In this episode of the CAFE Insider podcast, “Impeachment: The Opening Act,” co-hosts Preet Bharara and Anne Milgram break down the latest developments:

-- Senior diplomats Bill Taylor and George Kent are set to testify on Wednesday and we’ll hear from former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie “Masha” Yovanovitch on Friday.

-- Issues of executive privilege and immunity stand in the way of testimony from key witnesses, including former National Security Adviser John Bolton and Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney.

-- News reports indicate an evolving GOP defense strategy that includes distancing the President from witnesses who allege a quid pro quo with Ukraine.

We hope you’re enjoying CAFE Insider. Email us at [email protected] with your suggestions and questions for Preet and Anne. 

REFERENCES AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

VETERAN’S DAY “Veterans Day: Trump Returns to N.Y. for Parade, to Cheers and Boos,” The New York Times, 11/11/19 

ANNE’S BUTT TWEET "Rudy Giuliani butt-dials NBC reporter, heard discussing need for cash and trashing Bidens,” NBC News, 10/25/19“Rep. Weiner says lewd Twitter photo was sent by hacker; recipient tells of ‘outlandish’ backlash,” The Washington Post, 5/29/11 

EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE & IMMUNITY LAWSUITFormer Deputy National Security Advisor and Acting National Security Advisor Charles Kupperman’s complaint seeking declaratory judgment as to whether he is lawfully obliged to comply with House subpoena, DC District Court, 10/25/19 The House of Representatives’ notice of mootness and motion to vacate briefing schedule (withdrawing Charles Kupperman’s subpoena), DC District Court, 11/6/19 “Charles Kupperman subpoena withdrawn by House as it asks judge to dismiss lawsuit over his testimony,” The Washington Post, 11/6/19“Mulvaney asks to join lawsuit over conflicting demands for impeachment testimony,” The Washington Post, 11/9/19“Bolton Said to Know of ‘Many Relevant Meetings’ on Ukraine, but Will Not Testify,” The New York Times, 11/8/19Definition of “forum shopping,” Legal Information Institute “Intel Chairman Adam Schiff: Trump aides’ refusal to testify adds to potential impeachment evidence,” CNBC, 11/4/19 

BOOKS BY FMR TRUMP ADMIN. OFFICIALS“AP sources: Former Trump adviser John Bolton has a book deal,” The Associated Press, 11/10/19“Nikki Haley claims top aides tried to recruit her to ‘save the country’ by undermining Trump,” The Washington Post, 11/10/19 

IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS “Public impeachment hearings scheduled for this week: Here's what you need to know,” CNN, 11/11/19 “We Read All 2,677 Pages of Ukraine Testimony So You Don't Have To,” Lawfare, 11/11/19Testimony from William “Bill” Taylor, Chargé D'affaires for the U.S. State Department in Ukraine (transcript and key excerpts), 10/22/19Testimony from George Kent, Deputy Assistant Secretary, European and Eurasian Bureau at the U.S. Department of State (transcript and key excerpts), 10/15/19Testimony from Marie “Masha” Yovanovitch, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (transcript and key excerpts), 10/11/19“Pompeo Faces Political Peril and Diplomats’ Revolt in Impeachment Inquiry,” The New York Times, 11/4/19“Power Up: Republicans’ witness wish list designed to put maximum pressure on Democrats,” The Washington Post, 11/11/19

QUID PRO QUO “High crimes and misdemeanors” is a phrase from Section 4 of Article II of the U.S. Constitution Definition of “bribery,” Legal Information Institute “What Is a Quid Pro Quo?,” The New York Times, 10/18/19 

OFFENSES & DEFENSES“Trump, Ukraine And The Path To The Impeachment Inquiry: A Timeline,” NPR, 10/12/19Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland’s addendum to his October 17 testimony, 11/4/19“Trump involved Pence in efforts to pressure Ukraine’s leader, though officials say vice president was unaware of allegations in whistleblower complaint,” The Washington Post, 10/2/19“Trump Doesn’t Need to Commit a Crime to Be Kicked Out of Office,” The New York Times (Neal K. Katyal Op-Ed), 9/25/19“Ukraine’s Zelensky Bowed to Trump’s Demands, Until Luck Spared Him,” The New York Times, 11/7/19“Nikki Haley says she doesn't think Trump will be removed from office,” CBS News, 11/8/19David Frum’s tweet about failed crimes warranting harsh punishment, 11/2/19Trump’s tweet saying that “nothing was done wrong” on “perfect” call, 11/10/19 

BILL BARR’S INVESTIGATIONS“Justice Dept. trying to finish report on Russia probe before Thanksgiving,” The Washington Post, 11/5/19“It’s too late to save yourself now, Bill Barr,” The Washington Post (Dana Milbank Op-Ed), 11/7/19