Nov 13, 2019

Read George Kent's opening statement in the impeachment hearing

Axios

Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs George Kent is testifying Wednesday in the House's first public impeachment hearing.

Why it matters: In his opening statement, Kent outlined the main themes he went over in his 10-hour closed-door deposition. Among other things, Kent testified that he was alarmed by Rudy Giuliani's campaign to oust former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch and attempts to "gin up politically-motivated investigations."

Read his opening statement

Go deeper: Follow along for live updates from the impeachment hearing

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Axios

Read Marie Yovanovitch's opening statement in the impeachment hearing

Former Ukraine Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch is testifying Friday in the House's impeachment inquiry.

Why it matters: As in her closed-door deposition, Yovanovitch specifically pushed back on a number of unsubstantiated allegations that led to her ouster as ambassador, including a claim that she undermined President Trump's orders during her time in her post.

Go deeperArrowNov 15, 2019
Axios

Read Bill Taylor's opening statement in the impeachment hearing

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Acting U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor is testifying in the House impeachment inquiry's first public hearing.

Driving the news: Taylor's opening statement included a new revelation that he said he learned from a staffer last Friday. The staffer overheard EU Ambassador Gordon Sondland discussing "investigations" in a phone call with Trump on July 26. When he asked Sondland what Trump thought of Ukraine, "Ambassador Sondland responded that President Trump cares more about the investigations of Biden, which Giuliani was pressing for," Taylor said.

Go deeperArrowUpdated Nov 13, 2019
Zachary Basu

Trump impeachment hearing: Highlights from Bill Taylor's and George Kent's testimonies

George Kent (L) and Bill Taylor. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Bill Taylor, the top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent testified Wednesday in the House's first public impeachment hearing.

Driving the news: In a new revelation, Taylor testified that a member of his staff overheard EU Ambassador Gordon Sondland on July 26 discussing "the investigations" on a phone call with Trump. When the staffer asked Sondland what Trump thought of Ukraine, "Ambassador Sondland responded that President Trump cares more about the investigations of Biden, which Giuliani was pressing for," Taylor said.

Go deeperArrowUpdated Nov 13, 2019