As President Donald Trump live-tweeted his reaction to House Democrats’ impeachment articles, his spokeswoman vowed he would “continue to work on behalf of this country.” Hours later, that business included huddling privately with Vladimir Putin’s top diplomat in the Oval Office.

Trump essentially thumbed his nose at Democrats as they continued linking his July 25 telephone conversation with Ukraine’s president to an alleged affinity for Russia’s as he hosted Sergey Lavrov, Putin’s minister of foreign affairs. If Lavrov steps foot in the Oval Office, it’s a safe bet there is a controversy nearby.

The last time Trump and the top Russian diplomat met there, in May 2017, they were joined by the Russian ambassador to the U.S. at the time, Sergey Kislyak, and U.S. journalists were banned from the meeting, although an official Kremlin news agency photographer was allowed, and documented the trio.

Trump revealed classified information that was so sensitive it had not been shared with some parts of the American national security community and close allies. This time, Lavrov strolled into the cornerless space just hours after House Democrats unveiled articles of impeachment that accuse Trump of abusing his power and obstructing Congress.

[McConnell warns of need for cooperation to complete Christmas wish list]