Inside the Trump impeachment hearings

George Kent, the deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs and William Taylor, the top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine, are sworn in during a House Intelligence Committee public hearing in the impeachment inquiry against...more

In a disclosure that drew the most attention, Bill Taylor, acting ambassador to Ukraine, pointed to Trump's keen interest in getting the eastern European ally to investigate Biden, a former vice president, and reiterated his understanding that $391...more

Ukrainian Ambassador William Taylor and Deputy Assistant Secretary George Kent testify. Saul Loeb/Pool via REUTERS

Representative Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said: "If we find that the president of the United States abused his power and invited foreign interference in our elections or if he sought to condition, coerce, extort or...more

In opening remarks, Republican ranking member Devin Nunes (L, seen with legal counsel Steve Castor) dismissed the impeachment inquiry's first public hearings as "a televised theatrical performance staged by the Democrats" and a "low-rent Ukrainian...more

George Kent, deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs, in his opening statement: "I do not believe the United States should ask other countries to engage in selective, politically associated investigations or prosecutions...more

Republican Representative Jim Jordan, who sought to portray Taylor as lacking firsthand knowledge of Trump's dealings with Ukraine, which are at the focus of the House of Representatives' impeachment investigation. Under questioning by Jordan, Taylor...more

Ambassador Bill Taylor, charge d'affaires at the U.S. embassy in Ukraine, in his opening statement: "I found a confusing and unusual arrangement for making U.S. policy toward Ukraine. There appeared to be two channels of U.S. policymaking and...more

Republican Counsel Stephen Castor spoke of Hunter Biden's qualifications to serve on the board of the Ukrainian energy firm: "He's getting paid $50,000 a month but we don't know if he had any experience, spoke the language or moved to Ukraine." Saul...more

Democratic Rep. Jim Himes (R) commented on his Republican colleagues' strategy during the hearing: "Faced with very serious allegations of presidential misconduct, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle don't engage or defend that conduct....more

A text exchange between Bill Taylor, charge d'affaires at the U.S. embassy in Ukraine, and U.S. Ambassador to the E.U. Gordon Sondland shows on a screen as Taylor (R) testifies. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Bill Taylor (L) and George Kent (R) are sworn in to testify. Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool via REUTERS

Democratic Representative Peter Welch attends the hearings. Saul Loeb/Pool via REUTERS

Ranking member Devin Nunes (L) speaks with Representative Jim Jordan (C) and Republican Counsel Stephen Castor (R). Saul Loeb/Pool via REUTERS

Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) and committee member Devin Nunes (R-CA). REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Ambassador Bill Taylor and George Kent arrive to testify. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

A map of Ukraine is seen displayed during the hearing. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) looks past ranking member Devin Nunes (R-CA) and a committee attorney at newly installed Republican committee member Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH). REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Drag queen Pissi Myles poses in a hallway near the House Intelligence Committee hearing. REUTERS/Erin Scott

Signs are placed behind seats of committee members. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Television news crews set up for live reports ahead of the hearing. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

The spiral staircase down to House Intelligence Committee rooms can be seen reflected over the Capitol Dome ahead of the hearings. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst