLAND AND YERMAK.

VOLKER INITIATED THE CHAT AT ABOUT 2:30 THAT DAY.

THIS IS VOLKER CHATTING WITH SONDLAND AND YERMAK.

HE SAID HI ANDREA, YERMAK.

WE HAVE ALL CONSULTED HERE INCLUDING RUDY.

CAN YOU DO A CALL HATER TODAY OR TOMORROW IN THE AFTERNOON TIME.

HE SAID I HAVE A CALL SCHEDULED FOR 3:00 P.M. EASTERN FOR THE THREE OF US.

OPS WILL CALL.

AUGUST 9th AMBASSADOR SONDLAND CONNECTD WITH PHONE FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE.

ONCE IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON FOR 1 MINUTES AND LATE AFTERNOON FOR 2 MINUTES.

WE KNOW SONDLAND HAD DIRECT ACCESS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP -FPL AFTER ALL OF THIS ACTIVITY SON LAND AND VOLKER THOUGHT THEY HAD A BREAK YOU THIS.

FINALLY A BREAK THROUGH.

MINUTE AFTER THE CALL LIKELY WITH TIM MORRISON ABOUT A POSSIBLE DATE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING VOLKER AND SONDLAND DISCUSSED THE AGREEMENT THEY THOUGHT THEY REACHED -FPL IT START WITH SONDLAND IN THIS TEXT MESSAGE.

MORRISON READY FOR DATES WHEN YERMAK CONFIRMS.

EX HEPBT HOW DID YOU SWAY HIM.

NOT SURE I DID SAYS SONDLAND, POTIS WANTS THE DELIVERABLE.

WE KNOW WHAT THAT IS, THE POLITICAL INVESTIGATION.

VOLKER ASKS DID HE KNOW THAT.

YES.

VOLKER SAYS OKAY.

THAT'S GOOD.

IT'S COMING FROM TWO SEPARATE SOURCES.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND SAID THE DELIVERABLE WAS A PRESS STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT ZELENSKY COMMITTING TO THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE BIDENS AND UKRAINE INTERFERENCE IN THE ELECTIONS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP MENTIONED ON JULY 25th.

TIM MORRISON SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE DELIVERABLE.

HE WAS JUST INVOLVED SCHEDULING THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING.

EVERYONE WANTED TO SCHEDULE AS A SIGN OF SUPPORT TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AND THE UKRAINE AID.

TRUMP'S AGENTS WOULDN'T ACCEPT UKRAINE'S WORD FOR IT.

SONDLAND RECOMMENDED TO VOLKER TO SHARE A DRAFT OF THE PRESS STATEMENT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS WITH THE PRESS' EXPECTATIONS.

HERE ON AUGUST 9th, TWO WEEKS AFTER THE JULY 25th CALL.

I GUESS WE'RE ABOUT TWO WEEKS.

SONDLAND SAYS IN THIS MESSAGE, TO AVOID MISUNDERSTANDINGS IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO ASK FOR A DRAFT STATEMENT SO WE CAN SEE EXACTLY WHAT THEY PROPOSE TO COVER.

EVEN THOUGH Z REFERRING TO ZELENSKY DOES A LIVE PRESSER, THEY CAN SUMMARIZE.

THOUGHTS IS THIS VOLKER SAYS, AGREED.

AT THE DEPOSITION VOLKER SAID HE SUGGESTIONED A WRITTEN STATEMENT BECAUSE HE WAS CONCERNED PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WOULD SAY WHAT HE WOULD SAY AND IT WOULDN'T BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR RUDY SHAND THE PRESIDENT.

THEY WERE CONCERNED IT WOULDN'T RESULT IN THE COVETED WHITE HOUSE MEETING.

THEY THEN TEXTED ATTEMPTED TO SCHEDULE MEETING BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE.

SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT IS GOING ON HERE.

THE PRESIDENT AND HIS AGENT GUILIANI WANT THIS BEFORE THEY WILL GIVE A DATE.

THE UKRAINIANS WANT A DATE BEFORE THEY COMMITMENT TO THE INVESTIGATIONS.

YOU HAVE A STAND STPH-FPLT OFF.

OFF.THERE IS NO DEBATE ABOUT THI QUO PRO.

YOU GIVE ME THIS, I WILL GIVE YOU THAT.

YOU GIVE ME THE MEETING I WILL GIVE YOU THE I INVESTIGATION.

NO, YOU GIVE ME THE ANNOUNCEMENT AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE MEETING.

THE ONLY DEBATE IS WHICH COMES FIRST.

SO AUGUST TENTH YERMAK TEXTS VOLKER I THINK WE CAN MENTION THESE THINGS WE DISCUSSED YESTERDAY.

BUT IT'S LOGIC AFTER A TATE.

WE INFORM ABOUT THE EXPECTATIONS AND FUTURE VISIT.

AMBASSADOR VOLKER A PRAOEED BUT FIRST THEY WOULD HAVE TO IRON OUT A STATEMENT AND USE THAT FOR A DATE.

AFTER WHICH ZELENSKY WOULD GIVE A STATEMENT.

THEY A CALL THE NEXT DAY.

YERMAK TEXTS VOLKER.

EXCELLENT ONCE WE HAVE A DATE WE WILL CALL FOR A PRESS PROEFING ANNOUNCING UPCOMING VISIT AND VISION FOR REBOOT OF U.S. AND UKRAINE RELATIONSHIP AMONG OTHER THINGS BURISMA AND ELECTION MEMEDSTPH-FPLT DELING IN THE INVESTIGATIONS.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND KEPT THE STATE LEADERSHIP IN THE LOOP.

ON AUGUST 10th HE SAID HE REPORTED -- SONDLAND WROTE TO VEHICLER I BRIEFED ORRIC.

THE NEXT DAY AMBASSADOR SONDLAND E-MAILS THE STATE DEPARTMENT EXECUTIVE SECRETARY ABOUT EFFORTS TO SECURE A PUBLIC STATEMENT AND A BIG PRESSER FROM PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

SONDLAND HOPE IT MIGHT OEU MAKE THE BOSS HAPPY ENOUGH TO AUTHORIZE A INVESTIGATION.

SECOND POMPEO SUBSEQUENTLY ACKNOWLEDGED LISTENING IN ON THE JULY 25th CALL.

SINCE HE WAS ON THE CALL POMPEO MUST OF UNDERSTOOD WHAT WOULD MAKE THE BOSS, THE PRESIDENT, HAPPY ENOUGH TO SCHEDULE A WHITE HOUSE MOATING.

MEETING.

AGAIN EVERYONE WAS IN THE LOOP.

AUGUST 11th, AMBASSADOR VOLKER SENT DUEL YANNI A TEXT MESSAGE.

HI, RUDY.

WE HAVE HEARD BACK FROM ADNREY AGAIN.

CAN YOU TALK FOR FIVE MINUTES BEFORE NOON TODAY.

GUILIANI SAYS YES, JUST CALL.

THAT'S AUGUST 11th.

ON THE 12th YERMAK SEND A OFFICIAL VERSION OF THE DRAFT STATEMENT BY TEXT.

NOTABLY THIS STATEMENT OF THE UKRAINIANS DOESN'T MENTION BURISMA, BIDEN OR 2016.

SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT IS GOING ON HERE THOU.

THIS GAME OF CHICKEN SOMEWHERE YOU GO FIRST, NO WE GO FIRST.

YOU GIVE US A DATE, WE GIVE YOU THE STATEMENT.

NOW REALIZING THEY HAVE TO GIVE THE STATEMENT FIRST UKRAINE TRIES TO GIVE THEM A GENERIC STATEMENT THAT DOESN'T REALLY GO INTO SPECIFICS ABOUT THE EBB INVESTIGATIONS.

WHY IS THIS YOU CAN IMAGINE WHY.

UKRAINIANS DON'T WANT TO SAY THEY'RE DOING THE INVESTIGATIONS.

BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT STUPID.

THEY UNDERSTOOD THIS WOULD PULL THEM TO U.S. PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS -FPL IT WAS INTENDED TOO.

WHICH ISN'T IN UKRAINE'S INTEREST OR OUR INTEREST EITHER.

UKRAINE UNDERSTOOD THAT.

THEY RESISTED THE PUBLIC STATEMENT.

THEN THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO HAVE THE DELIVERABLE.

THEN WHEN THEY HAD TO MAKE THE STATEMENT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO BE SPECIFIC.

ONE THING FOR ANOTHER THING.

THIS IS WHAT ZELENSKY CAMPAIGNED ON.

HE WAS GOING TO FIGHT CORRUPTIONS AND END POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS.

HE DIDN'T WANT TO BE SPECIFIC.

SO HE SENDS A STATEMENT WITHOUT SPECIFIC REFERENCES.

AMBASSADOR VOLKER EXPLAINED DURING HIS TESTIMONY THIS IS NOT WHAT -- IF THE PRESIDENT WAS INTERESTED IN CORE UPPING THAT STATEMENT WOULD OF BEEN ENOUGH.

ALL HE WAS INTERESTED IN WAS AN ANNOUNCE HADN'T OF A INVESTIGATION INTO HIS RIVALS AND THIS DES DEBUNK THEORY.

THEY MADE CLEAR THE SPECIFIC INVESTIGATIONS RELATED TO BURISMA, BIDENS AND 2016 ELECTION HAD TO BE INCLUDED TO GET THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING.

SO THE AMERICANS SENT BACK TO THE UKRAINIAN TOP AID A REVISED DRAFT INCLUDING THE TWO INVESTIGATIONS.

YOU HAVE SEEN THE SIDE BY SIDE.

THIS WAS THEN THE ESSENCE OF THE QUI QUO PRO REGARDING THE MEETING.

THIS DIRECTION CAME FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP.

HERE IS HOW AMBASSADOR SONDLAND PUT IT.

>> MR. D GUILIANI'S REQUEST WERA QUI QUO PRO FOR ARRANGING A MEETING FOR PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

MR. GUILIANI DEMANDED THE UKRAINIANS MAKE A PUBLIC STATEMENT REGARDING THE 2016 ELECTION, SERVER AND BURISMA.

HE WAS EXPRESSING THE PRESIDENT OF THE STATES.

WE KNEW THE INVESTIGATIONS WERE IMPORTANT TO THE PRESIDENT.

>> UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS WERE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THIS DRAFT THAT WAS BEING NEGOTIATED.

THEY UNDERSTAND THE STATEMENT WAS A DELIVERABLE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTED.

YIELDING TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DEMANDS WOULD FORCE ZELENSKY TO BREAK HIS PROMISE TO THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE TO ROOT OUT CORRUPTION.

THIS IS A HALL S HALLMARK OF THE CORRUPTION UKRAINE HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH IN THE PAST.

HE TRIED TO GET A CONFIRMATION THAT THE INVESTIGATIONES WERE LEGITIMATE.

HE ASKED VOLKER IF A REQUEST HAD BEEN MADE BY THE U.S. FOR A ELECTION INTERFERENCE IN 2016.

IN OTHER WORDS HAS A REQUEST HAS BEEN MADE THROUGH FORMAL CHANNELS AS YOU WOULD EXPECT IF IT WAS A LEGITIMATE REQUEST.

AMBASSADOR VOLKER TRIED TO FIND A SATISFACTORY ANSWER.

ON THE 16th VOLKER'S ASSISTANT ASKED GEORGE KENT IF THERE WAS A PRECEDENCE.

KENT TESTIFIED, AT HIS DEPOSITION, IF YOU'RE ASKING ME HAVE WE EVER GONE TO THE UKRAINIANS AND ASK THEM TO INVESTIGATE INDIVIDUALS FOR POLITICAL REASONS.

THE ANSWER IS I HOPE WE HAVEN'T.

WE SHOULDN'T THAT GOES AGAINST EVERYTHING THAT WE ARE TRYING TO PROMOTE IN THE POST SOVIET STATES FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS.

WHICH IS THE PROMOTION OF THE RULE OF LAW.

THE NEXT DAY AUGUST 16th, IN A CONVERSATION WITH AMBASSADOR BILL TAYLOR.

THE U.S.

AMBASSADOR IN KIEV.

TAYLOR AMPLIFIED THE SAME THEME.

TELLING KENT, YERMAK WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE.

WITH THE IDEA OF INVESTIGATIONS BEING SUGGESTED.

IT SHOULD BE DONE OFFICIALLY AND PUT IN WRITING.

IT WAS CLEAR TO KENT IN AUGUST THAT THERE WAS PRESSURE.

HE TOLD AMBASSADOR TAYLOR, THAT'S WRONG.

WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING IT AS A MATTER OF U.S. POLICY.

AMBASSADOR VOLKER CLAIMED HE STOPPED PURSUING THE STATEMENT FROM THE UKRAINIANS AROUND THIS TIME BECAUSE OF THE CONCERNS BY ZELENSKY'S AID.

AT HIS DEPOSITION AMBASSADOR VOLKER TESTIFIED THAT HE AGREED WITH YERMAK'S CONCERNS AND ADVISED HIM MAKING THE SPECIFIC REFERENCES WAS NOT A GOOD IDEA.

MAKING THOSE STATEMENTS MAY HOOK LIKE WE'RE PLAYING INTO DOMESTIC POLITICS.

WITHOUT SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO THE POLITICALLY DAMAGING INVESTIGATION THAT TRUMP TPHAPBDED THE AGREEMENT WOULDN'T WORK.

UKRAINE DIDN'T RELEASE THE STATEMENT.

IN TURN THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING WAS NOT SCHEDULED.

AS IT TURNS OUT AMBASSADOR SONDLAND AND VOLKER DID NOT ACHIEVE THE BREAK THROUGH AFTER ALL.

NOW LET'S GO INTO WHAT FINALLY BREAKS THE LOG JAM.

BECAUSE THAT INVOLVES THE MILITARY AID STPH-FPLT E. SONDLAND AND VOLKER GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.

AUGUST 19th AMBASSADOR SONDLAND TOLD VEHICLER DROVE THE LARGER ISSUE HOME WITH YERMAK.

PARTICULARLY THIS WAS BIGGER THAN A WHITE HOUSE MEETING, BIGGER THAN JUST A WHITE HOUSE MEETING.

IT WAS ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP PER SE.

THE RELATIONSHIP PER SE.

NOT JUST ABOUT THE MEETING ANYWHERE.

IT'S ABOUT EVERYTHING.

IT'S ABOUT EVERYTHING.

BY THIS TIME LATE AUGUST THE SECURITY SYSTEMS WERE IN PLATES FOR MORE THAN A MONTH, THERE WAS NO CREDIBLE EXPLANATION BY THE WHITE HOUSE DESPITE SONDLAND REPEATEDLY ASKING.

THERE WAS NO INTERACTION MEETING FROM JULY 31st AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT WITHDREW ASSURANCES IT COULD EVEN COMPLY WITH THE LAW, WHICH IT COULDN'T.

EVERY AGENCY OPPOSED THE WHOLE.

AS CONFIRMED CONCERNED DOD AND OMB OFFICIALS WERE RIGHT, THE PRESIDENT'S WITH HOLDING OF THE AAIDE WAS AN UNLAWFUL ACT BUT PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS NOT BUDGING.

DESPITE THE PERSISTENT EFFORTS OF YOU'LL ROUSE PEOPLE PRESIDENT TRUMP REFUSED TO SCHEDULE THE WHITE HOUSE VISIT FOR ZELENSKY UNTIL ANNOUNCEMENTS WERE MADE TO BENEFIT HIS CAMPAIGN.

HERE IS WHAT WAS SAID ABOUT THE HOLD ON FUNDS AND THE LINK TO THE POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN UKRAINE.

I>> IN THE ABSENCE OF CREDIBLE EXPLANATION OF SUSPENSION OF AIDE I CAME TO LATER BELIEVE THAT THE AIDE WOULDN'T OCCUR UNTIL THERE WAS A PUBLIC STATEMENT FROM UKRAINE COMMITTING TO THE INVESTIGATIONS OF THE 2 2016 ELECTIONS AND BURISMA AS MR. GUILIANI DEMANDED.

>> FROM THE EMBASSY IN KIEV DAVID HOLMES REACHED THE SAME CONCLUSION.

AS SIMPLE AS TWO PLUS TWO EQUALS FOUR EUFRPBLGTS MR. HOLMES YOU HAVE TESTIFIED THAT BY LATE AUGUST YOU HAD A CLEAR IMPRESSION THAT THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE HOLD WAS CONNECTED TO THE INVESTIGATIONS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTED.

HOW DID YOU CONCLUDE THAT, HOW DID YOU MAKE THAT CLEAR CONCLUSION IS THIS EUFRPBLGTS .>> SIR, WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION SINCE MARCH, MONTHS BEFORE.

WE HAVE BEEN, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY RECEIVED A CONGRADULATORY LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT THAT HE WAS PLEASED TO MEET HIM FOLLOWING THE INAUGURATION IN MAY.

WE HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET THAT MEETING.

THEN THE SECURITY HOLD CAME UP.

WITH NO EXPLANATION.

I, I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF ANY UKRAINIANS WE DISCUSSED EARLIER WHEN THEY RECEIVED NO EXPLANATION FOR WHY THE HOLD WAS IN PLACE THEY WOULD OF DRAWN THAT CONCLUSION.

>> BECAUSE THE INVESTIGATIONES WERE STILL BEING PURSUED.

>> CORRECT SNOOT HOLD WAS WITH OUT EXPLANATION.

TO YOU THIS WAS THE ONLY LOGICAL CONCLUSION TO REACH.

>> CORRECT.

STKPHRAO SORT OF LIKE TWO PLUS TWO EQUALS FOUR.

>> YES ACTUALLY.

>> SONDLAND EXPLAINED THE PREDICTION OF THE AIDE ON HOLD TO UKRAINE.

>> AS MY OTHER STATE DEPARTMENT COLLEAGUES HAVE TESTIFIED THIS SECURITY AIDE WAS CRITICAL TO UKRAINE'S DEFENSE AND SHOULD NOT OF BEEN DELAYED.

I EXPRESSED THIS VIEW TO MANY DURING THIS PERIOD.

MY GOAL AT THE TIME WAS TO DO WHAT WAS NECESSARY TO GET THE AIDE RELEASED.

TO BREAK THE LOG JAM.

I BELIEVE THE PUBLIC STATEMENT WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING FOR WEEKS WAS ESSENTIAL TO ADVANCING THAT GOAL.

YOU KNOW, I REALLY REGRET THAT THE UKRAINIANS WERE PLACED IN THAT PREDICAMENT.

I DO NOT REGRET DOING WHAT I COULD TO TRY TO BREAK THE LOG JAM AND SOLVING THE PROBLEM.

>> ON AUGUST 22nd AMBASSADOR SONDLAND TRIED TO BREAK THAT LOG JM REGARDING THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE HOLD AND THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING.

HE DESCRIBED THOSE EFFORTS IN HIS PUBLIC TESTIMONY -FPL LET'S LISTEN TO HIM AGAIN.

>> IN PREPARATION OF THE SEPTEMBER 1 WAR STPH-FPLT SAW MEETING I ASKED SECRETARY POMPEO WHETHER A FACE-TO-FACE CONVERSATION BETWEEN TRUMP AND ZELENSKY WOULD HELP TO BREAK THE LOG JAM.

THIS IS WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP INTENDED TO TRAVEL TO WARSAW.

SPECIFICALLY ON AUGUST 22nd I E MAILED SECRETARY POMPEO DIRECTLY.

I WROTE, THIS IS MY E-MAIL TO SECRETARY POMPEO.

SHOULD WE BLOCK TIME IN WARSAW FOR A SHORT SIDE FOR POTIS TO MEET ZELENSKY.

WOULD I ASK ZELENSKY TO LOOK HIM IN THE EYE AND TELL HIM ONCE UKRAINE'S NEW JUSTICE FOLKS ARE IN PLACE IN MID-SEPTEMBER THAT ZELENSKY, HE ZELENSKY SHOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD PUBLICLY AND WITH CONFIDENCE ON THOSE ISSUE OF IMPORTANCE TO POTIS AND THE U.S. HOPEFULLY THAT WILL HELP BREAK THE LOG JAM.

THE SECRETARY REPLIED, YES.

>> SONDLAND ALSO EXPLAINED THAT HE AND SECRETARY POMPEO UNDERSTOOD THE ISSUE OF IMPORTANCE TO THE PRESIDENT WAS A TWO SHAM INVESTIGATIONS THAT THE PRESIDENT WANTED TO HELP HIS REELECTIONS EFFORTS.

THE REFERENCE TO THE LOG JAM WAS SECURITY ASSISTANCE AND THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING.

AT THE END OF AUGUST JOHN BOLTON ARRIVED IN UKRAINE FOR AN OFFICIAL VISIT.

DAVID HOLMES TOOK NOTES IN THE METINGS AND TESTIFIED ABOUT AMBASSADOR BOLTON'S MESSAGE TO THE UKRAINIANS.

STPWHRAO SHORTLY AFTER ON AUGUSN VISITED UKRAINE AND BROUGHT WELCOMED NEWS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WOULD MEET WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY IN WARSAW.

THIS WOULD HANG ON WHETHER ZELENSKY WAS ABLE TO FAVORABLY IMPRESS PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> LET'S THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A MINUTE UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMETHING FURTHER TORE SAY.

LET'S THINK ABOUT THAT FOR A MINUTE.

BOLTON SAID IT WOULD HANG ON WHETHER PRESIDENT ZELENSKY WAS ABLE TO FAVORABLY IMPRESS PRESIDENT TRUMP, THE HOLD ON THE AIDE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD FAVORABLY IMPRESS PRESIDENT TRUMP IS THI.

WHAT ARE THE TWO THINGS HE ASKED FROM PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

WHAT ARE THE TWO THINGS RUDY GUILIANI ASKED ZELENSKY AND HIS TWO AIDS.

WOULD HE BE FAVORABLY IMPRESSED IF HE TALKED ABOUT THE CORRUPTION COURT OR LEGISLATION OR HOW NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE RUSSIANS WERE GOING OR HOW THEY'RE BRINGING ABOUT DEFENSE REFORM.

DID THAT COME UP IN ANY TEXT MESSAGE OR E-MAIL OR PHONE CALLS OR ANY CONVERSATIONS IS THIS OF OF COURSE NOT.

THERE WAS ONE THING THAT WOULD FAVORABLY IMPRESS PRESIDENT TRUMP IN WARSAW.

THAT IS IF ZELENSKY TOLD HIM TO HIS FACE I WILL DO THE POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS.

I DON'T WANT TO DO THEM.

I'M AT WAR WITH RUSSIA AND I CAN'T WAIT ANYMORE.

I CAN'T WAIT ANYMORE.

I'M SURE THAT WOULD OF IMPRESSED DONALD TRUMP.

THE MEETING BETWEEN THE TWO PRESIDENTS NEVER HAPPENED IN WARSAW.

PRESIDENT TRUMP CANCELED THE TRIP AT THE LAST MOMENT.

BEFORE BOLTON LEFT KIEV AMBASSADOR TAYLOR ASKED FOR A PRIVATE MEETING.

HE EXPLAINED HE WAS EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE HOLD ON SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

HE DESCRIBED THE MEETING DURING HIS TESTIMONY -FPL.

.>> NEAR THE END OF BOLTON'S VISIT I ASKED TO MEET HIM PRIVATELY.

I DISCUSSED MY CONCERN OF THE MILITARY ASSISTANCE HOLD TO UKRAINE AS THEY DEFENDED AGAINST RUSSIAN AGGRESSION.

AMBASSADOR BOLTON SUGGEST I SEND A CABLE TO POMPEO DIRECTLY RELAYING MY CONCERNS.

>> NOW IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT SENDING A FIRST PERSON CABLE IS A EXTRAORDINARY STEP.

STATE DEPARTMENT CABLES ARE ORDER MAYORLY WRITTEN IN THE THIRD PERSON AS AMBASSADOR TAYLOR TESTIFYD IN HIS DEPOSITION.

A FIRST PERSON CABLE GETS ATTENTION.

THERE ARE NOT MANY FIRST PERSON CABLES THAT COME IN.

IN HIS DECADES OF SERVICE HE HAD NVER WRITTEN A SINGLE ONE UNTIL NOW.

TAYLOR SENT THAT ON AUGUST 29th.

WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO READ THAT TO YOU RIGHT NOW IS.

I WOULD LIKE TO READ IT TO YOU RIGHT NOW, ACCEPT I DON'T HAVE IT.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT WOULDN'T PROVIDE IT.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO READ IT TO YOU WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

WE CAN ASSIST ON GETTING THAT FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

IF WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW WHAT JOHN BOLTON HAD IN MIND WHEN YOU THOUGHT ZELENSKY COULD FAVORABLY IMPRESS THE PRESIDENT IN WARSAW WE CAN FIND THAT OUT TOO JUST FOR THE ASKING IN A DOCUMENT CALLED A SUBPOENA.

TAYLOR SENDS THAT CABLE.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT DIDN'T PRIDE THAT CABLE TO US IN RESPONSE TO THE SUBPOENA.

THE WITNESSES WHO HAVE VIEWED IT CALL IT A POWERFUL MESSAGE AND THE FOLLY OF WITH HOLDING MILITARY AIDE TO UKRAINE AT A TIME IT FACED RUSSIAN FORCES IN EASTERN UKRAINE.

THAT CABLE SOUGHT TO EXPLAIN U.S. ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE WAS VITAL TO U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY AS WELL.

NOW WHY DON'T THEY WANT US TO SEE THAT CABLE.

WHY DON'T THEY WANT US TO SEE THAT CABLE.

MAYBE THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO SEE THAT CABLE BECAUSE THAT CABLE.

>> THIS PROGRAM WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE CORPORATION OF PUBLIC BROADCASTING AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING.

Woodruff: WE ARE BACK WITH LIVE COVERAGE OF THE SENATE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

IT'S BEEN A LONG FIRST DAY OF THE DEMOCRATS ARGUMENTS FOR CONVICTING THE PRESIDENT ON THE IMPEACHMENT CHARGES.

ONE HUNDRED SENATORS ARE IN THE CHAMBERS LISTENING UNABLE TO COMMENT OR ASK QUESTIONS DURING THE SESSION.

THE WHITE HOUSE ATTORNEY DEFENDING PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL GET THEIR CHANCE TO ARGUE THE DEFENSE LATER IN THE WEEK.

WATCHING IT ALL I'M JOINED BY OUR DESK.

JOINING ME HERE AT THE TABLE I WILL COME BACK TO YOU IN A MOMENT.

WE WANT TO GO TO THE SENATE FLOOR WHERE ADAM SCHIFF CONTINUES TO MAKE THE CASE.

>> I HOPE WE CARE ABOUT THAT.

THEY DID GIVE THEM UP.

YOU KNOW WHAT JUST WHAT THEY FEARED WOULD TAKE PLACE, THE RUSSIANS CROSSED THE BORDER AND REMAIN OCCUPYING PART OF UKRAINE.

THAT'S THE WORD OF AMERICA WE GAVE.

WE'RE BREAKING THAT WORD, WHY IS THIS FOR HELP WITH A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

AMBASSADOR TAYLOR IS RIGHT.

THAT'S CRAZY.

IT'S WORST THAN CRAZY.

IT'S REPULSIVE.

ITIT BREAKS OUR WORD.

TO DO IT IN THE NAME OF CORRUPT INVESTIGATION IS AGAINST EVERYTHING.

I USE TO BE PART OF A COMMISSION IN THE HOUSE ON DEMOCRACY ASSISTANCE.

WE WOULD MEET WITH PARLIAMENT ARIANS.

WE WOULD URGE OUR COLLEAGUES TO OBSERVE THE RULE OF LAW.

NOT TO ENGAGE IN POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS.

I DON'T KNOW HOW WE MAKE THE ARGUMENT NOW.

I DON'T KNOW HOW WE LOOK OUR ALLIES OR THE BURGEONING DEMOCRACIES IN THE FACE.

HOW DO WE MAKE THAT ARGUMENT NOW.

TESTIMONY INDICATED THAT SECRETARY POMPEO EVENTUALLY CARRIED THAT CABLE INTO THE WHITE HOUSE.

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THOSE NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS BUT THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO SEE WE'RE ABLE TO OUT WEIGHT THE PRESIDENT PERSONAL INTEREST IN GETTING FOREIGN HELP IN HIS REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE AT ALL.

NOW WE GET TO AUGUST 2nd.

REPORT PRESIDENT TRUMP IMPLEMENTED A HOLD ON 400 MILLION MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE APPROPRIATED BY CONGRESS.

NOW THE WORST KEPT SECRET WAS PUBLIC UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS EXPRESSED THEIR ALARM AND CONCERN TO AMERICAN COUNTERPARTS.

AT WITNESSES EXPLAIN THE UKRAINIANS HAD TWO CONCERNS.

ONE WAS THE AIDE ITSELF FOR THEIR ABILITY TO FIGHT OFF RUSSIA.

SECOND, THE SYMBOLISM OF THE HOLD.

IT SIGNALS TO RUSSIA THAT UNITED STATES WAVERED IN THEIR SUPPORT TO UKRAINE.

THIS IS WHAT RUSSIA COULD USE AND EXPLOIT TO DROVE A WEDGE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND UKRAINE TO THEIR ADVANTAGE.

THE SECOND WAS LIKELY THEY WANTED UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS TO KEEP THE HOLD AS A SECRET IN THE FIRST PLACE.

BECAUSE IT WOULD ADD TO THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF UKRAINE IF THE HOLD BECAME PUBLIC.

IT IS BAD ENOUGH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES PUT A HOLD ON THE AIDE.

IT WOULD BE FAR WORST AS IT BECAME PUBLIC AS IT DID.

YERMAK SENT VOLKER A LINK TO THE POLITICAL STORY AND TEXTED, NEED TO TALK TO YOU.

OTHER UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS EXPRESSED CONCERNS TO AMBASSADOR VOLKER THE UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT WAS SINGLED OUT AND PENALIZED FOR SOME REASON.

WHAT DO WE THINK THE REASON WAS.

WHY WERE THEY SINGLED OUT.

WHY WAS THAT COUNTRY BE SINGLED OUT.

THE ONE COUNTRY THE PRESIDENT COULD LEAVER AGAINST A OPPONENT HE FEARED.

THAT'S WHY UKRAINE WAS SINGLED OUT.

YERMAK THEN CONTACTED AMBASSADOR TALER AND SAID THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE HOLD ON MILITARY ASSISTANCE.

HE AND OTHER UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS WOULD TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON TO EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ASSISTANCE.

AMBASSADOR TAYLOR ON THE GROUND IN UKRAINE EXPLAINED THE UKRAINIAN VIEW POINT AND FRANKLY THEIR DESPERATION.

>> IN SEPTEMBER THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE, FOR EXAMPLE CAME TO ME, I WOULD USE THE WORD DESPERATE TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE ASSISTANCE WAS BEING HELD.

HE THOUGHT PERHAPS IF HE WENT TO WASHINGTON TO TALK TO YOU, TO TALK TO SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, TO TALK TO THE PRESIDENT HE WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND OUT AND REASSURE, PROVIDE WHATEVER ANSWER WAS NECESSARY TO HAVE THAT ASSISTANCE RELEASED.

?

??

WITHOUT ANY OFFICIAL EXPLANATION FOR THE HOLD U.S. OFFICIALS COULD PROVIDE REA SHAOEURPBS TO UKRAINIAN COUNTERPARTS.

IT'S BEEN REPORTED THAT TRUMP, POMPEO AND -- MET IN LATE AUGUST IMPLORING THE PRESIDENT TO RELEASE THE AIDE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP REFUSED TO RELEASE THE AIDE.

AS OF AUGUST 30th THE PRESIDENT WAS CLEARLY DIRECTING OMB TO HOLD ON SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

DOCUMENTS REVIEWED BY SECURITY AND WITH HELD FROM THE CONGRESS BY OMB ON THE PRESIDENT'S INSTRUCTIONS.

MICHAEL DUFFY E MAILED DOD CONTROLLER THAT THERE IS OEU CLEAR DIRECTION FROM POTIS TO CONTROL THE HOLD OEU.

HERE WE ARE AUGUST 30th.

A MONTH AFTER THAT JULY 25th CALL.

AIDE STILL BEING WITH HELD.

UKRAINIANS STILL HOLDING ON.

STILL NOT WILLING TO CAPITULATE.

NOT WILLING TO VIOLATE ZELENSKY'S CAMPAIGN PLEDGE OF NOT ENGAGING IN CORRUPT INVESTIGATIONS.

THAT SAME DAY AUGUST 30th REPUBLICAN SENATOR RON JOHNSON SPOKE WITH AMBASSADOR SONDLAND ABOUT HIS CONCERN ON PRESIDENT TRUMP'S WITH HOLDING MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE.

HE DESCRIBED THAT CALL TO THE WALLSTREET JOURNAL.

ACCORDING TO SENATOR JOHNSON, SONDLAND TOLD HIM IF UKRAINE WOULD COMMIT TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF 201, IF PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS THE CONFIDENCE HE WILL RELEASE THE MILITARY SPENDING.

SENATOR JOHNSON ADDED AT THAT SUGGESTION I WINCED.

MY REACTION WAS OH GOD, I DON'T WANT TO SEE THOSE TWO THINGS COMBINED.

THE NEXT DAY AUGUST 31st SENATOR JOHNSON SPOKE BY PHONE TO PRESIDENT TRUMP REGARDING THE DECISION TO WITH HOLD AIDE TO UKRAINE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP DENIED THE QUI QUO PRO.

AT THE SAME TIME HOWEVER PRESIDENT TRUMP REFUSED TO AUTHORIZE SENATOR JOHNSON TO TELL UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS ON HIS UPCOMING TRIP TO KIEV THAT THE AIDE WOULD BE FORTHCOMING.

THE AMBASSADOR THAT SONDLAND COMMUNICATED TO JOHNSON MIRRORED THE JULY 25th CALL OF PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT SELL IN SEE.

HE ASKED THE UKRAINIAN LEADER TO GET TO THE BOTTOM TO IT INCLUDING A INVESTIGATION OF THE DEPWUFRPG CONSPIRACY THEORY OF THE 201 ELECTION.

IT MIRRORED THE TEXT MESSAGE THAT VOLKER SENT TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY'S AID BEFORE THE JULY 25th CALL.

INDEED PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTED THE INVESTIGATIONS.

HE WOULD WITH HOLD NOT ONE BUT TWO ACTS TO GET THEM.

NOW SEPTEMBER, SEPTEMBER 1st PRESIDENT WAS SUPPOSE TO GO TO WARSAW AS WE KNOW.

HE DOESN'T GO TO WARSAW.

MIKE PENCE GOES TO WARSAW.

JENNIFER WILLIAMS SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR EUROPE AND RUSSIA LEARNED OF THE CHANGE IN THE PRESIDENT'S TRAVEL PLANS AUGUST 29th.

THE VICE PRESIDENT'S NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER ASKED VICE PRESIDENT PENCE ON AN UPDATE ON THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE THAT WAS PUBLICLY REVEALED AND WOULD BE A POLITICAL ISSUE DURING THE BILATERAL MEETING BETWEEN THE VICE PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT ZELENSKY IN WARSAW.

THE DELEGATION A RAOEUFRZ IN WARSAW AND GATHERS IN A HOTEL ROOM TO BRIEF VICE PRESIDENT PENCE BEFORE MEETING WITH THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT.

BOLTON LEADS THE MEETING.

