Thu, Oct 17, 2019
Seven witnesses have appeared before Congressional committees to share what they know about the Trump administration's dealings with Ukraine. But why is so much of this process behind closed doors? Will the public ever learn what was said? Julia Ainsley, NBC News Correspondent covering the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, explains the political calculation behind the Democrats' decision to conduct most of their inquiry in private.
Sun, Oct 20, 2019
Bill Taylor, the current US Ambassador to Ukraine, is set to appear before the House Intelligence, Oversight, and Foreign Affairs Committees on Tuesday. Taylor is likely to be asked about his concerns about a possible Trump-Ukraine quid pro quo. "I think it's crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign," Taylor wrote in a September text message exchange. Leigh Ann Caldwell explains why Taylor's deposition could be a lynchpin for House investigators. Our guest host, Carrie Dann, fills in for Steve Kornacki.
Tue, Oct 22, 2019
In testimony on Tuesday, Bill Taylor, the top US diplomat in Ukraine, described what he saw as a high-stakes decision by President Trump to withhold $391 million in aid to Ukraine. Dan De Luce, national security and global affairs reporter for the NBC News investigative unit, recounts Taylor's opening statement and whether it support the theory of a "quid pro quo." And, NBC Justice Correspondent Pete Williams joins Steve Kornacki to answer a listener question on what happens if a witness lies to Congress.
Thu, Oct 24, 2019
As evidence mounts against President Donald Trump, Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, are attempting to undermine proceedings by criticizing the House process. This week, McConnell co-sponsored a resolution, alongside Senator Lindsey Graham, claiming the inquiry denies President Trump "basic fairness and due process." Frank Thorp V, Producer and Off-Air Congressional Reporter for NBC News, breaks down McConnell's impeachment strategy and what options he may have if the inquiry comes to a Senate trial.
Sun, Oct 27, 2019
On Monday, Charles Kupperman, President Trump's former deputy national security adviser, failed to appear for his deposition in the House impeachment inquiry. After receiving a Congressional subpoena on Friday, Kupperman was told not to show up by White House lawyers who invoked "constitutional immunity." That same day, Kupperman filed a lawsuit asking a federal judge to determine whether he is required to testify. Garrett Haake, MSNBC Washington Correspondent, discusses the options Congress has when a witness defies a subpoena and how Kupperman's response could affect the potential testimony of John Bolton.
Mon, Oct 28, 2019
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council, testified about two incidents he reported, including what he heard on the July 25 phone call. Rebecca Shabad, Congressional Reporter for NBC News Digital, details Vindman's testimony and whether it undermines the prior testimony of Gordon Sondland.
Sat, Oct 19, 2019
The House of Representatives will vote tomorrow on a resolution proposing next steps in the impeachment process. The resolution formalizes the continuing inquiry, outlines the role of the White House, and opens the next phase to the public. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi insists it is not designed to authorize the inquiry, since the Constitution doesn't require a formal vote. Kelly O'Donnell, White House Correspondent for NBC News, reviews the resolution text and the political calculations of Democrats and Republicans moving forward with the inquiry.
Thu, Oct 31, 2019
After another momentous week in the impeachment inquiry, Kristen Welker, White House Correspondent for NBC News, recaps events in Washington. Witnesses from the White House and State Department provided corroborating evidence against the president. But on Thursday, a House vote to move the inquiry forward fell completely along party lines. As Democrats move the inquiry into a public phase, will the evidence be enough to overcome political partisanship?
Sun, Nov 3, 2019
The House of Representatives released transcripts from two witness depositions on Monday officially moving the impeachment inquiry into a public phase. The transcripts, which are hundreds of pages long, detail the accounts of former Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch and Senior Adviser to the Secretary of State Ambassador Michael McKinley. Geoff Bennett, White House Correspondent for NBC News, discusses the full testimony and what their release means for where the inquiry is headed next. More transcripts are expected to be made public tomorrow.
Tue, Nov 5, 2019
President Trump maintains that he did nothing wrong even as more detailed evidence against him emerges. Without a unified defense to rally around, Republican lawmakers are arguing a few different cases for why Trump should not be removed from office. Jon Allen, political reporter for NBC News digital, lays out the rationale behind the different Republican arguments against impeachment. Plus, a look at how Republican strategy could shift if impeachment reaches the Senate.
