This article titled “Donald Trump impeachment: president impeached following vote in House of Representatives – as it happened” was written by Maanvi Singh in San Francisco (now) and Joan E Greve in Washington (earlier), for theguardian.com on Thursday 19th December 2019 10.47 UTC
2.07pm GMT
There’s much more impeachment news on Thursday’s live blog. Follow it here:
Related: Trump impeachment: Pelosi and McConnell set for battle over Senate trial – live
4.14am GMT
Evening summary
Today, Donald Trump became the third president in US history to be impeached. Here’s a recap:
- After a full day of debate, the House approved two articles of impeachment charging Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
- Congress voted 230-197 to approve the first article and 229-198 for the second.
- Members voted overwhelmingly along party lines, with three Democrats opposing one or both articles, and one, 2020 candidate Tulsi Gabbard, voting “present”.
- While announcing the result, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has cast the impeachment as a sad, solemn occasion, shut down applause from Democrats.
- Afterward, Pelosi evaded questions about when she will hand the articles of impeachment over to the Senate, indicating that wants to first make sure that the Senate will hold a “fair” trial.
- Leader Mitch McConnell said he will address the impeachment on the Senate floor tomorrow.
- As members of the House voted to impeach him, Donald Trump carried on speaking at a campaign rally in Michigan. The moment offered a surreal split screen.
- As impeachment was being debated, an appeals court delivered a long-awaited ruling on the Affordable Care Act. The court said that the “individual mandate” provision of Obamacare was unconstitutional while punting a broader decision on whether the entire law was valid.
- And finally (just for fun): the USDA removed references to Wakanda, the fictional home of Marvel superhero Black Panther, from a list of trading partners.
Related: Donald Trump impeached by House of Representatives in historic vote
Updated at 10.47am GMT
3.42am GMT
A few more impeachment reactions from 2020 Dems…
Joe Biden, the only 2020 candidate name-checked in the articles of impeachment, echoed other Dremocrats and cast today as “a solemn moment for our country”
President Trump abused his power, violated his oath of office, and betrayed our nation. This is a solemn moment for our country. But in the United States of America, no one is above the law — not even the President.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden)
December 19, 2019
Cory Booker, who along with his 2020 competitors Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, will be participating in the Senate trial on whether to convict Trump, similarly said: “Today is a sad moment for our country.”
The three-month House impeachment process has uncovered alarming evidence that an American president used his official power for personal gain, put our national security at risk, and obstructed the investigation.
Today is a sad moment for our country.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker)
December 19, 2019
Amy Klobuchar, yet another Senator in the 2020 race said “the House is fulfilling their constitutional obligation”.
The Founding Fathers included impeachment provisions in the Constitution because they feared that a President could betray the trust of the American people to a foreign power.
Today, the House is fulfilling their constitutional obligation.
No one is above the law.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar)
December 19, 2019
Meanwhile, Tulsi Gabbard, the only House member to vote “present” said she was “standing in the center”.
“After doing my due diligence in reviewing the 658-page impeachment report, I came to the conclusion that I could not in good conscience vote either yes or no,” she said.
The Hawaii representative and 2020 candidate instead introduced a resolution to censure Trump for abusing “ the powers of the Presidency for his own personal political gain” .
Updated at 3.51am GMT
3.34am GMT
Analysis: Impeachment is ‘one more battle in America’s cold civil war’
Photograph: Leah Millis/Reuters
Read The Guardian’s analysis of today’s historic impeachment vote, courtesy of David Smith:
While no crystal ball can truly foresee whether impeachment will help or hurt Trump in the 2020 presidential election, the House’s ultimate sanction may come to be seen simply as one more battle in America’s cold civil war. That would make it one of the most important yet least consequential votes in congressional history.
Related: Trump’s impeachment may be just another battle in the US’s civil war
3.28am GMT
RNC and DNC issue contrasting statements on impeachment
Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel said “Nancy Pelosi and her fellow impeachment crusaders have ensured the reelection of President Trump” by voting to impeach him.
At the same time, the Democratic National Committee chair lauded those who voted for impeachment. “Those who voted for impeachment will be remembered for their courage and commitment to protecting our democracy,” said DNC chair Tom Perez.
Republicans and Democrats have stuck with tried and tested talking points, with the former continuing to cast the process as a “sham” and the latter repeating that House Dems had a constitutional responsibility to see the impeachment through.