AS WILLIAMS DESCRIBED AT VICARS IN THE ROOM AGREED ON THE NEED TO GET SECURITY ASSISTANCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO BE IMPLEMENTED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

VICE PRESIDENT PENCE DID NOT HAVE AUTHORITY FROM THE PRESIDENT TO RELEASE THE AIDE.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND ATTENDD THAT MEETING ALSO.

AT THE END OF IT HE EXPRESSED CONCERN DIRECTLY TO VICE PRESIDENT PENCE ABOUT THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE HELD UNTIL THE UKRAINIANS ANNOUNCED THE POLITICAL MOTIVATED INVESTIGATION AT THE HEART OF THE SCHEME.

>> YOU MENTIONED YOU WILL HAD A CONVERSATION WITH VICE PRESIDENT PENCE BEFORE HIS MEETING WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY IN WARSAW.

THAT YOU RAISED THE CONCERN AS WELL THAT THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE WAS WITH HELD BECAUSE OF THE PRESIDENT'S DESIRE FOR A COMMITMENT FROM ZELENSKY FOR THE POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS.

WHAT DID YOU SAY TO THE PRESIDENT.

>> I WAS IN A BRIEFING WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE.

I JUST SPOKE UP.

I SAID IT APPEARS THAT EVERYTHING IS STALLED UNTIL THIS STATEMENT GETS MADE.

SOMETHING, WORDS TO THAT AFFECT.

THAT'S WHAT I BELIEF TO BE THE CASE BASED ON YOU KNOW THE WORK THAT THE THREE OF US HAD BEEN DOING.

VOLKER, PERRY AND MYSELF.

THE VICE PRESIDENT NODDED LIKE, LIKE HE HEARD WHAT I SAID.

THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH IT, AS I RECALL.

>> EVERYONE WAS IN THE LOOP.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND TESTIFIED THAT VICE PRESIDENT WAS NEITHER SURPRISED BY THIS QUI QUO PRO.

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BILATERAL MEETING BETWEEN ZELENSKY AND PENCE, THE FIRST QUESTION FROM PRESIDENT ZELENSKY RELATED TO THE STATUS OF THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

AS VICE PRESIDENT PENCE' AID JENNIFER WILLIAMS TESTIFIED PRESIDENT ZELENSKY EXPLAINED THAT JUST EQUALLY WITH THE FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL VALUE OF THE ASSISTANCE IT WAS THE SYMBOLIC NATURE OF THE ASSISTANCE THAT WAS THE SHOW OF U.S. SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE AND UKRAINE'S SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY.

LATER THAT DAY VICE PRESIDENT PENCE SPOKE TO THE PRESIDENT ABOUT HIS MEETING WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

THE HOLD ON SECURITY ASSISTANCE REMAINED IN PLACE WELL AFTER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE RETURNED FROM WARSAW.

AFTER THE MEETING THE WARSAW MEETING WITH VICE PRESIDENT PENCE, AMBASSADOR SONDLAND PULLED ASIDE YERMAK AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE AID WOULD NOT BE FORTHCOMING UNTIL UKRAINE PUB LIKELY ANNOUNCED THE TWO INVESTIGATION THAT'S PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTED.

HERE WE ARE AFTER THE MEETING RIGHT AFTER THE MEETING THEY'RE STILL IN WARSAW.

ZELENSKY PULLS ASIDE HIS UKRAINIAN COUNTERPART, YERMAK, AND EXPLAINS THE AIDE IS NOT COMING UNTIL THE INVESTIGATIONS ARE ANNOUNCED.

>> BASED ON MY PREVIOUS COMMUNICATION WITH SECRETARY POMPEO I FELT COMFORTABLE SHARING MY CONCERNS WITH MR. YERMAK.

IT WAS A BRIEF CONVERSATION HAPPENING WITHIN A FEW SECONDS.

I TOLD MR. YERMAK I BELIEVE THE U.S. AIDE WOULD NOT OCCUR UNTIL UKRAINE TOOK SOME KIND OF ACTION ON THE PUBLIC STATEMENT THAT WE HAD DISCUSSED FOR MANY WEEKS.

>> LET'S THAT SINK IN FOR A MINUTE TOO.

UKRAINIANS FELT NO PRESSURE.

NO EVIDENCE THEY FELT PRESSURE.

OF COURSE WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TESTIMONY ABOUT HOW THEY DID FEEL PRESSURE AND DID WANT TO BE DRAWN INTO THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

YOU SAW OVER AND OVER IN THE TEXT MESSAGES AND E-MAILS.

YOU GO FIRST, NO YOU ANNOUNCE.

NO YOU GO FIRST.

WE ARE SUPPOSE TO BELIEVE THEY FELT NO PRESSURE.

THERE IT IS IT BREAKS OUT INTO THE OPEN THE MILITARY AIDE IS WITH HELD.

THERE IS A CONNECTION -- THE FIRST THING THEY'RE ASKING ABOUT.

THEY SEND THE COPY OF THE ARTICLE WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE AIDE.

THEY ARE COMING TO PLEAD FOR THE AIDE.

THEY GO TO WARSAW.

THEY MEET WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT.

THE FIRST QUESTION IS THE AIDE.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT MEETING IS THIS NOW THAT'S A BIG MEETING BY THE WAY.

WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT AND UKRAINIAN VIOLATION.

IT'S NOT LIKE IN FRONT OF ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE THE VICE PRESIDENT WILL BRING IT UP.

SONDLAND GOES UP TO HIS COUNTERPART ON THE SIDE STPH-FPLT FRONT OF THE MEETING AND SAYS YOU AIN'T GETTING THE MONEY UNTIL YOU DO THE INVESTIGATIONS.

WE'RE TO BELIEVE THEY FELT NO PRESSURE.

FOLKS, THEY'RE AT WAR.

THEY'RE AT WAR UNTIL YOU DO WHAT THE PRESIDENT WANTS, THE PRESIDENT WANTS THE TWO INVESTIGATIONS.

IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S PRESSURE THAT'S $400 MILLION WORTH OF PRESSURE.

I HAVE A BRIDGE I WANT TO SELL YOU.

IT'S HARD FOR US TO PUT OURSELVES IN THE UKRAINIANS POSITION.

IMAGINE THE EASTERN THIRD OF OUR COUNTRY WAS OCCUPIED BY AN ENEMY FORCE.

WE'RE BE HOLDING TO ANOTHER COUNTRY FOR MILITARY AIDE.

THEY SAY YOU DON'T GET IT UNTIL YOU DO WHAT WE WANT -FPL YOU THINK WE WOULD FEEL PRESSURED IS THIS I THINK WE WOULD FEEL PRESSURED.

THAT'S THE EXACT SITUATIONS THE UKRAINIANS ARE IN NOW.

YOU HAVE HEARD COUNCIL SAY BEFORE, THEY SAY THEY DON'T FEEL PRESSURE.

LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO ADMIT THEY WERE BEING SHAKEN DOWN BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

YOU THINK THEY FEEL PRESSURE NOW.

YOU SHOULD SEE THE PRESSURE THEY FEEL IF THEY ADMITTED THAT.

TIM MORRISON THE NSC OFFICIAL WITNESSED THE CONVERSATION WITH SONDLAND AND YERMAK ACROSS THE ROOM.

IMMEDIATELY RECEIVED A CONVERSATION FROM SONDLAND.

HE REPORTED THAT TO HIS BOSS, AMBASSADOR BOLTON.

TOLD MORRISON TO CONSULT WITH THE LAWYERS.

GO TALK TO THE LAWYERS.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU KEEP GETTING TOLD YOU HAVE TO TALK TO THE LAWYERS THERE IS A PROBLEM.

IF THINGS ARE PERFECT YOU DON'T GET TOLD GO TALK TO THE LAWYERS TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

MORRISON CONFIRMED THAT HE DID TALK TO THE LAWYERS.

IN PART TO INSURE THERE WAS A RECORD OF WHAT AMBASSADOR SONDLAND WAS DOING.

THAT RECORD EXISTS WITHIN THE WHITE HOUSE.

WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO READ YOU THAT RECORD IS THIS I WOULD BE HAPPY TO READ YOU THAT RECORD.

IT'S, IT'S THERE FOR YOUR ASKING.

OF COURSE THE PRESIDENT HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE THAT RECORD.

PRECISELY WHY DID AMBASSADOR BOLTON DIRECT THE LAWYERS TO TALK TO THE LAWYERS WOUFPLT LIKE AMBASSADOR TO TELL YOU WHY HE SAID THAT IS THIS HE WOULD BE HAPPY TO TELL YOU WHY HE SAID THAT.

HE'S THERE FOR YOUR ASKING.

WHAT DID BOLTON KNOW ABOUT THE FREEZE ON AIDE PRIOR TO THE MEETING IN WARSAW IS THIS WHAT DID HE MEAN IF HE CAN PRESS ZELENSKY IS THIS IT WILL DEPEND IF HE CAN PRESS ZEL ZELENSKY.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW, I THINK WE KNOW.

TIM MORE I CONNECTICUT HAVE AD THE SUBSTANCE OF THE PULLING TO THE SIDE OF AMBASSADOR TAYLOR.

THIS IS NOW TIM MORRISON TOLD BY BOLTON TALK TO THE LAWYERS.

HE TALKS TO AMBASSADOR TAYLOR ALSO.

OUR AMBASSADOR IN UKRAINE.

ON >> ON THE EVENING OF SEPTEMBI RECEIVED A READING PRESIDENT ZELENSKY OPENED THE MEETING BY IMMEDIATELY ASKING ABOUT THE SECURITY COOPERATION.

THE VICE PRESIDENT DIDN'T RESPOND SUBSTANTIALLY BUT SAID HE WOULD TALK TO PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT NIGHT.

HE SAID PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTED THE EUROPEAN'S TO DO MORE TO SUPPORT AOU CRANES AND THE UKRAINES TO DO MORE TO FIGHT CORRUPTION.

DURING THE SAME PHONE CALL WITH MORRISON HE DESCRIBED A CONVERSATION AMBASSADOR SONDLAND HAD WITH MR. YERMAK IN WARSAW.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND TOLD YERMAK THE MONEY WOULDN'T COME UNTIL PRESIDENT ZELENSKY PROMISED TO PURSUE THE INVESTIGATION.

I WAS ALARMED TO HEAR ABOUT THIS.

STKPHRAO AMBASSADOR TAYLOR EXPLAINED WHY HE WAS ALARMED BY THIS.

LET'S HEAR THAT AS WELL.

STKPWHRAOU SAID PREVIOUSLY HE WERE ALARMED TO LEARN THIS.

WHY WERE YOU ALARMED.

>> IT'S ONE THING TO TRY TO LEVERAGE A MEETING IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

IT'S ANOTHER THING I THOUGHT TO LEVERAGE SECURITY ASSISTANCE, SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO A COUNTRY AT WAR DEPENDENT ON BOTH THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE AND THE DEMONSTRATION OF SUPPORT.

IT WAS, IT WAS MUCH MORE ALARMING.

THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING WAS ONE THING.

SECURITY ASSISTANCE WAS MUCH MORE ALARMING.

>> UPON LEARNING FROM IN MORRISON THE MILITARY AIDE MAYBE CONDITIONS ON UKRAINE PUBLICLY A THOUPBSING THESE TWO INVESTIGATIONS A URGENT TEXT MESSAGE IS SENT TO SONDLAND ASKING, ARE WE NOW SAYING SECURITY ASSISTANCE AND WHITE HOUSE MEETING ARE CON DUGSES ON INVESTIGATIONS.

THE RESPONSE FROM AMBASSADOR SONDLAND, CALL ME.

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, RIGHT.

YOU GET A TEXT MESSAGE THAT IS PUTTING IT IN BLACK AND WHITE.

ARE WE SAYING SECURITY ASSISTANCE IN THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING ARE CONSISTENT ON INVESTIGATIONS.

CALL ME.

IN OTHER WORDS DON'T PUT THIS IN WRITING, CALL ME.

AMBASSADOR TAYLOR DID IN FACT CALL SONDLAND INFORMED BY NOTES HE TOOK DURING THE CALL, HE SUMMARIZED THE CONVERSATION AS FOLLOWS.

STKPHRAO DURING THAT PHONE CALL AMBASSADOR SONDLAND TOLD ME THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP TOLD HIM THAT HE WANTS PRESIDENT ZELENSKY TO STATE PUBLICLY THAT UKRAINE WILL INVESTIGATION BURISMA AND ENTER TPAOERPBS IN THE 2016 ELECTION.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND ALSO TOLD ME HE NOW RECOGNIZED HE MADE A MISTAKE BY TELLING UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS THAT ONLY A WHITE HOUSE MEETING WAS DEPENDENT ON A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE INVESTIGATIONS.

IN FACT SONDLAND SAID EVERYTHING IS DEPENDENT INCLUDING SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

HE SAID PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTED PRESIDENT ZELENSKY IN A PUBLIC BOX BY MAKING A PUBLIC STATEMENT ABOUT INVESTIGATIONS.

>> AMBASSADOR TAYLOR TESTIFIED HIS NOTES OF THE CALL REFLECTED SONDLAND USED THE PHRASE, PUBLIC BOX.

TO INSURE PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS INSURED THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

THESE ARE FROM EXTENSIVE NOTES.

OF COURSE WE WOULD LIKE TO SHOW THEM TO YOU TO CORROBORATE HIS TESTIMONY.

PURSUANT TO THE PRESIDENT'S INSTRUCTIONS THE STATE DEPARTMENT WILL NOT TURN THEM OVER.

YOU MAY RECALL FROM THE TAPE YESTERDAY THEY WILL BE SHORTLY COMING.

I AM TOLD.

YOU SHOULD SEE THEM.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT SONDLAND TOLD AMBASSADOR TAYLOR.

IF THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL TRIES TO CREATE CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT SONDLAND TOLD TAYLOR ABOUT HIS CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT.

SONDLAND HAD ONE RECOLLECTION IN THE DEPOSITION AND ANOTHER RECOLLECTION IN THE FIRST HEARING.

ANOTHER RECOLLECTION IN THE DECLARATION.

YOU WANT TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT CONVERSATION WHEN IT WAS FRESH IN SONDLAND'S MIND.

HE TOLD TAYLOR ABOUT IT.

TAYLOR WROTE IT IN HIS NOTES.

YOU WILL WANT TAYLOR'S NOTES.

IN ANY COURT ROOM IN AMERICA HOLDING A FAIR TRIAL YOU WOULD WANT TO SEE CONTEMPORANEOUS NOTES.

THIS SENATE SHOULD BE NO DIFFERENT.

DEMAND THOSE NOTES.

DEMAND TO SEE THE TRUTH.

WE'RE NOT AFRAID OF THOSE NOTES.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THEM.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THEM.

MAYBE THOSE NOTES SAY SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

MAYBE THOSE NOTES SAY NO QUI QUO PRO.

MAYBE THEY SAY IT'S A PERFECT CALL.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM.

I'M WILLING TO TRUST AMBASSADOR TAYLOR'S TESTIMONY AND HIS RECOLLECTION.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM.

I WOULD LIKE TO SHOW THEM TO YOU.

THEY ARE YOURS FOR THE ASKING.

ON SEPTEMBER 25th THE WASHINGTON POST EDITORIAL BOARD REPORTED CONCERNS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WITH HELD MILITARY ASSISTANCE FROM UKRAINE IN ORDER TO FORCE PRESIDENT ZELENSKY TO ANNOUNCE INVESTIGATION OF VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN.

THE POST EDITORIAL BOARD WROTE WE'RE RELIABLY TOLD THE PRESIDENT HAS A SECOND AND MORE VENAL AGENDA.

HE'S ATTEMPTING TO FORCE MR. ZELENSKY TO INTERVENE IN THE 2020 INVESTIGATION BY LAUNCHING AN INVESTIGATION OF THE LEADING CANDIDATE HE JO BIDEN.

HE'S NOT JUST SOLICITING UKRAINE'S HELP FOR THE CAMPAIGN.

HE'S USING U.S. MILITARY AIDE THE COUNTRY DESPERATELY NEEDS IN AN ATTEMPT TO EX TOGETHER IT.

THAT'S SEPTEMBER 25th.

PRESIDENT ON NOTICE, SCHEME DISCOVERED.

SEPTEMBER 5th.

SEPTEMBER 7th THE EVIDENCE SHOWS PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS A CALL WITH AM B AMBASSADOR SONDLAND.

HE MADE THIS EVEN MORE EXPLICIT.

ON SEPTEMBER 7th AMBASSADOR SONDLAND SPOKE TO PRESIDENT TRUMP ON THE TELEPHONE.

AFTER THAT CONVERSATION THEY CALLED TIM MORRISON TO UPDATE HIM ON THE CONVERSATION.

UNLIKE SONDLAND WHO TESTIFIED HE NEVER TOOK NOTES, MORRISON TOOK NOTES OF THE CONVERSATION AND RECALLED IT DURING HIS PUBLIC TESTIMONY.

LET'S LISTEN.

>> NOW A FEW DAYS LATER ON SEPTEMBER 7th YOU SPOKE AGAIN TO AMBASSADOR SONDLAND WHO TOLD YOU HE HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF THE PHONE WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

ISN'T THAT RIGHT.

>> THAT SOUNDS CORRECT, YES.

>> WHAT DID AMBASSADOR SONDLAND TELL YOU PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID TO HIM.

>> IF I RECALL THIS CONVERSATION CORRECTLY.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND RELATED THERE WAS NO QUI QUO PRO BUT LED ZELENSKY HAD TO MAKE THE STATEMENT AND WANT TO DO IT.

>> AND BY THAT POINT DID YOU UNDERSTAND THE STATEMENT RELATE TO THE BIDEN AND 2016 INVESTIGATIONS.

>> I THINK I DID, YES.

>> THAT WAS ESSENTIALLY A A CONDITION FOR THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO BE RELEASED.

>> I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT HE BELIEVED.

>> AFTER SPEAKING TO PRESIDENT TRUMP IS THIS.

>> YES.

>> BARE IN MIND WHEN MR. MORRISON SAYS THAT'S WHAT HE REPRESENTED.

