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Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday that five current and former State Department officials would not show up for depositions scheduled by House Democrats in connection with their impeachment inquiry.

Pompeo asserted that the committee’s demand for testimony from five current and former State Department officials beginning this week raised “significant legal and procedural concerns” and questioned the committee’s authority to compel an appearance by officials for a deposition through the letters sent last week, according to a letter that the secretary of State released on his Twitter feed.

“Based on the profound legal and procedural deficiencies . . . the Committee’s requested dates for depositions are not feasible,” Pompeo wrote, adding that the State Department “will be in further contact with the committee in the near future as we obtain further clarity on these matters.” Read Full Story

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House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Devin Nunes has some questions about why top secret and confidential phone calls made by President Donald Trump to foreign leaders keep leaking — to the press and Democrats on Capitol Hill. 

“Is it normal for the president to have their conversations leak out? This is the third time,” Nunes said.

In the whistleblower complaint, the individual says they heard from a number of White House officials, in this case alleged leakers, about a phone call Trump had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“According to the White House officials who had direct knowledge of the call, the President pressured Mr. Zelensky,” the complaint states. 

If this claim is true, who in the White House or the intelligence agencies is sending out the information? Or is this claim being falsely made in the complaint to further sow distrust among staff at the White House? Which of course cripples Trump’s ability to conduct foreign policy… Read Full Story

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(AP)

President Donald Trump slammed globalism and defended national sovereignty during his Tuesday speech to the United Nations General Assembly, asserting that the “future does not belong to globalists.”

The president took the stage Tuesday morning shortly after Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and issued a defense of nationalism.

“Looking around and all over this large, magnificent planet, the truth is plain to see,” Trump said. “If you want freedom, take pride in your country. If you want democracy, hold onto your sovereignty. And if you want peace, love your nation. Wise leaders always put the good of their own people and their own country first.”

He asserted, “The future does not belong to globalists. The future belongs to patriots.” Read Full Story

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