Tuesday marks the the third day there will be public testimony in the impeachment inquiry in President Donald Trump.
The four witnesses scheduled to field questions from the House Intelligence Committee are Jennifer Williams, an aide to Vice President Mike Pence, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a director in the National Security Council, Ambassador Kurt Volker, who was posted in Ukraine, and Tim Morrison, a former national security adviser to Trump.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN LIVE TO THE HEARING.
Check back to this article for commentary and updates about the hearing from journalists in KCBS Radio's newsroom.
DONE FOR THE DAY
5:30 p.m.
Chairman Adam Schiff has adjourned the House Intelligence Committee. More testimony will be heard Wednesday and Thursday. Listen to those hearings via KCBSRadio.com too.
WRAPPING UP
5:26 p.m.
Rep. Devin Nunes in closing statement: "The American people were promised a grave and somber impeachment inquiry. Instead, they got the salacious spy screen comedy that they've been working on for three years." https://t.co/C41miVU9F5 pic.twitter.com/5cNHwjPePO
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 20, 2019HEARING HUNGER
5:10 p.m.
Memo to self for tomorrow: when #ImpeachmentHearings last 12 hours, bring snacks.
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 20, 2019SWALWELL GETS INVOLVED
4:35 p.m.
Sharply executed line of questioning by @RepSwalwell, as Morrison testifies it's his duty to follow POTUS' lawful orders...but he didn't pursue Biden investigations in Ukraine. Why not? Swalwell says it's because witness knew it was wrong. Morrison says didn't take it as policy.
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 20, 2019INTEREST FADING?
4:15 p.m.
Republican members keep referring to these #ImpeachmentHearings as "boring," and seem to be trying to convince voters not to watch. But @realDonaldTrump is watching, and while they're long, democracy in action is hardly dull.
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 20, 2019NUNES GOES VIRAL
3:18 p.m.
#DevinNunesIsAnIdiot hashtag trends after Vindman corrects lawmaker about his official title https://t.co/ZhsYBFAG38 pic.twitter.com/IaPKjjjCVS
— The Hill (@thehill) November 19, 2019LONG DAY
3:08 p.m.
The #ImpeachmentHearing is back in session. This is going to be a 12-hour day. Testimony probably won't end until almost 9pm eastern.
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019KNOW THE LINGO
2:32 p.m.
"I tried to pull up that MemCon because we were planning a BiLat with POTUS and Zelensky."Today's testimony sponsored by the National Jargon Association#ImpeachmentHearings
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019'RESTRICT ACCESS'
1:58 p.m.
"I recommended we restrict access to the package," former NSC official Tim Morrison says of July 25 call record.HPSCI counsel: "Had you ever asked the NSC legal adviser to restrict access before?"Morrison: "No." https://t.co/J4jAYidyMK pic.twitter.com/whmfx5YHmf
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) November 19, 2019LOOKING TO MEET
1:43 p.m.
Volker says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wanted a White House meeting because he felt "he was not understood by President Trump" and that Trump "didn't appreciate" his movement against corruption in Ukraine https://t.co/xHzl0V73EQ pic.twitter.com/0OLcdOb7uU
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 19, 2019SHARP TURN
1:19 p.m.
Wow, #KurtVolker has done a complete about-face from what he said in his deposition. He now undermines the White House line on Bidens/#Ukraine/2016 interference, he praises Biden, and admits Trump *was* pressuring #Ukraine and demanding investigations, tho he didn't know it b4.
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019'CONSPIRACY THEORY'
1:08 p.m.
#KurtVolker is testifying that allegations against the Bidens in #Ukraine were "not credible;" he told Giuliani alleged Ukraininan interference in 2016 election was "a conspiracy theory;" & he should've realized Trump was withholding aid to pressure Ukraine to investigate. https://t.co/Fdz4eV2RkF
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019AFTERNOON WITNESSES: WHO ARE THEY?
One is Kurt Volker. He's the former US special envoy to Ukraine and one of the so-called "three amigos" who were given special authority over American relations with the Eastern European country. European Union Ambassador Gordon Sondland and Energy Secretary Rick Perry make up the rest of the trio. Volker has denied participating in efforts to unearth damaging information on former Vice President Joe Biden, but he's provided text messages to Congress that show he talked to officials in Ukraine that President Trump had wanted, according to CNN.