WE ASKED MR. MORRISON ABOUT THE AMBASSADOR SONDLAND'S CALLS.

WHEN HE TALKED TO THE PRESIDENT, SAID HE DID, IN FACT HE TALKED WITH THE PRESIDENT.

EVERY TIME HE CHECKED HE WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM IT.

NOW LET'S LET THIS SINK IN FOR A MINUTE ACCORDING TO MR. MORRISON'S TESTIMONY, FORMER REPUBLICAN STAFFER ON THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE HE SPEAKS WITH SONDLAND ON SEPTEMBER 7th AND SONDLAND SAYS HE JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH TRUMP.

HE JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE.

THE CALL IS FRESH IN EVERYONE'S MIND.

WHAT WAS SAID, MORRISON SAYS AMBASSADOR SONDLAND RELATED NO QUI QUO PRO BUT ZELENSKY HAD TO MAKE THE STATEMENT AND WANT TO DO.

NO QUI QUO PRO BUT THERE IS A QUI QUO PRO.

NOW THERE ARE NOTES THAT SHOW THIS.

>> WOULD I LIKE TO SEE THE NOTES, MR. MORRISON NOTES.

THESE FINE LAWYERS WANT TO PERSUADE YOU THE CALL NEVER HAPPENED.

HE SAID NO QUID PRO QUO BUT YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE MIC AND WANT TO DO IT.

WELL THERE IS A GOOD WAY TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED ON THE CALL.

IT'S IN WRITING.

IS THERE ANY QUESTION WHY THEY'RE WITH HOLDING THIS FROM CONGRESS IS THIS ANY QUESTION .ANY QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

THEY DIDN'T CLAIM, WELL MR. MORRISON DIDN'T!

ABSOLUTE IMMUNITY.

MR. SONDLAND THESE NOTES, NO EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE OVER THESE NOTES.

THE NOTES HAVE ALREADY BEEN DESCRIBED.

THE CONVERSATION'S ALREADY BEEN RELEASED.

THERE'S NO EVEN POSSIBLE ARGUABLE INVENTED EVEN EXCUSE FOR WITHHOLDINGS THESE NOTES.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THEM?

THEY TELL YOU IN ANY COURTROOM IN AMERICA YOU'D GET TO SEE THEM.

THIS SHOULD BE NO DIFFERENT.

WOULDN'T BE ANY DIFFERENT IN A FAIR TRIAL ANYWHERE IN AMERICA.

MORRISON AGAIN INFORMED AMBASSADOR BOLTON, GO TALK TO THE LAWYERS, GO TALK TO THE LAWYERS AND YET AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME MORRISON WENT TO TALK TO THE LAWYERS ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION, WITH AMBASSADOR SONDLAND.

MORRISON ALSO CALLED AMBASSADOR TAYLOR, TO INFORM HIM ABOUT THE CONVERSATION, AND WE HAVE THE TESTIMONY FROM AMBASSADOR TAYLOR, ABOUT THEIR CONVERSATION WHICH IS ALSO BASED ON HIS CONTEMPORANEOUS NOTES.

LET'S LOOK AT THE CONVERSATION NOW BETWEEN MR. MORRISON AND AMBASSADOR TAYLOR.

>> ACCORDING TO MR. MORRISON, PRESIDENT TRUMP TOLD AMBASSADOR SONDLAND HE WAS NOT ASKING FOR A QUID PRO QUO.

PRESIDENT TRUMP DID INSIST THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY GO TO A MICROPHONE AND SAY HE IS OPENING INVESTIGATIONS OF BIDEN AND 2016 ELECTION INTERFERENCE AND THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY SHOULD WANT TO DO THIS HIMSELF.

>> OKAY, SO HERE WE HAVE TWO WITNESSES, TAKING CONTEMPORANEOUS NOTES, BOTH REFLECT BEING THE SAME CONVERSATION.

-- REFLECTING THE SAME CONVERSATION.

IN WHICH THE PRESIDENT SAID NO QUID PRO QUO BUT QUID PRO QUO.

THERE ARE DOCUMENTS THAT PROVE THIS.

DOCUMENTS THAT PROVE THIS THAT ARE YOURS FOR THE ASKING.

THE FOLLOWING DAY, SEPTEMBER 8th, SONDLAND TEXTS TAYLOR.AND VOLKER TO BRING THEM UP TO SPEED WITH THE CONVERSATIONS WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AND SUBSEQUENT PLELZ WHOM HE SPOKE TO AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

GUYS, MULTIPLE CONVERSATIONS WITH Z MEENG ZELENSKY, POTUS, LET'S TALK.

SONDLAND SPOKE TO TAYLOR BUT NOT VOLKER SHORTLY AFTER THIS TEXT.

ACCORDING TO AMBASSADOR TAYLOR WHO TESTIFIED AGAIN ON ISRAEL TIME NOTES.

LET'S HEAR WHAT HE SAID.

>> THE FOLLOWING DAY SEPTEMBER 8th AMBASSADOR SONDLAND AND I SPOKE ON THE PHONE.

HE CONFIRMED THAT HE TALKED TO PRESIDENT TRUMP AS I HAD SUGGESTED A WEEK EARLIER BUT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS ADAMANT THAT PLELZ HISTORICALLY HAD TO CLEAR THINGS UP AND DO IT IN PUBLIC.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID IT WAS NOT A QUCHED.

-- A WITH QUID PRO QUO.

>> IT'S ALL VERY CONSISTENT HERE.

WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID, NO QUID PRO QUO, BUT ZELENSKY MUST ANNOUNCE THE INVESTIGATIONS PUBLICLY WAS WHAT HE WAS TELLING SONDLAND.

NO QUID PRO QUO EXCEPT FOR QUID PRO QUO.

PRESIDENT'S ATTORNEYS RELY IN THE FIRST HALF OF THAT SENTENCE AND WOULD LIKE YOU TO FORGET THE SECOND HALF EVER HAPPENED.

BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE OUR COMMON SENSE AT THE DOOR.

WE DON'T HAVE TO RELY ON AN INCOMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THAT CALL.

WE HAVE INSTEAD THE DETAILED NOTES OF MR. MORRISON AND AMBASSADOR TAYLOR.

BUT WE ALSO KNOW WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP TOLD SONDLAND BECAUSE SONDLAND RAILED THAT MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

SONDLAND DESCRIBED HIS CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

HERE IS AMBASSADOR TAYLOR'S ACCOUNT OF IT.

>> AMBASSADOR SONDLAND SAID HE HAD TALKED TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AND MR. YERMAK AND HAD TOLD THEM THAT ALTHOUGH THIS WAS NOT A QUID PRO QUO, IF PRESIDENT ZELENSKY DID NOT CLEAR THINGS UP IN PUBLIC WE WOULD BE AT A STALEMATE.

I UNDERSTOOD A STALEMATE TO MEAN THAT UKRAINE WOULD NOT RECEIVE THE MUCH NEEDED MILITARY ASSISTANCE.

IMORGS SAID THAT THIS CONVERSATION -- AMBASSADOR SONDLAND SAID THAT THIS CONVERSATION CONCLUDED WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AGREEING TO MAKE A PUBLIC STATEMENT IN AN INTERVIEW WITH CNN.

>> SO NOT ONLY DID AMBASSADOR SONDLAND RELATE THIS CONVERSATION TO MR. MORRISON AND MR. TAYLOR, AMBASSADOR TAYLOR, AMBASSADOR SONDLAND TALK ABOUT IT BUT AMBASSADOR SONDLAND HAS SAID HE RELAYED THIS CONVERSATION WITH ZELENSKY HIMSELF.

EVERYONE WAS NOW IN THE LOOP ON THE MILITARY AID BEING WITHHELD FOR THE POLITICAL INVESTIGATIONS.

TAYLOR CONTINUED RECALLING THE STARTLING ANALOGY AMBASSADOR SONDLAND USED TO DESCRIBE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S APPROACH TO UKRAINE.

>> DEURG OUR MEETING, DURING OUR CALL ON SEPTEMBER 8th, AMBASSADOR SONDLAND TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO ME THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS A BUSINESSMAN, WHEN A BUSINESSMAN IS ABOUT TO SIGN A CHECK TO SOMEONE WHO OWES HIM SOMETHING, THE BUSINESSMAN ASKS THAT PERSON TO PAY UP BEFORE SIGNING THE CHECK.

AMBASSADOR VOLKER USED THE SAME STATEMENT, I EXPLAINED TO BOTH THAT THE CONVERSATION MADE NO SENSE.

DID NOT OWE HIM ANYTHING.

>> PRESIDENT ZELENSKY SAID HE HAD RELENTED AND AGREED TO DO A CNN INTERVIEW TO ANNOUNCE THE INVESTIGATIONS.

SO THERE WAS A BREAK THROUGH AFTER ALL.

THE PROMISED MEETING WASN'T ENOUGH.

THE WITHHELD SECURITY ASSISTANCE BROKE THE LOGJAM.

ZELENSKY WAS GOING TO GO ON CNN AND ANNOUNCE THE INVESTIGATIONS.

TAYLOR THOUGH REMAINED CONCERNED, THAT EVEN IF THE UKRAINIAN LEADER DID AS PRESIDENT TRUMP REQUIRED, PRESIDENT TRUMP MIGHT CONTINUE TO WITHHOLD THE VITAL U.S. SECURITY ASSISTANCE IN ANY EVENT.

AMBASSADOR TAYLOR TEXTED HIS CONCERNS TO AMBASSADOR VOLKER AND SONDLAND STATING, THE NIGHTMARE IS THAT THEY GIVE THE INTERVIEW AND DON'T GET THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

THE RUSSIANS LOVE IT, AND I QUILT!

I MEAN THAT'S QUITE TELLING TOO.

WHAT'S AMBASSADOR TAYLOR WORRIED ABOUT?

HE'S WORRIED UKRAINIANS ARE FINALLY GOING TO AGREE TO DO IT.

THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AND THEY ARE STILL GOING TO GET STIFFED ON THE AID.

AT HIS DEPOSITION AMBASSADOR TAYLOR RELATED, THE NIGHTMARE OF THE SCENARIO WHERE PRESIDENT ZELENSKY GOT OUT IN PUBLIC, MAKES THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HE IS GOING TO INVESTIGATE BURISMA AND THE 2016 ELECTION, HE MIGHT PUT THAT IN SOME SERIES OF INVESTIGATION BUT THE NIGHTMARE WAS HE WOULD MENTION THOSE TWO, TAKE ALL THE HEAT FROM THAT, GET HIMSELF IN BIG TROUBLE IN THIS COUNTRY, MEANING UKRAINE OR THIS COUNTRY MEANING UNITED STATES AND PROBABLY IN THIS COUNTRY AS WELL MEANING BOTH I GUESS AND THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE WOULD NOT BE RELEASED.

THAT WAS THE NIGHTMARE.

IF IT WERE HAPPEN, IRTAYLOR TESTIFIED HE WOULD QUIT.

EARLY IN THE MORNING, IN EUROPE ON SEPTEMBER 9th, WHICH WAS 12:47 A.M.

IN WASHED, AMBASSADOR TAYLOR REITERATED HIS CONCERNS ABOUT THE QUID PRO QUO, IN ANOTHER TEXT MESSAGE WITH AMBASSADORS VOLKER AND SONDLAND.

SO HERE ARE THE SEPTEMBER 9th TEXT MESSAGES.

TAYLOR TEXTS TO SONDLAND, WE STAND WITH THE DECISION ON SECURITY ASSISTANCE IS KEY.

WITH A HOLD WE HAVE ALREADY SHAKEN THEIR FAITH IN US.

THUS MY NIGHTMARE SCENARIO.

AND TAYLOR GOES ON AND SAYS COUNTING ON YOU TO BE RIGHT ABOUT THIS INTERVIEW, GORDON.

MEANING, IF THEY DO IT, YOU DARN WELL BETTER COME THROUGH WITH THE MILITARY AID.

AND SONDLAND SAYS, BILL I NEVER SAID I WAS RIGHT.

I SAID WE ARE WHERE WE ARE AND BELIEVE WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE BEST PATHWAY TOWARD.

LET'S HOPE IT WORKS.

AND TAYLOR SAID, AS I SAID ON THE PHONE I THINK IT'S CRAZY TO WITHHOLD SECURITY ASSISTANCE WITH HELP WITH A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

AMBASSADOR TAYLOR TESTIFIED ABOUT WHAT HE MEANT.

HE SAID THAT TO WHOLTD THAT ASSISTANCE FOR NO GOOD REASON OTHER THAN HELP WITH A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN MADE NO SENSE.

IT WAS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO ALL WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO.

IT WAS ILLOGICAL, IT COULD NOT BE EXPLAINED, IT WAS CRAZY.

IN RESPONSE TO AMBASSADOR TAYLOR'S TEXT MESSAGE, SLANTD REPLIES AT ABOUT 5 A.M.

IN -- SONDLAND REPLIES AT ABOUT 5 A.M.

IN WASHINGTON.

SO THE MESSAGE FROM TAYLOR GOES OUT AT 12:47 A.M.

THE MESSAGE BACK FROM SONDLAND COMES AT 5 A.M.

SO IT LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT BE FIVE HOURS LATER.

SO TAYLOR HAS TEXTED AT 12:47 A.M.

I THINK IT'S CRAZY TO WITHHOLD MILITARY ASSISTANCE FOR HELP IN A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

THERE HE SAYS IN WRITING, HADN'T SONDLAND SAID TO CALL HIM ABOUT THIS STUFF?

SO FIVE HOURS LATER YOU GET THIS REALLY INTERESTING MESSAGE FROM SONDLAND.

BILL, I BELIEVE YOU'RE INCORRECT ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S INTENTIONS.

THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN CRYSTAL CLEAR, NO QUID PRO QUOS OF ANY KIND.

THE PRESIDENT IS TRYING TO EVALUATE WHETHER UKRAINE IS TRULY GOING TO DON'T TRANSPARENCY IN REFORMS THAT L PRESIDENT ZELENSKY PROMISED IN HIS CAMPAIGN.

I SUCK WE STOP THE BACK AND FORTHS BY TEXT.

IN OTHER WORDS, CAN YOU PLEASE STOP PUTTING THIS IN WRITING?

CONGRESS MAY READ THIS ONE DAY.

IF YOU STILL HAVE CONCERNS I RECOMMEND THAT YOU GIVE LISA KENNA OR S A CALL TO ASK THEM, THANKS.

AS YOU CAN SEE AMBASSADOR SONDLAND'S SUBSEQUENT TESTIMONY REVEALS THAT THESE ISSUES OF A QUID PRO QUO WERE INTENTIONALLY FALSE AND SIMPLY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN RECORD OF A FALSE EXPLANATION THAT COULD LATER BE REVEALED TO CONCEAL WRONGDOING.

YOU SEE HIS TESTIMONY.

HE SWORE UNDER OATH, HE WAS CRYSTAL CLEAR WHEN HE SAID THERE WAS A QUID PRO QUO, FOR THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING, AND HE SUBSEQUENTLY TESTIFIED THERE WAS A QUID PRO QUO FOR SECURITY ASSISTANCE AS WELL WITH.

AS CONFIRMED BUSY PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DIRECTION TO HIM ON SEPTEMBER 7th.

SONDLAND'S RECOLLECTION OF HIS CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AS I MENTIONED HAS EVOLVED OVER TIME.

INITIALLY IN HIS DENSE HE TESTIFIED THAT THE CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT TOOK PLACE BETWEEN THE CONVERSATION AT 12:47 WASHINGTON TIME AND HIS RESPONSE AT 5 A.M.

HE RECALLED VERY LITTLE OTHER THAN HIS BELIEF THAT HIS TEXT MESSAGE REFLECTED PRESIDENT TRUMP'S RESPONSE.

SUBSEQUENT THOUGH AND AGAIN THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY YOU DO DEPOSITIONS IN CLOSED SESSION.

SUBSEQUENT AFTER THE OPENING STATEMENTS OF THE TESTIMONY OF AMBASSADOR TAYLOR, AND MR. MORRISON, WERE RELEASED WHICH DESCRIBED IN OVERLAPPING AND PAINFUL DETAIL SONDLAND'S K WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP ON SEPTEMBER 7th, AMBASSADOR SONDLAND SUBMITTED AN ADDENDUM TO HIS DEPOSITION TESTIMONY WHICH IN RELEVANT PART SAID THIS.

FINALLY AS OF THIS WRITING I CANNOT SPECIFICALLY RECALL IF I HAD ONE OR TWO PHONE CALLS WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP IN THE SEPTEMBER SIC TO 9 TIME FRAME.

DESPITE REPEATED REQUESTS TO THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT I HAVE NOT BEEN GRANTED ACCESS TO ALL OF THE PHONE RECORDS AND I WOULD LIKE TO ARRIVE THOSE PHONE RECORDS ALONG WITH ANY OTHER NOTES AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT MAY EXIST TO DETERMINE IF I CAN PROVIDE A MORE COMPLETE TESTIMONY TO ASSIST CONGRESS.

HOWEVER, ALTHOUGH I HAVE NO SPECIFIC RECOLLECTION OF PHONE CALLS DURING THIS PERIOD WITH MR. TAYLOR, AMBASSADOR TAYLOR, MR. MORRISON, I HAVE NO REASON TO QUESTION THE SUBSTANCE OF THEIR RECOLLECTION ABOUT MY SEPTEMBER 1 CONVERSATION WITH MR. YERM.

YERMAK.

DURING THE PUBLIC TESTIMONY AMBASSADOR SONDLAND REPORTED TO REMEMBER MORE ABOUT HIS CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

ALTHOUGH HE STILL COULDN'T OR MAINTAINED HE COULDN'T REMEMBER IF IT WAS ON SEPTEMBER 7th OR SEPTEMBER 9th.

