Donald Trump has reacted angrily after the manuscript of ex-national security adviser John Bolton’s new book was leaked in which the former aide claims the president told him the decision to withhold military assistance to Ukraine last summer was explicitly tied to demands for an investigation into Joe Biden.
“If John Bolton said this, it was only to sell a book,” Mr Trump tweeted, arguing that the House should have subpoenaed Mr Bolton when it was gathering evidence in November (it did), prompting impeachment manager Adam Schiff to say the revelation “blasts another hole” in his counsel’s defence.
As the trial resumes today with the president’s legal team continuing to hold court, Mr Trump will host Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his opposition counterpart Benny Gantz at the White House for a briefing on his plans to bring peace to the Middle East.
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Bernie Sanders' newest fan is probably the last person you'd expect it to be
Here's Graig Graziosi on the new Democratic front-runner (by some polls) and his least likely supporter.
Buttigieg wins applause from Fox audience after accusing Trump of using 'language of dictators'
More on Pete Buttigieg, who managed the extraordinary feat of winning a round of applause at a Fox News town hall on Sunday by going after the president in uncompromising style.
Darren Richman has more for Indy100.
Benjamin Netanyahu arrives at the White House as Trump trails Tuesday peace plan announcement
Here's Trump greeting the Israeli prime minister earlier, after he arrived in town to hear Jared Kushner's pitch to bring peace to the Middle East. Uh huh.
(Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty)
They're speaking now, with Trump saying he'll announce his cunning plan at high noon tomorrow.
He doesn't appear to have discussed matters with the Palestinians.
Chuck Schumer: 'We're all staring a White House cover-up in the face'
The Senate minority leader is currently giving a press conference and is not wasting his opportunity to heap pressure on the opposition over Bolton and the need to call further witnesses.
The old hawk himself appears to write only one tweet a week and this is what we're getting today, which is highly commendable but not quite what we were hoping to hear from him today.
Susan Collins: John Bolton revelations 'have prompted a number of conversations among my colleagues'
More on the Republican panic over Bolton as Susan Collins issues this statement...
...and Nebraska's Deb Fischer suggests the moustachioed ex-national security adviser simply put out a press release of his own, thus sidestepping the whole question of subpoeanas and testimony.
Jerrold Nadler to miss today's Senate hearing
One of the Democrats' key impeachment managers will miss Monday's session in the upper chamber as he attends to his wife in hospital in New York City where she is undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Mitt Romney: Bolton revelation makes it 'increasingly likely' four Republicans will back summoning witnesses
Speaking to reporters just now, the Utah Republican senator said last night's Bolton bombshell makes it "increasingly important" to hear from him and said he believes enough GOP members think likewise to force the issue at an upcoming vote once the defence opening statement and written questions stages of the trial have been completed.
Susan Collins of Maine is sending out similar signals.
Interestingly, a group of Republican senators have meanwhile just cancelled their morning news conference.
Here's our breaking story.
Trump pushes Schiff smears, discredits impeachment process while own side speaking out on his behalf
In the latest ravings from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Trump is pushing conspiracy theories about Adam Schiff, seeking to further discredit the impeachment trial (even as his own side are mounting his defence) and attempting to ease fears about the spread of the coronavirus.
Here's John T Bennett with the latest on the president.
White House denounces 'vile poison of antisemitism' week after granting press pass to antisemitic news organisation
The Trump administration has issued this statement in honour of Holocaust Rememberance Day:
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember the millions of precious souls who perished as a result of the horrific crimes perpetrated by the Nazi regime. We also reaffirm our steadfast commitment to confronting the vile poison of antisemitism wherever and whenever it arises.
This year’s annual observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day is especially moving as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. As we solemnly mourn those who were abused, tortured, or killed at Auschwitz and other concentration and extermination camps, we acknowledge the heroes who risked their own lives - many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice - to help liberate the camps. Their sacrifices helped the forces of freedom prevail to ensure that these atrocious crimes will never be repeated.
