I just read the headlines over at Fox News that literally claim Sondland didn’t say what he said word-for-word. When national security is at stake, reporting that offers the cover of an alternate reality aren’t just spin, they’re treasonous deception.
64
When our son (under 10 years old) asked about Trump this evening, I told him that he is not a good person and he does do what is right. I felt bad saying it. Not because I supported trump in the past but because I was saying it about the president of the United States.
Shame on all of you that support this criminal and his thugs as they disparage heroes like McCain, Lt. Col. Vindman, Jennifer Williams and Amb. Yovanovitch.
28
Around 5:15 cst yesterday a New England congressman (did not hear his name) questioned the legality of the President withholding funds, which are approved by Congress and can only be held by the same. Why is this seemingly being overlooked? It's another abuse of power?
We know Trump will often cloak a big lie with a small veneer of truth. Yes he told Sondland he wanted "nothing" from Zelensky and "no quid pro quo", but this was AFTER he knew about the whistle blower compliant. So Trump's statements that day are not exculpatory, instead they evidence consciousness of guilt.
2
Watching Wednesday’s impeachment hearing featuring Gordon Sondland was an object lesson in why unqualified donors should not be gifted with jobs for which they have no experience, intellect or training. He is a dilettante who is dabbling in a field for which he has no commitment. He has shown himself to have no intellectual curiosity, nor desire to learn the position for which he was assigned. He asked no questions, he took no notes, and has no memory of very important events. Contrast him to the dedicated professional foreign service personnel, who take notes, pay attention, ask questions and seek knowledge of the jobs they are assigned to. These professionals (Yovanovitch, Lindman, Taylor, et al) are working in service to their country and are dedicated to the oath they take. I have never been prouder to be an American when listening to these admirable people. That the republican party would seek to denigrate these individuals is shameless. If this is what they mean when they refer to the “deep state”, sign me up. On the other hand, Sondland’s answers and demeanor was self-serving and an obvious attempt to mitigate the damage to his image. That the republican party would seek to denigrate the service of the career professionals, in order to cover up the corrupt behavior of the occupant of the white house is shameless and a crime in itself.
5
Enough of this is shrouded in the conditional - "may" and "could" and "on or about" - that an impeachment charge wouldn't go far. (Or so it seems.)
how can any of this be a surprise?
I imagine, this morning, all the 197 Republicans in the congress are sitting around and brooding. A slick-looking member with no jacket stands up and says, "The POTUS is all over the place, he lies, he cheats, he is not loyal to his subordinates. We know it. If we can "tie a proverbial bell" around his neck, start leaking our feelings to the media, then things will be fine. We know he will get angrier and angrier and say something stupid, and we will all be in the clear".
“Yes, that is the answer," stated all the Members. An old Congressman slowly stood up and asked, "Who would the first one to say something to the media?" After some moments ,there was no one there to answer this question. No one seems to have the heart or courage to go through it. Ah, time to watch "The Wizard of Oz" again.
3
May reaction upon hearing that Trump now claims that he doesn’t know Mr. Sondland very well was to almost lose my coffee through my nose.
3
How long before Sondland is asked to get on the next plane home, no explanation given?
I’ve been waiting for this “back channel” of diplomacy to be revealed. From Ambassador Taylor’s point of view it was not the proper channel, which from his point of view makes sense. He is of course, the appointed Ambassador to Ukraine. But because of his obvious traits of honesty and dedication to the American people, he was deliberately kept out of the loop. Lawyers have a reputation, in my eyes at least, of being shifty in nature. The are experts at misdirection. At shifting the blame. They know how to lead and control a situation for the best outcome for the client. So when a diplomat is told by the POTUS to follow the directions of his lawyer, he should probably get his own lawyer. He’s about to become the fall guy.
Trump and the officials who stand by him by refusing to testify under oath have something to hide. And Trumps lawyer probably has the evidence to convict them all.
2
Gordon Sondland, unlike those career diplomats and experienced government officials he has been dealing with, has not had any complex tasks in his previous life that required knowledge in geopolitics and acumen in diplomacy.
His recollections of some of the events and meetings may differ from those of other participants, who are seasoned diplomats, political advisers and analysts etc.
These people are used to quickly distance themselves from an issue or a situation, trying to make sense of it all.
Nevertheless, as a lay person Soundland is capable of making good judgements and doing his job the best he could.
Republicans are insulting the intelligence of the public when they ignore the fact that it doesn’t require much common sense to figure out that Trump was abusing his power to pressure Ukraine into doing his bidding in return for America's aid.
3
Anyone familiar with disinformation tactics routinely employed by propagandists for authoritarian regimes understands the nature and effectiveness of The Big Lie.
And if "anyone" includes you, then you have already registered our own dear leader's mastery of The Big Lie.
