EFTA01653163.pdf

Report suspected fraud, waste, and abuse ICIG Hotline 855.731-32601 Fax: 571.204.8088 ICIG News Summary Secure ICIG Hotline: 933.2800 Email: ICIGHotline@dn7gov Secure Email: ICIGHollIneakinlic.gov wwwcinl.govilCIG-WhIstleblowerl Public/Media Inquiries: IC_IG_PAOradni.gov Office of the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community Online version available at icig.bulletinintelligence.com DATE: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2019 8:00 AM EST TODAY'S EDITION This Day In History Graham Says Horowitz Will Testify About FISA Abuse Probe 1945: Nuremberg Trials Begin In Germany. 1 On Dec. 11 12 Whistleblowing News Other IG News Trump Says He Will "Strongly Consider Providing Written Epstein Guards Charged With Falsifying Records 13 Responses To House Impeachment Questions 1 DOJ IG Finds Security Risks In FBI Handling Of Confidential Witnesses Offer First-Hand Accounts Of Trump-Zelensky Call 3 Sources 13 Trump Highlights Taylor, Kent Reluctance To Identify Pentagon IG: US Withdrawal From Northern Syria Helps ISIS "Impeachable Offense." 6 Reconstitute 14 Trump Dismisses Impeachment "Hoax; Will Release Transcript Giuliani Offers Bizarre Explanation For "Misleading' Claims Of First Zelensky Call 8 About Clinton 14 Lawmakers Question OMB's Sandy, Release Transcripts From Watchdogs Say VA Continues To Struggle With Cybersecurity Another Two Closed-Door Impeachment Hearings 9 Issues 14 Additional Commentary On Whistleblower Issues 10 OIG Reports Says HHS' Failure To Modernize Data Practices Assange's Attorney Tells Court He Has Unsuitable Computer In Will Limit Ability To Improve Nation's Health. 14 Jail 12 DHS OIG Report USCIS 'Flags Leadership, Cyber Issues: 15 DOL OIG Calls For Faster Migrant Worker Application ICIG In the News Processing 15 Trump Criticizes Intelligence Inspector General For Seeking DOE: Hanford Employees Lack Protections 15 "Publicity For Himself: 12 Government Now Flagging Nursing Homes Recently Cited For Abuse 15 Impeachment Questions. In a tweet Monday THIS DAY IN HISTORY: morning, President Trump said he would 'strongly consider" consider submitting written testimony to the House 1945: Nuremberg Trials Begin In Germany. on impeachment inquiry "in order to get Congress focused November 20, 1945, the Nuremberg trials began in again: Trump wrote, "Our Crazy, Do Nothing (where's Nuremberg, Germany. Lord Justice Geoffrey Lawrence USMCA, infrastructure, lower drug pricing & much more?) "presided over the proceedings, which lasted 10 months and Speaker of the House, Nervous Nancy Pelosi, who is petrified consisted of 216 court sessions: The trials 'Were conducted by her Radical Left knowing she will soon be gone (they & by an international tribunal made up of representatives from Fake News Media are her BOSS), suggested on Sunday's the United States, the Soviet Union, France and Great DEFACE THE NATION that I testify about the phony Britain: Impeachment Witch Hunt. She also said I could do it in writing. Even though I did nothing wrong, and don't like giving WHISTLEBLOWING NEWS: credibility to this No Due Process Hoax, I like the idea & will, in order to get Congress focused again, strongly consider it!" Trump Says He Will "Strongly Consider" Reuters (11/18, Wolfe, Lynch) reports lawmakers "have not formally called Trump as a witness in the impeachment Providing Written Responses To House inquiry? but House Speaker Pelosi said on CBS' Face The EFTA01653163 Nation Sunday, 'The President could come right before the redacted portions of the Mueller report, as well as the committee and speak all the truth that he wants if he wants to underlying testimony transcripts they came from." take the oath of office...or he can do it in writing. He has every The Washington Post (11/18, Marimow, Hsu, 14.2M) opportunity to present his case." reports that Letter's "request followed closely on the heels of Norah O'Donnell said on the CBS Evening News Friday's conviction of longtime Trump friend Roger Stone." (11/18, story 3, 1:30, 4.62M) that Trump "surprised his own According to the Post, "Testimony and evidence at his trial White House staff' with the tweet. Bloomberg (11/18, 4.73M) appeared to cast doubt on written replies from Trump to says Trump's tweet "contrasts with his defiant approach to Mueller about the president's knowledge about attempts by the impeachment inquiry thus far," and The Hill (11/18, his 2016 campaign to learn more about the release of hacked Samuels, 2.98M) that it comes "despite his repeated refusal Democratic emails by the anti-secrecy group WildLeaks." to cooperate with the investigation thus far." USA Today Reuters (11/18, Wolfe) says that during Stone's trial, (11/18, Jackson, 10.31M) reports, "Some legal analysts Rick Gates, Trump's former deputy campaign chairman, expressed skepticism about Trump's sincerity." "suggested in testimony during a jury trial in a criminal case Lester Holt said on NBC Nightly News (11/18, story 4, that Trump talked to...Stone about WikiLeaks during the 2016 0:50, 6.22M) that "there are questions