AND ACCORDING TO HIS TESTIMONY PRESIDENT TRUMP DID NOT SPECIFICALLY SAY THERE WAS A QUID PRO QUO, BUT WHEN SONDLAND SIMPLY ASKED THE PRESIDENT WHAT HE WANTED FROM UKRAINE, PRESIDENT TRUMP IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT UP A QUID PRO QUO.

ACCORDING TO SONDLAND PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID I WANT NOTHING, I WANT NO QUID PRO QUO, I WANT ZELENSKY TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

AND I SAID WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

HE SAID I WANT HIM TO DO WHAT HE RAN ON.

IN HIS SUBSEQUENT TESTIMONY AMBASSADOR SONDLAND EXPLAINED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S REFERENCE TO WHAT HE RAN ON WAS A NOD TO ROOTING OUT CORRUPTION.

HERE HOWEVER CORRUPTION LIKE BURISMA HAS BECOME CODE FOR THE INVESTIGATIONS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS SOUGHT.

SO YOU'VE GOT AMBASSADOR SONDLAND'S EMERGING RECOLLECTION.

BUT WHAT YOU'VE GOT IS ACTUALLY WRITTEN NOTES TAKEN AT THE TIME.

THAT HE DOES NOT CONTEST.

WRITTEN NOTES OF AMBASSADOR TAYLOR AND MR. MORRISON.

NOTES WHICH I BELIEVE WILL REFLECT QUITE CLEARLY THE UNDERSTANDING OF DIRT FOR DOLLARS, THAT WAS CONFIRMED BY THIS TELEPHONE CALL WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> WELL YOU WEREN'T DISSUADED THEN RIGHT?

BECAUSE YOU STILL THOUGHT THE AID WAS CONDITIONED ON THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE INVESTIGATIONS AFTER SPEAKING TO PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> BY SEPTEMBER 8th I WAS ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED IT WAS MILLION.

>> AND PRESIDENT TRUMP DID NOT DISSUADE YOU OF THAT IN THE CONVERSATION THAT YOU ACKNOWLEDGED YOU HAD WITH HIM?

>> I DON'T EVER RECALL BECAUSE THAT WOULD HAVE CHANGED MY ENTIRE CALCULUS, IF PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD TOLD ME DIRECTLY -- >> THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M ASKING AMBASSADOR SONDLAND.

I'M JUST SAYING YOU STILT BELIEVED THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE WAS CONDITIONED ON THE INVESTIGATION AFTER YOU SPOKE TO PRESIDENT TRUMP.

YES OR NO?

>> FROM A TIME FRAME STANDPOINT, YES.

>> OKAY SO HERE WE HAVE SONDLAND SAYING THAT WHATEVER HIS RECOLLECTION MAY BE ABOUT THAT CALL, HE WAS STILL VERY CLEAR WHAT THE PRESIDENT WANTED AND HE WAS VERY CLEAR THERE WAS A QUID PRO QUO.

THAT IS CONSISTENT OBVIOUSLY WITH WHAT MR. MORRISON HAS HAD TO SAY AND AMBASSADOR TAYLOR.

IN OTHER WORDS, HE DIDN'T BELIEVE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DENIAL OF A QUID PRO QUO AND NEITHER SHOULD YOU.

SONDLAND'S UNDERSTANDING WAS FURTHER CONFIRMED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP'S OWN CHIEF OF STAFF.

ON OCTOBER 17 AT A PRESS BRIEFING IN THE WHITE HOUSE MICK MULVANEY ADMITTED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHHELD THE SECRETARIES AID FOR UKRAINE AS LEVERAGE TO PRESSURE UKRAINE TO INVESTIGATE THE CONSPIRACY THEORY THAT RUSSIA HAD INTERFERED IN THE 2016 ELECTION.

>> THAT WAS -- THOSE WERE THE DRIVING FACTORS.

DID HE ALSO MENTION TO ME IN THE PAST THE CORRUPTION RELATED TO THE DNC SERVER, ABSOLUTELY, NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

BUT THAT'S IT, THAT'S WHY WE HELD UP THE MONEY.

>> WHEN PRESSED THAT HE HAD JUST CONVINCED OF THE VERY QUID PRO QUO THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD BEEN DENYING, MULVANEY DOUBLED DOWN.

LET'S LISTEN TO THAT.

>> AS YOU DESCRIBED AS A QUID PRO QUO, IT IS FUNDING WOULD NOT FLOW UNLESS INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEMOCRATIC SERVER HAPPENED AS WELL?

>> WE DO THAT ALL THE TIME WITH FOREIGN POLICY.

WHERE.

.>> THIS ITCHED DEMONSTRATES THT PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHHELD THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE IN THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY UNTIL ZELENSKY MADE A PUBLIC STATEMENT TARGETED TO HELP HIS POLITICAL REELECTION EFFORTS.

BUT AS YOU WILL LEARN NEXT HE GOT CAUGHT.

AND THE COVER UP ENSUED.

>> CHIEF JUSTICE AND SENATORS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

THIS IS A LOT OF INFORMATION.

BUT YOU HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT OBLIGATION.

AND THAT IS, ULTIMATELY, TO DECIDE WHETHER THE IF THE COMMITTED IMPEACHABLE OFFENSES.

AND IN ORDER TO MAKE THAT JUDGMENT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE ALL OF THE FACTS.

SO WE ARE GOING THROUGH THIS CHRONOLOGY.

WE'RE CLOSE BE TO BEING DONE.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT WHILE ALL OF THIS MATERIAL WAS GOING ON, THESE FEELS WERE BEING MADE THERE WERE OTHER FORCES AT WORK.

EVEN BEFORE THE PRESIDENT FREEZE ON U.S. MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE BECAME PUBLIC ON AUGUST 28th, MEMBERS OF BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS BEGAN TO EXPRESS CONCERN.

ON AUGUST 9th, THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE WROTE TO THE OMB AND THE WHITE HOUSE WARNING THAT A HOLD ON ASSISTANCE MIGHT CONSTITUTE AN ILLEGAL EMPOWERMENT OF FUNDS.

THEY URGED TO FOLLOW THE LAW AND OBLIGATE THE FUNDING.

WHEN THE NEWS OF THE FROZEN AID BROKE ON AUGUST 28th, CONGRESSIONAL SCRUTINY OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DECISION INCREASED.

ON SEPTEMBER 3rd A GROUP OF SENATORS BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, INCLUDING SENATOR JEAN SHEHEEN, SENATOR ROB PORTMAN, INSERT DICK DURBIN, SENATOR RON JOHNSON, SENATOR RICHARD BLUMENTHAL SENT A LETTER TO ACTING WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF MICK MULVANEY EXPRESSING AND I QUOTE DEEP CONCERNS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONSIDERING NOT OBLIGATING THE UKRAINE SECURITY INITIATIVE FUNDS FOR 2019.

TWO DAYS LATER, AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED, ON SEPTEMBER 5th, A "WASHINGTON POST" EDITORIAL EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS WITHHOLDING MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE IN ORDER TO PRESSURE PRESIDENT ZELENSKY TO ANNOUNCE THESE INVESTIGATIONS.

THAT WAS THE FIRST PUBLIC REPORT, LINKING THE FROZEN SECURITY AID TO THE INVESTIGATIONS THAT MR. GIULIANI HAD BEEN PUBLICLY PRESSING FOR AND THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP AS WE'VE HEARD HAD PRIVATELY URGED PRESIDENT ZELENSKY TO CONDUCT ON THE JULY 25th CALL.

THAT SAME DAY, SENATORS MURPHY AND JOHNSON MET WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY IN KIEV.

AMBASSADOR TAYLOR WENT WITH THEM, AND HE TESTIFIED, MR. TAYLOR TESTIFIED, THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY'S QUOTE, FIRST QUESTION TO THE SENATORS WAS ABOUT WITHHELD SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

AMBASSADOR TAYLOR TESTIFIED THAT GOAT SENATORS, QUOTE, STRESSED THAT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE AND WASHINGTON WAS UKRAINE'S MOST IMPORTANT STRATEGIC ASSET AND THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY SHOULD NOT JEOPARDIZE THAT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT BY GETTING DRAWN INTO U.S.

DOMESTIC POLITICS.

NOW, SENATOR JOHNSON AND SENATOR MURPHY LATER SUBMITTED LETTERS WHERE THEY EXPLAINED HAT THEY SOUGHT TO REASSURE BE PRESIDENT ZELENSKY THAT THERE WAS BIPARTISAN 74th IN CONGRESS FOR -- SUPPORT IN CONGRESS BY PROVIDING UKRAINE WITH MILITARY ASSISTANCE AND THAT THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO URGE PRESIDENT TRUMP TO LIFT THE HOLD.

HERE IS WHAT THEY SAID IN THAT LETTER.

SENATOR MURPHY SAID, SENATOR JOHNSON AND I ASSURED ZELENSKY THAT CONGRESS WANTED TO CONTINUE THIS FUNDING AND WOULD PRESS TRUMP ORELEASE IT IMMEDIATELY.

AND SENATOR JOHNSON IN THE LETTER SAID, I EXPLAINED THAT I TRIED TO PERSUADE THE PRESIDENT TO AUTHORIZE ME TO ANNOUNCE THE HOLD WAS RELEASED, BUT THAT I WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.

NOW, AS NEWS OF THE PRESIDENT'S HOLD ON MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE BECAME PUBLIC AT THE END OF AUGUST CONGRESS, PRESS, THE PUBLIC, STARTED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ACTIVITIES WITH UKRAINE.

THIS RISK EXPOSING THE SCHEME THAT YOU'VE HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT TODAY.

BY NOW, THE WHITE HOUSE HAD LEARNED THAT THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY HAD FOUND THAT A WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT RELATED TO THE SAME EASTERN UKRAINE MATTER WAS, QUOTE, CREDIBLE AND QUOTE AN URGENT CONCERN, AND WAS THEREFORE, THAT THEY WERE THEREFORE REQUIRED TO SEND THAT COMPLAINT TO CONGRESS.

ON SEPTEMBER 9th, THREE HOUSE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEES SENT A LETTER TO WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL PAT CIPOLLONE STATING THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP AND GIULIANI, QUOTE, APPEARED TO HAVE ACTED OUTSIDE LEGITIMATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS TO COERCE THE UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT INTO PURSUING TWO POLITICALLY MOTIVATED INVESTIGATIONS UNDER THE GUISE OF ANTICORRUPTION ACTIVITIES.

THE LETTER ALSO SAID THIS: IF THE PRESIDENT IS TRYING TO PRESSURE UKRAINE INTO CHOOSING BETWEEN DEFENDING ITSELF FROM A RUSSIAN AGGRESSION WITHOUT U.S. ASSISTANCE OR LEVERAGING ITS JUDICIAL SYSTEM TO SERVE THE ENDS OF THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN, THIS WOULD REPRESENT A STAGGERING ABUSE OF POWER, A BOON TO MOSCOW, AND A BETRAYAL OF THE PUBLIC TRUST.

THE CHAIRS REQUESTED THAT THE WHITE HOUSE PRESERVE ALL RELEVANT RECORDS AND PRODUCE THEM BY SEPTEMBER 16th.

THIS INCLUDED THE TRANSCRIPT OR ACTUALLY THE CALL RECORD OF THE JULY 25th CALL, BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

NOW BASED ON WITNESS TESTIMONY, IT LOOKS LIKE THE WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL'S OFFICE CIRCULATED THE COMMITTEE'S DOCUMENT REQUEST AROUND THE WHITE HOUSE.

TIM MORRISON, A SENIOR DIRECTOR AT THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL, REMEMBERED SEEING A COPY OF THIS LETTER.

HE ALSO RECALLED THAT THE THREE COMMITTEES, UKRAINE INVESTIGATION, WAS DISCUSSED AT A MEETING OF SENIOR LEVEL NSC STAFF SOON AFTER IT WAS PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL VINDMAN RECALLED DISCUSSIONS MAJOR THE NFC STAFF MEMBERS, HERE IS A QUOTE, MIGHT HAVE THE EFFECT OF RELEASING THE HOLD ON UKRAINE MILITARY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE, QUOTE, POTENTIALLY POLITICALLY CHALLENGING FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO JUSTIFY THAT HOLD TO CONGRESS.

LATER THAT SAME DAY, ON SEPTEMBER 9th, THE INSPECTOR GENERAL INFORMED THE HOUSE AND SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES, HE DETERMINED THAT THE WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT THAT HAD BEEN SUBMITTED ON AUGUST 12th APPEARED TO BE CREDIBLE, MET THE DEFINITION OF URGENT CONCERN UNDER THE STATUTE, AND YET HE REPORTED, THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE WAS WITHHOLDING THIS WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT FROM CONGRESS.

THAT VIOLATED THE LAW.

WHICH REQUIRED HIM TO SEND IT IN SEVEN DAYS.

THE ACTING DIRECTOR LATER TESTIFIED THAT HIS OFFICE INITIALLY WITHHELD THE COMPLAINT BASED ON THE ADVICE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, AND AN UNPRECEDENTED INTERVENTION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

NOW ACCORDING TO PUBLIC REPORTING AND TESTIMONY FROM THE ACTING DNI AT A LAYERING BEFORE THE HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE ON SEPTEMBER 26th, THE WHITE HOUSE HAD BEEN AWARE THE BE WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT FOR WEEKS PRIOR TO THE IG SEPTEMBER 9th LETTER TO THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES.

ACTING DNI McGUIRE TESTIFIED THAT WHEN HE RECEIVED THE WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT FROM THE INSPECTOR GENERAL HIS OFFICE CONTACTED THE WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL'S OFFICE FOR GUIDANCE.

CONSISTENT WITH ACTING DNI McGUIRE'S TESTIMONY THE NEW YORK TIMES HAS REPORTED THAT IN LATE AUGUST THE PRESIDENT'S CURRENT DEFENSE COUNSEL MR. CIPOLLONE AND JOHN EISENBERG PERSONALLY BRIEFED PRESIDENT TRUMP AND TOLD THE PRESIDENT THEY BELIEVED THE COMPLAINT COULD BE WITHHELD FROM CONGRESS ON EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE GROUNDS.

NOW ON SEPTEMBER 10th, THE NEXT DAY, AMBASSADOR BOLTON RESIGNED FROM HIS POKS AS -- POSITION AS NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR.

THE NEXT DAY CHAIRMAN SHIF WROTE A LETTER TO THE ACTING DIRECTOR DEMANDING THAT HE PROVIDE THE COMPLAINT AS THE LAW REQUIRED.

THE NEXT DAY, ON SEPTEMBER 11th, PRESIDENT TRUMP LIFTED THE HOLD ON THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE.

NOW, NUMEROUS WITNESSES HAVE TESTIFIED THAT THEY WEREN'T AWARE OF ANY REASON WHY THE HOLD WAS LIFTED.

JUST AS THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION FOR HOLDING IMPLEMENTED.

THERE WAS NO ADDITIONAL REVIEW, NO ADDITIONAL EUROPEAN CONTRIBUTION.

NOTHING TO JUSTIFY THE PRESIDENT'S CHANGE IN POSITION, EXCEPT, HE GOT CAUGHT.

JUST AS THERE WAS NO OFFICIAL EXPLANATION FOR WHY THE HOLD ON UKRAINIAN ASSISTANCE WAS IMPLEMENTED.

NUMEROUS WITNESSES TESTIFIED THAT THEY WERE NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY REASONS FOR WHY THE HOLD WAS LIFTED ON SEPTEMBER 11th.

FOR EXAMPLE, JENNIFER WILLIAMS WHO WAS THE SPECIAL ADVISOR TO VICE PRESIDENT PENCE, TESTIFIED THAT SHE WAS NEVER GIVEN A REASON FOR THAT DECISION.

NEITHER WAS LIEUTENANT COLONEL VINDMAN.

HERE IS WHAT HE TOLD US DURING THE HEARING.

>> ARE YOU ALSO AWARE HOWEVER, THAT THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE HOLD WAS NOT LIFTED FOR ANOTHER TEN DAYS AFTER THIS MEETING?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> AND AM I CORRECT THAT YOU DIDN'T LEARN THE REASON WHY THE HOLD WAS LIFTED?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> COLONEL VINDMAN, YOU DIDN'T LEARN A REASON WHY THE HOLD WAS LIFTED EITHER, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> CORRECT.

>> COLONEL VINDMAN, ARE YOU AWARE THAT THE COMMITTEES LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO UKRAINE MATTERS ON SEPTEMBER 9th, TWO DAYS BEFORE THE HOLD WAS LIFTED?

>> I AM AWARE AND I WAS AWARE.

>> AMBASSADOR TAYLOR, THE PERSON IN CHARGE AT THE U.S. EMBASSY IN KIEV WHO COMMUNICATED THE DECISION TO THE UKRAINIANS ALSO NEVER GOT AN EXPLANATION.

HERE IS WHAT HE SAID.

>> ARE YOU ALSO AWARE HOWEVER THAT THE SECURITY ASSISTANCE HOLD WAS NOT LIFLTED FOR ANOTHER TEN DAYS AFTER THIS?

>> AM I FINALLY ON SEPTEMBER 11th I LEARNED THAT THE HOLD HAD BEEN LIFTED AND SECURITY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED.

I WAS NOT TOLD THE REASON WHY THE HOLD HAD BEEN LIFTED.

>> MARK SANDY, THE CAREER OFFICER AT OMB, HE ONLY LEARNED OF A POSSIBLE RATIONALE FOR THE HOLD IN EARLY SEPTEMBER, AFTER THE ACTING DNI HAD INFORMED THE WHITE HOUSE ABOUT THE WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT.

NOW SANDY TESTIFIED THAT SOMETIME IN EARLY SEPTEMBER HE RECEIVED AN E-MAIL FROM HIS BOSS, MICHAEL DUFFY, APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AFTER THE HOLD HAD BEEN PLACED, THE E-MAIL, QUOTE, ATTRIBUTED THE HOLD TO THE PRESIDENT'S CONCERN ABOUT OTHER COUNTRIES NOT CONTRIBUTING MORE TO UKRAINE.