Updated at 3.28am GMT
3.19am GMT
Donald Trump is the third US president to be impeached. The moment offered a surreal split screen — as the president railed against Democrats at a rally, they cast their votes against him.
Here’s a recap of the day, in pictures:
Related: A divided America: the moment Trump was impeached – in pictures
3.11am GMT
Representative Debbie Dingell responded to Trump’s attacks against her and her late husband, writing that his “hurtful words just made my healing much harder”.
Mr. President, let’s set politics aside. My husband earned all his accolades after a lifetime of service. I’m preparing for the first holiday season without the man I love. You brought me down in a way you can never imagine and your hurtful words just made my healing much harder.
— Rep. Debbie Dingell (@RepDebDingell)
December 19, 2019
Dingell is a Democrat from Michigan, where Trump is holding a campaign rally tonight.
3.03am GMT
What’s next?
Now that Donald Trump has been impeached, it’s up to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi what happens next. Responding to questions from reporters, Pelosi wouldn’t say when she plans on sending the impeachment articles to the Senate, which is required to hold a trial to decide whether to remove the president from office.
“We’ll see what happens over there,” Pelosi said at her news conference, referring to the Senate. She said House Democrats would decide as “a group” when to send the articles over and name impeachment managers — House members who will make their case in the Senate trial.
Mitch McConnell, the Senate leader, said he will address the impeachment at 9:30 AM EST tomorrow morning.
At 9:30am tomorrow morning, on the Senate floor, I will speak about House Democrats’ precedent-breaking impeachment of the President of the United States.
— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr)
December 19, 2019
Related: Trump has been impeached – so what happens next?
Updated at 3.12am GMT
2.52am GMT
Speaking at his campaign rally, Donald Trump said he regretted that Debbie Dingell, a Democratic representative from Michigan, voted to impeach him even though he allowed a state funeral to proceed for her late husband and have him “the A+ treatment”.
Trump also suggested John Dingell may be “looking up” from hell.
Trump laments that Debbie Dingell voted to impeach him despite the fact that he allowed the normal state funeral to proceed for her late husband, former Rep. John Dingell. Trump then suggests John Dingell is in hell — to audible groans. pic.twitter.com/wsYfddNIA9
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar)
December 19, 2019
2.43am GMT
2020 Democratic candidates laud impeachment
Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren indicated they were ready to take up the torch in the senate.
Donald Trump has abused our diplomatic relationships and undermined our national security for his own personal, political gain. By voting to impeach him, the House has taken an important step to hold him accountable. I’m ready to fulfill my constitutional duty in the Senate.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren)
December 19, 2019
A trial in the Senate. Mitch McConnell must conduct a full and fair trial to hold this president accountable. https://t.co/GItUvoLbQe
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders)
December 19, 2019
Michael Bloomberg said the House “did its duty under the Constitution,” but added that “unfortunately, it increasingly appears that Senate Republicans will not. The issue won’t be settled until November, by the American people.”
Julian Castro suggested that Mitch McConnell should recuse himself from the Senate trial. “The Senate should do its constitutional duty. Remove Donald Trump from office,” he said.
Pete Buttigieg expressed similar sentiments. “Our lawmakers take an oath not to party but to country,” he said. “That oath is all the more important in the most difficult of times.
Our lawmakers take an oath not to party but to country. That oath is all the more important in the most difficult of times.
Today it required Congress to defend the rule of law, our national security, and our democracy from a president who puts his own interests above America’s.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg)
December 19, 2019
2.22am GMT
Pelosi evaded questions on whether she would commit to sending articles to Senate
Nancy Pelosi would not definitively commit to sending over the articles of impeachment or naming impeachment managers.
“We cannot name managers until we see what the process is on the Senate side,” she said. “So far we haven’t seen anything that looks fair to us.”
Senate leader Mitch McConnell is “in cahoots with the lawyers of the accused,” Pelosi said, but she did not say how exactly a fair Senate trial would look .
Withholding the articles could give Pelosi some leverage over the trial as she pushes McConnell to call more witnesses.
Updated at 2.45am GMT
2.15am GMT
Adam Schiff: ‘Will the Senate uphold its duty?’
Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP
“The question is whether the majority leader will allow a fair trial,” Shiff said, having seen the impeachment inquiry he led come to a close. “We have done our duty in the House, we have upheld the constitution. The question now is will the senate uphold its duty?”
He urged senators to call more witnesses and demand to see documents that the president has withheld. “The president not only abused his office but threatens to abuse it again,” Schiff said.
2.08am GMT
House Committee Chairmen are joining me to speak live from the U.S. Capitol following today’s historic vote to #DefendOurDemocracy. https://t.co/7XKdmQaJew
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi)
December 19, 2019
Nancy Pelosi said today is a “sad day” for the country. “The president’s reckless activities necessitated us having to introduce articles of impeachment,” she said, before thanking the various House committee leaders who spearheaded the impeachment inquiry.
House Judiciary chair Jerrold Nadler added that the “no one, not even the president is above the law”.
Updated at 2.10am GMT
2.04am GMT
Photograph: Evan Vucci/AP
Donald Trump continued to speak at a campaign rally in Battle Creek, Michigan as a majority of the House voted to pass both articles of impeachment.
“The do-nothing Democrats are declaring their deep hatred and disdain for the American people,” he told the crowd. “This lawless partisan impeachment is a political suicide march for the Democrat party.”
In a statement, Trump’s press secretary Stephanie Grisham said the president is “confident the Senate will restore regular order, fairness, and due process, all of which were ignored in the House proceedings”.
“He is prepared for the next steps and confident that he will be fully exonerated,” she said.
Related: ‘Doesn’t feel like we’re being impeached’: Trump holds rally amid House vote
1.53am GMT
Second article of impeachment passes
The House has now passed the second article of impeachment, which is obstruction of Congress. The final vote was 229-198, with only Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard voting “present.”
Trump has been impeached on both abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, and the two articles will now taken up by the Senate in a trial to determine whether he should be removed from office.
It is widely expected the president will be acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate, but the importance of this moment cannot be understated.
A majority of the House of representatives has declared that Trump has abused his power and obstructed Congress, and he will go down in history as only the third US president to ever be impeached.
1.52am GMT
Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who voted “present” on both articles of impeachment, has issued a statement explaining her stance, which will certainly prove controversial with the rest of her caucus.
Here’s her statement pic.twitter.com/Ky948XxILC
— Manu Raju (@mkraju)
December 19, 2019
“After doing my due diligence in reviewing the 658-page impeachment report, I came to the conclusion that I could not in good conscience vote either yes or no,” Gabbard said in the statement.
1.49am GMT
This moment is quickly going viral. After the first article of impeachment officially passed, speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared to shush the House Democrats who started to applaud.
The glare Pelosi gave her caucus when some Dems started to clap after she announced the first article of impeachment passed pic.twitter.com/8vONZlEyZ3
— Peter Stevenson (@PeterWStevenson)
December 19, 2019
Pelosi has emphasized throughout the day that this is a “sad” occasion, and the speaker reportedly instructed her caucus not to appear celebratory of the inevitable result.
1.44am GMT
Majority of House backs second article
A majority of the House of representatives has now voted in favor of the second article of impeachment, obstruction of Congress, after passing the first article, abuse of power.
The vote is not final until speaker Nancy Pelosi gavels it in, but the tally is currently 221-165, with only Tulsi Gabbard voting present.
1.42am GMT
Three House Democrats — Jeff Van Drew, Collin Peterson and Jared Golden — have voted “no” on the second article of impeachment, which is obstruction of Congress.
Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard voted “present,” as she did on the first article of impeachment.
1.37am GMT
Vote underway on second article of impeachment
With Nancy Pelosi presiding over the House, the speaker called for a vote on the second article of impeachment, which is obstruction of Congress.
This vote will go much the same as the first, with one notable exception: Democratic congressman Jared Golden has said he will vote “no” on this article, despite supporting the first article.
Members have five minutes to cast their ballots.
1.34am GMT
Trump becomes third president in US history to be impeached
The House has passed the first article of impeachment against Trump, abuse of power, by a vote of 230-197.
Donald Trump is officially the third president in US history to be impeached by the House.
The members will now move on to the second article of impeachment, which is obstruction of Congress.
1.32am GMT
Speaker Nancy Pelosi turned in a green “yes” card moments ago, casting her ballot in favor of the first article of impeachment.
at 8:21 pm, Pelosi grabbed a green card — green is the yes card — and handed her ballot to one of the House clerks.
She has voted to impeach Trump.— Paul Kane (@pkcapitol)
December 19, 2019
1.30am GMT
After much speculation as to whether she was even going to participate in the vote, congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, has voted “present” on the first article of impeachment.
1.24am GMT
Majority of House members vote for first article of impeachment
A majority of House members have now voted “yes” on the first article of impeachment, but it is not official until the end of the vote is called.