if it would really campaign." According to Reuters, Gates' testimony happen," and Jim Acosta said on CNN's Situation Room "appeared to conflict with sworn written statements that (11/18, 838K), "Democratic aides at this point say they are Trump gave Mueller." Mueller wrote to Mueller, "I do not recall not taking" Trump's comments "very seriously." Similarly, on discussing WikiLeaks with [Stone]. Nor do I recall being ABC World News Tonight (11118, story 4, 2:50, Muir, 6.97M), aware of Mr. Stone having discussed WikiLeaks with Mary Bruce also said Trump's testifying "seems unlikely." individuals associated with my campaign." Likewise, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) said on CNN's Pelosi Argues Leaving Trump's Fate To The Situation Room (11118, 838K), "He hasn't turned over his Election Would Be "Dangerous." The Washington Post taxes despite saying for years that he would do that. He didn't (11/18, Wagner, Shammas, 14.2M) reports that in a letter to show up in person with Bob Mueller despite saying he would House Democrats Monday, House Speaker Pelosi asserted do that. He sent written answers, which hit looks like he may that -the facts of the impeachment inquiry are 'uncontested,'" have falsified, to the Mueller team. But more than that, we and that Trump "abused his power for his own personal, would like him to just allow the witnesses we have political benefit, at the expense of our national security subpoenaed to come to Congress and the documents we interests." Pelosi "also argued that it would be "dangerous" to have subpoenaed to be provided to the committee. So, he's leave Trump's fate to next year's election because 'the not serious in this process and I don't think it's worth our time President is jeopardizing the integrity of the 2020 elections."' engaging with him on this other than to say we have a lot of ABC Poll: 70% Call Trump's Ukraine Actions evidence right now and we shouldn't allow him to dictate the 'Wrong'; 51% Support Impeachment And Removal. ABC terms for this investigation." News (11/18, 2.97M) reports on its website that according to Politico (11/18, Marshall, 4.29M) says that if Trump a new ABC NewslIpsos poll, "an overwhelming 70% of "were to submit a written statement rather than appearing in Americans think President Donald Trump's request to a person, he would avoid live questioning that could put him in foreign leader to investigate his political rival...was wrong," danger of accidentally perjuring himself." However, "his and 51 percent believe Trump "should be impeached and answers would still be considered under oath." The AP removed from office." Politico (11/18, Forgey, 4.29M) reports (11/18, Miller) says Trump "provided written answers to that "13 percent also deemed the president's push for foreign questions from special counsel Robert Mueller during his investigations of his rivals to be wrong, but believed he probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election." But, should neither be impeached nor convicted by Congress. A Mueller "found many of Trump's answers in the Russia probe quarter of respondents, 25 percent, said Trump did nothing less than satisfying." wrong." The New York Times (11/18, Stolberg, 18.61M) House Investigators Looking Into Whether Trump reports, "The survey found 58 percent of Americans are Lied In Written Answers To Mueller. The New York Times following the [impeachment] hearings closely or somewhat (11/18, Savage, 18.61M) reports that Douglas Letter, the closely." general counsel for the House, told a federal appeals court Impeachment Inquiry To Hear From Officials Who Monday that House impeachment investigators are "exploring Were On Trump-Zelensky Call. Mary Bruce reported on whether President Trump lied in his written answers- to then- ABC World News Tonight (11/18, story 4, 2:50, Muir, 6.97M) Special Counsel Robert Mueller, thereby "raising the prospect that Congress on Tuesday will 'bear from three officials who of bringing an additional basis for a Senate trial over whether were on that call between Trump and the Ukrainian to remove- Trump from office. Letter "told a federal appeals President. Jennifer Williams, a special adviser to the Vice court panel that impeachment investigators have an President, called it 'unusual and inappropriate,- and Lt. Col. 