AND REQUESTED, QUOTE, INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT ADDITIONAL COUNTRIES WERE CONTRIBUTING TO UKRAINE.

THIS WAS A DIFFERENT EXPLANATION THAN OMB HAD PROVIDED AT THE JULY 26th INTERAGENCY MEETING.

THAT REFERENCE CONCERNS ABOUT CORRUPTION.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL TESTIFIED THAT NONE OF THE FACTS ON THE GROUND ABOUT UKRAINIAN EFFORTS TO COMBAT CORRUPTION, OR OTHER COUNTRIES CONTRIBUTIONS TO UKRAINE, HAD CHANGED.

BEFORE PRESIDENT TRUMP LIFTED THE HOLD.

ACCORDING TO A PRESS REPORT, AFTER CONGRESS BEGAN INVESTIGATING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SCHEME, THE WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL'S OFFICE OFFEND AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION RELATING TO THE JULY 25th CALL.

THE FOLLOWING SLIDES PROVIDE EXCERPTS FROM A REPORT IN THE "WASHINGTON POST."

AS PART OF THAT INTERNAL INVESTIGATION, WHITE HOUSE LAWYERS REPORTEDLY GATHERED AND REVIEWED HUNDREDS OF DOCUMENTS THAT REVEAL EXTENSIVE EFFORTS TO GENERATE AN AFTER THE FACT JUSTIFICATION FOR THE HOLD ON MILITARY ASSISTANCE FOR UKRAINE THAT HAD BEEN ORDERED BY THE PRESIDENT.

THESE DOCUMENTS REPORTEDLY INCLUDE, QUOTE, EARLY AUGUST E-MAIL EXCHANGES, BETWEEN ACTING CHIEF OF STAFF MICK MULVANEY AND WHITE HOUSE BUDGET OFFICIALS, SEEKING TO PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION FOR WITHHOLDING THE FUNDS AFTER THE PRESIDENT HAD ALREADY ORDERED A HOLD IN MID JULY ON THE NEARLY $400 MILLION IN SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

THE "WASHINGTON POST" ARTICLE ALSO REPORTED THAT, AND THIS IS A QUOTE, E-MAILS SHOW OMB DIRECTOR VOUGHT AND OMB STAFFERS ARGUING THAT WITHHOLDING THE AID WAS LEGAL WHILE OFFICIALS AT THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL AND STATE DEPARTMENT PROTESTED.

OMB LAWYERS SAID IT WAS LEGAL TO WITHHOLD THE AID AS LONG AS THEY DEEM IT A TEMPORARY HOLD.

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THESE DOCUMENTS BUT THE WHITE HOUSE HAS WITHHELD THEM FROM CONGRESS.

SO THE HOUSE CAN'T VERIFY THE NEWS REPORT.

BUT YOU COULD.

YOU COULD DO THAT.

IF YOU COULD SEE THESE DOCUMENTS, YOU SHOULD SUBPOENA THEM.

AND THERE'S NO REASON NOT OSEE ALL THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS -- TO SEE ALL THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS.

NOW LENGTHY DELAY CREATED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP'S HOLD PREVENTED THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FROM SPENDING ALL CONGRESSLY APPROPRIATED FUNDS BEFORE THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR AS WE SAID BEFORE.

THAT MEANT THE FUNDS WERE GOING TO EXPIRE ON SEPTEMBER 30th BECAUSE AS WE KNOW UNUSED FUNDS DO NOT ROLL OVER TO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

THIS CONFIRMED THE FEAR EXPRESSED BY COOPER, SANDY AND OTHERS, CONCERNS THAT WERE DISCUSSED WITHIN THE RELEVANT AGENCIES IN LATE JULY AND THROUGHOUT AUGUST, APPROXIMATELY, ULTIMATELY $35 MILLION OF UKRAINE MILITARY ASSISTANCE, 14% OF THE DOD FUNDS, REMAINED UNSPENT BY THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT UKRAINE DID NOT PERMANENTLY LOSE THE $35 MILLION OF CRITICAL MILITARY ASSISTANCE THAT HAD BEEN FROZEN BY THE WHITE HOUSE, CONGRESS HAD TO PASS A PROVISION ON SEPTEMBER 27th, THREE DAYS BEFORE THE FUNDS WERE TO EXPIRE, TO ENSURE THAT THE REMAINING $35 MILLION COULD BE SENT TO UKRAINE.

NOW, GEORGE KENT IS AN ANTICORRUPTION AND RULE OF LAW EXPERT.

HE TOLD US THAT AMERICAN ANTICONSTRUCTION EFFORTS, PRIORITIZE BUILDING INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY.

SUPPORT FOR RULE OF LAW, NOT THE PURSUIT OF INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATIONS, PARTICULARLY OF POLITICAL RIVALS.

HERE IS HOW HE EXPLAINED THE APPROACH.

>> U.S. EFFORTS TO COUNTER CORRUPTION IN UKRAINE FOCUS ON BUILDING INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY SO THE UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT HAS THE ABILITY TO GO AFTER CORRUPTION AND EFFECTIVELY INVESTIGATE PROSECUTE AND JUDGE CONTRACTUAL ACTIVITIES USING APPROPRIATE INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS, THAT IS TO CREATE AND FOLLOW THE RULE OF LAW.

THAT MEANS THAT IF THERE ARE CRIMINAL NEXUSES OR ACTIVITIES IN THE UNITED STATES, THE ITION LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOULD PURSUE THE CASE.

IF WE THINK THERE'S BEEN A CRIMINAL ACT OVERSEAS THAT VIOLATES U.S. LAW WE HAVE THE INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS TO ADDRESS THAT.

IT COULD BE THROUGH THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND FBI AGENTS ASSIGNED OVERSEAS OR THROUGH TREATY MECHANISMS SICH AS THE MUTUALLY LOCAL ASSISTANT TREATY.

I DO NOT BELIEVE UNITED STATES SHOULD ASK OTHER COUNTRIES TO ENGAGE IN POLITICALLY ASSOCIATED INVESTIGATIONS OR PROSECUTIONS AGAINST THOSE IN POWER BECAUSE SUCH SELECTIVE ABSENCES UNDERMINE THE RULE OF LAW REGARDLESS OF THE COUNTRY.

>> NOW, DAVID HOLMES CONCURRED DURING HIS TESTIMONY.

HOLMES ALSO COMPARED THE OFFICIAL APPROACH THAT WE BELIEVE IN, THAT WE PROMULGATE ACROSS THE WORLD, WITH WHAT THE PRESIDENT AND MR. GIULIANI ACTUALLY WERE DOING.

>> SO OUR LONG STANDING POLICY IS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO ESTABLISH AND BUILD RULE OF LAW INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE CAPABLE AND THAT ARE INDEPENDENT AND CAN ACTUALLY PURSUE CREDIBLE ALLEGATIONS.

THAT'S OUR POLICY, WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR QUITE SOME TIME WITH SOME SUCCESS.

SO FOCUSING ON PARTICULAR CASES INCLUDING PARTICULAR CASES WHERE THERE IS AN INTEREST OF THE PRESIDENT, JUST NOT PART OF WHAT WE'VE DONE, IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN WHY WE WOULD DO THAT.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE DO KNOW THE EXPLANATION.

WE KNOW WHY PRESIDENT TRUMP WANTED PRESIDENT ZELENSKY TO ANNOUNCE INVESTIGATIONS, BECAUSE IT WOULD HELP HIM IN HIS ELECTION.

NOW ON SEPTEMBER 18th, APPROXIMATELY A WEEK BEFORE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP, AT THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN NEW YORK, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY SPOKE BY TELEPHONE WITH VICE PRESIDENT PENCE.

DURING HER DEPOSITION JENNIFER WILLIAMS TESTIFIED AND SHE WAS VICE PRESIDENT PENCE'S ASSISTANT, SHE HAD TESTIFIED THAT VICE PRESIDENT PENCE BASICALLY REITERATED THAT THE HOLD ON AID HAD BEEN LIFTED, AND ASKED A BIT MORE ABOUT HOW ZELENSKY'S EFFORTS WERE GOING.

AND FOLLOWING HER DEPOSITION AND WHILE PREPARING FOR HER TESTIMONY, AT THE OPEN HEARING ON NOVEMBER 19th, WILLIAMS REVIEWED THE DOCUMENTS.

THEY'VE NOT BEEN PRODUCED TO US BY THE WHITE HOUSE, AND THOSE DOCUMENTS REFRESHED HER RECOLLECTION, OF VICE PRESIDENT PENCE'S CALL TO PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AND THE WHITE HOUSE BLOCKED WILLIAMS FROM TESTIFYING ABOUT HER REFRESHED RECOLLECTION OF THE VICE PRESIDENT'S CALL WHEN SHE APPEARED AT THE OPEN PUBLIC HEARING.

THEY CLAIMED THAT CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THE SEPTEMBER 18th CALL, INCLUDING THE INFORMATION THAT WILLIAMS WANTED TO TELL US ABOUT, WERE CLASSIFIED.

ON NOVEMBER 26th, SHE SUBMITTED A CLASSIFIED ADDITION TO HER HEARING TESTIMONY.

WHERE SHE PROVIDED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE VICE PRESIDENT'S SEPTEMBER 18th TELEPHONE CALL, WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE PROVIDED THIS CLASSIFIED ADDITION TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

IT HAS BEEN SENT TO THE SENATE FOR YOUR REVIEW.

NOW, I'VE READ THAT TESTIMONY.

I'LL JUST SAY THAT A COVERUP IS NOT A PROPER REASON TO CLASSIFY A DOCUMENT.

VICE PRESIDENT PENCE HAS REPEATED HADLY SAID PUBLICLY THAT HE HAS NO OBJECTION TO THE WHITE HOUSE RELEASING THE ACTUAL TRANSCRIPT OF HIS CALLS WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

AND YET HIS OFFICE HAS REFUSED MANY REQUESTS BY THE COMMITTEE TO DECLASSIFY WILLIAMS ADDENDUM SO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE COULD ALSO SEE THE ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE ABOUT THIS CALL.

WE URGE THE SENATORS TO REVIEW IT, AND WE ASK AGAIN THAT THE WHITE HOUSE DECLASSIFY IT.

AS THE HOUSE WROTE IN TWO SEPARATE LETTERS, THERE IS NO BASIS TO KEEP IT CLASSIFIED.

AND AGAIN, IN CASE THE WHITE HOUSE NEEDS A REMINDER, IT'S IMPROPER TO KEEP SOMETHING CLASSIFIED JUST TO AVOID IMOARSMENT OR TO CONCEAL WRONGDOING.

-- IMPA EMBARRASSMENT OR TO CONL WRONGDOING.

WE HAVE SEEN A SHAKEDOWN OF UKRAINE FOR PERSONAL BENEFIT WAS I BELIEVE AN OBVIOUS MISUSE OF HIS POWER BUT THIS CONFLICT THIS SCHEME BECAME EXPOSED.

CONGRESS ASKED QUESTIONS.

THE PRESS REPORTED.

NONPOLITICAL OFFICERS IN THE GHOFT EXPRESSED CONCERN.

-- GOVERNMENT EXPRESSED CONCERN.

THE WHISTLEBLOWER LAWS WERE ACTIVATED.

AS THIS HAPPENED, THERE WAS AN EFFORT TO CREATE AN AFTER-THE-FACT MISLEADING RECORD TO AVOID RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAD ACTUALLY BEEN DOING.

THESE WERE NOT THE ONLY EFFORTS TO HIDE MISCONDUCT, AND MISCONDUCT CONTINUED.

CONGRESSMAN SCHIFF WILL REVIEW SOME OF THOSE ITEMS.

>> SO WE HAVE ABOUT 20 MINUTES LEFT IN THE PRESENTATION TONIGHT.

I'D LIKE TO NOW GO THROUGH WITH YOU THE PRESIDENT'S EFFORTS TO HIDE THIS CORRUPT SCHEME EVEN AS IT CONTINUED WELL INTO THE FALL OF LAST YEAR.

ON AUGUST 12th, A WHISTLEBLOWER IN THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT ADDRESSED TO THE CONGRESSIONAL INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES.

THIS EXPLOSIVE DOCUMENT STATED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD SOLICITED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN UKRAINE TO ASSIST IN HIS 2020 REELECTION BID.

THE COMPLAINT ALLEGED A SCHEME BY PRESIDENT TRUMP TO, QUOTE, USE THE POWER OF HIS OFFICE TO SOLICIT INTERDPEERNS FROM A FOREIGN COUNTRY -- INTERFERENCE FROM A FOREIGN COUNTRY IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

THE COMPLAINT STATED THAT WHERE TO INVESTIGATE ONE OF THE PRESIDENT'S MAIN DOMESTIC POLITICAL RIVALS AND DETAIL TO THE PERSONAL LAWYER, RUDY GIULIANI.

BELIEVED THAT THE PRESIDENT'S ACTIVITIES QUOTE, POSED RISK TO U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY AND UNDERMINE THE U.S. GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO DETER AND COUNTERRER FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN U.S.

ELECTIONS.

UNDER THE LAW THE WHISTLEBLOWER WAS REQUIRED TO FILE THE COMPLAINT WITH THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY WHICH WAS THEN REQUIRED TO VET AND ASSESS THE COMPLAINT AND DETERMINE IF IT WARRANTED REPORTING TO THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES.

THE LAW GIVES THE INSPECTOR GENERAL 14 DAYS TO CONDUCT AN INITIAL REVIEW AND THEN INFORM THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ABOUT HIS FINDINGS.

ON AUGUST 26th THE INSPECTOR GENERAL SENT THE WHIFNL COMPLAINT AND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION TO THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE.

INSPECTOR GENERAL WROTE THAT BASED ON A REVIEW, HIS REVIEW OF THE COMPLAINT, ITS ALLEGATIONS CONSTITUTED AN URGENT CONCERN.

AND APPEARED CREDIBLE UNDER THE STATUTE.

INSPECTOR GENERAL CONFIRMED THAT THE WHISTLEBLOWER ACTED LAWFULLY IN BRINGING THE COMPLAINT AND CREDIBLY RAISED A LEGITIMATE CONCERN THAT SHOULD BE COMMUNICATED TO THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS.

THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE QUICKLY INFORMED THE WHITE HOUSE ABOUT THE COMPLAINT.

UNDER THE LAW, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE WAS REQUIRED TO FORWARD THE COMPLAINT AND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S DETERMINATION TO THE CONGRESSIONAL INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES, NO LATER THAN SEVEN DAYS AFTER HE RECEIVED IT.

THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT IS EXTREMELY CLEAR.

UPON RECEIPT OF THE TRANSMITTAL FROM THE ICIG, THAT IS THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY, THE DIRECTOR SHALL, WITHIN SEVEN CALENDAR DAYS OF SUCH RELATE, FORWARD SUCH TRANSMITTAL TO THE CONGRESSIONAL INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES, TOGETHER WITH ANY COMMENTS THE DIRECTOR CONSIDERS APPROPRIATE.

YET, DESPITE THE CLEAR LETTER OF THE LAW, THE WHITE HOUSE MOBILIZED TO KEEP THE INFORMATION IN THE WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT FROM CONGRESS.

INCLUDING BY INVITING THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO RENDER AN OPINION AS TO WHETHER THE COMPLAINT COULD BE WITHHELD FROM CONGRESS.

THE STATUTORY DEADLINE OF SEPTEMBER 2nd WHEN THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE WAS REQUIRED TO TURN OVER TO CONGRESS CAME AND WENT.

AND THE COMPLAINT REMAINED HIDDEN FROM CONGRESS.

FINALLY ON CEMENT 9th, A FULL WEEK AFTER THE COMPLAINT WAS REQUIRED TO BE SENT TO CONGRESS AND ONCE AGAIN AN URGENT CONCERN THE INSPECTOR GENERAL ONE WEEK AFTER IT WAS REQUIRED TO BE SENT TO CONGRESS THE INSPECTOR GENERAL WROTE TO THE LEADERS OF THE INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITIES TO INFORM THEM THAT THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE WAS WITHHOLDING A WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT IN DIRECT CONTRAVENTION OF PAST PRACTICE AND THE LAW.

ON SEPTEMBER 24th, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NANCY PELOSI ANNOUNCED THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS MOVING FORWARD WITH AN OFFICIAL IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.

NEXT DAY THE HOWSSMENTS PASSED A RESOLUTION CALL ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, TO PROVIDE A REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THE HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES.

LATER THAT DAY THE WHITE HOUSE PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED THE SUMMARY OF THE JULY 25th CALL BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AND PERMITTED THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE TO PROVIDE THE WHISTLEBLOWER'S COMPLAINT AND RELATED TO DOCUMENTS TO THE CONGRESSIONAL INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES.

THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF WAS HAPPY TO DISCUSS THE MOTIVATIONS FOR THE SCHEME IN PUBLIC.

THAT DAY IN A JOINT PRESS AVAILABILITY, WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AT THE UNITED NATIONS NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, PRESIDENT TRUMP ANNOUNCED PUBLICLY THAT HE WANTED UKRAINE TO INVESTIGATE THE BINDS.

>> NO I WANTED HIM TO DO WHATEVER HE CAN.

THIS WAS NOT HIS FAULT.

HE WASN'T THERE.

HE HAS JUST BEEN HERE RECENTLY.

BUT WHATEVER HE COULD DO IN TERMS OF CORRUPTION BECAUSE THE CORRUPTION IS MASSIVE.

WHEN BIDEN'S SON WALKS AWAY WITH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, THAT'S CORRUPTION.

>> FINALLY, THE DAY AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP EXPLAINED TO THE PUBLIC THAT HE WANTED UKRAINE TO INVESTIGATE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN, ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 26th, THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE PUBLICLY RELEASED DECLASSIFIED REDACTIONS OF TWO DOCUMENTS, THE WHISTLEBLOWER'S AUGUST 12th COMPLAINT AND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S AUGUST 26th TRANSMITTAL TO THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE.

