This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/08/impeachment-donald-trump-gordon-sondland-testimony-house-democrats

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Trump impeachment inquiry: EU ambassador blocked from testifying Trump impeachment inquiry: EU ambassador blocked from testifying
(32 minutes later)
The state department has blocked EU ambassador Gordon Sondland from testifying in private to House Democrats conducting an impeachment inquiry, as was scheduled for Tuesday morning. The US state department has blocked the EU ambassador Gordon Sondland from testifying in private to House Democrats conducting an impeachment inquiry, as was scheduled for Tuesday morning.
Trump's phone call with Ukraine's president: read the full memorandumTrump's phone call with Ukraine's president: read the full memorandum
Sondland had been due to testify voluntarily, regarding communications between Donald Trump and the president of Ukraine, Vlodimir Zelinskiy, in particular a 25 July phone call in which the US leader asked his counterpart to investigate Joe Biden, a likely opponent in the 2020 election. Sondland had been due to testify voluntarily, on communications between Donald Trump and the president of Ukraine, Vlodimir Zelinskiy – in particular a 25 July phone call in which the US leader asked his counterpart to investigate Joe Biden, a likely opponent in the 2020 election.
His attorney, Robert Luskin, issued a statement saying: “He is a sitting ambassador and employee of state and is required to follow their direction.” Sondland’s attorney, Robert Luskin, issued a statement that read: “He is a sitting ambassador and employee of state and is required to follow their direction.”
“Ambassador Sondland is profoundly disappointed that he will not be able to testify today,” the statement said, adding that he had travelled to Washington from Brussels to prepare for his testimony. “Ambassador Sondland is profoundly disappointed that he will not be able to testify today,” the statement read, adding that he had travelled to Washington from Brussels to prepare for his testimony.
“Ambassador Sondland believes strongly that he acted at all times in the best interests of the United States, and he stands ready to answer the Committee’s questions fully and truthfully,” Luskin said. “Ambassador Sondland believes strongly that he acted at all times in the best interests of the United States, and he stands ready to answer the committee’s questions fully and truthfully,” Luskin said.
“Ambassador Sondland hopes that the issues raised by the State Department that preclude his testimony will be resolved promptly. He stands ready to testify on short notice, whenever he is permitted to appear.” “Ambassador Sondland hopes that the issues raised by the state department that preclude his testimony will be resolved promptly. He stands ready to testify on short notice, whenever he is permitted to appear.”
Ukraine is not in the European Union but text messages released to Congress last week showed Sondland working with Ukraine special envoy Kurt Volker on ways to have Ukraine co-operate. Ukraine is not in the European Union, but text messages released to Congress last week showed Sondland working with Ukraine special envoy Kurt Volker on ways to have Ukraine co-operate.
The two men also consulted Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal attorney who was working on the Ukraine matter.The two men also consulted Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal attorney who was working on the Ukraine matter.
Volker resigned his post before testifying to the House committees last week.Volker resigned his post before testifying to the House committees last week.
The White House appears to have calculated that Sondland’s testimony might be more damaging than facing the wrath of the House over his absence. The wealthy Oregon hotelier was named ambassador to the EU last year after donating $1m to Trump’s inauguration fund.The White House appears to have calculated that Sondland’s testimony might be more damaging than facing the wrath of the House over his absence. The wealthy Oregon hotelier was named ambassador to the EU last year after donating $1m to Trump’s inauguration fund.
Congress is on recess but committees investigating the president continue to work.Congress is on recess but committees investigating the president continue to work.
A new Washington Post/Schar School poll released on Tuesday showed 58% support for the impeachment inquiry and 49% support for moving forward to impeach the president and attempting to remove him from office. A new Washington Post/Schar School poll released on Tuesday showed 58% support for the impeachment inquiry and 49% support for moving to impeach the president and attempting to remove him from office.
Trump impeachment inquiryTrump impeachment inquiry
Trump administrationTrump administration
Donald TrumpDonald Trump
US politicsUS politics
UkraineUkraine
US CongressUS Congress
House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content