Losing our sense of history comes with a high cost, if a significant percentage of American voters now lack sufficient recall of 20th century history to be bamboozled by The Big Lie when wielded by none other than "The Leader of the Free World."
1
In Helsinki, Putin gave it to Trump as straight as vodka: first, we have goods on you... and by the way start blaming Ukraine for the interference. It's nice to see people beginning to get it. Well, except the so-called base, who can't point out Ukraine in a map.
If Republican Representatives were prosecutors and Republican Senators were jurists, organized crime would run rampant. This is a classic shakedown. Trump isn’t “The Donald”. He is “The Don”.
22
What I love is that Pompeo and other members of the administration are willing to issue statements contesting what the witnesses testify to but are too cowardly to testify themselves under oath. If they are telling the truth, what are they are afraid of? Could it be that if they testify to the same things they are saying in press releases they'd face perjury charges.
33
My understanding of the suave Special Envoy Ambassador Volker's testimony just one day earlier is consistent with the meaning I got from Sondlund today:
"The President feels aggrieved. So, our task, to the benefit of both nations' interests is to get the Ukrainians to placate him. Appearances of action indicating deference are enough (to fool the fool in the WH.)"
Or to throw away the merit of that brevity: An ardent fan invites others to spectate a football game. When a fan of the other team acts in a way that is interpreted - by predisposition - as offensive, the hosting fan, a large man, blocks the view of the game from the unwitting offender.
The invitees spend the rest of the game mediating the dispute, urging particular wording of an apology so the fan whose view is blocked can watch the game.
Or; unarmed burglars try to figure out how to de-escalate the situation after the police-uniform-hating leader of the group has unexpectedly threatened the (unexpected) security guard with a concealed weapon.
2
Why is it that everyone focuses primarily on Trumps demand for an investigation of Biden? Clearly that is improper and impeachable, and probably illegal. But the demand that Ukraine conduct an investigation regarding the 2016 election and Trump’s conspiracy theory (first floated by Putin?) that it was the Ukrainians who interfered in the election, not Russia, seems like an even bigger breach of his oath of office.
His refusal to acknowledge that Russia interfered in the election, despite overwhelming evidence and the conclusions of the government he allegedly leads, is a clear breach of his oath of office. But demanding that a foreign country conduct an investigation to undercut our own government and intelligence services!? And, in defense of Russia! That takes it to a whole other level of impeachable. Especially if you consider everything else he’s already done that serves Russia’s interests. His actions are traitorous. He has to go. Preferably to jail, but I’ll take exile at the Doral.
22
Best comment: Impeach them all--Trump, Pence, and Pompeo.
16
Donald can now put out a teaser - “There is going to be a very big announcement and I think you’re going to like it.” The next day he can announce that he is resigning to spend more time with his family.
20
Two subtexts are being perpetuated by Republicans that should be clearly debunked:
• That Sondland is not a credible witness, even though there is no intimation that he has any other motive than to be a fair witness. He has no incentive to confabulate.
• That an alleged bribery operation was going on without Trump’s awareness. But Trump's strong-man approach to being the CEO of the Executive branch; and the normal integration of agencies and communications in state relations undermines that script of Trump's cluelessness, making the presumption into fiction.
Trump controls his subjects.
Sondland has no self-serving motive for misrepresenting what two years of Trump posturing has proven again and again.
Chairman Schiff captured the logic in his closing statement today: Trump controlled the funds. Trump wanted the “big stuff” done. Giuliani was serving Trump. Sondland was compelled to coordinate with Giuliani by Trump’s directive to Sondland.
2 + 2 = 4
16
You can rationalize that : Sondland did whatever keeps him out of legal trouble, Trump doing whatever benefits him. But what is the rationale behind GOP enabling this abuse of power?
14
Impeach impeach impeach
7
Cooper made a point of noting that the two emails her staff received on July 25th, the day of the Trump/Zelensky "favor" call, were time stamped between 2 PM and 3 PM EDT. It's worth noting that the Trump/Zelensky call ran from 9:03 - 9:33 AM EDT.
That gave the Ukrianians 4.5 hours after hanging up the phone to conclude that their concern for Javelins that was immediately followed by Trump's invitation for a "favor" was a demand for a quid pro quo. They then contacted Washington.
Even if Devin Nunes thinks this is all a three-card Monte show, the Ukrainians apparently are capable of seeing that 2+2 indeed does equal 4.
21
So as we all know the House will impeach and the trial in the Senate will not commit. The 3 amigos champaigned Ukrainian need for (military) aid while Trump etal conditioned aid on their compliance to Trump's "demand" to smearing Biden (and son) and declare meddling in 2016 election. That's what I got from today's testimony. Also I found it very educational learning about all the many good dedicated workers within the government that make it work. Sure there are bad players but they are the exception not the rule. All the checks and balances going up the chain of command I found reassuring that many safe guards are built into our system of government.
