Former top aide to testify that she opposed Trump calling Zelenskiy – live

Gabbard confirms debate attendance

Hunter Biden sits down for interivew

Hunter Biden, the son of Joe Biden whose business activities have become a target of criticism by Trump, sat down for an interview with “Good Morning America.”

ABC News (@ABC)
EXCLUSIVE: Hunter Biden sits down with @GMA co-anchor @arobach at his home in Los Angeles – and no questions are off limits.
More coming up on @GMA, @ABCWorldNews, @Nightline and @ABCNewsLive. https://t.co/QuDjY0dvjd
October 14, 2019

ABC said that Biden’s interview with anchor Amy Robach, which will be broadcast starting tomorrow, would cover his business dealings in Ukraine.

Trump has falsely claimed that Biden’s father used his sway as vice president to aid a Ukrainian business whose board Biden served on, an assertion that has been repeatedly fact-checked and found to be without merit.

Biden’s lawyer said this yesterday in a comment posted to Medium: “Hunter makes the following commitment: Under a Biden Administration, Hunter will readily comply with any and all guidelines or standards a President Biden may issue to address purported conflicts of interest, or the appearance of such conflicts, including any restrictions related to overseas business interests. In any event, Hunter will agree not to serve on boards of, or work on behalf of, foreign owned companies.”

9.28am EDT 09:28

Fake video of Trump stabbing the media reportedly shown at his resort

9.18am EDT 09:18

9.14am EDT 09:14

Fiona Hill arrives for testimony

8.48am EDT 08:48

Trump defends Syria policy amid reports of escalating violence

Good morning, live blog readers!

Donald Trump is defending his decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria as reports emerged of escalating violence against America’s Kurdish allies.

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
....Kurds may be releasing some to get us involved. Easily recaptured by Turkey or European Nations from where many came, but they should move quickly. Big sanctions on Turkey coming! Do people really think we should go to war with NATO Member Turkey? Never ending wars will end!
October 14, 2019

The latest development is that Syrian troops are now entering the fight against Turkey, raising concerns of more escapes from Islamic State prisons. It was reported yesterday that at least 750 people with Isis ties had fled a displacement camp.

Trump predicted that any escapees from Isis prisons would be “easily recaptured” by Turkey or European countries, but many have expressed fear that the group could carry out terrorist attacks before that happens.

All of this comes as the impeachment inquiry against Trump intensifies, underscoring how the president is facing potentially career-ending controversies both at home and abroad.

Representative Adam Schiff speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill. Photograph: Erin Scott/Reuters

Here’s what else the blog is keeping its eye on today:

Fiona Hill, Trump’s former top adviser on Russia, is expected to testify in House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.
Trump has no events on his public schedule.
It’s Columbus Day here in the US.

The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.