The Democrats’ impeachment inquiry hearings into President Donald Trump begin today, and it’s expected to be a circus, with Democrats beginning to lay out their case for impeaching President Trump over a phone call, (which Trump released) with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
This is the first time public impeachment hearings have happened since 1998.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), began his 45-minute introduction by saying Trump talking to Zelenski about the alleged corruption of Joe Biden was in his “personal interests,” and not in the interests of the country.
Schiff went on to say, “there are still missing pieces,” which the impeachment inquiry is allegedly supposed to uncover. He then went on to accuse President Trump of obstructing Congress and abuse of power, with no further detail as to evidence he had to prove these points.
Republican Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), who is the Ranking Member of the Intelligence Committee, then took the mic, saying after the Democrats spent years with the Russia Hoax, now they are turning to Ukrainian dealings with Republicans.
Nunes branded the Democrats’ efforts a “scorched earth war” of being an attempt at a “media smear campaign,” and going forward with impeachment without the backing of a single Republican, not bipartisan in any way. He also lambasted Schiff for making up fictitious text of Trump’s phone call with Ukraine, spreading more lies.
While addressing witnesses Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent and Acting-Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor, Nunes said, “I’d like to congratulate you for passing the Democrats’ star chamber editions held for the last weeks in the Capitol.” Nunes ended, saying, this impeachment process is “in search of a crime.”
Kent and Taylor were then sworn in by Chairman Schiff.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), asked Schiff, through a point of order, will Republican members be allowed to speak candidly, to which Schiff said he would intervene if he feels necessary.
Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) made a motion to have closed-door hearings with the whistleblower, to which Schiff declined.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), asked when the whistleblower will testify, in which Schiff said he “do[es] not know the identity of the whistleblower.”
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent gave his opening remarks, then Acting-Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor opened his remarks.
In the second round of questioning, Ranking Member Devin Nunes criticized the Democrats’ whistleblower hoax regarding former Democrat operative Alexandra Chalupa, who dug up dirt on true Trump campaign during the 2016 election.
While questioning Ambassador Taylor, Nunes asked multiple questions regarding the veracity of Taylor’s statements, and whether he stands with multiple reports and statements.
House Minority counsel Steve Castor began questioning Taylor and Kent about Hunter Biden’s dealings in Ukraine, specifically about Deputy Assistant Secretary Kent regarding a complaint he filed about Biden, to which no action was taken.
Other key moments in today’s testimony included exchanges between the witnesses and Rep. Jim Jordan, Chairman Adam Schiff, and other members. Below are some key moments:
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