News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

franklin-graham-2-main_article_image.jpg
Facebook
World News

Franklin Graham: Trump's impeachment hearing brings 'day of shame for America'

by Tola Mbakwe

The evangelist tweeted on Wednesday that it was a 'day of shame for America' as the first public hearing in the impeachment inquiry has got under way in Washington.

He also urged Christians to pray for the nation's leader.

 

 The president thanked Rev Graham for his support. 

On Wednesday Mr Trump said he was "too busy" doing the people's business to watch the impeachment hearings that imperil his presidency.

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
The top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine William Taylor and career Foreign Service officer George Kent, center, testify before the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, during the first public impeachment hearings of President Donald Trump's efforts to tie U.S. aid for Ukraine to investigations of his political opponents.

But even as Mr Trump tried to suggest he was above the fray, the president tweeted two dozen times before noon laying out his grievances about the process playing out on the opposite end of Pennsylvania Avenue.

"It's a witch hunt, it's a hoax, I'm too busy to watch it," Mr Trump told reporters.

During the hearing on Wednesday a senior diplomat told House Intelligence Committee the US president was overheard asking about "the investigations" he wanted Ukraine to pursue that are central to the impeachment inquiry.

AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine William Taylor testifies before the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, during the first public impeachment hearing of President Donald Trump's efforts to tie U.S. aid for Ukraine to investigations of his political opponents.

Mr Taylor said his staff recently told him they overheard Mr Trump speaking on the phone to another diplomat, Ambassador Gordon Sondland, at a restaurant the day after Mr Trump's July phone call with the new leader of Ukraine.

The staff explained that Mr Sondland had called the president and they could hear Mr Trump on the phone asking about "the investigations", he said.

The ambassador told the president the Ukrainians were ready to move forward, Mr Taylor testified at the proceedings, which were broadcast live, and on social media, from a packed hearing room on Capitol Hill.

AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meet in the Oval Office with Republican senators at the White House Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, in Washington.

Mr Trump was asked about the phone call during a news conference with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"I know nothing about that," he said, adding that he "did not recall" the conversation.

The inquiry was launched after an anonymous whistle-blowers' complaint that Mr Trump, in the July phone call, pressured Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Democratic foe Joe Biden and Biden's son - all while the US was holding up US military aid.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate