CAFE Insider 10/7: Crooked Diplomacy

CAFE Insider

In this episode of the CAFE Insider podcast, “Crooked Diplomacy,” co-hosts Preet Bharara and Anne Milgram break down the evolving Trump-Ukraine scandal, newly released text messages between State Department officials, and President Trump’s calls for China’s assistance in investigating Joe and Hunter Biden.

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REFERENCES & SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

“MULTIPLE” WHISTLEBLOWERS

• “2nd whistleblower comes forward after speaking with IG: Attorney,” ABC News, 10/6/19
• “2nd Official Is Weighing Whether to Blow the Whistle on Trump’s Ukraine Dealings,” New York Times, 10/4/19
• Whistleblower lead counsel Andrew Bakaj’s tweet confirming representation of “multiple whistleblowers,” 10/6/19
• Definition of “multiple,” Merriam-Webster Dictionary
• Trump tweets in response to second whistleblower reports, 10/5/19
• Trump tweets that his call with Ukrainian President Zelensky was “perfect,” 9/27/19
• “Trump Attacks Whistle-Blower’s Sources and Alludes to Punishment for Spies,” New York Times, 9/26/19
• “IRS whistleblower said to report Treasury political appointee might have tried to interfere in audit of Trump or Pence,” Washington Post, 10/3/19

ENERGY SECRETARY RICK PERRY

• Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations sent a letter to Energy Secretary Rick Perry requesting information about his visits to Ukraine, 10/1/19
• “Scoop: Trump pins Ukraine call on Energy Secretary Rick Perry,” Axios, 10/5/19
• “Trump associates pressured Ukraine over gas firm in order to benefit allies: report,” The Hill, 10/6/19
• “Rick Perry expresses ‘regret’ for pledging to abolish Energy Department,” Washington Post, 9/19/17
• “The play-by-play of Rick Perry's 'DWTS' debut,” CNN, 9/13/16
• “Sean’s Spicy Salsa,” New York Times, 9/19/19

TRUMP & GOP DEFENSES

• Preet’s tweet reacting to Trump’s “I am only interested in corruption. I don’t care about politics” comment, 10/5/19
• Eamon Javers asks Trump if he ever asked foreign leaders to investigate someone who isn’t his political opponent, 10/4/19
• “Republicans recycle defense that Trump was joking about China investigating the Bidens,” Washington Post, 10/7/19
• “Rep. Jim Jordan won't say if Trump asking China to investigate Biden is appropriate,” ABC News, 10/6/19
• “Trump-Ukraine debate between Ron Johnson, Chuck Todd analyzed,” MSNBC, 10/6/19
• “Marco Rubio Says Trump Was Joking When He Asked China to Investigate Biden: ‘Not a Real Request’,” Mediaite, 10/4/19
• “‘I think I’d take it’: In exclusive interview, Trump says he would listen if foreigners offered dirt on opponents,” ABC News, 6/13/19
• “How to start a movement (featuring the dancing guy),” Derek Sivers TED Talk, February 2010

STATE DEPT. TEXT MESSAGES

• “Read the Text Messages Between U.S. and Ukrainian Officials,” New York Times, 10/4/19
• “Read Kurt Volker’s opening statement for testimony in Trump impeachment inquiry,” Vox, 10/4/19 [Text of Volker’s opening statement]
• “Kurt Volker, Ukraine and a Turbulent End in the Trump Administration,” New York Times, 10/5/19
• “Kurt Volker resigns as executive director of McCain Institute,” Politico, 10/7/19
• “The U.S. diplomat who questioned Trump’s Ukraine scheme,” Politico, 10/4/19
• “How Gordon Sondland, a wealthy hotelier turned ambassador, became the latest key player in the Ukraine inquiry,” Washington Post, 10/4/19
• “Trump Ordered Ukraine Ambassador Removed After Complaints From Giuliani, Others,” Wall Street Journal, 10/3/19
• “From ‘America’s mayor’ to Trump’s pit bull: Rudy Giuliani emerges as central figure in Ukraine firestorm,” USA Today, 9/27/19
• “Ukrainians understood Biden probe was condition for Trump-Zelensky talks, says former Ukrainian adviser,” ABC News, 9/25/19
• “Ukraine’s president needs to repair ‘damage’ with Europe after the Trump call scandal,” CNBC, 10/1/19

SECRETARY OF STATE MIKE POMPEO

• “Pompeo: 'I was on the phone call' with Trump and Ukrainian President,” CNN, 10/2/19

VP MIKE PENCE

• Joint request from House Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Oversight committees for impeachment inquiry documents from Vice President Mike Pence, 10/4/19
• “Trump involved Pence in efforts to pressure Ukraine’s leader, though officials say vice president was unaware of allegations in whistleblower complaint,” Washington Post, 10/2/19
• “Pence defends Trump’s calls for Ukraine to investigate Biden,” The Hill, 10/3/19
• “Spiro Agnew’s Lawyer: Mike Pence Should Be Worried About Impeachment Too,” TIME, 10/4/19

UPCOMING DEPOSITIONS

• “House Committees Subpoena White House for Ukraine Documents,” Lawfare, 10/4/19
• “What’s next in the Trump impeachment inquiry, and will Trump cooperate with it?,” Washington Post, updated in real time (subpoena/depositions calendar)
• “Schiff: Trump administration stonewalling will be taken as evidence of obstruction,” The Hill, 10/2/19

TRUMP CALLS ON CHINA

• “Trump says China should investigate the Bidens,” PBS Newshour, 10/3/19
• “What We Know About Hunter Biden’s Business in China,” New York Times, 10/3/19
• “EXPLAINER-Trump’s claims and Hunter Biden’s dealings in China,” Reuters, 10/4/19
• Sen. Mitt Romney’s tweet condemning Trump’s call to China to investigate the Bidens, 10/4/19
• Trump’s tweets criticizing Sen. Romney’s 10/4 tweet: #1 (“get off stage”), #2 (“Jeff Flake is better!” and #3 (#impeachmittromney), 10/5/19
• Preet’s tweet in response to Trump’s call to impeach Sen. Romney, 10/5/19

TRUMP’S CALLS WITH FOREIGN LEADERS

• “Trump’s calls with foreign leaders have long worried aides, leaving some ‘genuinely horrified’,” Washington Post, 10/4/19
• “Trump, Xi talked Syria strike over 'beautiful' chocolate cake,” CNN, 4/12/19