The House Intelligence Committee heard testimony from William Taylor, acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent as it held its first open hearing of the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The two diplomats painted a damaging picture of a president willing to sacrifice America’s interests for his own by pressuring a foreign power to help him win reelection.
The historic hearing took place exactly 50 days since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused the president of betraying his oath of office and launched the impeachment inquiry. Four addtional hearings are scheduled through next Thursday.
There are currently 233 Democrats in the House of Representatives, which has a total of 431 members. This means that 217 yeas will be needed to impeach the president. Assuming that the Republicans stay united, the Dems can afford only 16 defections. The focus will be on those moderate Democrats in swing districts. To remove Trump from office, the Constitution would subsequently require a two-thirds supermajority in the Senate.
View Jeff Malet’s photos from inside Room 1100 of the Longworth House Office Building by clicking on the photo icons below.
(photo by Jeff Malet)
Witness William Taylor (center), the Acting U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, enters the hearing room. (photo by Jeff Malet)
(photo by Jeff Malet)
(photo by Jeff Malet)
William Taylor, acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, during his testimony before the House Intelligence Committee at the first open hearing of the impeachment inquiry against President Trump. Photo by Jeff Malet.
Ranking member Devin Dunes (left) converses with Steve Castor (center), House Intelligence Committee Counsel for the minority; and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) during a break. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) (left), Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee, directs question to the panel. With Steve Castor (right), House Intelligence Committee Counsel for the minority. (photo by Jeff Malet)
William Taylor, the Acting U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. (photo by Jeff Malet)
In photo, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) (left), Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee; and Ranking Member Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) (photo by Jeff Malet)
Steve Castor (left), House Intelligence Committee Counsel for the minority, asks questions on behalf of the GOP. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) looks on. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent (photo by Jeff Malet)
(photo by Jeff Malet)
Rep. Michael Turner (R-Ohio) asks questions. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) (center) asks questions, with Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) (left) and Denny Heck (D-Wash.) (photo by Jeff Malet)
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) asks questions. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. (photo by Jeff Malet)
(photo by Jeff Malet)
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) (photo by Jeff Malet)
William Taylor, the Acting U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) (photo by Jeff Malet)
(photo by Jeff Malet)
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) (photo by Jeff Malet)
William Taylor, the Acting U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) (photo by Jeff Malet)
Rep. Denny Heck (D-Wash.) (photo by Jeff Malet)
(photo by Jeff Malet)
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent (photo by Jeff Malet)
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) asks questions. (photo by Jeff Malet)
William Taylor, the Acting U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) is seated in the visitors section. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent exits the Longworth House Office Building after the hearing. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Witness William Taylor, the Acting U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, exits the Longworth House Office Building. (photo by Jeff Malet)
William Taylor, the Acting U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. (photo by Jeff Malet)