According to internal emails from the center for public integrity, order to suspend aide came from a political appointee, michael duffey. He told the pentagon to hold off on additional he said i appreciate you keeping that information closely held to those who need to know to execute direction. The timing of the order, 90 minutes after the call raises new issues about using foreign aid to pressure ukraine. A Senior Administration official tells new york times, quote, timing of the email was coincidental. But michael duffeys role has long been under scrutiny because authority over ukraine was given to duffey, political appointee over career officials at the omb. He was blocked from testifying in the house impeachment inquiry. Minutes ago, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer cited duffeys emails to push republicans to allow witnesses at the president s trial. What happened over the weekend with duffeys emails made public has only bolstered the case that documents should be produced an
Mike duffey, a trump political appointee and budget official. Happens to be one of several witnesses democrats would like to see in person at an impeachment trial. This latest revelation sparked this reaction from Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer. If there was ever an argument that we need mr. Duffey to come testify, this is that information. This email is explosive. Cnn covering all an lts from the white house to capitol hill. Sara westwood traveling with the president. And laura fox is in washington. Lets start first with sara. The president may be on vacation, but impeachment still at the top of his mind. He lashed out at Speaker Pelosi this morning for delaying sending the impeachment articles to the senate. Is the white house at all concerned this could bolster the chiropracto democrats case to call witnesses . Right now theyre down playing the revelatory level of these saying its misleading to connect the phone calls to the phone call President Trump had with the president of
Trial would look like. And the steps impacting the Democratic Candidates. With 43 days the go to the Iowa Caucuses senators on the campaign trail are trying to balance the race and upcoming trial. Just on time for the holidays, north koreas latest threat as nbc news obtains exclusive satellite images of new construction at a site that is linked to longrange missiles. And Eddie Murphys return to saturday night live, bringing back his much loved characters 35 years later. Legends in our time. Were going to start with the development right now. Were learning new information about the centerpiece of President Trumps impeachment. Dozens of administration emails raising questions right now about the timeline of the decision to hold aid to ukraine. The emails reveal a request to withhold funds. They came less than two hours after trumps july 25th phone call with the ukrainian testimony. Closed door testimony with the office of management and budget says it dates back as far as july 12th but w
Holding the articles of youve got republicans that are impeachment is bringing the arguing this is in fact about president to a boil. They didnt give us anything. Corruption, the very first now they have come to the senate readout of the call that was in question, the president never and they want everything. Once indicated said the word with the senate trial on hold, what is pelosis strategy and is it working . Corruption once. So once again, these are democratic congressman joe kennedy joins me exclusively to discuss, next. Republicans getting loud, trying to hide the ball from what is a very serious abuse of power by President Trump. It is true that there is no hello, im jake tapper in washington with the state of our union is saddened and on edge. Evidence of any wrongdoing by Vice President biden or that a man is charged with five counts of attempted murder after hunter biden broke any laws at all but frankly it does stink a mass stabbing at a Hanukkah Party outside new york city.
Also its christmas so we have a naughty and nice list of our own. Chris cillizza, he made the list and he will tell us about it. And weve got the films you should not miss during your holiday break. All that and more but first a check of the headlines from the news desk. Good morning. Im alison kosik in new york. Moments ago in vatican city, pope francis issued a call for peace in regions like ukraine, venezuela, and south africa. Last night he celebrated Christmas Eve mass with a message of hope and love for the new year. A brewing snow and rainstorm could snarl travel after the holiday here. Meteorologist ivan cabrera joins us live with your christmas forecast. Good morning. All right, alison. Good morning. Merry christmas. We do have some problems out west. I think the east is looking just fine, thank you, here. We do have some morning fog. In fact, a lot of us are under a low blanket of fog here. Ohio valley and Southern New Mexico going to take you where it is certainly snowing an