Trump news: Ken Starr blasted for hypocrisy for bemoaning 'political impeachment' as key Republicans signal they could turn on president

President's trial defence continues with arguments from former Clinton prosecutor as legal team attacks Joe Biden

Trump impeachment trial: Romney says 'increasingly likely' John Bolton will be called to testify

Twenty years after leading the impeachment efforts against Bill Clinton, Ken Starr made his debut on the Senate floor in defence of Donald Trump, while two Republican senators admit that John Bolton's testimony is becoming "increasingly likely" following bombshell revelations in the former national security chief's book.

The president reacted angrily after the manuscript Mr Bolton's 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.

Senator Mitt Romney said Mr Bolton's revelations are "relevant" and that he would like to hear them on the Senate floor.

Susan Collins of Maine echoed Mr Romney's concerns and said that Mr Bolton's claims "strengthen the case for witnesses and have prompted a number of conversations among my colleagues".

Mr Starr was widely criticised for his defence and accused of contradicting his own arguments he made as a prosecutor. He derided the impeachment of Mr Trump over a lack of bipartisan support and claimed that the president was afforded executive privilege allowing him to withhold documents and testimony from subpoenas.

The president's defence also attacked Joe Biden and his son Hunter for what they argued was his corrupt role on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

Meanwhile, Fox host Chris Wallace railed against a contributor he told to "get your facts straight" on air as the talking heads squabbled over the admission of evidence in the Clinton trial compared to the Trump proceedings.

Back at the White House, Mr Trump hosted Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his opposition counterpart Benny Gantz for briefing on his plans to bring peace to the Middle East.

The president intends to announce those plans on Tuesday amid widespread criticism and calls for boycotts from Palestinians, who have largely been ignored from US-led discussions over the region's future.

Follow live coverage as it happened:

Key Points

• New John Bolton claim emerges, 'blasts another hole' through trial defence
• Mitt Romney, Susan Collins hint at Republican rebellion over witnesses
• Trump hosting Israeli leaders at White House to discuss Middle East peace
• President pays tribute to late NBA star Kobe Bryant
• White House spiritual adviser under fire for 'Satanic pregnancies' sermon

[27 January 2020 12:55 · Joe Sommerlad]

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.

[27 January 2020 13:15 · Joe Sommerlad]

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

[27 January 2020 13:35 · Joe Sommerlad]

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.

[27 January 2020 13:55 · Joe Sommerlad]

Trump roasted for unveiling Space Force logo heavily influenced by Star Trek

I think this one's fairly self-explanatory.

[27 January 2020 14:10 · Joe Sommerlad]

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."

[27 January 2020 14:30 · Joe Sommerlad]

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.

[27 January 2020 14:50 · Joe Sommerlad]

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."

[27 January 2020 15:10 · Joe Sommerlad]

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".

[27 January 2020 15:25 · Joe Sommerlad]

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.

[27 January 2020 15:35 · Joe Sommerlad]

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.