Unfortunately, there are still Jewish men, women, and children who face persecution and discrimination today. To fight the rise of antisemitism in the United States, I issued an Executive Order in December of 2019 that will help combat racist, antisemitic discrimination. Antisemitism will never be tolerated, and this action bolsters my Administration’s efforts to create a culture of respect that deeply values the dignity in every human life.
As we come together as one Nation on this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we ask God to grant strength to those who survived the depravity of the Nazi regime and comfort to the families of the victims whose lives were cut short. We ask that the world reflect on this day and seek to ensure that we stand united against intolerance and oppression of people of every race, religion, or ethnicity. And, in order to ensure that these horrific crimes against God and humanity never happen again, we must resolve to combat evil and oppressive regimes with democracy, justice, and the compassionate spirit that is found in the hearts of all Americans.
...Which is very commendable, but overlooks the incovenient fact that it granted a press pass to TruNews to cover the president's mission to Davos last week, an organisation whose founder, pastor Rick Wiles, called the impeachment process "a Jew coup".
Saturday Night Live sends Alan Dershowitz to Hell
Jon Lovitz returned to SNL over the weekend to send up Team Trump's counsel in a sketch featuring Kate McKinnon as the Devil, Adam Driver as Jeffrey Epstein (!) and Beck Bennett as Mitch McConnell (uncanny).
"Aw Satan, you're making me blush."
Adam Schiff says Bolton book 'blasts another hole' in Trump defence
The lead Democratic impeachment manager has also been on TV this morning and, unsurprisingly, thinks rather differently to the Trump stooges.
Trump allies seek to discredit John Bolton revelation
In the last hour, Trump has served up several retweets on Bolton from cronies Dan Bongino, Lou Dobbs and Jenna Ellis.
Bongino was on Fox and Friends this morning and parroted the same line as White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, who also guested to insist the timing of the leak is "very suspect."
Trump roasted for unveiling Space Force logo heavily influenced by Star Trek
I think this one's fairly self-explanatory.
Steve Mnuchin's wife backs Greta Thunberg after husband attacks activist for not having an economics degree
At the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, Trump's treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin attacked 17-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg saying: "Is she the chief economist or who is she? I'm confused. After she goes and studies economics in college, she can come back and explain that to us."
This was pretty rich from Mnuchin - who was an executive producer on the disastrous superhero blockbuster Suicide Squad so probably ought to keep quiet about his how smart he thinks he is - and now even his own wife, Louise Linton, has joined the fightback on behalf of the teen titan.
"I stand with Greta on this issue. (I don't have a degree in economics either) We have to drastically reduce our use of fossil fuels. Keep up the fight @gretathunberg," Linton wrote on Instagram, before her post was deleted - no doubt under pressure from her husband/the administration.
Greg Evans has more on this rousing show of defiance for Indy100.
Hassan Rouhani: 'We should not let Trump and terrorists in the White House isolate Iran'
Iranians should not allow Trump's "maximum pressure" approach to harm national unity ahead of parliamentary elections, president Hassan Rouhani has said in a speech, lashing out at hardliners over mass disqualification of candidates.
Iran's clerical rulers face challenges in keeping the economy afloat under increasingly tough US sanctions imposed by Washington after it withdrew in 2018 from Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers. Vital oil exports have been slashed.
"We should not let Trump succeed in creating gaps between the establishment and people... We should remain united... Don't turn your back on elections [21 February]. Let's have a high turn out," said Rouhani in a speech broadcast live on his official website.
"We should not let Trump and those terrorists in the White House isolate Iran." Iran's hardline Guardians Council, which vets all election candidates, has disqualified about 9,000 of the 14,000 who registered to run in the elections. Moderates say in most cities they have no candidates to enter the race.
"This parliamentary election is a very important election... I have written letters to relevant authorities to resolve the issue of disqualifications," said Rouhani. "You [the hardliners] claim that you will win the election. That is fine, but just let the election be a competitive one."
(Iranian Presidency/AFP/Getty)
Since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution, its rulers have swept aside challenges to their grip on power. But the gap between them and the people has widened since last year, when hundreds were killed in anti-government protests. Iran has yet to announce the death toll and rejects figures published by human rights organisations.
