US president Donald Trump was overheard asking about “the investigations” he wanted Ukraine to pursue that are central to the impeachment inquiry, a senior diplomat has said. The staff could hear Mr Trump on the phone asking about “the investigations,” and Mr Sondland told the president the Ukrainians were ready to move forward, Mr Taylor testified. “We will do everything necessary to protect the whistleblower’s identity,” Mr Schiff said. “Let me be clear; however, I did not witness any efforts by any US official to shield Burisma from scrutiny,” Mr Kent said. Mr Trump responded by releasing a video calling the hearings the “single greatest scam in the history of American politics”.

Source: The Irish Times November 13, 2019 15:10 UTC