WASHINGTON — House Democrats released transcripts from the closed-door interviews they conducted as part of the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump on Tuesday, offering the public its first glimpse at the evidence against the president..
The transcripts, which run to more than 2,000 pages, include testimony from current and former administration officials, as well as from diplomats and other witnesses. They provide a detailed account of Trump’s efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate his political rivals, including former Vice President Joe Biden..
The release of the transcripts comes as the House Judiciary Committee is preparing to hold public hearings on the impeachment inquiry. The hearings are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, and will feature testimony from some of the witnesses who were interviewed during the closed-door phase of the investigation..
The transcripts are likely to provide fodder for both sides in the impeachment debate. Democrats will argue that they provide clear evidence of Trump’s wrongdoing, while Republicans will likely focus on the fact that the transcripts do not contain any direct evidence that Trump explicitly quid pro quo with Ukraine..
The release of the transcripts is a significant development in the impeachment inquiry. It is the first time that the public has been able to see the evidence against Trump, and it is likely to shape the debate over his impeachment in the coming weeks..
Here are some of the key takeaways from the transcripts:.
* Trump repeatedly pressured Ukraine to investigate his political rivals, including Biden..
* Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, was heavily involved in the effort to pressure Ukraine..
* Some administration officials raised concerns about Trump’s actions, but they were ignored or overruled..
* There is no direct evidence that Trump explicitly quid pro quo with Ukraine..
The transcripts are a complex and detailed document, and they will likely be the subject of much debate in the coming weeks. However, they provide the public with its first glimpse at the evidence against Trump, and they are likely to play a significant role in the impeachment inquiry..