7
The President simply has no defense. It was a clear abuse of power and withholding military aid that had already been allocated and approved by Congress was an illegal act. That is why the State Department's legal counsel advised them to release the aid.
26
What happened was Sondland not just throwing everybody under the bus. He threw them overboard the ship into the sea and also opened the hatch of the airplane and threw them out at 10,000 feet. He just witnessed Roger Stone going to jail and decided he doesn't love Donald Trump that much.
22
I still don't understand how Sondland can contend that this does not imply a back channel of "diplomacy":
"We made every effort to ensure that the relevant decision makers at the National Security Council and the State Department knew the important details of our efforts. The suggestion that we were engaged in some irregular or rogue diplomacy is absolutely false."
It seems rather obvious that he - ambassador to the EU - could not consider himself, Energy Secretary, Rick Perry and Rudy Giuliani (we), to be part of the "relevant decision makers..." for Ukraine.
12
I was struck by how different Sondland’s demeanor was from the others who have testified so far. He seemed arrogant, smug, a bit boorish, bragging about how he and Trump toss around expletives when they talk. I don’t fully trust his testimony. First, there’s his incredible claim that he didn’t know that Burisma equaled Biden. Come on! But did you notice how often he nodded his head when Republicans were talking to him? I think there’s more to learn about Sondland than we heard from him today. Maybe he’ll have another A$AP Rocky moment or two before this is all over.
9
Pigs fly!
The moon is made of cheese!
I want no quid pro quo!
You'll be sad when I leave!
9
Only a Mafia boss says I know nothing. Others don’t have to say it.
13
President Zalinsky didn't have to do the investigation; he just had to make a public announcement that he was going to do it. Did everyone catch that? Also, were these idiots so out of touch with the news and what was going on that they claim they did not make a connection between Burisma and the Bidens? I don't buy Volker of Sondland's supposed ignorance of this. Give me a break!!!!!
11
Actually, I found Sondland a sympathetic team member who hoped to usher in a new period of stability in American-Ukrainian relations. No one wanted to work with Giuliani; they did so knowing what was at stake if they didn’t. And they were trying to obey the president.
So they juggled Trump, Giuliani, and the future of the Ukraine. Tough act to take on the road.
As for Sondland not being a note taker, neither was George Schultz. He depended on a young State department aide to take notes during the Iran Contra affair. I have a vivid memory of Schultz admitting he needed assistance during his investigations.
3
I would love it if Mike Pompeo would stay away from the state of Kansas. Why did he have to “adopt” our state, I don’t know.
12
I find it shocking that anyone thought the Ukrainians didn't know aide would be held up after the the request of 'a favor' from Trump. Given the recent history of corruption in their own government, you can be assured the Ukrainians recognized the statement made by Trump for what is was. A bribery or extortion demand!
20
No collusion.
No obstruction.
No Quid pro quo.
No bribery.
What next? Call Trump a racist and demand to see his taxes.
The hatred of Democrats has caused them to go collectively insane.
12
If memory serves—and in this case it does—Eric Blair was never a fan of the Franco types, guys who stamp their little feets and demand that everybody believe them just because they say so.
Also not big on wannabe Mussolinis.
104
You really have blinders on to think that Trump didn’t use the power of his office for personal political gain and to think that he has any qualifications to be in office. My 6 year old granddaughter is better qualified. She doesn’t lie.
83
Ok George ....but that’s not how a lot of us Independents see it either , a lot of us see grounds for impeachment, and definitely see grounds for voting against him in 2020.
103
I like Mr. Schiff's closing argument. He lifted the issue out of the black hole that the Republicans have managed to create. An alternative universe where everything is observed with an extremely narrow tunnel vision and we are forced to stare, over and over again, at details that are irrelevant. They do that in order to make us confused, in order to make our synapses hesitate and make false steps out of exhaustion.
Mr. Schiff's closing argument to us back to reality. It swept away the black hole and the tunnel vision and gave us a chance to breathe. It allowed us to see the big picture and in that picture, a president of the USA that is corrupt. A president that uses his country to serve himself.
There must be some Republicans that still have humanity in them.
There must be some Republicans that have at least a small interest in serving the country.
Yes, I am an optimist.
21
I luv Jim Jordan, who diatribes right up to the end of his time limit, and passes without asking a question.
Today was somewhat different, in that he stuck his feet squarely into his mouth, without anyone realizing it.
He was suggesting to Ms. Cooper and Sec. Hale that it was logical that the president hold up money while he `checked out' the new Ukraine president.
Sounds logical, right?
Except he broke the law when he did it, because he did not notify Congress about the hold.
Another impeachable offense. Breaking the law. and all promoted by Rep. Jordan.
43
The presidents final words on this matter, “I am not a crook. I am not a crook.”
