What weve been discussing w today, which involved in a regular channel, was a request that went against u. S. Policy that have have undermined the rule of law and our longstanding policy goals in ukraine, as in other countries in the postsoviet space. Those policies which were indeed championed by ambassador yovanovitch. You also testified on october 15th in the deposition about fundamental reforms necessary for ukraine to fight corruption and to transform the country. And you t cited the importance reforming certain institutions, notably was investigating President Trumps political opponents a part of those necessary reforms . Was it on that list of yours or indeed was it on any list . No, they werent. In fact, historically, is it not true that a major problem in the ukraine has been its misuse
of prosecutors, precisely to conduct investigation of political opponents. Thats a legacy i dare suggest from the soviet era when, as you stated in your testimony, prosecutors like the kgb were
To have very different worlds. We certainly will. This is a moment that a lot of people have been waiting for. Well see what happens. We will have special live coverage throughout the night, of course. Thanks very much for watching. Im wolf blitzer in the situation room. Our special impeachment coverage continues right now with erin burnett out front. This is cnn breaking news. Good evening. Im erin burnett. Out front tonight, the breaking news, just moments from now, you see the room. The House Judiciary Committee will begin debate on two articles of impeachment against donald j. Trump. This is only the fourth time in American History that a president has faced articles of impeachment and this is live what is happening in that room. Members are getting seated. This is prime time, the first time that any of these hearings have happened during this time. This is the debate and this is how they are choosing to start it. The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee jerry nadler is about
That is correct. You explained earlier that your job in the white house was to coordinate United States and Ukraine Policy, is that right . It is to coordinate United States policy visavis ukraine, correct. You testified in the spring of this year that these officials, these ukrainian officials began asking you, quote, advice on how to respond to mr. Giulianis advances, end quote. Is that correct . That is correct. What do you understand they meant by mr. Giulianis advances . I understood that to mean both his public commentary, so publicly calling for investigations into 2016, burisma, and hunter biden, as well as his direct overtours to the government of ukraine directly and through proxies. Thats what i understood. As you understand it, under Whose Authority do you think mr. Giuliani was acting under . Congresswoman, i dont know. Did the ukrainian officials you were speaking to tell you that they were being asked to im sorry, can you say that again, maam . Do you think the ukrainian
Somebody really caught in the middle of it, and that doesnt excuse the person from the consequences. Professors, weve talked about abuse of power and bribery. When we started, we said we would also discuss Obstruction Of Congress. So id like to ask you some questions about Obstruction Of Congress. Professor gerhardt, in your view, is there enough evidence here to charge President Trump with the high crime and misdemeanor of Obstruction Of Congress . I think theres more than enough. As i mention in my statement, just to really underscore this, the third article of impeachment approved by the House Judiciary Committee against president nixon charged him with misconduct because he failed to comply with four legislative subpoenas. Here it is far more than four that this president has failed to comply with and hes ordered
the Executive Branch as well not to cooperate the congress. Those together with a lot of other evidence suggests Obstruction Of Congress. Professor karlan, do you agree .
But, shazam, last week, you come forward with supposedly this new information . There is nothing different in there than what we had on the transcript. Maybe thats the reason their star witness, their first witness didnt bring it up. But they had to have something. So you are their closing witness because you overheard the president talking to Ambassador Sondland. Sir, if i can answer. I see four seconds left on the clock. Mr. Holmes, you may take as long as you need. Thank you, sir. I believe that ambassador taylor did already know when i briefed him when i returned from vacation on the 6th. It was not news to him that the president was pressing for a Bide Investigation. Thats not what i asked. I asked why he didnt share with us. Mr. Jordan, please do not interrupt the witness any further. Mr. Holmes your time expired yours has not. You may answer the question. Its exactly my point. I briefed the call in detail deputy chief commission. Come back, referred to the call and everyone is n