The vote is currently 219-164.
Updated at 1.25am GMT
1.20am GMT
Congressman Collin Peterson has now voted “no” on the first article of impeachment, becoming only the second (and likely last) House Democrat to oppose the article.
Congressman Ron Kind, who avoided stating publicly whether he would support impeachment, has voted “yes,” as has congressman Jared Golden.
Golden, a Democrat from Maine, announced yesterday that he would support the first article of impeachment, but not the second, so his vote will switch to a “no” when that article is taken up.
1.15am GMT
As expected, congressman Jeff Van Drew, the Democrat who is expected to switch parties after the impeachment vote and has spent the day on the Republican side of the aisle, has voted “no” on the first article of impeachment.
Democratic congressman Collin Peterson is also likely to vote “no,” but every other House Democrat is expected to support the first article, which is abuse of power.
1.13am GMT
Vote underway on first article of impeachment
More than 11 hours after the start of today’s impeachment hearings, the vote is now underway on the first article of impeachment against Trump, which is abuse of power.
House members will have 15 minutes to cast their votes, and many are choosing to do it by hand rather than electronically.
LOTS of lawmakers are voting by hand — a way to preserve their vote in the House archives.
This will take exponentially longer than voting by electronic device, which they are also permitted to do
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman)
December 19, 2019
1.12am GMT
Meanwhile, Donald Trump, speaking at his campaign rally in Michigan said, “By the way, it doesn’t really feel like we’re being impeached.”
“We did nothing wrong and we have tremendous support in the Republican party like we’ve never had before,” he said.
Updated at 1.43am GMT
1.09am GMT
Impeachment debate concludes
Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House intelligence committee, has concluded his remarks, wrapping up the debate on the impeachment resolution.
The chamber has now moved on to a vote on the two articles of impeachment.
1.07am GMT
Schiff delivers final remarks
Minority leader Kevin McCarthy has concluded his floor speech, and intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff is now delivering the final remarks of the impeachment debate.
Schiff accused his Republican colleagues of spending their debate time spewing a lot of “sound and fury signifying nothing.” But the chairman said the Republican argument boiled down to this question: “Why should we care what the president did to Ukraine?”
Schiff went on to say America should care about the plight of its allies, particularly a struggling democracy like Ukraine.
He also encouraged his Republican colleagues to consider the precedent it would set if the House did not impeach Trump, warning it could signal presidents can just ignore congressional oversight.
1.02am GMT
Minority leader Kevin McCarthy accused Democrats of acquiescing to their “new socialist base” in pursuing the impeachment of Trump.
“It didn’t have to be this way. Is this why we came here to serve? To trample on due process rights? To issue more subpoenas than laws? To appease the new Democrat-socialist base?” McCarthy said.
“Fortunately, the people will have the opportunity to speak up and render their verdict in 11 short months,” the California Republican continued. “To my fellow Americans — If you approve of the way this House has conducted its business — if you want to see your tax dollars go towards endless investigations — support impeachment.
“But if you want to restore a working Congress — like the previous Congress that listened to you and worked to bring the best economy this country has ever seen and will once again work with the President to get things done for you and your family — then join Republicans in rejecting this baseless impeachment. That’s what’s wonderful about this system of ours: we are a government of, by, and for the people.”
12.50am GMT
House minority leader Kevin McCarthy opened his floor speech by sharing a fact that Democrats will “hate to hear”: “Donald J. Trump is president of the United States,” prompting cheers from his Republican caucus.
“He is president today, he will be president tomorrow and he will be president when this impeachment is over,” McCarthy said.
“Here is our choice tonight,” McCarthy continued, “Will we let impeachment become an exercise of raw political power, regardless if it damages our country? Or will we protect the proper grounds and process for impeachment now and in the future?”
12.45am GMT
Majority leader Steny Hoyer has concluded his floor speech, and congressman Doug Collins, the top Republican on the House judiciary committee, is now delivering some remarks.
The final two speakers are expected to be minority leader Kevin McCarthy and intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff.
12.39am GMT
In his floor speech, majority leader Steny Hoyer praised congressman Justin Amash, who left the Republican Party over his opposition to Trump.
Amash spoke on the floor earlier today, encouraging his colleagues to vote in favor of impeachment for the sake of the country.
“We need not ask who will be the first to show courage by standing up to President Trump,” Hoyer said. “The question we must now ask is who will be the last to find it.”
12.33am GMT
House Republicans have repeatedly jeered Steny Hoyer as the majority leader delivers his floor speech presenting Democrats’ position on the impeachment resolution.
“Democrats did not want this impeachment. We did not push it,” @LeaderHoyer said.
“Oh, come on!” someone yelled from the GOP side of the chamber.
— Ben Siegel (@benyc)
December 19, 2019
12.28am GMT
Trump arrives in Michigan for a campaign rally
Photograph: Leah Millis/Reuters
As the impeachment debate rolls toward a final vote, Donald Trump has arrived in Michigan, where he is holding a campaign rally tonight.
Upon deboarding his plane, the president did not speak to the press, signaling that he was doing “good,” as he waved off questions.
Trump disembarked from his airplane in Michigan just before 7pm and stood for awhile on a snowy tarmac talking with local mucketys.
To a shouted question from reporters asking how he was feeling, Trump said, “Good.”— Tom McCarthy (@TeeMcSee)
December 18, 2019
He did issue a statement on the Affordable Care Act ruling earlier today, reassuring that “this decision will not alter the current healthcare system.”
Besides posting an all-caps tweet decrying “atrocious lies by the radical left” several hours ago, Trump has remained relatively quiet on impeachment today.
Members of Congress may begin voting on articles of impeachment against Trump as he takes the rally podium.
Related: Trump to be at rally in Michigan when House votes on whether to impeach him
Updated at 12.31am GMT
12.26am GMT
Democratic majority leader Steny Hoyer acknowledged the 63 million people who voted for Trump in 2016 but quickly nodded to the 65 million who voted for Hillary Clinton, appearing to prompt some cheers from the Democratic side of the aisle.
The Maryland Democrat also reminded his Republican colleagues that he and the speaker, Nancy Pelosi, resisted the idea of impeachment for months, until the whistleblower complaint on the Ukraine controversy emerged.
12.23am GMT
The most senior Democrats and Republicans in the House are now delivering their floor speeches, indicating the debate on the impeachment resolution is winding down.
House minority whip Steve Scalise has just finished speaking, and majority leader Steny Hoyer has now taken the mic. Minority leader Kevin McCarthy also tweeted he would soon speak on the floor.
I’m heading to the House floor now to say something my Democrat colleagues hate to hear:
Donald J. Trump is President.
He is President today. He will be President tomorrow. And he will be President when this impeachment is over.
Watch live here: https://t.co/Pk4jPUtJIS
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader)
December 19, 2019
12.19am GMT
Congressman Steve Scalise, the House minority whip, has been granted five minutes to criticize the impeachment resolution as the floor debate begins to wind down.
The Louisiana Republican accused Democrats of pursuing a “political vendetta” against Trump with their impeachment inquiry, which he said only stemmed from their “fear that he might win reelection.”
“They made up these terms to impeach a president because they couldn’t find any crimes,” Scalise said, claiming the Democrats “hated” the 63 million Americans who voted for Trump.
That last comment sparked boos from the Democratic side of the aisle and some cheers from Scalise’s Republican colleagues.
12.10am GMT
Doug Collins, the Republican congressman coordinating his caucus’ floor speeches, asked Adam Schiff whether the Democrats had concluded their side of the debate, but the House intelligence committee chairman said they still had a few speakers remaining.
The hearing has now been underway for 10 hours, and the vote on the articles of impeachment is expected in the next hour.
Meanwhile, Trump is expected to take the stage at his campaign rally in Michigan at any moment.
12.09am GMT
On a historic day for America …
Soon, Donald Trump faces an impeachment vote in the House. This vote marks the latest twist in one of the most turbulent presidencies in US history.
But the challenges to American democracy do not end today. Over the last three years, much of what we hold dear has been threatened – democracy, civility, truth. The need for a robust, independent press has never been greater.
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12.05am GMT
Congresswoman Liz Cheney, the chairwoman of the House Republican conference, was allowed four minutes to condemn the impeachment resolution, more time than almost any of her colleagues.
The Wyoming Republican claimed Democrats had presented “no direct evidence of any impeachable offense” and warned Trump’s impeachment could set a dangerous precedent.
Cheney urged her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote “no” on the articles of impeachment to honor the Constitution and their oath of office.
12.00am GMT
Congressman Drew Ferguson, a Georgia Republican, condemned the impeachment resolution, calling it a “goat rodeo” and a “sham.”
