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US polls closing in key governor and statehouse races – live US polls closing in key governor and statehouse races – live
(31 minutes later)
Democratic hopefuls are battling Republican incumbents in governor’s races in Kentucky and MississippiDemocratic hopefuls are battling Republican incumbents in governor’s races in Kentucky and Mississippi
Mark Meadows, a close Trump ally and congressman from North Carolina who was among the House members who questioned witnesses in the impeachment inquiry is maintaining the president’s innocence.Mark Meadows, a close Trump ally and congressman from North Carolina who was among the House members who questioned witnesses in the impeachment inquiry is maintaining the president’s innocence.
In a selective reading of Sondland’s testimony, Meadows insists that there’s no direct link made by the president between holding up aid to Ukraine and his desire for an investigation.In a selective reading of Sondland’s testimony, Meadows insists that there’s no direct link made by the president between holding up aid to Ukraine and his desire for an investigation.
It’s true that Sondland was careful not to incriminate the president directly.It’s true that Sondland was careful not to incriminate the president directly.
Meadows appeared to aid the EU ambassador in efforts to excuse the president. From the testimony released today:Meadows appeared to aid the EU ambassador in efforts to excuse the president. From the testimony released today:
Meadows: “So you’re saying — this is groundbreaking — so you’re saying that someone other than …” Meadows: “So you’re saying – this is groundbreaking – so you’re saying that someone other than …”
Sondland: “I walked right into that one,”Sondland: “I walked right into that one,”
Meadows: “… Other than Donald Trump is concerned with corruption, and they might withhold foreign aid based on that. Is that correct, Ambassador? I can tell by your smile it’s a yes, is that correct. Are we correct?”Meadows: “… Other than Donald Trump is concerned with corruption, and they might withhold foreign aid based on that. Is that correct, Ambassador? I can tell by your smile it’s a yes, is that correct. Are we correct?”
Sondland: “This is like ‘My Cousin Vinny,’”Sondland: “This is like ‘My Cousin Vinny,’”
[Note: According to IMDB, My Cousin Vinny is about a lawyer, portrayed by Joe Pesci, who “shows that he can make up for his ignorance and inexperience with an aggressive, perceptive questioning style.” Apparently a key piece of evidence in the movie, which this reporter has not watched, has to do with tires, which explains the following... ][Note: According to IMDB, My Cousin Vinny is about a lawyer, portrayed by Joe Pesci, who “shows that he can make up for his ignorance and inexperience with an aggressive, perceptive questioning style.” Apparently a key piece of evidence in the movie, which this reporter has not watched, has to do with tires, which explains the following... ]
Meadows: “Yeah, there are two positive track tire marks here, looks like.”Meadows: “Yeah, there are two positive track tire marks here, looks like.”
Meadows argument is unlikely to hold water with Democrats pursuing impeachment. As Guardian reporters noted earlier: Meadows’ argument is unlikely to hold water with Democrats pursuing impeachment. As Guardian reporters noted earlier:
In Virginia, all 140 seats in the legislature are on the ballot. Republicans currently hold slight majorities in each chamber, but voters today will have decided whether that’s to change.In Virginia, all 140 seats in the legislature are on the ballot. Republicans currently hold slight majorities in each chamber, but voters today will have decided whether that’s to change.
The election is being considered a referendum on Donald Trump. If voters flip enough seats, the Democrats will have full control of the state government for the first time since 1994.The election is being considered a referendum on Donald Trump. If voters flip enough seats, the Democrats will have full control of the state government for the first time since 1994.
Joe Biden wants his progressive opponents to cut it out with the attacksJoe Biden wants his progressive opponents to cut it out with the attacks
A few days ago, defending her healthcare plan against criticism from Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren said that “if anyone wants to defend keeping those high profits for insurance companies and those high profits for drug companies and not making the top 1% pay a fair share in taxes and not making corporations pay a fair share in taxes, then I think they’re running in the wrong presidential primary”.A few days ago, defending her healthcare plan against criticism from Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren said that “if anyone wants to defend keeping those high profits for insurance companies and those high profits for drug companies and not making the top 1% pay a fair share in taxes and not making corporations pay a fair share in taxes, then I think they’re running in the wrong presidential primary”.
Joe Biden did not like that response.Joe Biden did not like that response.