The other witness is Tim Morrision who was a Russia expert with the White House's National Security Council until resigning recently. Morrision is important because he listened to Trump's July phone call with Ukraine's president and had important exchanges with Sondland about military aid for Ukraine, the Washington Post said.
BACK IN ACTION
12:29 p.m.
HEARINGS RESUME: Adam Schiff begins the second impeachment hearing of the day, with testimony from Kurt Volker and Tim Morrison https://t.co/xHzl0V73EQ pic.twitter.com/gEnLlw8TFQ
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 19, 2019WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE?
12:20 p.m.
Many people seem confused about what "high crimes & misdemeanors" means. It's an archaic term of art from English law. A high crime is an offense by someone in a high position of power. Essentially it means abusing power or betraying public trust. Not necessarily breaking the law
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019EXTENDED BREAK
12:01 p.m.
We are awaiting resumption of testimony at today's #ImpeachmentHearings. We expect this afternoon's witnesses, #KurtVolker and #TimMorrison to enter the room around noon PT. Expect a flip of the script this time: Democrats on attack, Repubs using testimony to help make their case
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019'ELEMENT OF SHOCK'
10:45 a.m.
Vindman describes his first thoughts after he heard Trump ask Ukraine to investigate the Bidens: "Frankly, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It was probably an element of shock."Why did he report it immediately?"Because that was my duty." https://t.co/OZ2lHu07Z6 pic.twitter.com/gL424DhiQ3
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 19, 2019ROUND OF APPLAUSE
10:24 a.m.
Wow: gallery breaks into applause after #AlexanderVindman testifies that he took "ultimate risk" of exposing wrongdoing by POTUS because "This is America. This is the country that i've served and defended...and here, right matters." #ImpeachmentHearings
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019WHITE HOUSE COMMENTS
10:20 a.m.
Two points here:1) These tweets attacking current White House official #AlexanderVindman are coming from the official @WhiteHouse Twitter account, which is a taxpayer-funded government function, not a campaign account.2) #TimMorrison will testify this afternoon, at GOP request https://t.co/MX2SN54zFJ
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019JORDAN RULES
10:09 a.m.
Jim Jordan gets another shot, and casts the entire #ImpeachmentInquiry as a desperate Democratic attempt to thwart the will of the people and undo the election of 2016:"They've been out to get the president" since the day he took office.
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019FIREWORKS
10:02 a.m.
Fireworks between #JimJordan and #AlexanderVindman, as Jordan questions why Vindman discussed the call with others after being told not to."Mr. Jordan, I did my job."Vindman corrects Jordan on the timeline of events #ImpeachmentHearing
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019EYES ON REP. STEFANIK
9:36 a.m.
Now, it's @EliseStefanik's turn, the NY GOP Rep who's become a sudden Republican star because of the #ImpeachmentHearings, but whose 2020 opponent has also had a field day raising money off Stefanik's performance here.
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019TRUMP CHIMES IN
9:30 a.m.
Trump just spoke, dismissing #ImpeachmentHearing as a "disgrace" and "kangaroo court," and said GOP lawmakers are "killing it." Trump said, "I don't know Vindman," "I never heard of him."
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019PAPER TRAIL
EVOLVING 'CRIMES'
9:01 a.m.
.@RepRatcliffe displays stack of depositions to make the point that suddenly, the Democrats claim @realDonaldTrump committed "bribery," but there was no mention of that word by any witness in depositiions - except in relation to Biden/Burisma. #ImpeachmentHearing
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019STRATEGIC QUESTIONING
8:52 a.m.
Much of the GOP line of questioning bolsters the case @realDonaldTrump makes to his base: #ImpeachmentHearing is a hoax, the witnesses are leaking, biased Deep State #NeverTrumpers, the Bidens are corrupt. None of that is supported by evidence or testimony.
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019WHERE'S THE LEAKER
8:48 a.m.
Jordan, as Nunes did, also suggests that #AlexanderVindman leaked information to the media. Jordan asks him directly if he leaked. Vindman says "I never did and never would" and that it's "preposterous" to suggest or imply that he did. #ImpeachmentHearing
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019BACK IN ACTION
8:37 a.m.
The Intelligence Committee members are again questioning Jennifer Williams, a career foreign service official, and Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a National Security Council official.
TAKE A BREAK
8:19 a.m.
The committee has taken a five to 10 minute break. When it resumes, representatives on the committee will each get five minutes to question the witnesses.