11
Trump's GOP defenders in the congress, especially Nunes, Jordan, and Stefanik should be indicted on multiple counts of "Felony Assault with a Dead Weapon"
11
Until Mr. Giuliani and Secretary Perry repeat their comments under oath, on penalty of lying to Congress (perjury), the statements are not worth much.
14
What Trump & his band of lackies don't get is that the United Stated government is made up of thousands of professionals who are constantly doing their jobs. there are communications, there are multiple levels of approval, many people listening etc, etc. The timelines will come out, who knew what will come out, people will tell the truth. The lies will be exposed.
20
Enough! Enough.
There is more than enough to vote to impeach for bribery, obstruction, and conspiracy.
Put it in McConnell's court. Let him and Senate Republicans go on record, and down in history, and let them do it before the next election.before the next election,
13
Why do the Democrats allow the opposition to continually repeat "Russia Hoax" as if that were an accurate description of the investigation piloted by Robert Meuller. Substantial criminal wrongdoing was uncovered, and members of Trump's 2016 campaign have been found guilty of deceit and corruption. Democrats should remind their counterparts of this every time the word hoax is mentioned.
36
@Fernando Gomes
Exactly, I really wish they would respond to that each time it is brought up.
14
This whole thing is fascinating in the sense that it allows us a direct view into the sleazy opportunism that permeates Trump's worldview. He saw an opportunity to stick up the Ukrainians to get Biden, so he worked out a bribery scheme with Giuliani. He got caught. No one in the GOP is even arguing that this isn't the case. Rather, they're just viciously attacking every person who isn't inclined to let him get away with it.
24
Like a mafia boss, Mr. Trump's use of the implicit to achieve the explicit is de rigor. If plausible deniability is the sole basis of his defense and defenders, then intent and truth are always going to be marginalized.
The question is, do we the people care?
6
I have not seen any evidence that the President wanted anything more than a public announcement about investigations. And this makes sense to me because it is more within his wheelhouse. With a televised announcement, you get video and sound bytes that can be played over and over on right-wing media. The President can tweet the sound byte and offer his ‘eloquent’ commentary to frame the message. He can retweet commentary from his supporters. He can frame the narrative and control the story with a single 30 second sound byte gifted by Zelensky. Within 48 hours, it’ll have been shared millions of times on social media, and the damage will be done.
He didn’t want a real investigation into anything. That’s way too complicated for this President. He wanted fuel for his spin machine. This is what he held up aid for. That’s his idea of foreign policy. It’s disgusting and shameful.
Keep it up, Congressman Schiff.
28
Dear NYT:
The Democrats and media allies got really, really excited when Mr. Sondland sketched out the contours of a vast conspiracy, naming the president and all of his men:
"Everyone was in this loop: Pompeo, Pence, Trump, Volker, Perry, even Bolton...".
Good TV, yes.
But this was a confederacy of dunces, and the "loop" was a circle of ignorance. Being part of this alleged Ukraine conspiracy did not confer knowledge of the President's quid pro quo, but its opposite. Nobody knew anything!
What is amazing so far is that no one has first hand knowledge of what President Trump actually wanted. Indeed, all of them stuck out their sharp elbows, and did their best to take credit for effectuating what they imagined might be Trump's wishes.
And there is still no admissible evidence that President Trump orchestrated a bribery/extortion/quid pro quo in order to tarnish his political opponent in 2020.
Indeed, Sondland admitted that “no one on this planet' told him that President Trump was tying aid to investigations.
4
The people who do have direct knowledge of trump’s crimes are hiding behind executive privilege. Duh. Executive privilege cannot be conferred for criminal activity. The court needs to rule that they all have to testify under oath.
17
This is not a criminal trial. It won’t even be a criminal trial if/when it goes to the Senate. THAT will be an impeachment trial.
3
And I look forward to the day when the POTUS again speaks and writes thoughtfully and clearly, having considered the importance of their words’ intent and the need to be understood globally.
Of course the Ukrainians knew. That money was really important to them, and they must have watched it like hawks, expecting it any day.
Trump wanted an announcement rather than an actual investigation because he knew an investigation would turn up nothing. An announcement on the other hand, would stir up his base and maybe others.
Finally, with Pence's denial of Sondland's disclosures about him, we now know Pence is a liar, too.
14
To Mike Pence, Mike Pompeo and all the others similarly situated who work for Donald Trump and who cringe in abject fear of him, if you have something to say to contradict Mr. Sondland, this is your moment. But given the lack of courage and guts all of you have shown, as well as your complete disavowal of any duty or loyalty to your country, I highly doubt any of you will utter one peep. Tell me all of you, as the presidency of Donald Trump is further exposed to show the absolute disgrace and con that it is and your reputations are permanently ruined, is your support of Donald Trump still worth it?
18
Question:
Should we believe people testifying under oath?
Or believe press releases from Pence or Perry?
(I believe the people under oath.)
12
Devan Nunes could not be more like Donald Trump.