In a statement posted online, Biden said: “The other day I was accused by one of my opponents of running in the wrong primary. Pretty amazing. On one level, it is kind of funny.”In a statement posted online, Biden said: “The other day I was accused by one of my opponents of running in the wrong primary. Pretty amazing. On one level, it is kind of funny.”
But laughing he is not. “These kinds of attacks are a serious problem. They reflect an angry unyielding viewpoint that has crept into our politics,” he said.But laughing he is not. “These kinds of attacks are a serious problem. They reflect an angry unyielding viewpoint that has crept into our politics,” he said.
This kind of attitude is “representative of an elitism that working and middle class people do not share: ‘We know best; you know nothing’. ‘If you were only as smart as I am you would agree with me.’”This kind of attitude is “representative of an elitism that working and middle class people do not share: ‘We know best; you know nothing’. ‘If you were only as smart as I am you would agree with me.’”
For good measure, he added: “I stand with the Democratic party of Barack Obama”.For good measure, he added: “I stand with the Democratic party of Barack Obama”.
Most polls in Kentucky are now closedMost polls in Kentucky are now closed
We’ll be watching closely as the results are tallied up in Kentucky’s gubernatorial race between Republican incumbent Matt Bevin (who had Donald Trump stumping for him last night) and the state attorney general Andy Beshear, the Democratic challenger and son of former governor Steve Beshear.We’ll be watching closely as the results are tallied up in Kentucky’s gubernatorial race between Republican incumbent Matt Bevin (who had Donald Trump stumping for him last night) and the state attorney general Andy Beshear, the Democratic challenger and son of former governor Steve Beshear.
Bevin ran for a US Senate seat in 2014, but he lost the GOP primary to Mitch McConnell. The incumbent governor has closely aligned himself with Trump and focused much of his campaign on his opposition to impeachment. But Bevin, who has cut government services and has said that teachers who participated in walkout protests left their students vulnerable to sexual assault, is one of the least popular governors in the country.Bevin ran for a US Senate seat in 2014, but he lost the GOP primary to Mitch McConnell. The incumbent governor has closely aligned himself with Trump and focused much of his campaign on his opposition to impeachment. But Bevin, who has cut government services and has said that teachers who participated in walkout protests left their students vulnerable to sexual assault, is one of the least popular governors in the country.
As attorney general, Beshear has fought against many of Bevin’s policies. If he wins the governor’s race, he’ll have to face off against a legislature that’s dominated by Republicans: the GOP has supermajorities in both chambers.As attorney general, Beshear has fought against many of Bevin’s policies. If he wins the governor’s race, he’ll have to face off against a legislature that’s dominated by Republicans: the GOP has supermajorities in both chambers.
The House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, is planning to make last-minute changes before public impeachment hearings begin, according to the Washington Post:The House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, is planning to make last-minute changes before public impeachment hearings begin, according to the Washington Post:
Trump reportedly wants Jordan, especially, to become more involved. The Ohio congressman has repeatedly defended the president, saying in a recent Fox News interview that he wants to “help the country see the truth here, that President Trump didn’t do anything wrong”.Trump reportedly wants Jordan, especially, to become more involved. The Ohio congressman has repeatedly defended the president, saying in a recent Fox News interview that he wants to “help the country see the truth here, that President Trump didn’t do anything wrong”.
Sondland: ‘No one thought the call was remarkable’Sondland: ‘No one thought the call was remarkable’
The EU ambassador, Gordon Sondland, who repeatedly testified that he didn’t remember or didn’t recall many of the details of the call central to Trump’s impeachment inquiry, said he didn’t get a read-out of the conversation.The EU ambassador, Gordon Sondland, who repeatedly testified that he didn’t remember or didn’t recall many of the details of the call central to Trump’s impeachment inquiry, said he didn’t get a read-out of the conversation.
“The only verbal read-out,” he testified was, “‘It was a great call.’ I mean, no one thought the call was remarkable.”“The only verbal read-out,” he testified was, “‘It was a great call.’ I mean, no one thought the call was remarkable.”
Lindsay Graham, the chair of the Senate judiciary committee says he won’t read the transcripts.Lindsay Graham, the chair of the Senate judiciary committee says he won’t read the transcripts.
