Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersMcConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security The Hill's Campaign Report: Arizona shifts towards Biden | Biden prepares for drive-in town hall | New Biden ad targets Latino voters Why Democrats must confront extreme left wing incitement to violence MORE (I-Vt.) on Wednesday called for an investigation into documents produced by House lawmakers suggesting then-Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch Marie YovanovitchGrand jury adds additional counts against Giuliani associates Lev Parnas and and Igor Fruman Strzok: Trump behaving like an authoritarian Powell backs Biden at convention as Democrats rip Trump on security MORE was placed under surveillance.

“It is outrageous that the President’s personal lawyers appear to have directed the surveillance of a U.S. ambassador. This must be fully investigated as the Senate conducts the impeachment trial,” Sanders tweeted Wednesday. “We have a responsibility to hold this lawless administration to account.”

It is outrageous that the President’s personal lawyers appear to have directed the surveillance of a U.S. ambassador.



This must be fully investigated as the Senate conducts the impeachment trial. We have a responsibility to hold this lawless administration to account. https://t.co/nY3ykuKdiZ — Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) January 15, 2020

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Documents released by House Democrats Wednesday included communications between Connecticut congressional candidate Robert Hyde (R) and Lev Parnas, an associate of President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani Rudy GiulianiGrand jury adds additional counts against Giuliani associates Lev Parnas and and Igor Fruman Juan Williams: Breaking down the debates Giuliani criticizes NYC leadership: 'They're killing this city' MORE.

Among the communications was a text from Hyde suggesting Yovanovitch’s movements were being monitored, saying “they will let me know when she’s on the move.”

Hyde, who is running to unseat Rep. Jahana HayesJahana HayesMichelle Obama wishes Barack a happy birthday: 'My favorite guy' Gun control group rolls out House endorsements Human Rights Campaign rolls out congressional endorsements on Equality Act anniversary MORE (D) in the state’s 5th Congressional District, also texted Parnas “Wow. Can’t believe Trumo hasn’t fired this bitch. I’ll get right in that.”

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Giuliani, meanwhile, texted Parnas that Trump had “fired [Yovanovitch] again” the day before she was recalled from Kyiv, with Parnas responding, “I pray it happens this time I’ll call you tomorrow my brother.”

Yovanovitch’s lawyer Lawrence Robbins called for an investigation Tuesday, saying in a statement issued on her behalf that “needless to say, the notion that American citizens and others were monitoring Ambassador Yovanovitch’s movements for unknown purposes is disturbing.”

“We trust that the appropriate authorities will conduct an investigation to determine what happened,” he added.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerMcConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by 'downplaying progress' on election security Warren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt Schumer lashes out at Trump over 'blue states' remark: 'What a disgrace' MORE (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that the documents indicated the need for witnesses and documents in the upcoming Senate impeachment trial.

"I don't know how any member of this body could pick up the newspaper this morning, read this new revelation and not conclude that the Senate needs access to relevant documents like these in the trial," Schumer said from the Senate floor.

— Updated at 1:45 p.m.