NAME GAME
8:04 a.m.
Here's the tense exchange in which @DevinNunes attempts to get #AlexanderVindman to name the #Whistleblower. There were groans from Republicans when @RepAdamSchiff said "We have to protect the whistleblower." #ImpeachmentHearing https://t.co/eHjuGoWzAU
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019EARLY REACITON
8:00 a.m.
KCBS Radio's Stan Bunger and Susan Leigh Taylor spoke with political analyst Marc Sandalow about today's hearings.
INTELLIGENCE DEBATE
7:47 a.m.
Nunes tells #Vindman he has to answer or take the 5th, when Vindman says he's not supposed to discuss members of the intelligence community. Vindman's lawyer interrupts and says they're following committee rules. A disgusted Nunes finally gives up.
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019Nunes and #AlexanderVindman are sparring now over questions about the intelligence community and the #Whistleblower. Nunes wants Vindman to answer, but he won't. Schiff interrupts: "This hearing will not be used to out the whistleblower." Nunes refers to hearing as "inquisition"
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019IMPEACHMENT POLLS
7:36 a.m.
What does the public think of the impeachment proceedings? FiveThirtyEight is analyzing data from opinion polls about it.
We're tracking impeachment polls: https://t.co/sEyZtwCcFV
— FiveThirtyEight (@FiveThirtyEight) November 19, 2019'i HAD CONCERNS'
7:22 a.m.
Schiff: "Col. Vindman, what was your real time reaction to hearing that [July 25> call?"Vindman: "Chairman, without hesitation I knew I had to report this to the WH counsel. I had concerns, and it was my duty to report my concerns to the proper people in the chain of command." pic.twitter.com/4U0fKzm9tM
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) November 19, 2019LINGUISTIC SKILLS
7:16 a.m.
#Vindman makes a leetle joke: "I speak Russian, Ukrainian and a little bit of English." Always good to have some human levity in these otherwise somber proceedings #ImpeachmentHearings
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019DOUBLE TAKE
7:02 a.m.
My colleague @SovernNation is the father (and brother) of twins. I have a pair of twin brothers. We both smiled when Lt. Col. Vindman referred to his "little brother" (identical twins). Typical twin behavior!
— Stan Bunger (@BungerKCBSRadio) November 19, 2019BODY LANGUAGE
6:57 a.m.
Remember, both of today's witnesses still work in the Trump @WhiteHouse. They are non-political, career foreign service staffers, and both say they sounded the alarm about Trump's #Ukraine call. They seem nervous and not very comfortable in this very public setting.
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019GOP 'S (LIKELY) RESPONSE
6:49 a.m.
The only GOP rebuttal to #AlexanderVindman is going to be that what @realDonaldTrump did on the call does not rise to the level of an impeachable offense. #ImpeachmentHearing
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019HEAVY MEDAL
—Stan Bunger
AN 'UNUSUAL' CALL
6:38 a.m.
Williams says she found President Trump's call with Ukraine's president "unusual" because it "involved discussion of what appeared to be a domestic political matter" https://t.co/OZ2lHu07Z6 pic.twitter.com/h4wBl0odqI
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 19, 2019INTRODUCING THE WITNESSES
Who are these witnesses?
Jennifer Williams is a longtime Foreign Service officer who was assigned earlier this year to the staff of Vice President Mike Pence. In that capacity, she listened in to the controversial July 25 phone call between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky.
Lt. Col Alexander Vindman is a decorated career military officer assigned to the staff of the National Security Council. He was wounded by a roadside bomb while on duty in Iraq. He also raised concerns about the July 25 Trump-Zelensky call.
—Stan Bunger
MEDIA ON TRIAL
6:22 a.m.
After Schiff's 10-minute opening statement, @DevinNunes is giving one of his own, that so far is a blistering attack on the news media. Ask the @FresnoBee: the Central Valley Congressman is no friend of the Fourth Estate.
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019TECHNICAL CHALLENGE
6:17 a.m.
Curiously, the "live" TV feed of this morning's #ImpeachmentHearings is more than 2 minutes behind our live radio feed. By the time you see it happen on TV, history has already been made on the radio.
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) November 19, 2019IN SESSION
6:09 a.m.
Rep. Adam Schiff , Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, has officially opened the session and is beginning with a statement.
READY FOR DAY THREE
—Stan Bunger