EVEN AFTER THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY INTO THE UKRAINE MATTER BEGAN, PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HIS PROXY, RUDY GIULIANI HAS CONTINUED TO PUBLICLY URGE PRESIDENT ZELENSKY TO LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION OF JOE BIDEN AND 2016 ELECTION INTERFERENCE BY UKRAINE.

ON SEPTEMBER 30 DURING HIS REMARKS OF THE SWEARING IN OF THE NEW LABOR SECRETARY PRESIDENT TRUMP STATED: >> NOW, THE ANY PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE RAN ON THE BASIS OF NO CORRUPTION.

THAT'S HOW HE GOT ELECTED.

AND I BELIEVE THAT HE REALLY MEANS IT.

BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF CORRUPTION HAVING TO DO WITH THE 2016 ELECTION AGAINST US.

AND WE WANT TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE DO.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> SO HERE HE IS, THIS MEETING AT THE UNITED NATIONS, SEPTEMBER 30 AND HE IS STILL PURSUING THIS BOGUS CROWDSTRIKE CONSPIRACY NEAR WITH THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE.

ON SEPTEMBER SECIALGHT ON A PRESS AVAILABILITY, PRESIDENT TRUMP DISCUSSED THE JULY 25th CALL WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY, STATED THE CONVERSATION WAS PERFECT, COULDN'T HAVE BEEN NICER, THEN LINKED HIS INVESTIGATION OF CORRUPTION WITH THE BIDEN ISSUE, HE WAS HOPING THAT THE UKRAINE WOULD INVESTIGATE VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN AND HIS SON, URGING UKRAINE NOT ONLY TO INVESTIGATE THE BIDENS BUT CHINA, TOO.

>> MR. PRESIDENT, WHAT EXACTLY DID YOU HOPE ZELENSKY WOULD DO WITH THE BIDENS AFTER YOUR PHONE CALL EXACTLY?

>> WELL I WOULD THINK THAT IF THEY WERE HONEST ABOUT IT THEY WOULD START A MAJOR INVESTIGATION INTO THE BIDENS.

IT IS A VERY SIMPLE ANSWER.

THEY SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE BIDENS.

BECAUSE HOW DOES A COMPANY THAT'S NEWLY FORMED AND ALL THESE COMPANIES IF YOU LOOK AT -- AND BY THE WAY, LIKEWISE, CHINA SHOULD START AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE BIDENS.

BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENED TO CHINA, IS JUST ABOUT AS BAD AS WHAT HAPPENED WITH -- WITH UKRAINE.

SO I WOULD SAY THAT PRESIDENT ZELENSKY, IF IT WERE ME, I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THEY START AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE BIDENS.

>> THE SAME DAY PRESIDENT TRUMP TWEETED THAT HE HAS AN ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO INVESTIGATE CORRUPTION.

THAT REALLY MEANS IS HE FEELS HE HAS AN ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO INVESTIGATE OR GET FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO INVESTIGATE HIS POLITICAL OPPONENTS.

THE PRESIDENT SENT A SIMILAR TWEET THE NEXT DAY ONCE AGAIN LINKING CORRUPTION WITH THE BIDEN INVESTIGATION.

AS PRESIDENT I HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO END CORRUPTION EVEN IF THAT MEANS REQUESTING THE HELP OF A FOREIGN COUNTRY OR COUNTRIES.

IT IS DONE ALL THE TIME.

THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH POLITICS OR A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE BIDENS.

THIS DOES HAVE TO DO WITH CORRUPTION.

GIVER HIM CREDIT.

FOR BEING SO -- GIVE HIM CREDIT FOR BEING SO OBVIOUS.

THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH POLITICS OR A PRELIMINARY CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE BIDENS BUT YOU GOT TO INVESTIGATE THE BIDENS.

I GUESS THAT'S JUST A COINCIDENCE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP CONTINUED TO DEMONSTRATE HIS EAGERNESS TO SOLICIT FOREIGN INTERESTS RELATED TO HIS PERSONAL INTEREST.

HERE'S WHAT'S OKAY HE SAID IF WE FEEL THIS CORRUPTION LIKE I FEEL THERE WAS IN THE 2016 CAMPAIGN, THERE WAS TREMENDOUS CORRUPTION AGAINST ME, IF WE FEEL THIS CORRUPTION WE HAVE A RIGHT TO GO TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ADDED THAT ASKING PRESIDENT XI OF CHINA TO INVESTIGATE THE BIDENS IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE CAN START THINKING ABOUT.

EVEN LAST MONTH, EVEN LAST MONTH THE PRESIDENT AND GIULIANI'S SCHEME CONTINUED.

DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER GIULIANI TRAVELED TO BUDAPEST, KIEV AS A CONTINUING EFFORT TO DIG UP DIRT, POLITICAL DIRT ON VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN AND ADVANCE THE THEORY THAT UKRAINE INTERFERED IN THE 2016 ELECTION.

ASKED ABOUT HIS INTERVIEWS OF FOREIGN UKRAINIAN PROSECUTORS GIULIANI TOWARD THE NEW YORK TIMES THAT HE WAS ACTING ON BEHALF OF HIS CLIENT, PRESIDENT TRUMP.

QUOTE, LIKE A GOOD LAWYER I'M GATHERING EVIDENCE TO DEFEND MY CLIENT AGAINST FALSE CHARGES BEING LEVELED AGAINST HIM.

INDEED EVIDENCE OBTAINED BY THE HOUSE FROM GIULIANI'S ASSOCIATE CONFIRMS THAT HE HAD BEEN REPRESENTING HIMSELF, IN AS EARLY AS MAY 2019, AS PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PERSONAL LAWYER, DOING DONALD J. TRUMP'S PERSONAL BIDDINGS IN HIS DEALINGS WITH UKRAINE.

THIS LETTER MAY 10th, 2019, FROM GIULIANI TO ZELENSKY, SAYS AMONG OTHER THINGS, HOWEVER I HAVE A MORE SPECIFIC REQUEST.

IN MY CAPACITY AS PERSONAL COUNSEL TO PRESIDENT TRUMP, AND WITH HIS KNOWLEDGE AND CONSENT, I REQUEST A MEETING WITH YOU ON THIS UPCOMING MONDAY, MAY 13th, OR TUESDAY, MAY 14th, I WILL NEED NO MORE THAN A HALF AN HOUR OF YOUR TIME AND I WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MY COLLEAGUE, VICTORIA TENSING, WHO IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS MATTER.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TIME OR TIMES ARE VERY, VERY FOR YOU AND VICTORIA AND I WILL BE THERE.

THIS IS EVIDENCE RECENTLY OBTAINED, SHOWING HIS EFFORTS TO GET THAT MEETING IN MAY WITH ZELENSKY.

GIULIANI TOLD THE WALL STREET JOURNAL WHEN HE RETURNED TO NEW YORK, PRESIDENT TRUMP CALLED HIM AS HIS PLANE WAS STILL TAXIING DOWN THE RUNWAY.

WHAT DID YOU GET HE SAID PRESIDENT TRUMP ASKED.

MORE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE.

GIULIANI REPLIED.

GIULIANI CLAIMED THAT HE WAS PUTTING HIS FINDINGS INTO A 20 PAGE REPORT THAT THE PRESIDENT HAD ASKED HIM TO BRIEF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS.

SHORTLY THEREAFTER, ON THE SAME DAY PRESIDENT TRUMP TOLD REPORTERS BEFORE DEPARTING ON MARINE 1 THAT HE WAS AWARE OF GIULIANI'S EFFORTS IN UKRAINE AND THAT GIULIANI WAS GOING TO REPORT HIS REPORTED FINDINGS TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND CONGRESS.

>> WELL I JUST KNOW HE CAME BACK FROM SOMEPLACE AND HE IS GOING TO MAKE A REPORT I THINK TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND TO CONGRESS.

HE SAYS HE HAS A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION.

I HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO HIM ABOUT THAT INFORMATION.

BUT RUDY AS YOU KNOW HAS BEEN ONE OF THE GREAT CRIME FIGHTERS OF THE LAST 50 YEARS AND HE DID GET BACK FROM EUROPE JUST RECENTLY, AND I KNOW -- HE HAS NOT TOLD ME WHAT HE'S FOUND BUT I THINK HE WANTS TO GO BEFORE CONGRESS AND SAY AND ALSO TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, I HEAR HE'S FOUND PLENTY, YEAH.

>> THREE DAYS AFTER THAT, THOSE REMARKS, ON DECEMBER 10th, GIULIANI CONFIRMED TO THE "WASHINGTON POST," THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD ASKED HIM TO BRIEF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND REPUBLICAN SENATORS ON HIS, QUOTE, FINDINGS, UNQUOTE, FROM HIS TRIP TO UKRAINE.

GIULIANI STATED HE WANTS ME TO DO IT.

I'M WORKING ON PULLING IT TOGETHER AND HOPE TO HAVE IT DONE BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

THAT FRIDAY DECEMBER 15th, GIULIANI REPORTEDLY IMMEDIATE WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND ON DECEMBER 17th GIULIANI CONFIRMED TO CNN THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF HIS EFFORTS TO DIG UP DIRT ON VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN IN UKRAINE AND THAT THEY ARE ON THE SAME PAGE.

THE FOLLOWING DAY, ON DECEMBER 18, 2019, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APPROVED THE TWO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT YOU ARE CONSIDERING IN THIS TRIAL.

SINCE THE HOUSE VOTED ON THESE ARTICLES, EVIDENCE HAS CONTINUED TO COME TO LIGHT.

FTC REMITTED TO THE PRESIDENT'S CORRUPT SCHEME.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT LAWSUITS, PRESS REPORTING AND DOCUMENTS PROVIDED TO CONGRESS FROM RUDY GIULIANI ASSOCIATE LEV P PARNAS, HIS EFFORTS TO DIG UP DIRT ON VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THEY ARE QUOTE ON THE SAME PAGE.

PARNAS FURTHER CORROBORATED, WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SCHEME THAT HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR WITHHOLDING MILITARY AID, AND SUSTAINING THAT HOLD AND THAT HIS PERSONAL ATTORNEY MR. GIULIANI WAS WORKING AT THE DIRECTION OF PRESIDENT TRUMP HIMSELF.

ON DECEMBER 20th, NEW E-MAILS WAS RELEASED SHOWING THAT 91 MINUTES AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CALL WITH THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT ZELENSKY A TOP OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AIDE ASKED THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO HOLD OFF SENDING MILITARY AID TO UKRAINE.

SO THOSE WERE NEW DOCUMENTS THAT CAME ON DECEMBER 20th.

ON DECEMBER 29th, REVELATIONS EMERGED FROM OMB DIRECTOR AND ACTING CHIEF OF STAFF MICK MULVANEY'S ROLE IN THE DELAY OF AID AND EFFORTS 50 LAWYERS AT OMB AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO JUSTIFY THE DELAY AND THE ALARM THE DELAY CAUSED, NOTICES BECAME AVAILABLE ON DECEMBER 29th.

NEW E-MAILS RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ABOUT THE LEGALITY OF THE PRESIDENT'S HOLD ON AID BECAME AVAILABLE.

ON JANUARY 6 FORMER TRUMP NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISORIES JOHN BOLTON ANNOUNCED HE WOULD COMPLY WITH A SUBPOENA COMPELLING HIS TESTIMONY, HIS LAWYERS STATED HE HAS IN RELEVANT INFORMATION.

HACKED UKRAINIAN GAS COMPANY BURISMA, ALMOST CERTAINLY TO FIND OUT INFORMATION ABOUT FORMER VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S SON, JUST AS RUSSIA DID AGAINST SECRETARY CLINTON IN FAVOR OF THEN CANDIDATE TRUMP IN 2016.

THAT BRINGS US UP TO JANUARY 13th OF THIS YEAR.

LAST WEEK, WITH HOW COMMITTEES RECEIVED NEW EVIDENCE FROM LEV PARNAS THAT FURTHER DEMONSTRATES THAT THE PRESIDENT WAS A CENTRAL PLAYER IN THIS SCHEME TO PRESSURE UKRAINE FOR HIS POLITICAL GAIN.

AND ALSO, LAST WEEK, THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE FOUND THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP VIOLATED THE LAW WHEN HE WITHHELD THAT AID.

LAST NIGHT, WE HAD A FURTHER DEVELOPMENT.

WHEN MORE REDACTED E-MAILS FROM THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET WERE PRODUCED, I THINK REPRESENTATIVE CROW SHOWED YOU THESE.

THESE ARE AMONG THE DOCUMENTS THAT WERE JUST RELEASED.

I'M SURE THAT IF WE COULD READ UNDER THOSE REDACTIONS IT WOULD BE A VERY PERFECT E-MAIL.

BUT YOU HAVE TO ASK, WHAT IS BEING REDACTED HERE?

WHAT IS SO IMPORTANT TO KEEP CONFIDENTIAL DURING THE COURSE OF AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY?

AS CAN YOU SEE -- AS YOU CAN SEE, RIGHT UP UNTIL LAST NIGHT, EVIDENCE CONTINUES TO BE PRODUCED, THE TRUTH IS GOING TO COME OUT.

INDEED, THE TRUTH HAS ALREADY COME OUT.

BUT MORE AND MORE OF IT WILL.

MORE E-MAILS ARE GOING TO COME OUT.

MORE WITNESSES ARE GOING TO COME FORWARD.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE RELEVANT INFORMATION TO SHARE.

AND THE ONLY QUESTION IS, DO YOU WANT TO HEAR IT NOW?

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW THE FULL TRUTH NOW?

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW JUST WHO IS IN THE LOOP?

SOUNDS LIKE EVERYONE WAS IN THE LOOP.

YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW BROAD THIS SCHEME WAS?

WE HAVE THE EVIDENCE TO PROVE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP ORDERED THE AID WITHHELD.

HE DID SO TO COERCE UKRAINE TO HELP HIS REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

HE WITHHELD A WHITE HOUSE MEETING TO COERCE THE SAME SHAM INVESTIGATIONS.

WE CAN AND WILL PROVE PRESIDENT TRUMP GUILTY OF THIS CONDUCT, AND OF OBSTRUCTING THE INVESTIGATION INTO HIS SEMICONDUCTOR.

MISS CONDUCT.

BUT YOU AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW WHO ELSE WAS INVOLVED IN THIS SCHEME.

YOU SHOULD WANT TO HAVE THE WHOLE TRUTH COME OUT.

YOU SHOULD WANT TO KNOW EVERY PLAYER IN THIS SORDID BUSINESS.

IT IS WITHIN YOUR POWER TO DO SO.

AND I WOULD URGE YOU EVEN IF YOU'RE PREPARED TO VOTE TO CONVICT AND IMPEACH AND REMOVE THIS PRESIDENT, TO FIND OUT THE FULL TRUTH ABOUT HOW FAR THIS CORRUPTION GOES.

BECAUSE I THINK PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW.

NOW, TODAY, WELL YESTERDAY, WE MADE THE CASE FOR WHY YOU SHOULD HEAR THIS ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE AND TESTIMONY.

THIS MORNING, I INTRODUCED YOU TO THE BROAD SWEEP OF THE PRESIDENT'S CONDUCT.

AND THEN DURING THE COURSE OF TODAY, WE WALKED YOU THROUGH A FACTUAL CHRONOLOGY IN REALTIME ABOUT HOW THIS PLOT UNFOLDED.

AND DURING THAT FACTUAL CHRONOLOGY TODAY YOU SAW IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR GIULIANI BEGAN THAT SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST AMBASSADOR YOAFN OVICH.

THIS IS THE SUPPOSED ANTICORRUPTION WITH EFFORT TO GET RID OF A WOMAN TO REPRESENT A NATION, TO FIGHTING CORRUPTION AND PROMOTING THE RULE OF LAW.

THIS PLOT BEGINS WITH GETTING HER OUT OF THE WAY.

WITH THE PRESIDENT SAYING, THAT SHE IS GOING TO GO THROUGH SOME THINGS.

THIS ANTI-CORRUPTION REFORMER, THIS U.S. PATRIOT, THE PLOT BEGINS WITH GETTING HER OUT OF THE WAY.

AND TELLINGLY, AND THIS SAYS SO MUCH ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION, TELLINGLY, IT WASN'T ENOUGH JUST TO RECALL HER OR FIRE HER.

THE PRESIDENT COULD HAVE DONE THAT ANY TIME.

NO, THEY WANTED TO DESTROY HER.

BECAUSE SHE HAD THE AUDACITY TO STAND IN THEIR WAY.

SO WE HEARD IN MARCH ABOUT THE EFFORT TO GET RID OF HER AND IT SUCCEEDED.

AND GUESS WHAT MESSAGE THAT SENT TO THE UKRAINIANS?

ABOUT THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENT'S LAWYER HAS.

UKRAINIANS WERE WATCHING THIS WHOLE SAGA, THEY WERE HEARING HIS INTERVIEWS, THEY WERE SEEING THE SMEARS THAT HE WAS PUTTING OUT.

AND THIS ATTORNEY FOR THE PRESIDENT WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH THESE CORRUPT UKRAINIANS, WAS ABLE TO GET A AMBASSADOR YANKED OUT HER JOB.

PROOF POSITIVE, YOU WANT A WINDOW TO THIS PRESIDENT, YOU WANT ENTREE TO THIS PRESIDENT, YOU GO THROUGH HIS LAWYER.

97 MIND THE STATE DEPARTMENT, NEVER MIND THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL.

NEVER MIND THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT, YOU GO THROUGH HIS LAWYER.

THAT'S MARCH.

APRIL, ZELENSKY HAS THIS HUGE VICTORY IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

HE GETS A CONGRATULATORY CALL FROM THE PRESIDENT.

THE PRESIDENT ASSIGNS VICE PRESIDENT PENCE TO GO TO THE INAUGURATION.

MAY, GIULIANI IS REBUFFED BY ZELENSKY.

CANCELS THE TRIP TO UKRAINE.

THE ONE HE WANTED TO GO, REMEMBER, MEDDLE IN THE INVESTIGATION.

BECAUSE GIULIANI SAYS ENEMIES OF TRUMP SURROUND ZELENSKY.

GUESS THAT MEANS HE DIDN'T GET THE MEETING AND THEY MUST BE ENEMIES OF THE PRESIDENT.

OF COURSE, THE UKRAINIANS KNOW WHY HE WANTS THAT MEETING.

MAY ZELENSKY DISINVITES PENCE TO THE INAUGURATION.

PENCE AIN'T GOING, THAT'S MAY.

INSTEAD MAY 23rd WE HAVE THIS MEETING AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND THERE'S A NEW PARTY IN TOWN.

THE THREE AMIGOS.

THEY ARE GOING TO BE HANDLING THE UKRAINE PORTFOLIO.

AND THEY'RE TOLD, WORK WITH RUDY, WORK WITH RUDY.

AMBASSADOR SONDLAND, AMBASSADOR VOLKER, WORK WITH RUDY.

SONDLAND IS PUSHING FOR THESE INVESTIGATIONS AND THEY ARE TRYING TO ARRANGE THESE MEETINGS AND TRYING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

AND ALSO IN JUNE, THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THEY'RE GOING TO RELEASE THE MILITARY AID, AND THE PRESIDENT READS ABOUT THIS.

AND THEN HE STOPS IT.

HE STOPS THE AID.

IN JULY, ON JULY 10th, YOU HEARD IN THE CHRONOLOGY, THERE'S THAT MEETING AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

THE MEETING IN WHICH SONDLAND BLURTS OUT IN THIS MEETING BETWEEN UKRAINIANS AND AMERICANS, HEY, THEY'VE GOT A DEAL.

THEY'RE TRYING TO GET THIS MEETING AND THERE IS A DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER THE MEETING IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND SONDLAND SAYS WE'VE GOT A DEAL WITH MULVANEY HERE, WE'VE GOT THESE MEETINGS AND YOU'RE GOING TO GET INVESTIGATIONS, BOLTON STIFFENS, THEN SONDLAND BRINGS THE INVESTIGATION TO A DIFFERENT PART OF THE WHITE HOUSE AND THEY HAVE THE KNOLL-UP MEETING WHERE HE MAKES IT EVEN MORE EXPLICIT.

THIS DRUG DEAL IS MADE EVEN MORE EXPLICIT.

AND DR. HILL IS TOLD BY AMBASSADOR BOLTON YOU NEED TO GO TALK TO THE LAWYERS.

I DON'T WANT ANY PART OF THIS DRUG DEAL THEY'RE COOKING UP.

THAT'S JULY.

JULY IS THE MONTH WHERE THAT E-MAIL GOES FROM SONDLAND TO POMPEO AND OTHERS, AND EVERYBODY IS IN THE LOOCH.

JULY IS THE MONTH WHERE THE HOLD IS IMPLEMENTED WITH NO EXPLANATION.

JULY IS THE MONTH WHERE MUELLER TESTIFIES ABOUT RUSSIA'S SSTEMIC INTERFERENCE IN OUR AFFAIRS.

JULY IS THE MONTH AFTER MUELLER TESTIFIES THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS BELIEVED HE HAS ESCAPED ACCOUNTABILITY.

NEXT DAY IN JULY IS OF COURSE THE JULY 25th CALL.

IN WHICH THE PRESIDENT ASKS FOR HIS FAVOR.

AND JULY IS THE MONTH, JULY 26th ACCOUNT DATE OF THE CALL BETWEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP AND AMBASSADOR SONDLAND, YOU KNOW THE ONE.

ZELENSKY LOVES YOUR ASS.

HE'LL DO ANYTHING YOU WANT.

IS HE GOING TO DO THE INVESTIGATION?

YEAH, HE'S GOING TO DO THE INVESTIGATION.

JULY IS THE MONTH OF THAT CONVERSATION BETWEEN SONDLAND AND DAVID HOLMES WHERE HOLMES SAYS, CAN YOU TELL ME CANDIDLY HERE WHAT THE PRESIDENT THINKS OF UKRAINE?

DOES HE GIVE A BLANK ABOUT UKRAINE?

NO, HE DOESN'T GIVE A BLANK ABOUT UKRAINE.

HE ONLY CARES ABOUT THE BIG STUFF.

WELL, THERE'S KIND OF BIG STUFF HERE IN UKRAINE LIKE A WAR WITH THE RUSSIANS.

NO, NO, NO.

BIG STUFF THAT AFFECTS HIM PERSONALLY LIKE THE BIDEN INVESTIGATION, THAT GIULIANI WANTS.

THAT'S THE MONTH OF JULY.

AUGUST, WE HAVE THAT MEETING BETWEEN GIULIANI AND YERMAK IN MADRID.

AUGUST WE HAVE THE BACK AND FORTH ABOUT THE STATEMENT, NO YOU GO FIRST.

AND YOU COMMIT AND PUBLICLY ANNOUNCE INVESTIGATIONS AND THEN WE'LL GIVE YOU A DATE.

NO YOU GO FIRST AND THEN WE'LL ANNOUNCE INVESTIGATIONS.

WE'LL GIVE YOU A STATEMENT THAT MENTIONS THE SPECIFIC NO NO WE'LL GIVE YOU THE STATEMENT THAT MENTIONS THE INVESTIGATIONS, THAT'S THE MONTH OF AUGUST.

AUGUST IS ALSO THE MONTH WHERE IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT IT'S NOT JUST THE MEETING ANYMORE.

IT'S EVERYTHING.

EVERYTHING IS CONDITIONED ON THESE INVESTIGATIONS, THE RELATIONSHIP, THE MONEY, THE MEETING, SONDLAND AND HOLDEN TESTIFY IT'S AS SIMPLE AS TWO PLUS TWO EQUALS FOUR.

THAT'S AUGUST.

SEPTEMBER, SONDLAND SAYS TO YERMAK, EVERYTHING IS CONDITIONED ON PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS.

SO MESSAGE DELIVERED, NO AMBIGUITY, THE UKRAINIANS ARE TOLD, QUID PRO QUO.

TAYLOR TEXTS, THIS IS CRAZY.

TO WITHHOLD AID.

SEPTEMBER IS THE MONTH, SEPTEMBER 7th IN PARTICULAR, TRUMP AND SONDLAND TALK ON THE PHONE AND THE PRESIDENT HAS THAT CONVERSATION WHERE HE SAYS NO QUID PRO QUO EXCEPT HERE IS THE QUID PRO QUO.

ZELENSKY'S GOT TO GO TO THE MIC AND ONCE MORE HE SHOULD WANT TO DO IT.

SEPTEMBER IS ALSO THE MONTH WHERE THE INVESTIGATIONS BEGIN IN CONGRESS.

SEPTEMBER IS THE MONTH WHERE AFTER THOSE INVESTIGATIONS BEGIN, AFTER THE PRESIDENT KNOWS HE'S BEEN CAUGHT, WITH THE AID IS FINALLY RELEASED.

AND SEPTEMBER IS THE MONTH WHERE PENCE AND ZELENSKY ARE ON THE PHONE AND JENNIFER WILLIAMS HAS CLASSIFIED INFORMATION TO SHARE WITH YOU, THAT I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE A LOOK AT.

BECAUSE IT IS RELEVANT TO THESE ISSUES.

THAT'S SEPTEMBER.

OCTOBER, TRUMP ADMITS, YES, IF IT WASN'T OBVIOUS ENOUGH HE WANTS UKRAINE INVESTIGATE HIS POLITICAL OPPONENT.

OCTOBER IS THE MONTH WHERE HE INVITES ANOTHER NATION, CHINA, TO VECT HIS OPPONENT.

-- TO INVESTIGATE HIS OPPONENT.

THIS IS THE BROAD OUTLINE OF THE CHRONOLOGY THAT WE WENT THROUGH TODAY.

TOMORROW, WE WILL GO THROUGH THE LAW, THE CONSTITUTION, AND THE FACTS AS THEY APPLY TO ARTICLE 1.

THAT IS THE PLAN FOR TOMORROW.

WE'VE INTRODUCED THE CASE.

WE'VE GONE THROUGH THE CHRONOLOGY, AND TOMORROW WE WILL APPLY THE FACTS TO THE LAW AS IT PERTAINS TO THE PRESIDENT'S ABUSE OF POWER.

AND LET ME JUST CONCLUDE THIS EVENING BY REMARKING AGAIN, ON WHAT BROUGHT US HERE.

WHAT BROUGHT US HERE IS THAT SOME COURAGEOUS PEOPLE CAME FORWARD.

COURAGEOUS PEOPLE THAT RISKED THEIR ENTIRE CAREERS.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S BEEN SO STRIKING TO ME ABOUT THAT IS I WATCHED THESE WITNESSES LIKE MARIE YOVANOVITCH AND DAVID TAYLOR AND OTHERS, DR. HILL, IS HOW MUCH THESE DEDICATED OFFICIALS WERE WILLING TO RISK THEIR CAREER, THE BEGINNING OF THEIR CAREER, THE MIDDLE OF THEIR CAREER OR LATE IN THEIR CAREER, WHEN THEY HAD EVERYTHING TO LOSE.

BUT PEOPLE SENIOR TO THEM WHO HAVE EVERY ADVANTAGE WHO SIT IN POSITIONS OF POWER LACK THAT SAME BASIC COMMITMENT LACK THAT SAME BASIC WILLINGNESS TO PUT THEIR COUNTRY FIRST.

AND EXPOSE WRONGDOING.

WHY IS IT THAT COLONEL VINDMAN, WHO WORKED FOR FIONA HILL, WHO WORKED FOR JOHN BOLTON AND DR. CUPPERMAN, WHY IS IT THEY WERE WILLING TO STICK THEIR NECK OUT AND ANSWER LAWFUL SUBPOENAS WHEN THEIR BOSSES WOULDN'T?

I DON'T KNOW THAT I CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION BUT I JUST CAN TELL YOU, I HAVE SUCH ADMIRATION FOR FACT THEY DID.

I THINK, AND I THINK THIS IS SOME FORM OF COSMIC JUSTICE, THAT THIS AMBASSADOR THAT WAS SO RUTHLESLESSLY SMEARED, IS NOW A HERO FOR HER COURAGE.

THERE IS JUSTICE IN THAT.

BUT WHAT REALLY WOULD VINDICATE THAT LEAP OF FAITH THAT SHE TOOK IS IF WE SHOW THE SAME COURAGE.

THEY RISK EVERYTHING.

THEIR CAREERS.

AND YES, I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE ASKED TO DECIDE MAY RISK YOURS, TOO.

BUT IF THEY COULD SHOW THE COURAGE, SO CAN WE.

I YIELD BACK.

>> PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SENATE RESOLUTION 243 OF THE 100th CONGRESS A SINGLE ONE PAGE CLASSIFIED DOCUMENT IDENTIFIED BY THE HOUSE MANAGERS FOR FILING WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE THAT WILL BE RECEIVED ON JANUARY 22nd, 2020, SHALL NOT BE MADE PART OF THE PUBLIC RECORD AND SHALL NOT BE PRINTED BUT SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE PURSUANT TO THE STANDING ORDER FROM THE 100th CONGRESS.

THE MAJORITY LEADER IS RECOGNIZED.

>> MR. CHIEF JUSTICE, COLLEAGUES WE'RE ALMOST THROUGH FOR THE EVENING.

WE'LL CONVENE AGAIN AT 1:00 TOMORROW.

BEFORE WE ADJOURN I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT TOMORROW IS THE OFFICIAL LAST DAY FOR THIS TERM SENATE PAGES, THIS GROUP OF -- (APPLAUSE) >> IN ADDITION TO WITNESSING THIS UNUSUAL EVENT THAT WE'RE ALL EXPERIENCING, THEY'RE STUDYING FOR THEIR FINAL EXAMS AS WELL, AND WE WISH THEM WELL AS THEY HEAD OFF BACK TO BORING NORMAL HIGH SCHOOL.

>> MR. LEADER, LET ME JUST ADD MY THANKS AND GRATITUDE FOR ALL OF US.

IT IS RARE, PARTICULARLY THESE DAYS, WHEN 100 SENATORS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, OF EVERY POLITICAL PERSUASION, GET UP AND GIVE SOMEBODY A STANDING OVATION.

BUT YOU DESERVE IT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GOOD WORK AND WE HOPE YOU HAVE BEAUTIFUL AND SUCCESSFUL LIVES.

(APPLAUSE) >> SO MR. CHIEF EXPWRUFTS I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT ON TUESDAY JANUARY THE 28th FROM 10 A.M. TO 11 A.M.

WHILE THE SENATE IS SITTING AS A COVERT IMPEACHMENT AND THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE SENATE'S ADJOURNMENT, THE6áTU2(TTj AND E, TO REPORT LEGISLATION AND EXECUTIVE MATTERS AND SENATORS BE ALLOWED TO SUBMIT STATEMENTS FOR THE RECORD, BILLS, RESOLUTIONS, COSPONSORS AND WHERE APPLICABLE THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE ON BEHALF OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER, BE PERMITTED TO REFER SUCH MATTERS.

>> WITHOUT OBJECTION.

SO ORDERED.

>> FINALLY I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT TRIAL ADJOURN UNTIL 1:00 P.M. THURSDAY JANUARY 23rd, THIS ALSO CONSTITUTE 'JOURNAL OF THE SENATE.

>> WITHOUT OBJECTION.

SO ORDERED.

>> Woodruff: GAVEL THIS SESSION TO A CROSS.

AFTER A DRAMATIC ENDING THERE BY THE LEAD HOUSE MANAGER, ADAM SCHIFF, WHO LOOKED AT THE SENATORS AND CITING WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS THE COURAGE OF LOW LEVEL ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS WHO HE SAID RISKED EVERYTHING, RISKED THEIR CAREERS TO COME FORWARD TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY KNEW ABOUT THE TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND UKRAINE.

AND IN EFFECT SAID IF THEY WERE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THIS COURAGE, SO SHOULD WE.

HOW CAN WE NOT IN SO MANY WORDS.

WE'RE WRAPPING UP OUR COVERAGE WE'RE JOINED BY LISA DESJARDINS, AT THE WHITE HOUSE AROUND THE TABLE WITH ME.

EXPERTS WHO KNOW SENATE PROCEDURE AND THE LAW VERY WELL I'LL REMIND YOU WHO THEY ARE, MARTY PAONE A 30 YEAR SENATE VETERAN.

ALSO SERVED AS WHITE HOUSE SENATE LIAISON DURING LAST TWO YEARS OF THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.

ELIZABETH CHRYST ALSO A VETERAN, SHE WAS REPUBLICAN SENATE SECRETARY DURING CLINTON TRIAL.

VICTORIA NOURSE SPECIAL COUNSEL IN THE EARLY 90s SERVED AS APPELLATE LAWYER IN THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT UNDER PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W.

BUSH AND VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S CHIEF COUNSEL IN 2015 TO '16.

JOHN HART WORKED FOR CONGRESSMAN JOHN COBURN, REPUBLICAN OF OKLAHOMA DURING IMPEACHMENT.

WELL CAM BACK TO ALL OF YOU.

I WANT TO GO TO YOU, LISA, ON THE HILL.

BECAUSE WE DID SEE A PRETTY DRAMATIC CLOSE AS WE JUST SAID THERE FROM ADAM SCHIFF AFTER WHAT WAS REALLY SEVERAL HOURS OF A NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION, I THINK ONLY WAY TO DESCRIBE IT DAY BY DAY, HOUR BY HOUR SOMETIMES MINUTE BY MINUTE DISCOURSE ON WHAT TRANSACTIONS PHONE CALLS, E-MAILS, CONVERSATIONS, TRYING TO BUILD THE CASE ABOUT WHAT THE PRESIDENT DID AND HOW IT WAS IN HIS WORDS CORRUPT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IN THE END WE SAW A LOT OF TAPE FROM GORDON SONDLAND.

AND OF PRESIDENT TRUMP HIMSELF CASE DEMOCRATS WE'RE BUILDING WITH THE PRESIDENT INTENDED TO HAVE CORRUPT DEALINGS WITH THE NATION OF UKRAINE FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL BENEFIT.

THE WORDS OF THOSE WHO WORK FOR HIM AND TESTIFIED FOR THE HOUSE, BUT THE SECOND THICK THAT THEY WERE DOING TODAY JUDY WE HEARD EVERY SINGLE HOUSE MANAGER'S REMARKS WAS QUESTIONING ALL THE INFORMATION THEY DON'T HAVE.

THEY WERE REPEATEDLY SAY THINGS LIKE, THERE ARE NOTES THAT COULD TELL US MORE, WHY DON'T WE HAVE THEM BECAUSE THE WHITE HOUSE HAS REFUSED TO LET US SEE THEM.

AND THAT OF COURSE IS THE SECOND CHARGE IN THIS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL WHICH IS OBSTRUCTION OF CONGRESS.

ONE OTHER NOTE, YOU'RE RIGHT, IT SEEMED THAT ADAM SCHIFF FELT THAT PERHAPS HE HAD MEMBERS OF THE SENATE LISTENING TO HIM AS HE WAS MAKING THAT IMPACKSED CLOSE FOR THE NIGHT TALKING ABOUT COURAGE I CAN'T HELP BUT REMARK, IN THE SENATE CHAMBER, ON EACH -- THERE ARE THREE RELEASE SORT OF RECTANGULAR SCULPTURES ABOVE EACH SIDE OF THE SENATE.

IT'S FASCINATING TO HEAR THAT FROM HIM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SENATE, IT SAYS WISDOM IN THE CENTER.

DEMOCRATIC SIDE, IT SAYS,