Volker warned Giuliani that the Biden corruption narrative was not credible, over breakfastVolker warned Giuliani that the Biden corruption narrative was not credible, over breakfast
More from the transcript of the Ukraine special envoy, Kurt Volker:More from the transcript of the Ukraine special envoy, Kurt Volker:
On 19 July, Volker said he had breakfast with Rudy Giuliani and Giuliani’s associate Lev Parnas, and told them that allegations about Joe Biden were “simply not credible”.On 19 July, Volker said he had breakfast with Rudy Giuliani and Giuliani’s associate Lev Parnas, and told them that allegations about Joe Biden were “simply not credible”.
“I said to Rudy in that breakfast the first time we sat down to talk that it is simply not credible to me that Joe Biden would be influenced in his duties as vice-president by money or things for his son or anything like that,” Volker said. “I’ve known him a long time, he’s a person of integrity, and that’s not credible. On the other hand, whether Ukrainians may have sought to influence our elections or sought to buy influence, that’s entirely plausible.”“I said to Rudy in that breakfast the first time we sat down to talk that it is simply not credible to me that Joe Biden would be influenced in his duties as vice-president by money or things for his son or anything like that,” Volker said. “I’ve known him a long time, he’s a person of integrity, and that’s not credible. On the other hand, whether Ukrainians may have sought to influence our elections or sought to buy influence, that’s entirely plausible.”
“Why did you have breakfast at the Trump Hotel?” Volker was asked.“Why did you have breakfast at the Trump Hotel?” Volker was asked.
“Because,” he responded, “I was guessing that’s where Rudy was going to be staying, so that would be the easiest thing to do.”“Because,” he responded, “I was guessing that’s where Rudy was going to be staying, so that would be the easiest thing to do.”
My colleague on the west coast, Maanvi Singh, will take you through the next few hours of continued political developments and drama in the US.My colleague on the west coast, Maanvi Singh, will take you through the next few hours of continued political developments and drama in the US.
Today so far:Today so far:
White House hits back over latest impeachment inquiry evidenceWhite House hits back over latest impeachment inquiry evidence
Senate majority leader and Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell goes right out of bounds in predicting Donald Trump will be acquitted at trial in the Senate - before the articles of impeachment have even been drawn up and voted on in the House.Senate majority leader and Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell goes right out of bounds in predicting Donald Trump will be acquitted at trial in the Senate - before the articles of impeachment have even been drawn up and voted on in the House.
European Union ambassador Gordon Sondland admitted a quid pro quo between Trump and the president of Ukraine, where the Trump administration was holding back military aid while seeking investigations into US political opponents.European Union ambassador Gordon Sondland admitted a quid pro quo between Trump and the president of Ukraine, where the Trump administration was holding back military aid while seeking investigations into US political opponents.
Key state votes are happening today for the governorships of Kentucky and Mississippi and the state assembly in Virginia. All crucial tests of the popularity of Trump and how much traction Democrats are getting in certain states.Key state votes are happening today for the governorships of Kentucky and Mississippi and the state assembly in Virginia. All crucial tests of the popularity of Trump and how much traction Democrats are getting in certain states.
The federal trial of Roger Stone began in Washington with jury selection. They didn’t get to opening arguments today. Trial expected to last two weeks.The federal trial of Roger Stone began in Washington with jury selection. They didn’t get to opening arguments today. Trial expected to last two weeks.
Former Ukraine special envoy Kurt Volker on Giuliani and TrumpFormer Ukraine special envoy Kurt Volker on Giuliani and Trump
The transcript of testimony given last month by Volker in the impeachment inquiry includes a description that on May 23, 2019, Volker, energy secretary Rick Perry and Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland recommended that Donald Trump schedule an Oval Office meeting with the newly elected President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, but Trump stated that Ukrainians “tried to take me down” and that they should “talk to Rudy.”The transcript of testimony given last month by Volker in the impeachment inquiry includes a description that on May 23, 2019, Volker, energy secretary Rick Perry and Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland recommended that Donald Trump schedule an Oval Office meeting with the newly elected President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, but Trump stated that Ukrainians “tried to take me down” and that they should “talk to Rudy.”
(BTW, Perry, Volker and Sondland were known in US foreign service circles relating to Ukraine as “the three amigos” who were running the insidious parallel US foreign policy in the region, according to other testimony given so far in the inquiry.)(BTW, Perry, Volker and Sondland were known in US foreign service circles relating to Ukraine as “the three amigos” who were running the insidious parallel US foreign policy in the region, according to other testimony given so far in the inquiry.)