'immense' need to swiftly see the grand jury evidence — Alexander Vindman, who told investigators, "I did not think it 2 EFTA01653164 was proper to demand that a foreign government investigate plan to try to discredit one of the key witnesses in the inquiry a US citizen." Bruce added that 'he most anticipated witness by questioning his motives and his loyalty to the president." of the week is Gordon Sondland, the Trump mega-donor The Post says the "high-stakes appearance could provide turned US Ambassador to the EU. Sondland has already some of the most contentious moments in the public revised his testimony once, admitting he personally told the hearings." Ukrainians that if they wanted nearly $400 million of military "Sources" Tell CNN Trump Has Said He Wants To aid, they would have to publicly commit to investigate the Fire Impeachment Witnesses. Anderson Cooper said on Bidens." Bruce added that democrats announced Monday CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 (11/18, 969K), "Sources tell that David Holmes, who "testified he overheard one of their CNN that President Trump has again said he wants to fire phone calls in a restaurant in Kiev," will "testify in public on witnesses who have testified against him in the impeachment Thursday." hearings, prompting his aides to consider moving those State Officials Heard Of Zelensky's Concerns About witnesses, some of them out of the White House, and back to Biden Probe Pressure In May. The AP (11/18, Butler, their home departments within the government." Biesecker) reports that State Department officials were McConnell Predicts Impeachment Trial Will Carry informed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "was Into 2020. Politico (11/18, Everett, 4.29M) reports Senate feeling pressure from the Trump administration to investigate Majority Leader McConnell said Sunday that the House will former Vice President Joe Biden even before the July phone likely be considering impeachment until Christmas, which will call that has led to impeachment hearings in Washington." push a trial in the Senate into 2020. McConnell told reporters According to the AP, in May, "officials at the U.S. Embassy in in Louisville, "It looks to me like the House is going to be on Kyiv, including then-Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch," were this until Christmas, then it comes over to the Senate. It told Zelensky Vas seeking advice on how to navigate the displaces all other business. ... I don't know how long difficult position he was in," and Vas concerned' Trump and senators will want to continue the trial, but I'm pretty confident "associates were pressing him to take action that could affect that in the end impeachment will not lead to ouster." Politico the 2020 U.S. presidential race." says that timeline means the trial "is almost certain to conflict Embassy Staffer Who Says He Overheard Trump- with the efforts of a half-dozen Democratic senators to win Sondland Call To Testify Tuesday. The CBS Evening the party's nomination for president." News (11/18, story 2, 2:30, O'Donnell, 4.62M) reported, How House Staffers Learned US Aid To Ukraine "Democrats added a new witness to the impeachment inquiry Was Frozen And What They Did Next. NBC News (11/18, late today: the embassy staffer who says he overheard the 6.14M) reports on the events that led to the discovery that President on the phone asking about investigations into the financial assistance to Ukraine had been frozen and actions Bidens. David Holmes will be the ninth witness in a rapid-fire taken to get the money released. Two days after "a round of hearings that kick off tomorrow." The AP (11/18) whistleblower secretly filed a complaint about President reports Holmes "overheard Trump talking about the Trump's dealings with Ukraine in August, two top investigations on a phone call" with US Ambassador to the congressional staffers arrived in Kyiv on a routine business EU Gordon Sondland. The Washington Post (11/18, trip that ended up setting off alarm bells on Capitol Hill.' The Zapotosky, Demirjian, Nakashima, Viebeck, 14.2M) reports aides "work for the Democratic leadership of the House Holmes 'told lawmakers last week that he was shocked to Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for federal overhear" the call in which Sondland "assured President spending.' They had been "dispatched to make an on-the- Trump that Ukrainian officials would pursue an investigation ground assessment of the cash Congress has been pumping of interest to the U.S. commander in chief — a probe which into former Soviet states — including Moldova, Georgia and the diplomat later suggested was of former Vice President Ukraine — to aid their defenses against Russian aggression." Joe Biden. Holmes "also testified that the Ukrainians But after traveling from Chisinau, the staffers 'were shocked 'gradually came to understand that they were being asked to to learn from US embassy officials that there was no new do something in exchange' for a White House meeting or money coming into Ukraine." military aid." Vindman To Appear Before Impeachment Panel Witnesses Offer First-Hand Accounts Of Tuesday. The Washington Post (11/18, Hamburger, Trump-Zelensky Call. According to the AP (11/19), Leonnig, Bade, 14.2M) reports, "The House impeachment "Republicans have consistently criticized the House hearing Tuesday is set to feature one of the Democrats' star impeachment inquiry by saying witnesses didn't have witnesses: Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a Purple Heart firsthand knowledge of" President Trump's "role in trying to recipient who is expected to testify about his alarm at persuade Ukraine to investigate a chief political rival." President Trump's request that Ukraine investigate his However, the AP says that after today's public hearing, -that political opponents." Republicans "are also seizing on posture is suddenly more difficult to maintain" because "the Vindman's testimony as an opportunity, signaling that they two witnesses in Tuesday morning's session each listened to 3 EFTA01653165 the July 25 phone call in which Trump prodded his Ukrainian matter,' rather than U.S. foreign policy goals in the region. counterpart to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden." The references to Biden 'struck me as political in nature given Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman testified before the House that the former vice president is a political opponent of the Intelligence Committee today that Trump's call with Ukrainian president,' Williams said, but she declined to speculate about President Zelensky was Improper" and he considered it his Trump's motives." "duty to pass along his concerns. However, the AP (11/19, Bloomberg (11/19, 4.73M) reports that Keith Kellogg, Mascaro, Jalonick) says Republicans on the panel "tried to Pence's national security adviser, "said in a statement undercut the national security official with pointed exchanges Tuesday that he listened to Trump's July 25 phone call questioning his loyalty: The AP also says Vindman "deflected with...Zelenskiy and that he 'heard nothing wrong or repeated Republican efforts to divulge everyone he told about improper.'" Bloomberg says Kellogg issued the statement it — thwarting Trump allies' attempts to identify the after Williams testified that she "didn't inform him of any anonymous whistleblower who spurred the impeachment concerns after the call." Kellog said, "In fact, she never probe." reported any personal or professional concerns to any other Politico (11/19, Bertrand, Forgey, Marshall, 4.29M) member of the vice president's staff, including our chief of reports that Vindman 'explained that he had already 'alerted' staff and the vice president." White House lawyer John Eisenberg to Gordon Sondland's The New York Times (11/19, Baker, Shear, 18.61M) push for political investigations during a July 10 meeting at reports that Marc Short, Pence's chief of staff, "went on Fox the White House with Ukrainian officials, and that subsequent News to make the same point. 'She said she found the call to reporting the contents of that meeting to Eisenberg he was unusual yet she never raised any concerns with her 'invited to follow up with any other concerns.- Politico adds, supervisor General Kellogg, she never raised any concerns "So he reported Trump's July 25 comments to Eisenberg with the chief of staff, she never raised any concerns with the 'without hesitation,' he testified.- vice president,' he said." The New York Times (11/19, Hakim, 18.61M) reports In a profile of Williams published before her appearance that "because [Vindman] was a key point of contact with today, the New York Times (11/19, Shear, 18.61M) says Ukrainian officials, they sought his guidance on" Rudy Democrats are "interested in what Mr. Pence knew about the Giuliani's "efforts to push the investigations." According to the effort to withhold security aid in exchange for a commitment Times, Vindman, "reflecting the National Security Council's to investigate the Bidens." According to the Times, 'During policy...advised Ukrainian officials, including Mr. Zelensky, to the closed-door deposition, Ms. Williams told lawmakers that steer clear of American politics." she was not aware that the vice president was involved in any The AP (11/19, Mascaro, Jalonick) says the discussions about the investigations. She said Mr. Pence did Republicans' lead counsel "asked at one point about an offer not mention investigations to Mr. Zelensky." to Vindman from a Ukrainian official to become the country's Morrison: Trump-Zelensky Call Included Nothing defense minister." According to the AP, Vindman "called it Illegal. The New York Times (11/19, Baker, Shear, 18.61M) 'comical' and said he swiftly reported it up his chain of reports that Timothy Morrison, the former senior director for command." Politico (11/19, Bertrand, Forgey, Marshall, Europe and Ukraine at the National Security Council, "said he 4.29M) reports that Vindman 'testified that Alexander did not think the president's July 25 call...was inherently Danyliuk, Zelensky's national security adviser, on at least wrong or illegal, but feared it would ignite a political storm if it three occasions offered him the role of Ukrainian defense became public." Morrison is quoted as saying, "I feared at the minister." Bloomberg (11/19, 4.73M) reports that Danyiyuk time of the call on July 25 how its disclosure would play in said today that 'the suggestion 'was made in joking manner, Washington's dimate. ... My fears have been realized." which was clear by the context and tone,"' and "added that is Volker Says He Misunderstood Import Of Push For was also clear that Vindman took it as a joke." Burisma Probe. The Washington Post (11/19, Wagner, Reuters (11/19, Zengerle, Freifeld, Landay) reports that Itkowit, 14.2M) reports that Kurt Volker, a former envoy to "even as he was testifying, the White House's official Twitter Ukraine, testified before the House Intelligence Committee account attacked [Vindman's] judgment — even though he is a today that he "should have realized President Trump's true current White House official, and the president's son Donald motives in demanding that Ukraine investigate Burisma, a Trump Jr. assailed him in a separate Twitter post as 'a low natural gas company that employed former vice president level partisan bureaucrat and nothing more." Joe Biden's son Hunter." Volker is quoted as saying, "I did not Pence's National Security Adviser: Williams Never understand that others believed that an investigation of the Voiced Concerns About Trump-Zelensky Call. Politico Ukrainian company Burisma, which had a history of (11/19, Desiderio, Cheney, 4.29M) reports that Jennifer accusations of corruption, was tantamount to investigating Williams, an adviser to Vice President Pence described the Vice President Biden. I drew a sharp distinction between the Trump-Zelensky phone call as "unusual" because it 'involved two: However, the Post says Volker's testimony is "belied by discussion of what appeared to be a domestic political text messages that he tumed over to the House Intelligence 4 EFTA01653166 Committee last month, which show acting U.S. ambassador Johnson Cites Whistleblower Attorney's Anti- to Ukraine William B. Taylor Jr. raising precisely that Trump Comments. The Washington Examiner (11/17, concern." Pearce, 448K) reports that in an appearance on NBC's Meet Both Vindman And Williams Say Transcript Of July The Press (11/17, 2.8M), Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) cited past 25 Was Generally Accurate. The Federalist (11/19, Marcus, statements from the whistleblower's attorney as evidence that 126K) says both Vindman and Williams testified that "the the impeachment inquiry is partisan. Johnson said, "Now, if transcript of the July 25 phone call between President Trump this whistleblower is to be lionized by the Washington Post, and Ukrainian President Zolodymyr Zelensky was then maybe we ought to take a look at who he hired. ... He substantively accurate." According to the Federalist, "In direct hired Mark Zaid, who said, 'Coup has started. First of many response to a question as to whether the transcript was steps. Impeachment will follow ultimately.' Now, that is not an complete and accurate, neither suggested that it was not, unbiased officer of the court. So, there is something going on except for minor details they found in their notes of the call." here, Chuck. That's my point." Johnson was referring to "a The Federalist says that "blows up a month-long lie pushed tweet Zaid sent out on Jan. 30, 2017, just days after Trump by Democrats and their media allies that the transcript was was inaugurated." Zaid wrote, ltcoup has started. First of partial, or redacted, suggesting that the White House was many steps. #rebellion. /*impeachment will follow ultimately. potentially hiding important details." #lawyers." Nunes Questions Vindman's Claim To Not Know The Washington Post (11/17, Sonmez, Demirjian, Whistleblower's identity. The Daily Caller (11/19, 716K) Macmillan, 14.2M) reports Johnson said Administration reports that House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam officials who provided information to the whistleblower about Schiff "quickly interrupted" Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman during the President's efforts to pressure Ukraine "exposed things his testimony today after he "admitted that he had spoken to that didn't need to be exposed' Johnson said, "This would others about" President Trump's July 25 call with Ukrainian have been far better off if we would've just taken care of this President Zelensky. The Daily Caller says Rep. Devin Nunes behind the scenes. ... We have two branches of government. (R-CA), the top Republican on the panel, sask[ed] who Most people, most people wanted to support Ukraine. We Vindman might have spoken to about the call and his were trying to convince President Trump." concerns about the implications of that call." Schiff said, "We In a tweet Sunday afternoon President Trump again need to protect the whistle-blower. Please stop. I want to called for the whistleblower to come forward. Trump wrote, make sure that there is no effort to out the whistle-blower "Where is the Fake Whistleblower?" through these proceedings." However, Nunes "pointed out Bannon Says He Pushed For Alleged Whistleblower then that LTC Vindman had, in his deposition, stated that he To Removed From NSC. The Daily Caller (11/17, Ross, did not know the identity of the whistleblower — which 716K) reports former White House chief strategist Steve Vindman confirmed. 