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Trump impeachment inquiry: Sondland admitted Ukraine quid pro quo, revised testimony reveals – live Trump impeachment inquiry: Sondland revises testimony and admits Ukraine quid pro quo – live
(32 minutes later)
EU envoy acknowledges in updated testimony he told Ukraine it would ‘likely’ not receive aid unless it announced investigations into Trump’s rivalsEU envoy acknowledges in updated testimony he told Ukraine it would ‘likely’ not receive aid unless it announced investigations into Trump’s rivals
Extract from the appendix to his testimony shows Gordon Sondland “now recalling” a conversation in which he admits the quid pro quo
Here is a section from the declaration submitted to the impeachment inquiry by Gordon Sondland, in which adds to the testimony that he originally gave in his hearing on Capitol Hill last month.
It’s accompanied by a letter from Robert Luskin, a lawyer at the huge firm Paul Hastings LLP, which says that, according to House rules, the declaration should be included as an appendix to the sworn testimony given by Sondland to the committees leading the inquiry when he testified on October 17.
Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell appears to have bulldozed directly through protocol by forecasting, before the articles of impeachment have even been drafted in the House and Trump put on trial in the Senate, that the president will be acquitted.
“I’m pretty sure I know how it’s going to end.”
McConnell
“There were demands, weren’t there?”“There were demands, weren’t there?”
Sondland was asked, with respect to the “demands” made by Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani to investigate the 2016 election and Burisma, if “those conditions would have to be complied with prior to getting a meeting.”Sondland was asked, with respect to the “demands” made by Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani to investigate the 2016 election and Burisma, if “those conditions would have to be complied with prior to getting a meeting.”
Q: There were demands, weren’t there, that an investigation take place of 2016 or Burisma? Ultimately those were demands, were they not?Q: There were demands, weren’t there, that an investigation take place of 2016 or Burisma? Ultimately those were demands, were they not?
A: Ultimately, yes.A: Ultimately, yes.
Q: And it’s fair to say that you had to navigate those demands, you had to accommodate what the President and his lawyer wanted, if you were going to set up this meeting you thought very important?Q: And it’s fair to say that you had to navigate those demands, you had to accommodate what the President and his lawyer wanted, if you were going to set up this meeting you thought very important?
A: I think that’s fair.A: I think that’s fair.
And here’s that link to the extra four pages mentioned at the start of this story today, at the end of many pagers of printed testimony.And here’s that link to the extra four pages mentioned at the start of this story today, at the end of many pagers of printed testimony.
How Sondland got in deeper and deeperHow Sondland got in deeper and deeper
In this part of the transcript of Gordon Sondland’s testimony in Washington last month, the release summarizes how Rudy Giuliani’s demands “kept getting more insidious” as Ambassador Sondland “became aware that there might be a link between the White House visit and aid to the Ukraine that was being held up.”In this part of the transcript of Gordon Sondland’s testimony in Washington last month, the release summarizes how Rudy Giuliani’s demands “kept getting more insidious” as Ambassador Sondland “became aware that there might be a link between the White House visit and aid to the Ukraine that was being held up.”
This all revolves around the allegations that Donald Trump’s cipher/conduit/rogue lip, Giuliani was on a mission ultimately to persuade Ukraine that it must conspicuously agree to investigate 1. (bogus) theories that it was actually Ukraine that tried to tilt the 2016 election for Hillary Clinton, and then framed Russia, and 2. the business activities of Hunter Biden, the son of Trump rival and Democratic 2020 candidate Joe Biden, in his directorship of Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company. In the process, $400 million in military aid, already approved by the US Congress for Ukraine, was being held up by the Trump administration, and a coveting meeting at the White House for president Volodymyr Zelenskiy was being dangled.This all revolves around the allegations that Donald Trump’s cipher/conduit/rogue lip, Giuliani was on a mission ultimately to persuade Ukraine that it must conspicuously agree to investigate 1. (bogus) theories that it was actually Ukraine that tried to tilt the 2016 election for Hillary Clinton, and then framed Russia, and 2. the business activities of Hunter Biden, the son of Trump rival and Democratic 2020 candidate Joe Biden, in his directorship of Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company. In the process, $400 million in military aid, already approved by the US Congress for Ukraine, was being held up by the Trump administration, and a coveting meeting at the White House for president Volodymyr Zelenskiy was being dangled.