Released today:Released today:
Question from unnamed member of the House committees leading the impeachment inquiry: In fact, in your conversation with the President in May, the stated reasons why he had a deeply rooted distrust or dislike of the Ukrainians was because of what he perceived to be their role in the 2016 election and/or the Paul Manaforte [sic] case. Is that right?Question from unnamed member of the House committees leading the impeachment inquiry: In fact, in your conversation with the President in May, the stated reasons why he had a deeply rooted distrust or dislike of the Ukrainians was because of what he perceived to be their role in the 2016 election and/or the Paul Manaforte [sic] case. Is that right?
Kurt Volker answers: That was mentioned, but it was a long—longer statement that “they are all corrupt, they are all terrible people,” and, you know, “I don’t want to spend any time with that.” That was—it was a broader statement. And he also said, “and they tried to take me down.” …Kurt Volker answers: That was mentioned, but it was a long—longer statement that “they are all corrupt, they are all terrible people,” and, you know, “I don’t want to spend any time with that.” That was—it was a broader statement. And he also said, “and they tried to take me down.” …
He continues: So, you know, we strongly encouraged him to engage with this new President because he’s committed to fighting all of those things that President Trump was complaining about.He continues: So, you know, we strongly encouraged him to engage with this new President because he’s committed to fighting all of those things that President Trump was complaining about.
Q: And how did the President react?Q: And how did the President react?
A: He just didn’t believe it. He was skeptical. And he also said, that’s not what I hear. I hear, you know, he’s got some terrible people around him. And he referenced that he hears from Mr. Giuliani as part of that.A: He just didn’t believe it. He was skeptical. And he also said, that’s not what I hear. I hear, you know, he’s got some terrible people around him. And he referenced that he hears from Mr. Giuliani as part of that.
Q: Can you explain a little bit more about what the President said about Rudy Giuliani in that meeting?Q: Can you explain a little bit more about what the President said about Rudy Giuliani in that meeting?
A: He said that’s not what I hear. I hear a whole bunch of other things. And I don’t know how he phrased it with Rudy, but it was—I think he said, not as an instruction but just as a comment, talk to Rudy, you know. He knows all of these things, and they’ve got some bad people around him. And that was the nature of it.A: He said that’s not what I hear. I hear a whole bunch of other things. And I don’t know how he phrased it with Rudy, but it was—I think he said, not as an instruction but just as a comment, talk to Rudy, you know. He knows all of these things, and they’ve got some bad people around him. And that was the nature of it.
Mulvaney asked to testify on FridayMulvaney asked to testify on Friday
By the way, it’s academic, really, because he isn’t going to show, but rather than Mulvaney being deposed to appear before the impeachment inquiry on Saturday, as was released to the public earlier, turns out it’s Friday.By the way, it’s academic, really, because he isn’t going to show, but rather than Mulvaney being deposed to appear before the impeachment inquiry on Saturday, as was released to the public earlier, turns out it’s Friday.
The acting chief of staff to Donald Trump will undoubtedly adhere to the gag order, whereby the White House has said it will not cooperate with the inquiry.The acting chief of staff to Donald Trump will undoubtedly adhere to the gag order, whereby the White House has said it will not cooperate with the inquiry.
Roger Stone trial latestRoger Stone trial latest
Jury in Roger Stone’s federal trial in Washington being slowly but surely assembled.Jury in Roger Stone’s federal trial in Washington being slowly but surely assembled.
Here’s a profile of Stone from earlier this year, by my colleague Ed Pilkington, complete with a classic pic of Stone in Nixon victory/defeat pose.Here’s a profile of Stone from earlier this year, by my colleague Ed Pilkington, complete with a classic pic of Stone in Nixon victory/defeat pose.
Stone left the courthouse earlier, complaining of food poisoning.Stone left the courthouse earlier, complaining of food poisoning.
Where most readers see a quid pro quo admitted to, belatedly, by Gordon Sondland, the White House sees a nothing burger.Where most readers see a quid pro quo admitted to, belatedly, by Gordon Sondland, the White House sees a nothing burger.
Extract from the appendix to his testimony shows Gordon Sondland “now recalling” a conversation in which he admits the quid pro quoExtract 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.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.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.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.”“I’m pretty sure I know how it’s going to end.”
McConnellMcConnell
“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.