The Republican keep changing their talking points from ‘no quid pro quo’ to ‘it’s not illegal’ or that Trump did nothing wrong or illegal.
A growing number of Senate Republicans are ready to acknowledge that President Trump used U.S. military aid as leverage to force Ukraine to investigate former vice president Joe Biden and his familyas the president repeatedly denies a quid pro quo.
In this shift in strategy to defend Trump, these Republicans are insisting that the president’s action was not illegal and does not rise to the level of an impeachable offense as the Democratic-led House moves forward with the open phase of its probe.
The Washington Post:
Quid pro quo explained:
White House Press Secretary Stephanie (On the Rocks) Grisham said the White House is prepared for the inevitable…impeachment but hopes everyone can come to ‘senses.’
Republicans have argued that the whistleblower’s identity become public. Some have already outed him, by name, and an unconfirmed report states he’s a 33-year-old CIA analyst.
Next week’s schedule:
Witnesses expected to testify in closed session on Monday:
- Eisenberg, deputy counsel to the President for national security affairs and legal adviser to the National Security Council
- Robert Blair, assistant to the President and senior adviser to the acting chief of staff
- Michael Ellis, senior associate counsel to the President and deputy legal adviser to the National Security Council
- Brian McCormack, associate director for natural resources, energy and science, Office of Management and Budget
Witnesses expected to testify on Tuesday:
- Wells Griffith, special assistant to the President and senior director for international energy and environment at the National Security Council
- Michael Duffey, associate director for national security programs, Office of Management and Budget
Witnesses expected to testify Wednesday, an official working on the inquiry tells CNN’s Manu Raju:
- Acting OMB Director Russell Vought
- State Department Counselor T. Ulrich Brechbuhl
- Secretary of Energy Rick Perry
- Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale
Witnesses scheduled to testify on Thursday:
- Former national security adviser John Bolton