12
I don’t understand why trump during his phone call had to even say I want nothing (twice) and no quid pro quo, like he already knew his motives were going to be questioned with good reason. Sounds like one of his lawyers talking instead of him. I have watched a few gangster movies and seem to recall the mafia boss not saying in exact words when wanted someone killed, but would use a code phrase to get the message across. Like take care of it, and make it look like an accident. That’s how trump talks, he gets others to do his dirty work, but won’t use the exact words, and might even say out loud “NO QUID PRO QUO”, but he means I won’t deliver if they don’t deliver first.
Trump if nothing else in this life knows how to lie, get others to lie and do his laundry if it’s going to get dirty or messy, to keep himself out.
39
@Ricky Smith What if we've missed some punctuation? What if it's really "No. Quid pro quo." Or, more likely, "No! Quid pro quo!" Or even the meaning a comma can provide: "No, quid pro quo." Food for thought.
8
Of course the issue of the investigation actually taking place is, to Trump, not the issue. Once that announcement had been made by Ukraine officials, Trump would then keep us posted on the progress. It would have been just another example of his version of reality, being mainly lies. At rallies, on Fox and outside the plane he would update us all; "people are saying it's horrible", "we all knew Biden was corrupt". And what a field day RT and the trolls would have on our social media! So glad this crime was stopped mid-commission!
25
The Sondland testimony today reminded me of the classic case of Henry II about his problem with Thomas Beckett.
He famously said to his court - "Who will rid me of this troublesome priest?"
While not a "direct order" of course, nevertheless four of his court left and killed Beckett.
Trump left about as much doubt as to what he wanted from the new leader of Ukraine. His followers, Pompeo, Pence, Giuliani and Mulvaney understood and now refuse to testify.
And Trump says - "I wanted nothing!"
Curious, no?
64
after this, he really has no "defense".. i wonder what comes next?
great comment, btw
5
Absolutely my first thought!
3
@Tom A student of real history. An excellent analysis. Thanks.
3
Sondlandia certainly keeps Portland weird. In the EU ambassador’s multiple lapses of memory, we should discern his gross disingenuousness on public display in front of the impeachment committee.
Anyone who has interacted with Sondland in business or Portland politics knows that in fact he has a mind and memory like a steel trap which he frequently applies to advance his or his wife’s local interests, including once extorting a public letter of support from a Portland real estate development council - sound familiar? The most laughable elephant in a huge committee room full of large elephants was his feigned ignorance and total lack of curiosity at the requirement that Ukraine announce they would investigate Burisma as the signal company of focus, and for weeks not connect this to dirt on Biden.
In this case, however, he’s up against champion dirty tricksters Trump/Giuliani so his disingenuous attempts to come out smelling like the City of Roses may soon turn rancid as the worst garbage.
28
Where is the Federal Government coming up with super-women like Marie Yovanovitch, Jennifer Williams and Laura Cooper who appear to be super-competent in their jobs and eager to perform well in them.
I have been happily married to my wife for 40 years -- she possesses many fine qualities that are far too numerous to list here -- but rarely deigns to look at a bill or a tax form, sign a check, open the mail, fill out a form or talk to contractors and tradesmen about money, leaving all of these picayune and irksome matters to me.
Mind you, I am not complaining.
I’d just like to be able to find some super-women like Marie Yovanovitch, Jennifer Williams and Laura Cooper, if and when I ever find myself in need of them.
8
Great diplomats and administrators...but they probably have little time for cooking, etc.
4
Frankly I don't think this testimony accomplishes much of anything. Republicans will take the position that no one heard Trump say "Bribe and extort these guys" therefore it didn't happen. I can tell you exactly what will happen over the next several weeks. Congress impeaches. The Senate has a trial and the verdict will be exactly on party lines. Trump will triumphantly claim he is vindicated.
I wish this were not so, but I don't see how there can be a different outcome.
10
President Trumps many exaggerations, fibs, shading of the truth, outright lies and over the top exaggerations have everyone (even his supporters) struggling to figure out if he is to be believed. When state department professionals, a military officer, and his own appointees say essentially the same thing, suddenly we’re supposed to believe president trump? Not me. I voted for him and stood by him, but enough Is enough. He’s got to go.
37
The fact that Republicans (and Stefanik especially today) keep bringing up as part of their defense that Hunter Biden should be allowed to testify just doesn’t make sense — wouldn’t bringing him in as a witness essentially turn these impeachment hearings into the very investigation that the president was pressuring Ukraine to conduct? Do Republicans think that this would really be an appropriate forum to explore an already debunked conspiracy theory?
35
@E. Of course they do!! Look over here, not over there!
10
I find it really hard to believe that the Ukrainians did not know about the aid holdup way before even July 25. For a country at war in need of this aid, wouldn't any delay be top of mind? Wasn't it approved much earlier in the year?
22
I've watched exceedingly little of the hearings but have listened on radio for some time and everyone who is compelled to testify should know a very simple fact of Republican strategy begun in 2010 as a means of psychological battle; The Committee Republicans are barking loudly and fast to scare the witnesses so perhaps the witnesses should bark back and actually tell them to stop intimidating them as witnesses.
20
So nothing but our Chief Diplomat instructing a third rate nation already implicated in previous election interference to cleanse itself as a haven for American corruption. He has the complete power to direct our Foreign relations regardless of the money designated by Congress. Its called checks and balances and should be used as part of a carrot and stick approach.
10
Trump says what he means. He never mentioned corruption in any discussion with Ukraine.
7
You really shouldn't call USA a third rate nation, it has sunk lower than that.
7
It probably would have been an admirable goal to clean up corruption in Ukraine had not Joe let Hunter go there to cash in on his last name and muck up any chances to nonpolitically investigate anything. As I see it this demonstrates a total lack of situational awareness on Joe’s part and Democrats trying to cover it up by turning this all into a supposed personal smear attempt to deflect from their chosen one’s ineptitude. Bonus also they get another turn at the impeachment attempt trough. Dems may as well own up to Elizabeth instead of trying to protect their corporate donors.
6
Raymond Chandler you’re not. It is said that he got so mixed up in the plotline of The
Little Sister that even he didn’t know who committed one of the murders. But at least he did it with elegance.
11
@Chuck Burton, I was born and raised here in Los Angeles so it’s probably no coincidence that just a little L.A. Film Noire has rubbed off on my way of looking at things.
3
What Hunter did may have had an appearance of impropriety. But neither his conduct nor his father's are at issue here. There are mutual legal assistance treaties and memoranda of understanding between governments that set forth how to appropriately seek foreign help in investigations. None of those protocols were followed here. And as a former United States Attorney, Giuliani knows full well how to adhere to those guidelines; he used to direct his office to do precisely that. Instead, we now have clear evidence of a shakedown that perhaps would be more compelling only if Martin Scorcese had directed it for the big screen.
79
One of the stipulations for Ukraine receiving aid was that Kiev cooperate with Connecticut U.S. Attorney John Durham’s investigation.
- First, the release of military aid to Ukraine was tied to the administration’s demands that Kiev investigate purported corruption by the Democrats during the 2016 presidential election campaign.
- Second, it is believed that a server with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s missing emails on it is in the possession of a company based in Ukraine.
BTW, in the case of Joe Biden we know for certain there was a "quid pro quo"
See: Joe Biden Brags about getting Ukrainian Prosecutor Fired https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXA--dj2-CY
Also, writing in The Hill, John Solomon demonstrates that it is Democrats who first sought to intimidate Ukraine for their own political ends and who continue to do so.
See: "Let's get real: Democrats were first to enlist Ukraine in US elections"
https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/462658-lets-get-real-democrats-were-first-to-enlist-ukraine-in-us-elections
8
@ Kurt Van der Koi. Solomon has been discredited. He is recognized as a conspiracy theorist. His work is disreputable. The owner of The Hill, Finkelstein, is involved in the Ukaraine scandal. See: https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/11/18/hills-owner-is-a-silent-player-in-the-ukraine-scandal/
It’s wise to refer to reliable sources.
69
This is not about the Biden’s Inquiry. This is about President Trumper lying to us and benefiting from our tax money to keep in power. We don’t want him, and he must GO!!!!!!
55
@Kurt VanderKoi you're bringing in John Solomon? The dude that the NYT just eviscerated? Really?
52
Part of my disagreement with Republicans is their sticking point about the President of Eucrain. He is technically being asked by the United States to do a investigation and to publicly announce. Two Congressman speak to him he says nothing to either about any announcement. This man was in limbo, people in his country are fighting the Russians, he needs our help, why would he trust any American and give any information that would or could further jeopardize that aide he desperately needed? I think he did what was right for his people, and it is only a desperate attempt on the republican side to use it as a defense. Thank God he kept his comments and thoughts to himself. To me his judgement in all of this should be commended, can we truly say this about our president?
14
This hasn't been pretty, but surgery often is not pretty.
The trial in the Senate will not be pretty either, for the long knives will surely come out and there will be a lot of collateral damage.
I am sure those in government who never knew where Ukraine was on the map are very relieved.
5
It seems the Republicans seem to want to go there.....Rudy's business dealings in Ukraine. The whole sultry affair needs to come out. Let Mueller's report and facts he alluded to come out.
Impeachment is serious. So is the Constitution and our democracy. Let us get past the charade of Republicans and force the issue. Republicans are disingenuous harping about the whistle blower. Get the courts to make impeachment a priority and compel the White House and State Department witnesses to testify. Let the courts compel the records to be released. This is the Congress. It's time to stop playing around. Are we a nation of laws or not?