Q. from investigating committee: When did you first get an inkling of what Mr. Giuliani was interested in?Q. from investigating committee: When did you first get an inkling of what Mr. Giuliani was interested in?
Excerpt from Gordon Sondland’s testimony, where he is giving answers to questions from an unnamed figure on the House committees leading the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry. Here, Sondland says he discussed the seemingly nefarious back-channel diplomacy being led by Rudy Giuliani with secretary of state Mike Pompeo.Excerpt from Gordon Sondland’s testimony, where he is giving answers to questions from an unnamed figure on the House committees leading the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry. Here, Sondland says he discussed the seemingly nefarious back-channel diplomacy being led by Rudy Giuliani with secretary of state Mike Pompeo.
State Department officials were “fully aware of the issues” with Giuliani, but “there was very little they could do about it if the President decided he wanted his lawyer involved.”State Department officials were “fully aware of the issues” with Giuliani, but “there was very little they could do about it if the President decided he wanted his lawyer involved.”
Q: Did you ever discuss Rudy Giuliani with Secretary Pompeo?Q: Did you ever discuss Rudy Giuliani with Secretary Pompeo?
A: Only in general terms.A: Only in general terms.
Q: And what did you discuss?Q: And what did you discuss?
A: That he’s involved in affairs. And Pompeo rolled his eyes and said: Yes, it’s something we have to deal with.A: That he’s involved in affairs. And Pompeo rolled his eyes and said: Yes, it’s something we have to deal with.
Q: What about his counselor, Ulrich Brechbuhl? You said you had lots of conversations with Mr. Brechbuhl?Q: What about his counselor, Ulrich Brechbuhl? You said you had lots of conversations with Mr. Brechbuhl?
A: On and off, yes.A: On and off, yes.
Q: Did you discuss the linkage between the security assistance, the White House meeting, and the investigations with him?Q: Did you discuss the linkage between the security assistance, the White House meeting, and the investigations with him?
A: I don’t believe I did, but I don’t recall.A: I don’t believe I did, but I don’t recall.
Q: What about Rudy Giuliani, did you discuss Giuliani with Brechbuhl?Q: What about Rudy Giuliani, did you discuss Giuliani with Brechbuhl?
A: I may have. Again, people usually smiled when they heard Rudy’s name because he was always swirling around somewhere.A: I may have. Again, people usually smiled when they heard Rudy’s name because he was always swirling around somewhere.
Q: Yeah, but, I mean, he was causing serious issues in the U.S. relationship with Ukraine. Did you raise those concerns with—Q: Yeah, but, I mean, he was causing serious issues in the U.S. relationship with Ukraine. Did you raise those concerns with—
A: Listen, the State Department was fully aware of the issues, and there was very little they could do about it if the President decided he wanted his lawyer involved.A: Listen, the State Department was fully aware of the issues, and there was very little they could do about it if the President decided he wanted his lawyer involved.
Q: And does that include Secretary Pompeo and his counselor, Ulrich Brechbuhl?Q: And does that include Secretary Pompeo and his counselor, Ulrich Brechbuhl?
A: My speculation is yes, that they hit a brick wall when it came to getting rid of Mr. Giuliani.A: My speculation is yes, that they hit a brick wall when it came to getting rid of Mr. Giuliani.
Here’s how Gordon Sondland first got sucked into the Trump-Ukraine swamp (just a reminder that he’s ambassador to the European Union and Ukraine is not in the EU, so he was way out of his playground from the off.Here’s how Gordon Sondland first got sucked into the Trump-Ukraine swamp (just a reminder that he’s ambassador to the European Union and Ukraine is not in the EU, so he was way out of his playground from the off.
During an Oval Office meeting on May 23, 2019, with Gordon Sondland, Kurt Volker, and energy secretary Rick Perry (aka the “three amigos” - explanation in a moment, for those who didn’t see the original reference to this colorful description), Donald Trump, according to Sondland’s testimony “just kept saying: Talk to Rudy, talk to Rudy.”During an Oval Office meeting on May 23, 2019, with Gordon Sondland, Kurt Volker, and energy secretary Rick Perry (aka the “three amigos” - explanation in a moment, for those who didn’t see the original reference to this colorful description), Donald Trump, according to Sondland’s testimony “just kept saying: Talk to Rudy, talk to Rudy.”
That’s the president’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, not officially a member of the Trump administration, let alone the foreign service personnel.That’s the president’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, not officially a member of the Trump administration, let alone the foreign service personnel.
Excerpt from testimony just released:Excerpt from testimony just released:
Q: When President Trump told you to—you and the others, I understand, everyone at that meeting, and we’ll get to that meeting in more detail—but when he told you to discuss with Rudy Giuliani concerns about Ukraine, did you know at that point what he was referring to?Q: When President Trump told you to—you and the others, I understand, everyone at that meeting, and we’ll get to that meeting in more detail—but when he told you to discuss with Rudy Giuliani concerns about Ukraine, did you know at that point what he was referring to?
A: He didn’t even—he wasn’t even specific about what he wanted us to talk to Giuliani about. He just kept saying: Talk to Rudy, talk to Rudy.A: He didn’t even—he wasn’t even specific about what he wanted us to talk to Giuliani about. He just kept saying: Talk to Rudy, talk to Rudy.
Q: Right, I understand that, and I understand he wasn’t specific. But when he said that, did you know what he was talking about?Q: Right, I understand that, and I understand he wasn’t specific. But when he said that, did you know what he was talking about?
A: I didn’t, other than he said: Ukraine is a problem.A: I didn’t, other than he said: Ukraine is a problem.
The explosive revelations in the extra four pages of testimony from Gordon Sondland are detailed in this story from the New York Times.The explosive revelations in the extra four pages of testimony from Gordon Sondland are detailed in this story from the New York Times.
Crucially, Sondland said that “resumption of the US aid would likely not occur until Ukraine provided the public anticorruption statement that we had been discussing for many weeks”.Crucially, Sondland said that “resumption of the US aid would likely not occur until Ukraine provided the public anticorruption statement that we had been discussing for many weeks”.
The Times writes of these new facts thus:The Times writes of these new facts thus:
The four new pages of testimony from Sondland referenced in the last post are from an addendum to what’s just been released - the link has crashed it’s so popular, so we’ll bring you that asap!The four new pages of testimony from Sondland referenced in the last post are from an addendum to what’s just been released - the link has crashed it’s so popular, so we’ll bring you that asap!
Meanwhile, the main documents of the testimony of Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the European Union, and Kurt Volker, former US envoy to Ukraine, have both been released.Sondland here. Volker here.Meanwhile, the main documents of the testimony of Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the European Union, and Kurt Volker, former US envoy to Ukraine, have both been released.Sondland here. Volker here.
Testimony from European Union ambassador Gordon Sondland to the impeachment inquiry reveals that he told a top Ukrainian official that they wouldn’t get vital US military aid unless the country publicly committed to investigations that Donald Trump had been demanding from Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, into the president’s domestic political rival, Joe Biden.Testimony from European Union ambassador Gordon Sondland to the impeachment inquiry reveals that he told a top Ukrainian official that they wouldn’t get vital US military aid unless the country publicly committed to investigations that Donald Trump had been demanding from Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, into the president’s domestic political rival, Joe Biden.
Four new pages of sworn testimony released moments ago, from Sondland’s closed-door testimony last month, confirm he was involved in the quid pro quo between the US and Ukraine that is at the heart of the impeachment inquiry, and which Sondland hasn’t admitted to before.Four new pages of sworn testimony released moments ago, from Sondland’s closed-door testimony last month, confirm he was involved in the quid pro quo between the US and Ukraine that is at the heart of the impeachment inquiry, and which Sondland hasn’t admitted to before.
Some details of the testimony from EU ambassador Gordon Sondland and former Ukraine enjoy Kurt Volker to the impeachment inquiry last month are dribbling out, via CNN journalists so far.Some details of the testimony from EU ambassador Gordon Sondland and former Ukraine enjoy Kurt Volker to the impeachment inquiry last month are dribbling out, via CNN journalists so far.
There is a clear indication that they detailed a parallel foreign policy being carried out in Ukraine via Donald Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Sondland indicated that secretary of state Mike Pompeo was told about it. Volker spoke of Giuliani as a conduit to Trump.There is a clear indication that they detailed a parallel foreign policy being carried out in Ukraine via Donald Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Sondland indicated that secretary of state Mike Pompeo was told about it. Volker spoke of Giuliani as a conduit to Trump.
Typically, that would be official US diplomats, it almost goes without saying.Typically, that would be official US diplomats, it almost goes without saying.
Nothing about this is normal!Nothing about this is normal!
First trickleFirst trickle
The latest transcripts from the closed-door testimony in the impeachment inquiry are making their way rather painfully and fitfully into the public domain today. They’re kind of out, apparently, but most reporters don’t have them yet.The latest transcripts from the closed-door testimony in the impeachment inquiry are making their way rather painfully and fitfully into the public domain today. They’re kind of out, apparently, but most reporters don’t have them yet.
Here’s a tiny snippet from CNN’s Shimon Prokupecz, about back door diplomacy.Here’s a tiny snippet from CNN’s Shimon Prokupecz, about back door diplomacy.
More to come, hang in there.More to come, hang in there.
Virginians go to the polls today to choose their state legislature. Despite a surge of Democratic success in the 2017 statewide elections, the Republicans hung on by a whisker to their traditionally-solid majority in the general assembly in Richmond.Virginians go to the polls today to choose their state legislature. Despite a surge of Democratic success in the 2017 statewide elections, the Republicans hung on by a whisker to their traditionally-solid majority in the general assembly in Richmond.
Will it flip today? The so-called blue wave, which also elected a record number of women to the general assembly, was echoed in the 2018 national mid-term elections.Will it flip today? The so-called blue wave, which also elected a record number of women to the general assembly, was echoed in the 2018 national mid-term elections.
Key Republican districts flipped, notably giving the US Congress Virginia freshman Democrats Jennifer Wexton, who ousted moderate(ish) Republican Barbara Comstock on the outskirts of DC, and Abigail Spanberger, who beat glowing red Republican Dave Brat in a district closer to Richmond (with his infamously sexist remarks on the campaign trail).Key Republican districts flipped, notably giving the US Congress Virginia freshman Democrats Jennifer Wexton, who ousted moderate(ish) Republican Barbara Comstock on the outskirts of DC, and Abigail Spanberger, who beat glowing red Republican Dave Brat in a district closer to Richmond (with his infamously sexist remarks on the campaign trail).
There is a lot of interest to see if, this time also, what happens in Richmond in the election today is a forbearer of how Virginia will vote in 2020.There is a lot of interest to see if, this time also, what happens in Richmond in the election today is a forbearer of how Virginia will vote in 2020.
Since this time last year, Trump has been castigated in the Mueller report and engulfed by the impeachment inquiry centering on his conduct in relation to Ukraine.Since this time last year, Trump has been castigated in the Mueller report and engulfed by the impeachment inquiry centering on his conduct in relation to Ukraine.
And Virginia’s Democratic governor Ralph Northam narrowly survived a scandal over black-face photographs from the past, while his deputy, Justin Fairfax, was at the center of sexual assault allegations.And Virginia’s Democratic governor Ralph Northam narrowly survived a scandal over black-face photographs from the past, while his deputy, Justin Fairfax, was at the center of sexual assault allegations.
Local media are talking about the key districts voting today.Local media are talking about the key districts voting today.
He won’t turn up willingly, of course, but the impeachment inquiry investigators want to depose him to testify on Capitol Hill.He won’t turn up willingly, of course, but the impeachment inquiry investigators want to depose him to testify on Capitol Hill.
Mulvaney, the acting chief of staff to Donald Trump, will no doubt hove to the gag order imposed by the White House that pledges non-cooperation with the inquiry.Mulvaney, the acting chief of staff to Donald Trump, will no doubt hove to the gag order imposed by the White House that pledges non-cooperation with the inquiry.
Last month Mulvaney suggested that there was a quid pro quo in relations with Ukraine in a rare, official White House press briefing, no less. He embarrassingly tried to walk back that statement later in the day. It was another unforced error from the Trump administration in the impeachment inquiry.Last month Mulvaney suggested that there was a quid pro quo in relations with Ukraine in a rare, official White House press briefing, no less. He embarrassingly tried to walk back that statement later in the day. It was another unforced error from the Trump administration in the impeachment inquiry.
At the time he said the Trump administration’s decision to withhold millions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine was part of efforts to clean up corruption in the country. He was apparently referring, at least in part, to unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about a purported Ukrainian link to Russia’s hack of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) during the 2016 presidential election.At the time he said the Trump administration’s decision to withhold millions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine was part of efforts to clean up corruption in the country. He was apparently referring, at least in part, to unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about a purported Ukrainian link to Russia’s hack of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) during the 2016 presidential election.
“The look back to what happened in 2016 certainly was part of the thing that he was worried about in corruption with that nation,” Mulvaney told reporters in the White House briefing room.“The look back to what happened in 2016 certainly was part of the thing that he was worried about in corruption with that nation,” Mulvaney told reporters in the White House briefing room.
“Did he also mention to me in the past the corruption that related to the DNC server? Absolutely, no question about that,” Mulvaney continued. “But that’s it. That’s why we held up the money.”“Did he also mention to me in the past the corruption that related to the DNC server? Absolutely, no question about that,” Mulvaney continued. “But that’s it. That’s why we held up the money.”
Asked about mixing politics with foreign policy, Mulvaney replied: “We do that all the time with foreign policy … I have news for everybody. Get over it. There is going to be political influence in foreign policy. Elections have consequences.”Asked about mixing politics with foreign policy, Mulvaney replied: “We do that all the time with foreign policy … I have news for everybody. Get over it. There is going to be political influence in foreign policy. Elections have consequences.”
Mulvaney’s statement contradicted Trump’s repeated denials that his administration had made military aid to Ukraine contingent upon Kyiv’s willingness to open an investigation into the debunked DNC theory and the dealings of Hunter Biden, the son of Trump’s 2020 Democratic election rival Joe Biden, in Ukraine.Mulvaney’s statement contradicted Trump’s repeated denials that his administration had made military aid to Ukraine contingent upon Kyiv’s willingness to open an investigation into the debunked DNC theory and the dealings of Hunter Biden, the son of Trump’s 2020 Democratic election rival Joe Biden, in Ukraine.
Mulvaney’s been asked to appear on Capitol Hill on Saturday. Don’t hold your breath.Mulvaney’s been asked to appear on Capitol Hill on Saturday. Don’t hold your breath.
Stone supporter holds up jury selectionStone supporter holds up jury selection
Roger Stone trial was delayed briefly today by this chap.Roger Stone trial was delayed briefly today by this chap.
Jury selection had been slow to get underway anyway. Hoping for opening arguments to begin asap tomorrow - we’ll keep you posted and let you know when the jury has been picked so that this federal trial can get underway.Jury selection had been slow to get underway anyway. Hoping for opening arguments to begin asap tomorrow - we’ll keep you posted and let you know when the jury has been picked so that this federal trial can get underway.
This associate of Donald Trump is accused of lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstruction of justice, chiefly relating to the release to the public on Wikileaks of emails from Hillary Clinton’s election campaign, hacked by Russian operatives in 2016.This associate of Donald Trump is accused of lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstruction of justice, chiefly relating to the release to the public on Wikileaks of emails from Hillary Clinton’s election campaign, hacked by Russian operatives in 2016.
Harris on the ballot in New Hampshire - officiallyHarris on the ballot in New Hampshire - officially
Democratic 2020 candidate Kamala Harris is struggling to keep up in the election race, as her outgoing funds exceed the cash coming in from fundraising efforts and her poll numbers stay stubbornly paltry.Democratic 2020 candidate Kamala Harris is struggling to keep up in the election race, as her outgoing funds exceed the cash coming in from fundraising efforts and her poll numbers stay stubbornly paltry.
She’s made the Democratic debate in Atlanta, Georgia, this month (Nov 20) and has qualified for the December debate.She’s made the Democratic debate in Atlanta, Georgia, this month (Nov 20) and has qualified for the December debate.
It’s 90 days to the Iowa caucuses, the first voting in the decision process to decide the Democratic party nominee for president, and the former California attorney general and now Senator Harris is focussing her efforts there.It’s 90 days to the Iowa caucuses, the first voting in the decision process to decide the Democratic party nominee for president, and the former California attorney general and now Senator Harris is focussing her efforts there.
But in the “Live free or die” granite state, New Hampshire, she is now also formally on the ballot. The NH primary is on February 11, 2020.But in the “Live free or die” granite state, New Hampshire, she is now also formally on the ballot. The NH primary is on February 11, 2020.
The impeachment inquiry, which is likely to move to the congressional trial phase in the US Senate early next year, will take 2020 candidates and senators Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar and Harris off the campaign trail, but it will also give them a potentially useful platform to show off their chops in the questioning process - on TV.The impeachment inquiry, which is likely to move to the congressional trial phase in the US Senate early next year, will take 2020 candidates and senators Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar and Harris off the campaign trail, but it will also give them a potentially useful platform to show off their chops in the questioning process - on TV.
Harris on the campaign trail.Harris on the campaign trail.
As we wait for the expected release, hopefully very soon, of transcripts from the testimony behind closed doors last month of Gordon Sondland, EU ambassador, and Kurt Volker, former envoy to Ukraine, it’s pretty certain that the two new witnesses expected on Capitol Hill today will not show up. This time yesterday, the first two transcripts to be made public were out, with an extraordinary account of the smear and ambush of since-ousted Ukraine ambassador Marie Yovanovitch.As we wait for the expected release, hopefully very soon, of transcripts from the testimony behind closed doors last month of Gordon Sondland, EU ambassador, and Kurt Volker, former envoy to Ukraine, it’s pretty certain that the two new witnesses expected on Capitol Hill today will not show up. This time yesterday, the first two transcripts to be made public were out, with an extraordinary account of the smear and ambush of since-ousted Ukraine ambassador Marie Yovanovitch.
In Yovanovitch’s transcript we see her describing her “shock” at discovering that Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal emissary who has also worked for Ukrainian and Russian interests, was attempting to destroy her reputation.In Yovanovitch’s transcript we see her describing her “shock” at discovering that Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal emissary who has also worked for Ukrainian and Russian interests, was attempting to destroy her reputation.
Meanwhile, today, Wells Griffith, the US national security council’s international energy and environment director didn’t show this morning and Michael Duffey, associate director for national security programs in the office of management and budget, had never been expected to show up for his 2PM appointment with the House intelligence committee, so if he turns up out of the blue that would be a huge surprise.Meanwhile, today, Wells Griffith, the US national security council’s international energy and environment director didn’t show this morning and Michael Duffey, associate director for national security programs in the office of management and budget, had never been expected to show up for his 2PM appointment with the House intelligence committee, so if he turns up out of the blue that would be a huge surprise.
Here is a handy recent piece on some of the main players in the impeachment inquiry.Here is a handy recent piece on some of the main players in the impeachment inquiry.