The Briefing Room

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BBC Radio 4 FM

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David Aaronovitch presents in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news

BBC Radio 4 LW

The Briefing Room: Trump, Ukraine and impeachment

Trump, Ukraine and impeachment

BBC Radio 4 - The Briefing Room, Trump, Ukraine and impeachment

What's the Trump impeachment inquiry about?

What's the Trump impeachment inquiry about? And why did House speaker, Nancy Pelosi decide to trigger the process now?

What's the Trump impeachment inquiry about? The White House is in damage limitation mode following a whistleblower complaint that revealed details about a phone call between President Trump and Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky. The whistleblower expressed an 'urgent concern' that Mr Trump had used his office to pressure a foreign power to damage a political rival and leading Democratic presidential candidate, Joe Biden.

Now the Democrats have launched a formal impeachment inquiry into what went on. Where might this end up and what does it mean for American politics? 

David Aaronovitch is briefed on the wider context to this story and how the case will likely be built both for and against Donald Trump. He also asks how significant  this moment is likely to be in US history? 

GUESTS:

Josh Gerstein, Senior Legal Affairs Contributor, Politico
Jonah Fisher, BBC correspondent in Kiev
Leslie Vinjamuri, Head of US and Americas programme at Chatham House
Elaine Kamarck, Senior Fellow in the Governance Studies program at the Brookings Institution
Amy Jeffress, former federal prosecutor and partner at Arnold and Porter law firm

Producer: Serena Tarling
Editor: Jasper Corbett

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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