'How it is possible for you to name the Bannon said in an interview with VICE published Friday 'that people and then out the whistle-blower?' Nunes asked then." when he was at the White House in 2017, he was involved in The Federalist (11/19, 126K) reports that Vindman an effort to remove an intelligence officer suspected of being today "admitted...to leaking information to the anti-Trump the Trump whistleblower from the National Security Council whistleblower at the center of the Democrats' partisan due to concerns about leaks." Bannon "said he does not impeachment proceedings." According to the Federalist, believe that the whistleblower needs to be identified publicly, "When pressed on who Vindman spoke with about the call, but he did confirm his involvement in efforts to remove an Vindman said he spoke with two individuals not in the White individual now rumored to be the whistleblower from the House, including Deputy Assistant Secretary George Kent NSC." He said, "I don't think the individual naming of the and another individual in the intelligence community that whistleblower is important, although there was a story in The Vindman refused to name before being cut off by...Schiff." Washington Times...that tied me to the efforts to get, at least, The Federalist says Vindman lestified under oath in a private the gentleman who was named out of the National Security deposition last month that he was unaware of who the Council." Asked if the story was true, Bannon said, 'The whistleblower was." Today, Nunes "pressed Vindman on how individual that was named, absolutely true." it is possible that he might out the whistleblower if he does not Trump: Whistleblower's Identity Is "No Great know the identity of the whistleblower." Secret." The Hill (11/15, Cohn, 2.98M) reports that on 'The The New York Times (11/19, Baker, Shear, 18.61M) Dan Bongino Show," President Trump on Friday "claimed the reports that Nunes also "sought to turn the focus away from identity of the whistleblower who first raised concerns about Mr. Trump to Mr. Biden, leading the witnesses through a his relationship with Ukraine is known to everyone in D.C." series of questions intended to suggest that the former vice Trump said, "Everyone in Washington knows who it is, by the president had intervened in Ukraine's domestic affairs to way. The whistleblower is no great secret." He added, benefit his son, Hunter Biden, despite the lack of evidence." "Everybody knows who the whistleblower is, and [it] has to be 5 EFTA01653167 revealed." However, The Hill says that Trump did not state call Vas first described during testimony Wednesday by the name. William Taylor, the acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine," who SEC Rethinking Plans To Alter Whistleblower "said one of his staffers overhead the call while Sondland was Program, Sources Say. The Securities and Exchange in a Kyiv restaurant the day after Trump's July 25 phone call Commission "is rethinking a proposal that could weaken a with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that triggered landmark whistleblower program after a pushback from the House impeachment inquiry: According to the AP, "The whistleblower lawyers and advocates, people with knowledge second diplomatic staffer also at the table was Suriya Jayanti, of the deliberations told" Reuters (11/15, Johnson, Prentice), a foreign service officer based in Kyiv." The Washington Post which reports the program "is widely considered a major (11/14, Wagner, 14.2M) reports that Jayanti was the success, resulting in more than $2 billion in penalties against embassy official tasked with accompanying Sondland firms such as JPMorgan and Bank of America and $387 throughout the day of the call." million in rewards. Weakening the program would hamper the Mary Bruce said on ABC World News Tonight (11/14, agency's ability to detect and prosecute white collar crime, story 6, 0:30, Muir, 6.71M) that on Friday, lawmakers will hear say lawyers." from David Holmes, the Taylor aide who heard Trump's phone call with Sondland. Holmes 'will be pressed on what Trump Highlights Taylor, Kent Reluctance To he overheard the President saying." Bruce added, Identify "Impeachable Offense." In a tweet "Lawmakers may want to question the other staffer who Thursday, President Trump highlighted that in their testimony reportedly also overheard the phone call." Thursday, Acting Ukraine Ambassador William Taylor and Peter Alexander said on NBC Nightly News (11/14, State Department official George Kent did not respond when story 4, 0:55, Holt, 5.7M) that Democrats say the call "lies Rep. John Ratdiffe (R-TX) called on them to identify the President Trump to the pressure campaign on Ukraine." Rep. "impeachable offense" in his call with Ukrainian President Andre Carson (D-IN) said on CNN's Situation Room (11/14, Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump wrote, "@RepRatcliffe asked the 1.06M), "What is dear is that what' Taylor's aide "witnessed two 'star witnesses, 'where is the impeachable event in that and what he overheard, I think it reaffirms what we already call?' Both stared straight ahead with a blank look on their know, that President Trump attempted to use Congress- face, remained silent, & were unable to answer the question. approved taxpayer dollars to hang over the head of the That would be the end of a case run by normal people! — but Ukrainian government in an attempt to get them to get not Shifty!" information on a political rival, i.e. Joe Biden.