Tehran also risks a legitimacy crisis amid mounting public fury and international criticism over the belated admission of blame by Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards for shooting down a Ukrainian passenger plane by mistake.
Angry Iranians took to streets to protest against the delayed admission by the Guards. The distrust between the rulers and the ruled, combined with economic hardship, bodes ill for the parliamentary vote in February, when Iran's rulers typically seek a high turnout to show their legitimacy, even if the outcome will not change any major policy.
"I am calling on our nation to vote," Rouhani said. "Even if you have criticism over issues and problems, please cast your vote."
Reuters
Pete Buttigieg: Trump's comments on soldiers' brain injuries 'make my blood boil'
Democratic presidential hopeful Mayor Pete has spoken of his anger at Trump's off-hand dismissal of the traumatic brain injuries suffered by American troops stationed in two Iraqi bases that were hit by Iranian rocket fire earlier this month.
The president said the hurt suffered amounted to little more than "head aches" and were "not very serious" earlier this month.
"Traumatic brain injury is life-threatening, not just at the time but for the rest of your life," Buttigieg told CBS’s Ed O’Keefe. "It can completely debilitate somebody who has served this country. And for the president to belittle that kind of sacrifice, for the president who avoided serving because he said bone spurs made it impossible for him to be able to do his part, to turn around and demean the experience of soldiers in harm’s way, who were injured... is one more example of why Donald Trump has no business anywhere near the Situation Room."
"It makes my blood boil, the president of the United States showing this level of disrespect," he continued. "He’s their commander-in-chief right now. Their lives depend on his wisdom and judgment right now, and he can’t even show a basic level of concern."
The news that the US embassy in Baghdad was struck by rocket fire on Sunday only makes the candidate's argument all the more prescient.
Buttigieg has meanwhile also warned that rival Bernie Sanders is not the man to beat Trump at the polls.
Spiritual adviser under fire for 'Satanic pregnancies' sermon
Trump became the first president in American history to attend a March for Life rally in person on Friday, pledging to "protect the unborn" from DC's National Mall as he pursues Christian support ahead of November's election.
Over the weekend, a clip of his spiritual adviser Paula White calling on higher powers to end "Satanic pregnancies" in miscarriage went viral, a disturbing address that provoked an inevitable backlash.
Here's Greg Evans with more for Indy100.
Trump up early to firefight Bolton bombshell with lie
The president can't have had more than a five-hour sleep last night, judging by the time between tweets, but is already up and lying about Bolton.
The House did intend to call him as a witness during the investigative stage of the inquiry, but he replied at the time he would only comply with a subpoena after it was backed up by the courts, a process that threatened to take months, prompting them to reluctantly abandon the idea.
Here's a little more on renewed calls for the Senate to compel him to do the right thing after he indicated he had changed his mind on the matter.
Mike Pompeo erupts at NPR journalist over Ukraine
Also causing a stir over the weekend was secretary of state Mike Pompeo, who reportedly "screamed obscenities" at National Public Radio (NPR) reporter Mary Louise Kennedy when she asked him about Marie Yovanovitch and the administration's actions towards Ukraine, rather than Iran as he had hoped, prompting him to lose his temper and claim she couldn't find the Eastern European nation on a map.
The story prompted the president to ask what NPR was even for...
...and CNN anchor Don Lemon to break down into tears of laughter during a segment discussing the idiocy of it all with pundits Wajahat Ali and Rick Wilson.
Here's Matt Drake on Pompeo, who will be in the UK this week and had warned Britain against doing business with Chinese telecoms giant Huawei.
Trump appears to threaten Adam Schiff: 'He has not paid the price, yet, for what he has done to our Country!'
Also highly noteworthy from Trump's Twitter feed this weekend was this tweet (one of many) about House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff:
The Democrats' lead impeachment manager duly appeared on Meet the Press with Chuck Todd and was asked whether he considered the president's message "a threat".
"I think it is intended to be," he answered.
Trump was clearly watching the exchange and continued to troll his arch-antagonist (and Todd).
Here's what else the redoubtable Schiff had to say.
