Trump news: President rages over historic impeachment vote as White House expert reveals details of Ukraine policy

Follow the latest updates from Washington, as it happened

Jimmy Kimmel mashes up Obama's Bin Laden speech and Trump's Baghdadi address

The House of Representatives has voted to formalise the Democrat-led impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump by 232-196, firmly along party lines, establishing key ground rules for the ongoing investigation and setting up a potentially explosive public hearing phase.

Before the ballots were cast, House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff reminded members of the “solemnity” of the day before angry Republicans Devin Nunes and Steve Scalise accused the opposition of “acting like a cult” and carrying out a “Soviet-style” operation. Mr Trump himself then raged at the result on Twitter, branding the inquiry: “The Greatest Witch Hunt In American History!”

Tim Morrison, the National Security Council’s top Russia adviser reportedly said the administration’s dealings with Ukraine gave him “a sinking feeling”, during testimony on Capitol Hill after lawyers for the president’s former national security adviser, John Bolton, said he will appear before the House panel next week should a subpoena be issued.

During his testimony, Mr Morrison confirmed that Mr Trump had sought a quid pro quo related to US security funding and an investigation into Joe Biden, but said he did not believe Mr Trump had broken the law.

The impeachment vote means that the House is moving into a new phase, with public hearings likely on the horizon as Democrats continue to pursue the president over potential wrongdoing.

And, shortly after the vote, Democratic congresswoman Katie Hill delivered a scathing resignation speech, in which she declared that she was the victim of a "double standard" because she had been accused of an inappropriate but consensual sexual relationship, and forced from Congress.

Mr Trump, she said, is meanwhile still the president after repeated accusations of sexual assault (he has denied doing so).

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Key Points

• House of Representatives votes to formalise impeachment inquiry
• Trump rages at 'Greatest Witch Hunt In American History!'
• National Security Council's Russia expert appearing before inquiry
• John Bolton will testify if subpoena issued, say lawyers
• Ex-Republican senator warns of Orwellian dystopia under Trump

[31 October 2019 17:22 · Clark Mindock]

As Congress continues the impeachment fight, politicians in the House and Senate are still facing down a pretty stiff deadline to pass a government spending bill before a 21 November deadline.

While it appeared that a long term deal was possible, it appears to be increasingly likely that lawmakers will need to punt past that deadline, and likely take up the issue again in the new year.

[31 October 2019 17:44 · Clark Mindock]

An interview between Donald Trump and Nigel Farage is dropping right now.

Apparently, Mr Trump had quite a lot to say during the interview on Leading Britain's Conversation, including:

• He would like to see an alliance between Mr Farage and Boris Johnson
• That the queen allegedly wanted him to stay at Buckingham Palace longer than he did ("She was smiling and having a good time")
• That Boris Johnson's Brexit deal could hamper free trade with the United States ("This deal, to be honest, some aspects of it, you cannot do a trade deal with the UK")
• That Jeremy Corbyn "would be so bad for your country, he'd take you into such bad places

[31 October 2019 18:00 · Clark Mindock]

The House vote today signifies rough waters ahead for Mr Trump, but we are still far from seeing Mr Trump forced from office with a Senate conviction.

Still, we're seeing a bit of a change in tone from GOP senators, who had previously promised to strike down any articles of impeachment that head their way. With increasingly damning evidence from the hearings Democrats have conducted, though, they've taken on a bit more sober of a tone.

To be clear: No Republican has announced they will break rank and vote to force Mr Trump out of office. But, several could be in contention — especially those in swing districts who are up for re-election next year.

"There's lots of things that concern me," said senator Tim Scott on Wednesday, making him just the latest Republican to express that kind of sentiment in public.

[31 October 2019 18:20 · Clark Mindock]

Just days after Donald Trump announced the US had killed Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the terrorist organisation has confirmed that death.

They've also named a new leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Qurayshi. It remains unclear if he will be able to lead the group as successfully as his now deceased predecessor.

[31 October 2019 18:40 · Clark Mindock]

Word to the wise: If you're a prominent media personality, know what you're talking about when you Tweet.

This message is mostly aimed at conservative personality Ann Coulter, who attacked an account called "Catturd" for claiming (correctly) that presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard had cast a vote in favour of impeaching Trump.

Ms Coulter said that Ms Gabbard did not vote today because she is "a SENATOR". Ms Gabbard is a member of the House, not the Senate.

[31 October 2019 19:00 · Clark Mindock]

Here's some interesting context on Ivanka Trump's defenses.

[31 October 2019 19:20 · Clark Mindock]

Here's Mr Trump explaining his views of Meghan Markle:

[31 October 2019 19:40 · Clark Mindock]

[31 October 2019 20:00 · Clark Mindock]

We're still awaiting news from inside the closed-door hearing with Tim Morrison, the White House adviser who resigned just days ago.

He is expected to back up claims that Mr Trump sought a quid pro quo over nearly $400 million in financial aid to Ukraine, in exchange for a public commitment by president Volodymyr Zelensky to open up investigations that would benefit the American president politically.

[31 October 2019 20:20 · Clark Mindock]

Here is our write up of Katie Hill's final speech to Congress, from earlier today.