- Taylor, Kent Say Volker Advised Ukrainian Officials Longtime OMB Employee To Break Ranks, Testify Against Investigating Political Rivals. The Washington In Impeachment Inquiry. The Washington Post (11/14, Examiner (11/14, Gehrke, 448K) reports that Acting Ukraine Werner, 14.2M) reports Mark Sandy, "a longtime career Ambassador William Taylor and State Department official employee" at OMB "is expected to break ranks and testify George Kent testified last month that a Sept. 14 meeting led Saturday in the House Democrats' impeachment inquiry, by Kurt Volker, the State Departments lead negotiator for the potentially filling in important details on the hold-up of military war in Ukraine at the time, "deteriorated into an angry aid to Ukraine." The Post says OMB has so far 'served as a confrontation: Taylor was present at the meeting along with bulwark for President Trump against the impeachment Ukrainian presidential adviser Andriy Yermak. Taylor and inquiry, since top officials have refused to testify." The Post Kent testified that in the meeting, 'Volker discouraged adds that a "senior Administration official...discounted the Ukrainian officials from investigating former President Petro importance of Sandy's testimony and criticized" House Poroshenko, whom current President Volodymyr Zelensky Speaker Pelosi and House Intelligence Chairman Adam defeated in April: Volker "argued that it is wrong to use the Schiff 'for calling him to testify: The official said, "With judicial system to target political rivals. But Zelensky's aide nothing to show after three years trying to impeach the dismissed that rebuke by invoking Trump's desire for President, Speaker Pelosi and Rep. Schiff have resorted to investigations into Democratic politicians." The Examiner threatening dedicated civil servants with subpoenas and says the exchange "underscores the Zelensky team's depositions without the ability to even have agency counsel perception that they were being pressured to accuse Biden of present." corruption in order to help President Trump's reelection WPost: Yovanovitch Testimony Injects Gender Into campaign." Impeachment Inquiry. The Washington Post (11/14, Second Source Claims To Have Overheard Viebeck, 14.2M) reports former Ukraine ambassador Marie Sondland Talking To Trump From Kiev. The AP (11/14, Yovanovitch "has crucial knowledge to impart when she Butler) reports that "a second U.S. Embassy staffer in Kyiv testifies at Friday's impeachment hearing: Yovanovitch overheard a cellphone call between" Trump and Gordon "enters the spotlight as the latest woman who has refused to Sondland, the US ambassador to the EU, "discussing a need acquiesce to Trump in the face of personal and gender- for Ukrainian officials to pursue 'investigations.'" The July 26 specific attacks." The story of her "removal as Ukraine 6 EFTA01653168 ambassador reflects some of the most complicated gender The Hill (11/14, Lillis, 2.98M) says Pebsi "accused and political dynamics of Trump's presidency. Now the Trump of committing offenses more severe than those of impeachment probe is magnifying those dynamics as the first President Nixon, who resigned in 1974 amid an impeachment woman to publicly testify prepares to confront Trump's proceeding." She said, °What President Trump has done on fiercest congressional defenders, nearly all men, about a the record — in terms of ... [asking] a foreign power to help campaign by other male allies of the president to force her him in his own election and the obstruction of information from her post." about that, the cover up — makes what Nixon did look almost Ukraine FM: Sondland Never Linked Aid To Biden small." Investigations. The Washington Examiner (11/14, Pearce, McCarthy Says Schiff Has "Lied Numerous Times." 448K) reports Ukraine Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said The Washington Post (11/14, Wagner, 14.2M) reports that Thursday that US Ambassador to the European Union House Minority Leader McCarthy on Thursday "accused" Gordon Sondland never tied military aid to Ukraine to that House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff "of lying when he country's government launching investigations into Burisma. said Wednesday that he does not know the identity of the Prystaiko "told reporters...that Sandland never asked him for whistieblower." According to the Post, when "pressed for investigations into Joe Biden's son's role with the energy evidence to back up his claim, McCarthy did not directly company while Biden was vice president, according to answer the question but instead repeatedly accused Schiff of Interfax-Ukraine." Prystaiko said, "Ambassador Sandland did lying." Speaking at his weekly news conference, McCarthy not tell us, and did not tell me exactly, about the relation said, "I think Adam Schiff has lied numerous times." The between the [military] assistance and the investigations. You Washington Examiner (11/14, Ferrechio, 448K) says should ask him. ... I do not recall any conversation with me as McCarthy "said Schiff has a history of lying, and he pointed to with foreign minister. It was not we, the Ukrainian officials Sthiff's public, unsubstantiated claims that there is evidence [who were told this]. ... I have never seen a direct link Trump colluded with Russians ahead of the 2016 election." between investigations and security assistance. Yes, WPost Analysis: GOP's Hearsay Impeachment investigations were mentioned, you know, in a Presidential Defense Is "Extremely Risky." A Washington Post (11/14, conversation. But there was no dear connection between Bade, Debonis, Dawsey, 14.2M) analysis says the White these events." House and Republicans "have seized on the lack of Pelosi Claims Trump Committed "Bribery." The AP witnesses with firsthand knowledge of President Trump's (11/14, Mascaro, Jalonick) reports House Democrats are actions on Ukraine to try to undermine the Democrats' case "refining part of their impeachment case against the president for impeachment." But the strategy "is extremely risky. ... to a simple allegation: Bribery." House Speaker Pelosi on While it is true that the diplomats testified that they were told Thursday "brushed aside the Latin phrase 'quid pro quo' that by others that Trump pressured Ukraine, a witness with Democrats have been using." Pebsi said of Trump's July 25 firsthand information — possibly former national security phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in adviser John Bolton — could still emerge." The Post adds that which he asked the Ukrainian leader for a favor, "It's perfectly "if Republicans were so concerned about secondhand wrong. It's bribery." Mary Bruce said on ABC World News accounts, Democrats say, they should allow Trump Tonight (11/14, story 4, 1:00, Muir, 6.71M) that Pelosi's use of associates who do have firsthand information — acting White the word "bribery" is 'a new and explicit allegation, and a House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and Energy Secretary major step for the Speaker! Nancy Cordes said on the CBS Rick Perry, for example — to testify." Mary Bruce said on ABC Evening News (11114, story 3, 1:10, O'Donnell, 4.08M) that World News Tonight (11/14, story 5, 2:10, Muir, 6.71M), this was the first time Pelosi used the term, which 'has been "Democrats say they want to talk to firsthand witnesses," gaining steam in her party." including Mulvaney and Bolton, "but Trump is blocking them Peter Alexander said on NBC Nightiv News (11/14, from testifying." story 3, 1:10, Holt, 5.7M) that Pebsi called Wednesday's Aides Move To Cast Trump As Presidential, Above testimony from Ambassador William Taylor and State Impeachment Fray. Politico (11/14, Cook, 4.29M) reports Department official George Kent "devastating! Politico that while the President "typically mocks the idea of acting too (11/14, Caygle, 4.29M) quotes Pebsi as saying the testimony presidential — equating it with being boring," that is "exactly "corroborated evidence of bribery uncovered in the inquiry what Trump appears to be attempting this week during the and that the President abused power and violated his oath by first public impeachment hearings." Aides 'have sought to threatening to withhold military aide and a White House cast Trump as presidential, busily focused on his policy work meeting in exchange for an investigation into his political and above the fray of the impeachment proceedings." Politico rival." Politico says Pelosi nevertheless "cautioned" that she cites a "senior Administration official" who said that the White "isn't yet ready to say whether the House will vote to impeach House "has been making a concerted effort to schedule Trump, an outcome many lawmakers think is all but certain to presidential work and meetings on Syria, opioid abuse and happen by the end of this year." the trade talks with China in an effort" to highlight the contrast 7 EFTA01653169 "between who he is and what he is focusing on versus the video targeting House Speaker Nancy Pebsi." The video partisan impeachment underway in the House." "threads together clips of the California Democrat toeing the Senate Republicans Divided Over How To Proceed line on impeachment, warning that it would be divisive for the With Impeachment Articles. The New York Times (11114, country, before showing the stark party-line vote that Hulse, 18.61M) reports some Senate Republicans are formalized the impeachment inquiry." Also Wednesday, "arguing for a speedy vote" on impeachment articles, which Trump tweeted a campaign ad with the caption, are expected to come from the House, while others see "an "DEMOCRATS ARE PUTTING POLITICS BEFORE opportunity to drag out the historic proceedings and tie down COUNTRY!" some Democratic senators at a prime moment in their NBC Nightly News (11/13, story 3, 2:00, Holt, 6.34M) presidential campaigns." According to Republican senators, described the President "and his White House [as] "the split over how to approach what is likely to be the first