Thu, Nov 7, 2019
As President Trump's second-in-command, Vice President Mike Pence could become a key figure in the impeachment inquiry. The first staffer from his office, special advisor Jennifer Williams, testified before Congress on Thursday. Pence has spoken with the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky over the phone multiple times and met with him in early September. But Pence continues to avoid specific questions about his knowledge of events surrounding the hold up of aid to Ukraine. NBC Political Reporter Vaughn Hillyard walks through what we know about Pence's involvement in the events at the center of the impeachment inquiry.
Sun, Nov 10, 2019
Three witnesses will testify before the House Intelligence Committee this week, in the first nationally televised hearings of the impeachment inquiry. Democratic and Republican lawmakers are approaching the hearings with distinct strategies on how best to capture the attention of the American public. MSNBC Washington Correspondent Garrett Haake discusses what to look for in this week's hearings and whether public testimony could be a game-changer for the course of the inquiry.
Tue, Nov 12, 2019
The House Intelligence Committee held the first open hearings in the impeachment inquiry on Wednesday. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent and the top diplomat in Ukraine Bill Taylor appeared before Congress for more than five hours of questioning. Geoff Bennett, White House Correspondent for NBC News, recaps what the public learned from the televised hearings, and how Democrats and Republicans argued their message to voters on impeachment.
Thu, Nov 14, 2019
Former Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch testified Friday in the second round of public hearings. Yovanovitch spoke to her career in foreign service, which ended abruptly when President Trump recalled her from her post in May. During the hearing, the President criticized Yovanovitch's service, prompting House Intelligence Committee Chair to suggest there was possible witness intimidation at play. Guest Josh Lederman, national political reporter for NBC News, recounts Friday's testimony and describes the case each party is making to voters at this stage in the inquiry.
Sun, Nov 17, 2019
Televised hearings will continue this week in the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. But as the drama unfolds in Washington, the rest of the country is watching from the sidelines. NBC News political reporter Vaughn Hillyard talked to voters in Wisconsin and Georgia to find out what people outside of the Beltway really think about impeachment.
Mon, Nov 18, 2019
On the third day of public hearings, two witnesses sat side-by-side in one of the most intense House sessions to date. Jennifer Williams, special advisor to Vice President Mike Pence, and Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the top Ukraine expert on the National Security Council, were both on the now famous July 25th phone call. NBC News Correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell reports on Williams' and Vindman's responses to what they heard.
Tue, Nov 19, 2019
Gordon Sondland, U.S. Ambassador to the European Union and donor to President Trump, confirmed the existence of a quid pro quo on Wednesday. Sondland is the only witness so far who spoke directly to the President about the issues at the center of the probe. Over many hours of testimony, Sondland revealed the extent to which Trump's inner circle was involved and outlined the President's direct involvement in the pressure campaign.
Wed, Nov 20, 2019
In what is expected to be the final day of open testimony, Fiona Hill, the former top Russia expert for the White House, and David Holmes, senior diplomat at the US Embassy in Ukraine, discussed their concerns about the involvement of Rudy Giuliani, Gordon Sondland and the President himself in US foreign policy toward Ukraine. Dr. Hill also made a point to criticize the false narrative embraced by Republicans that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 election.
Thu, Nov 21, 2019
After two weeks of public hearings, lawmakers are determining next steps in the impeachment inquiry. Democrats are moving towards formalizing articles of impeachment, which would likely pass, barring a few exceptions. Meanwhile, Republicans are planning for the possibility of a trial in the Senate.
Tue, Nov 26, 2019
Host Steve Kornacki opens up the mailbag to answer your questions about the impeachment inquiry. Julia Ainsley, NBC News Correspondent covering the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, answers listener voicemails and emails about the aid to Ukraine, the role of the President's personal lawyer, and whether the public might hear from the president in the inquiry. Plus, Steve answers a question about Republican support for Nixon during Watergate.
Sun, Dec 1, 2019
There are three big developments to watch this week as the impeachment inquiry moves into a new phase. Alex Moe, NBC News Capitol Hill Producer and Reporter, explains what you need to know. After two weeks of public hearings, the House Intelligence Committee is passing off a report of their findings to the House Judiciary Committee. On Wednesday, the Judiciary Committee takes over with a public hearing of its own, with legal experts as the witnesses. Meanwhile, the White House says President Trump will not participate in Wednesday's hearing.
