The very next day, a Russian Military Intelligence Unit attempted to hack that political opponent. We saw this in real time when President Trump asked Russia to hack his political opponents. The president welcomed that interference. In the words of special counsel, Robert Mueller, quote, “The Russian government perceived that would benefit from a Trump presidency and worked to secure that outcome.” Closed quote. In 2016 the Russian government engaged in a sweeping and systematic campaign of interference in our elections. Of course, this is not the first time that President Trump has engaged in this pattern of conduct. Calling them traders and liars, promising that they will quote “Go through some things.” Closed quote. And when witnesses disobeyed him, when career professionals came forward and told us the truth, he attacked them viciously. When Congress found out about this scheme and began to investigate, President Trump took extraordinary and unprecedented steps to cover up his efforts and to withhold evidence from the investigators. And withheld vital military aid from a vulnerable ally. To obtain that private political advantage, President Trump withheld both an official White House meeting from the newly elected president of a fragile democracy. This time in the form of an investigation of his political adversaries by a foreign government. That call was part of a concerted effort by the President and his men to solicit a personal advantage in the next election. On July 25th President Trump called President Zelinsky of Ukraine and in President Trump’s words asked him for a favor. I have the time for an opening statement to parliamentary and inquiry, is not in order at this time. I will not recognize myself for an opening statement. Each witness will have 10 minutes to make their statements and then we will proceed to questions. I will make an opening statement and then I will recognize the ranking member for an opening statement. Here is how the committee will proceed for this hearing. This is the first hearing we are conducting pursuant to house resolution 660 and the` special judiciary committee procedures that are described in section 4A of that resolution.