Impeachment hearing exposes 'absolute coverup by White House', as former top aide dodges questions
Follow the latest updates from Washington
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Democrats in the House Judiciary Committee have launched the first impeachment hearings into allegations that Donald Trump obstructed justice and abused power, with the president's former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski appearing before the committee as the first witness to testify on questions that were raised by the Mueller report released earlier this year.
The witness had been gagged by the White House, however, and two more aides – Rick Dearborn and Rob Porter – were reportedly told to ignore subpoenas and not attend the session with the Democratic-led panel on the grounds that they are protected by “absolute immunity”.
"The White House has no authority legal or otherwise to give these orders," House Judiciary chairman Jerry Nadler said of those gags.
But, Mr Lewandowski nevertheless refused to answer questions from Democrats, citing a gag letter from the White House, where he never worked.
The president’s latest campaign rally on Monday evening saw him attempt to appeal to the Hispanic voters of New Mexico he alienated in 2016, a day bookended by his calls for resignations at The New York Times over the latest sexual misconduct allegations against Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh and a new poll forecasting Mr Trump’s defeat in key 2020 swing states.
Follow live updates
Please allow a moment for the liveblog to load
Matt Gaetz asks if Mr Nadler is threatening Mr Lewandowski with impeachment. Mr Lewandowski said no, but said that he is suggesting that Mr Lewandowski is breaking the law.
Mr Nadler has been asked to hold Mr Lewandowski in contempt. He says he will consider.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed her first challenger to a Democratic incumbent, in suburban Chicago.
Take a look at that report from us, here:
Ted Lieu notes that Mr Lewandowski said he had not read the Mueller report.
'It's a big safe. There's a lot of guns in there' Lewandowski tells Eric Swalwell
Mr Lewandowski is saying that he is concerned with the partisan politics, and the investigations into Mr Trump, but says he doesn't believe "anybody wants to see someone not elected properly".
Donald trump has named his finalists to replace John Bolton as national security adviser.
Mr Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he is considering the following candidates: Robert O'Brien, Ricky Waddell, Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, Fred Fleitz, and Keith Kellog.
Mr O'Brien is currently a US special presidential envoy for hostage affairs.
Mr Waddell is the assistant to the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, and a former national security adviser for the president.
Ms Gordon-Hagerty is the under-secretary for nuclear security with the Energy Department.
Mr Fleitz was Mr Bolton's chief of staff, and is now a chief executive and president of a Washington think tank, the Centre for Security Policy.
Mr Kellogg is vice president Mike Pence's national security adviser.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments