Trump Impeachment, Oct 31: House Prepares For Impeachment Inquiry Vote

An all-important day dawns for the Democrats as they prepare for the first House vote on the impeachment inquiry against President Trump. The President's team has decided to rely on his popularity with voters and his prolific Twitter feed to keep GOP lawmakers from defecting and voting against Trump.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended President Trump's phone call with the Ukrainian president, saying it was "consistent" with administrative policies.

International Business Times brings to you the key developments that took place Wednesday around the Congressional impeachment inquiry against Trump.

Democrats gear up for impeachment vote

Stakes are high for President Trump as Democrats prepare to vote on the resolution that establishes procedures for the impeachment inquiry including procedures for public impeachment hearings, the release of deposition transcripts, and outlines the House Judiciary Committee’s role in considering potential articles of impeachment.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday night that she was confident about the outcome of the vote.

"Mr. Clyburn, our Whip, has given me a very good report about our vote tomorrow. He's the Whip, the vote counter, thank you Mr. Clyburn," she said at the LBJ Liberty & Justice for All Award ceremony.

The content of the resolution was released earlier by the Democrats.

Team Trump places faith in his cult personality and prolific Twitter feed

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell last week asked trump to stop attacking GOP senators, including Mitt Romney, as the President's fate in the impeachment trial hangs on them, Politico reported. Trump had suggested that Romney should be impeached and called him a "pompous ass."

With Democrats pushing ahead with the subpoenas and depositions, Trump has been advised to win the senators over to his side. And the President for once seems to have taken the advice seriously, courting allies with golf, a World Series game and frequent phone calls to gain their support.

The White House and Trump's team have placed their bet on Trump’s cult personality and the power of his prolific Twitter feed to keep Senators in the fold.

But The Hill reported that Senate Republicans are shifting their tone on the impeachment inquiry as damaging revelations against the President mount. The report said the Senate GOP is treating the allegations against Trump over his Ukraine call "much more seriously than they did the findings of the Mueller report."

Ukraine call 'consistent' with administration policies: Pompeo

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended Trump's infamous July 25th call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying it was consistent with administration policies. Trump had asked Zelensky to investigate political rival Joe Biden in the phone call.

"The call was consistent with what I had a long set of conversations with President Trump on our policy for an awfully long time. Our policy has been very clear all along with respect to Ukraine," Pompeo said.

John Bolton scheduled to testify in the impeachment inquiry

John Bolton, the former National Security Advisor to President Trump, has been requested by House Democrats to testify against the President on Nov. 7. However, it is not known whether he would appear in front of the judicial committee.

Bolton's lawyer Charles Cooper told NBC that Bolton was not willing to appear voluntarily.

"Bolton is not willing to appear voluntarily. I stand ready at all times to accept service of a subpoena on his behalf."

It is not known whether the White House would seek to block the deposition. On Monday, deputy national security adviser Charles Kupperman did not testify after being issued a subpoena. He asked a federal judge whether he can be forced to testify to the House.

Rep. Adam Schiff earlier said that he hoped Bolton would cooperate.

"We certainly hope that he will cooperate. He obviously has very relevant evidence to provide,” Schiff said.

Media is destroying credibility by targeting President: Donald Trump Jr.

Speaking to Sean Hannity on Wednesday night, Trump Organization executive vice president Donald Trump Jr. said the media didn't even "pretend to be objective anymore," as they were selling the lies that the Democrats have been feeding them.

"The media are destroying their credibility," Trump Jr. said. "They are taking what little faith people had left in those institutions and totally flushing it down the toilet."

"It has gone so far, the American people get it," he added. "They want to see this President be able to do his job."

Top Russia offical on NSC to quit amid impeachment inquiry

Tim Morrison, Trump's Russia director on the National Security Council, is set to leave his post in the White House, NPR reported. Morrison is scheduled to testify Thursday in the impeachment inquiry.

Morrison served as a senior director for European and Russian affairs on the NSC.

"After more than a year of service at the National Security Council, Mr. Morrison has decided to pursue other opportunities – and has been considering doing so for some time. We wish him well," a senior administration official said late Wednesday, confirming Morrison's departure.

He will be replaced by Andrew Peek, the deputy assistant secretary of state for Iraq and Iran in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.