Tue, Dec 3, 2019
Four constitutional law experts testified in the House Judiciary Committee's first hearing in the inquiry on Wednesday, treating lawmakers and the public to a lesson on impeachment. Guest Josh Lederman, national political reporter for NBC News, walks through how Democrats and Republicans used their witnesses to argue the constitutional case for and against impeaching President Donald Trump.
Thu, Dec 5, 2019
The House Judiciary Committee is drafting articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. The Constitution limits grounds of impeachment to treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Which ones will the Democrats choose to move forward with, and why? Heidi Przybyla, NBC News Correspondent covering politics and government, explores the potential scope of the charges as Democrats prepare to bring them to the full House for a vote.
Sun, Dec 8, 2019
Lawyers for the Democratic and Republican sides of the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees presented the evidence gathered so far in front of the House Judiciary Committee. NBC News Correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell discusses how each side argued their cases for and against impeachment and how they held up under cross-examination.
Tue, Dec 10, 2019
President Trump is facing two articles of impeachment and he's mounted a strong defense in response. At a rally last night in Pennsylvania, President Trump's tactics were on full display, play to the Republican base by attacking the Democrats and the process. NBC News Senior White House Reporter Shannon Pettypiece offers insight into how the President's tactics are playing in the White House and whether they are effective with Republican voters.
Thu, Dec 12, 2019
The House Judiciary Committee passed two articles of impeachment against President Trump Friday morning. The panel met for just seven minutes to cast their votes, after debating late into the evening on Thursday. Garrett Haake, MSNBC Washington Correspondent, explains how this committee vote propels the two articles of impeachment to a vote before the entire House of Representatives next week.
Sun, Dec 15, 2019
Just days before the full House vote on impeachment, Representative Elissa Slotkin held a difficult town hall back home in Michigan's 8th district. Along with thirty other Democrats, Slotkin represents a district where Donald Trump won the majority vote in 2016. Facing a divided electorate, Slotkin will vote yes on both articles of impeachment. NBC News Correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell shares how politically vulnerable Democrats are weighing the decision to vote for or against impeachment.
Tue, Dec 17, 2019
It was a historic day for Washington and for the country. The House of Representatives voted along party lines to impeach President Donald Trump on two articles, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. There was not a single Republican defector to vote for impeachment, and just four Democrats broke ranks with their party.
Thu, Dec 19, 2019
Lawmakers are home for the holidays, but the House of Representatives has some unfinished business. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is delaying next steps in the impeachment process. Pelosi says she won't name impeachment managers or transmit the articles to the Senate until she knows more about Senator Mitch McConnell's trial. Beth Fouhy, guest host and senior politics editor for NBC News and MSNBC, talks with Garrett Haake, MSNBC Washington Correspondent about the Speaker's strategy and how this standoff affects the impeachment timeline.
Sun, Dec 22, 2019
President Trump's impeachment hasn't stopped his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, from trying to defend his client. While impeachment proceedings were underway, Giuliani travelled to Hungary and Ukraine where he met with former Ukrainian officials. Giuliani says they can provide information that will exonerate Trump, but much of that information is based on conspiracy theories. Dan De Luce, national security and global affairs reporter for the investigative unit at NBC News, explains the cast of characters working with Giuliani overseas.
Sun, Dec 29, 2019
The impeachment process is in limbo as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi continues to delay sending the articles to the Senate. Demcratic leaders say they want to ensure a fair process in the Senate. So what will this trial look like? Guest host Julia Ainsley, NBC News Correspondent covering the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, talks to Frank Thorp, NBC News producer and reporter covering the Senate, about the rules governing a Senate trial and what to expect from this next phase in the impeachment process.
Thu, Jan 2, 2020
Every President of the United States must swear to a 35-word oath, promising to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. Special guest and MSNBC Contributor Chuck Rosenberg joins Steve Kornacki to discuss the founders' intent behind that oath and what happens when it's put to the test.
Sun, Jan 5, 2020
The House of Representatives still hasn't sent the articles of impeachment to the Senate. Now, Congress faces another major decision. After President Trump authorized a strike to kill Iranian General Qassem Soleimani late last week, Democrats are presenting a new resolution to limit the president's war powers. Mark Murray, senior political editor, discusses how Congress is balancing impeachment and the threat of a war with Iran.
