HERE'S THE DEAL
IMPEACHMENT EDITION

Today, for the first time, we all will get a live view of Democrats’ impeachment probe, as they launch open, televised Congressional hearings. Previous testimony has all been behind closed doors.

It’s a big week. So big that we’ll send an extra Impeachment Brief your way tomorrow morning. But first, let’s catch up on what has happened over the past few days.

Latest transcripts show Pentagon concerns, Mulvaney role

• This week House Democrats released three more transcripts from closed-door testimony.

• Laura Cooper, a top Pentagon official on Russia and Ukraine policy, testified that the Defense Department signed off on sending military aid to Ukraine in June after verifying that the nation had met requirements for fighting corruption. 

• Her testimony runs counter to White House arguments that the military aid was put on hold a few weeks later out of concern that Ukraine had not done enough to fight corruption.

• Cooper also testified that senior officials were not sure if the presidential hold on aid could be legally done. 

• Catherine Croft, a longtime foreign service officer, testified about a separate package of aid slated for Ukraine in 2017. She told lawmakers that one agency director raised concerns then: now-Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, who was then director of the Office of Management and Budget.  She reported he was concerned about Russia’s reaction to the Ukraine aid.

• Chris Anderson, who advised Ukraine envoy Kurt Volker immediately before Ms. Croft, testified that he and others felt it was a mistake to push Ukraine for a specific investigation of individuals, meaning the Bidens.

Guiliani associate alleges threat to Ukrainians over Pence visit

• Lev Parnas is an associate of Rudy Giuliani. Parnas’ attorney said he worked on projects for President Trump. 

• According to the New York Times, Parnas said he personally issued a quid pro quo to the incoming Ukrainian government in May, demanding that the new administration launch investigations into the Biden family and the 2016 election or else the U.S. would freeze military aid and refuse to send Vice President Mike Pence to the Ukrainian inauguration.

• His account is disputed by Parnas’ colleagues, Igor Fruman and Rudy Giuliani. They insist it is patently false.

Public hearings begin

• Today the committee will hear from two State Department officials involved in Ukraine policy: Bill Taylor and George Kent.

• Format: the hearing will begin with a few opening statements followed by 45-minute rounds for each party. Staff attorneys are expected to lead the questioning. After that, each member of the committee gets five minutes to ask questions.

• The chairman of the committee can add additional rounds of questioning as needed.

• Total time expected: about four to six hours. 

More witnesses next week

• Democrats have announced more public hearings next week, calling eight witnesses over four days. 

• That includes some key players: Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the E.U. (next Wednesday), Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a National Security Council staffer (next Tuesday) and Fiona Hill, a former N.S.C. staffer (next Thursday). 

• Also testifying next week, three witnesses whom Republicans requested: Kurt Volker, former U.S. envoy to Ukraine (next Tuesday), Tim Morrison, a White House aide with the National Security Council (also Tuesday) and David Hale, a high-ranking State Department official (next Wednesday).

• Democrats have not yet decided whether to call other witnesses Republicans requested. Those include Hunter Biden, son of former Vice President Joe Biden, as well as witnesses connected with charges that Democrats and Ukrainians tried to smear former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort during the 2016 election. 

Jordan moved to House Intelligence Committee

• Republicans have temporarily moved Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to the House Intelligence Committee so that he can participate in questioning witnesses during open hearings.

• Jordan is the top Republican on the House Oversight Committee and is seen as a strategic leader and ally of the president.

• Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., was temporarily removed from the Intelligence Committee to open a spot for Jordan. 

Mulvaney changing stance on subpoena

• Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, who has refused to comply with House subpoenas for documents and testimony, briefly tried to join a lawsuit asking a court to decide if he must comply.

• Late last week, Mulvaney’s attorney asked to join a lawsuit filed by another potential witness, Charles Kupperman. But Monday, Mulvaney changed his mind and withdrew.

• Mulvaney says he will still not comply with the subpoena. Democrats insist he is a key witness but also signal that they will not hold up their impeachment investigation over his participation.