HERE'S THE DEAL
IMPEACHMENT EDITION

Hello to our wonderful readers,  

Today we are launching a regular NewsHour update on the fast-moving impeachment investigation. We do not want to clutter your inbox -- our aim is to be brief and clear.  Expect these a few times a week as a way to kick off your morning. The content will be simple: what we have learned and things you can watch, read or explore.  

What’s the latest? Here is our video explaining it.  Or read below

White House chief of staff makes headlines with statements about Ukraine 

• During a news conference, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said that the reason Trump withheld aid to Ukraine was related in part to his request for an investigation into the DNC and the 2016 election. He seemed to suggest a quid pro quo (and did not deny one when asked directly), but Mulvaney later issued a statement saying his words were misconstrued and the quid pro quo didn't exist.
   
• Democrats, and some media -- like the Washington Post editorial board --  seized upon Mulvaney’s original words as evidence of wrongdoing by the president. 

• Background: Gordan Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, is a political appointee and large donor to Republicans. He has worked directly on Ukraine policy.  
   
• Positive for the president: Sondland testified today behind closed doors that the president repeatedly told him “no quid pro quo,” i.e. not to directly tie aid money to requests for investigations in Ukraine. Sondland also testified that the press has been inaccurate in some stories about him, including about his text messages to fellow diplomats.
   
• A possible negative for Trump: Sondland’s opening statement said the president “directed” him to work with his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, to address the president’s concerns about Ukraine.
   
• A possible issue for Giuliani: Sondland later testified that Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, wanted to pressure Ukraine to investigate the 2016 election and an energy company which hired Hunter Biden, the son of Joe Biden.

• Not guilty pleas. Two men indicted in a case that involves Ukraine and two associates of Rudy Giuliani’s pleaded not guilty.  The indictment charges the two men and Giuliani’s associates with being paid by Ukrainians to secretly influence U.S. politics in their favor.  Giuliani’s associates have yet to enter pleas or indicate if they will cooperate with authorities.
   
• New House Oversight chairman. Rep. Elijah Cummings, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, died Thursday after a long illness. His committee is one of the three leading the impeachment investigation in the House. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., will take over as acting chair.