Yamiche AlcindorEgiaztatu kontua

House Intel Committee Official: Laura Cooper’s deposition has begun. That’s hours late.

House Intelligence Committee official: "The House Parliamentarian has ruled that these (Republican) members (who stormed into the secure facility) are in violation of House deposition rules."

Intel committee official: Repubs storming was a "stunt, in service of the president’s demand that they 'fight harder.'" Laura Cooper has had to wait for hrs for them to leave. They engage in this "circus-like behavior" bc they can’t defend the "president’s egregious misconduct."

From Intel committee official: In a "major security breach," Republicans brought their electronics into the secure facility (SCIF). Several members later removed devices, after being advised by Sergeant at Arms & security personnel. Some Repubs refused to completely remove them.

President Trump, in a different move than usual, made a few remarks about going to Waukegan, Ilnois but took NO questions from reporters. And there are so many questions.

Things have gotten ugly on Capitol Hill: Republicans, mad about process of impeachment inquiry, are staging a sort of sit in in the secure area where testimonies have taken place. The hearing w/ Laura Cooper, deputy assistant secretary of defense, *has not started* bc of this.

Trump in 2016: “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters.” Trump’s attorney today: The president could not be investigated or prosecuted as long as he is in the WH, even for shooting someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue.

President Trump patting himself on the back for his Syria policy: It's too early for me to be congratulated but we have done a good job. Note: Republicans have not been congratulating him on withdrawing troops from Syria. They have been releasing statements condemning it.

President Trump: "We reserve the right to reimpose crippling sanctions" on Turkey if they don't respect religious rights. He adds, now Turkey, Syria and others in the region must maintain safety. "It's their neighborhood. They have to maintain it. They have to take care of it."

What a quote from President Trump from the White House just now. He said, "A safe zone. That's an interesting term. But that's what we're creating. Hopefully it will be safe."

President Trump says from the White House that he believes a permanent, lasting cease fire has been achieved in Syria. He acknowledges that the ceasefire is "questionable" but said he plans to "lift all sanctions imposed" in response to Turkey's actions in Syria.