Rep. Drew Ferguson: “This whole flippin’ goat rodeo is a sham and a shame, and it will not be forgotten” https://t.co/FksAmxCiem pic.twitter.com/lGNvjpVCsl
— CBS News (@CBSNews)
December 18, 2019
11.57pm GMT
Another poll shows sharp divide on impeachment
As the House debate continues on the impeachment resolution, another poll has been released showing the country is evenly divided on whether Trump should be removed from office.
According to the NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, 48% of Americans favor the president’s impeachment and removal from office, while 48% oppose it.
Trump and his allies have taken to claiming in recent days that support for impeachment is sharply declining. In reality, support for the president’s impeachment has been virtually unmoved since the inquiry’s public hearings started.
11.49pm GMT
Congressman Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, accused Democrats of cooking up baseless allegations against Trump to make up for their loss in the 2016 election.
“The only thing that Donald Trump is guilty of is beating Hillary Clinton,” the California Republican said.
Nunes went on to slam his Democratic colleagues for “ripping the country apart … in their lust for power.”
11.45pm GMT
Echoing dozens of his colleagues, congressman Jim Jordan argued Democrats only pursued impeachment to punish Trump for his allaged success in office.
“When you drain the swamp, the swamp fights back,” the president’s House ally said.
It also appears congressman Devin Nunes, the top Republican on the House intelligence committee, will get the chance to weigh in on the floor.
NUNES is in the House, appears to be ready to speak. Rs are calling the president’s top defenders now. We just ticked through Meadows, Jordan, Zeldin, Ratcliffe.
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney)
December 18, 2019
11.42pm GMT
After two more of Trump’s House allies, Mark Meadows and John Ratcliffe, spoke in opposition to the impeachment resolution, Adam Schiff predicted history would remember his Republican colleagues poorly.
Rep. Adam Schiff: “I think when the history of this time is written, it will record that when my colleagues found that they lacked the courage to stand up to this unethical president, they consoled themselves by attacking those who did” https://t.co/FksAmxCiem pic.twitter.com/6u0UqfVBEF
— CBS News (@CBSNews)
December 18, 2019
“I think when the history of this time is written, it will record that when my colleagues found that they lacked the courage to stand up to this unethical president, they consoled themselves by attacking those who did,” Schiff said.
This condemnation was met by audible groans on the Republican side of the aisle.
11.33pm GMT
Congressman Lee Zeldin, a close House ally of Trump’s, was given three minutes to criticize the impeachment resolution, a relatively lengthy window given most of his colleagues who have spoken in this hour of the debate were only allowed 30 seconds.
Zeldin directed most of his ire at Adam Schiff, accusing the intelligence committee chairman of “cherry-picking” facts and “misleading” the American public.
He concluded by encouraging his colleagues to vote “no” on impeachment. “It’s a total Schiff show,” Zeldin concluded, appearing to prompt a chuckle from the Democratic chairman.
11.25pm GMT
Schiff mocks Republicans for ignoring substance of allegations against Trump
Adam Schiff interrupted the string of short floor speeches to argue his Republican colleagues are unable to address the accusations against Trump, claiming the president’s allies are only able to come up with “process” complaints about the impeachment inquiry.
Schiff’s comments prompted grumbling on the Republican side of the aisle. “Apparently, Madame Speaker, I’ve struck a nerve,” Schiff said.
He went on to say of Trump’s actions toward Ukraine, “They don’t want to defend that conduct. … What they can’t say is that this president’s conduct was ethical.”
11.11pm GMT
“Auntie Maxine” is now trending on Twitter after congresswoman Maxine Waters delivered her floor speech in favor of the impeachment resolution.
Rep. Maxine Waters: “History will remember those who were willing to speak truth to power. Yes, I called for Trump’s impeachment early. This is our country. Our foremothers and our forefathers shed their blood to build and defend this democracy.” https://t.co/aIxGsVpGpq pic.twitter.com/BygKolJBAP
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC)
December 18, 2019
“This day was not inevitable, but it was predictable,” Waters said, “because this president has shown himself time and time again to believe that he is above the law and he has no respect for our Constitution or our democracy.”
11.07pm GMT
Time check: there is a little over an hour remaining in the impeachment debate, but Republicans have about 43 minutes left compared to the Democrats’ 29 minutes.
11.05pm GMT
Meanwhile, even reporters from Hawaiian outlets have been unable to determine whether one of their representatives, Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, will participate in tonight’s impeachment vote.
These are n
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