Thu, Jan 9, 2020
After a weeks-long standoff with Republicans, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told her Democratic colleagues she plans on holding a vote on the house managers next week before sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts will govern the proceedings. NBC Justice Correspondent Pete Williams joins Steve Kornacki to talk about the Chief Justice's role and recalls his time covering former Chief Justice William Rehnquist during the Clinton Senate trial.
Sun, Jan 12, 2020
After a weeks-long standoff, the House of Representatives appears ready to move forward on impeachment. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is reportedly preparing to appoint impeachment managers and send the articles to the Senate as early as this week. MSNBC Washington Correspondent Garrett Haake lays out what to expect from a Senate trial and weighs whether the delay tactic used by House Democrats helped their case.
Tue, Jan 14, 2020
It's official. Today, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi named the seven house managers and transmitted two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of justice, to the Senate. It is still unclear whether the trial, which is set to begin next week, will include witness testimony. Steve Kornacki talks to Alex Moe, NBC News Capitol Hill Producer, about the historic week day in Washington and the Senate's next move.
Thu, Jan 16, 2020
The Senate trial is officially underway, with the Chief Justice and members of the Senate sworn in this week. But in a last-minute addition to the evidence, an associate of Rudy Giuliani gave the House of Representatives documents that shed new light on the Ukrainian pressure campaign. Parnas, who is out on bond on federal campaign finance charges, also spoke publicly this week for the first time about his involvement in the scheme. Josh Lederman, national political reporter for NBC News, explains what we learned from Parnas, the credibility of his allegations, and how this new information could influence the Senate trial.
Mon, Jan 20, 2020
On Tuesday, the Senate impeachment trial began in earnest, with hours of debate over how it should be run. Steve Kornacki explains the last-minute changes made by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who amended his own set of rules in response to pressure from moderate Republican Senators.
Tue, Jan 21, 2020
It's day one of opening arguments in the impeachment trial of President Trump. Over the course of many hours, House Managers argued their case for the removal of the President and the need for witnesses and documents. They are making these arguments to the American public, but also to the 100 Senators who are acting as jurors in this trial. Steve Kornacki is joined by Frank Thorp, NBC News producer covering the Senate, to talk about the Republican Senators who may be persuaded to side with the Democrats when it comes to the question of witnesses.
Thu, Jan 23, 2020
On Friday, Democratic House managers concluded their opening arguments in the Senate impeachment trial. Three of the seven House managers are women, and two are women of color, a first in US political history. Kasie Hunt, Capitol Hill Correspondent and Host of Kasie DC, discusses her exclusive TODAY interview with those representatives: Zoe Lofgren, Val Demings and Sylvia Garcia. Kasie also outlines the role they play in the Senate trial and how Senate politics have evolved since the last presidential impeachment.
Sun, Jan 26, 2020
President Trump's legal team continued its defense in a second day of arguments, but new allegations are overshadowing the case. In the manuscript for his upcoming book, Former National Security Advisor John Bolton alleges that President Trump directed him to withhold aid to Ukraine in exchange for an investigation into Joe Biden. The revelations are increasing pressure on Senate Republicans who are weighing whether to call witnesses. Shannon Pettypiece, senior White House reporter for NBC News Digital, explains how Bolton's allegations could alter the structure and timeline of the impeachment trial.
Tue, Jan 28, 2020
On Wednesday, the Senate trial moved into a two-day question and answer period. Senators have 16 hours to ask questions of the impeachment managers and President Trump's defense team. Democrats used their time to convince their fellow Senators to call new witnesses in the trial, like former National Security Advisor John Bolton. Republicans used their time to argue that the President's conduct is not impeachable and that evidence should not extend beyond what was gathered by the House of Representatives. NBC News Correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell dissects the strategy from both sides.
Thu, Jan 30, 2020
The end of the Senate impeachment trial is drawing near with an unpredictable day ahead. First, the Senate will debate for four hours on whether to call new witnesses to trial. Then, they will take a vote on the witness question. After that, Senators could put forward new motions to extend debate on the Senate floor into the days ahead, or they could move quickly to a final vote on the two articles of impeachment today.
Thu, Jan 30, 2020
Following four hours of debate, the Senate rejected a motion to consider more witnesses and documents by a vote of 49 to 51. Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Mitt Romney of Utah were the only two Republicans to join their Democratic colleagues in this vote. After the failed vote on witnesses, Senators met to game out the trial's timeline. Frank Thorp, NBC News producer covering the Senate, explains the Senate's plans for an end to the trial that will likely result in the President Trump's acquittal next week.