Most Important Moments of the
Public Impeachment Hearings: Day One.
On Nov. 13, the House Intelligence Committee
officially began public impeachment hearings
to investigate President Donald Trump.
Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff delivered
the first opening statement, saying that the hearings
would affect “the future of the presidency itself.”.
"Our answer to these questions will affect not only the future of this presidency, but the future of the presidency itself, and what kind of conduct or misconduct the American people may come to expect from their commander-in-chief."
Adam Schiff, via CNN.
Bill Taylor, the top U.S. official in Ukraine, used
his statement to lay out a specific timeline of his
interactions with top U.S. and Ukraine officials. .
At one point, Taylor spoke about Trump’s decision
to withhold aid from the Ukraine unless they
agreed to investigate Biden’s son, Hunter. .
“Ambassador Sondland responded that President Trump cares more about
the investigations of Biden, which [Rudy] Giuliani was pressing for.”
Bill Taylor, via CNN.
Taylor also specifically spoke
against the Republicans, calling
Trump’s attempt to “leverage security
assistance” against Ukraine “alarming.”.
California Representative Devin Nunes,
the highest-ranking Republican on the
Intelligence Committee, spoke in defense of Trump.
Nunes used his time to voice
his belief that the hearings are
a “low rent, Ukrainian sequel”
to the “Russian hoax.”.
"It seems you agreed witting or unwittingly to participate in a drama,
but the main performance — the Russia hoax — has ended
and you've been cast in the low rent Ukrainian sequel."
Devin Nunes, via ‘Nightline’