good monday morning, everybody. it's december 30th. aman is off this morning. we begin with new information at the heart of the impeachment investigation into president trump. it's part of an extensive piece by the new york times on the nearly $400 million in military aid that was withheld from ukraine. as democrats push for witnesses at the senate trial, the times reports that during an oval office meeting in late august, secretary of state mike pompeo, defense secretary and then national security adviser john bolton tried but failed to convince the president to release this aid. the times cites in part this, interviews with dozens and current and former administration officials, congressional aids and others as well as previously undisclosed e-mails and documents. the report also lays out the