This archive report was first published on 21 November 2019.
On the eve of the impeachment inquiry, Democratic presidential candidates took aim at President Trump's policies and actions during a debate, showcasing their differences on key issues.
Senator Elizabeth Warren criticized the practice of installing wealthy political supporters in overseas embassies, citing the example of Gordon D. Sondland, the United States ambassador to the European Union and a Trump donor, who testified on Wednesday.
Senator Cory Booker railed against President Trump's human rights violations at the southern border, saying, “when children are thrown in cages.”
Senator Kamala Harris jabbed that President Trump “got punked” by Kim Jong-un, the North Korean dictator, in nuclear negotiations.
Senator Amy Klobuchar criticized President Trump's forgiving treatment of Saudi Arabia after its agents kidnapped and killed the journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying, “That sent a signal to dictators around the world that that’s O.K.”
Despite heated moments, fault lines within the field emerged, separating the most progressive candidates, like Senators Warren and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, from comparatively moderate figures like former Vice President Joe Biden, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and Senator Klobuchar.
Mayor Buttigieg, who had previously assailed Senator Warren's healthcare policies, was more veiled in his criticism this time, arguing that Democrats must “galvanize not polarize” a coalition representing a majority of voters.