31
Agree. Why aren’t reluctant witnesses arrested? Let them lie for Trump under oath.
15
One of the many things wrong with the Republican's shifting so-called defense that Trump wanted investigations of corruption in Ukraine generally is his focus on wanting the announcement of an investigation. It would be ridiculous to think that Trump wanted an announcement by Zelensky that they'd be investigating corruption in Ukraine generally, which of course had already been announced and was the foundation of Zelensky's election. Trump plainly wanted the announcement of specific investigations because he thought the announcement would benefit him regardless of the substance.
30
No longer just a smoking gun, the basis for impeachment has now been made clear. May the president, Pence, Pompeo, Perry, and Mulvaney go down in flames, and take that so-called attorney (Guiliani) with them.
35
Sondland’s testimony at times reminded me of Clinton’s impeachment and my favorite quote from him:
“Well, that depends on what the meaning of “is” is.”
6
The Republican defense consistently (and intentionally) mentions Ukrainian politicians making public statements against then-candidate Trump. They characterize these statements as 'election interference.'
It's an utterly transparent way of getting more mentions of 'Ukrainian election interference' on the record, when the server narrative has been wholly debunked. Do they seriously think anyone is going to accept that making public comments about other politicians amounts to election interference?
23
I find it rather unfortunate that even just a “public announcement” could have been so important. In any event, that pretty clearly shows that the President thinks most people are extremely suggestible and shallow, in particular his very own base (I mean, why else would he have even tried to do this if not to rally support for himself against the perceived frontrunner of the opposing political party at the time of the event?).
That being said, it’s pretty clear he would’ve been more than happy to receive dirt on an opponent from a foreign government, which is strictly unconstitutional for the President to do anyways. The whole reason that clause exists is because the founders were worried that a British envoy would infiltrate the new American government, which the colonials had fought so hard to create less than 20 years prior. Any sort of interference from a foreign entity would’ve been immediate grounds for impeachment and removal.
Look up William Blount, a senator who tried to sell Florida back to Britain in the early days of the US for personal financial gain.
Though in this case I think the Trump administration was inviting foreign interference into the affairs of a former US Vice President for personal political gain, which certainly doesn’t sound OK, either.
14
I am hoping this whole sordid episode in US history will compel us to take a look at the mental health and character (or lack thereof) of our presidential candidates.
50
Mr. Nunes, if the President didn’t order the investigations as a prerequisite for the aid and a meeting, then, we have a bigger problem. We have an Administration running amok. If the President isn’t in charge, who is?
36
I think republicans think this whole stink can be blamed on Rudy. Extraordinary how republicans so passionately defend Trump as innocent. Trump has been chiseling people for decades. He goes on Howard Stern and brags about it. Go ask around Atlantic City what they think of him: Crook.
14
Ok, so now where will the Republicans move the goal post to? From explainations/excuses of no quid pro quo, to, not being allowed or faulty processes being used, to horrible, unsubstantiated, or blatant lies attacking the character of Americans who're well recognized for their excellent performance in their respective careers in the militarily or as civil servant, to what? Can't say Trump is innocent now knowing "everybody was in the loop" as per today's Republican given testimonies. Trump's objective was to gain foreign interference for his personal, political advantage in the next election by using as a leverage against-, or, used as a means to-threaten the withholding of US taxpayer funded aid to Ukraine. Today, Congress proved Trump did commit abuse of power, and bribery, for his personal gains. Republicans can no longer remain silent, pretend, or act out disgracefully in defense of Trump's corrupt dealings, any longer.
23
I keep waiting for that moment when just one Rep develops a conscience, then I come back down to earth and realize the House GOP will follow Trump over the cliff like lemmings. The Senate GOP are more pragmatic. They will ask, what does Mitch want us to do? McConnell will abandon Trump in a New York minute if he finds it beneficial to his own re-election. Sondland’s testimony might be enough to persuade Mitch to ditch Trump.
21
How can anyone as ethically compromised and intellectually incompetent as Devin Nunez ever have been elected to, and assigned to, such an important House of Representatives committee leadership position? What does this imply about the clarity of mind of the country?
45
Has Ambassador Sondland been spotted bringing empty brown boxes into his soon-to-be vacated office yet?
13
Trump seems to think that this is a criminal court of law and his guilt has to be proven “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
His other personal lawyer’s words must be ringing in everyone’s ears— that Trump knows how to get people to do what he wants without actually saying it.
When are republicans going to do the right thing?
20
Republicans only want power, they are afraid of being challenged by the far-right.
6
Wow! Ambassador Sondland blew the hearings away! No quid pro quo. Time to go home!!
Thank you Nunes, Jordan, and Stefanik.
2
One need not say “I want to shoot you” while pulling the trigger in order for pulling the trigger to be unlawful. Pulling the trigger is enough, even if the shot misses the mark.
4
INDICT:
Pence
Barr
Perry
Bolton
27
The Trump reliance—instinct?—on crime-family tactics to “insulate” the “Don” (ha ha) from prosecution is, essentially, all the Republicans have to offer. The conspiracy to extort the Ukraine was everybody’s idea—a documented, admitted to, conspiracy—except for the beneficiary of that crime, Trump. Because—liar liar—Trump never personally uttered the threat (except he did), because Trump didn’t know what Sondland was up to (except he was heard by a bunch of people in a call to Sondland), because, like once claimed about Michael Cohen...he didn’t really know the hit man.
11
I’m surprised the Mafia Don parallel isn’t more often noted. The Don is the last to get caught. Trump is smart enough never to put anything in writing. He speaks in vague musings, that his henchmen understand. It’s surprising the republicans fall for his fake innocence, when there is guilt all around him. Note the five advisors now in jail. Yet they cry out his innocence, and wail about the injustice of it all.
9
Basic considerations: 1) Corruption is rampant around the world, among nations US provides with financial aid, including Africa, Central/South America, Asia. Do we push such nations to investigate corruption as a contingency for US financial aid or do we consider corruption an issue separate from the issues requiring financial help? The financial aid to Ukraine was not to support corruption investigations in Ukraine. It served to facilitate military defense against a US enemy, Russia, whose imperialist policies in eastern Ukraine threaten eastern Europe and ultimately all NATO members. Why withhold it based upon corruption investigations? 2) Is there a Giuliani/Volker/Sondland type interceder for all such US-assisted nations? What was special for POTUS to do this in Ukraine? 3) If the WH/POTUS did nothing wrong, why does it/he obstruct the process of evidentiary discovery and smear the reputation of a 33-year career diplomat with an outstanding reputation within the State department/ ambassadorial community? 4) Why is there an issue with Biden's advocating removal of Shokin if the entire EU and World Bank all openly depicted Shokin as unacceptably corrupt, and no one ever asked the Ukrainian justice system to terminate any investigation against Biden's son, Hunter? 5) It is curious that POTUS calls Sondland on an insecure cell phone connection to rant about investigating the Biden's, but POTUS wants to imprison Hilary Clinton for naively using an insecure email server.
20
The classic wash, rinse repeat strategy for Trump to claim he doesn't know x person is becoming absurd. Does he think we are all idiots who can't look up tweets from a few weeks ago? So frustratingly moronic, and knowing that people still take him at his word is dumbfounding.
30
Want to weasel out of something? Watch Gordon Sondland.
But it probably won’t work.
9
I'm thinking perhaps a lot of us might want to spend Thanksgiving (and longer if that's what it takes) in DC (obviously to celebrate this great Dotard victory /s). If this doesn't move multiple elected Republicans to do the right thing, then they may need some convincing.
20
Come on Democrats - just come out and ask Sondland whether he agreed with Trump's claim in his phone call with him that there is no quid pro quo. Sondland previously alluded to that but just get him to say it expressly.
It's okay, we'll wait.
15
They didn’t have to ask. He volunteered it. He stated there was quid pro quo.
19
Saying "there is no quid pro quo" is like saying "we never had this conversation." It's a suggested lie for the other person to repeat, not a statement reflecting any truth. It's got a built-in wink. Otherwise, why say it at all?
14
@ Jay Orchard
Trump proclaimed “There is no quid pro quo” on the phone call with Sondland after it became known that qpq was exactly what they, the Democrats, were going to investigate.
11
Representative Devin Nunes (R-California) talking points:
President Trump didn't do anything wrong.
But if he did, it wasn't a crime.
But if it was a crime, it's not impeachable.
And if it's not impeachable, let's get on with investigating Hunter Biden!
55
Or, as Bart Simpson might paraphrase Trump et al.: “I didn't do it. No one saw me do it. You can't prove anything.”
4
Mr. Sondland implicated the entire administration as part of the plot to bribe Ukraine, but conveniently could not remember phone calls over heard by others that would directly show Trump's involvement. Most directives were handled through Trump's lawyer Rudolph Giuliani setting the stage for Trump to throw his lawyer under the bus while claiming he was not the instigator of this cabal. it is laughable that everyone including Pompeo, Mulvaney and Pence as well as the entire White House Staff should be aware of Trump's directives fed to them through Giuliani and that Trump would not be the center of it all. But I see a point were Senate Republicans will grasp at this tiny fig leaf and absolve trump of this flagrant abuse of power.
It is a favorite tactic of mob bosses to keep an avenue open to deny their guiding hand whole letting their subordinates twist in the wind, but if Trump has learned one thing in life it is how to avoid responsibility and let others suffer for his crimes. So I have no doubt that Rudolph Giuliani will be sharing a cell close to to Michael Cohen while trump and all his enablers continue continue with their denials of bribery, obstruction and other crime. And Sondland with his convenient mental lapses will have done his job of protecting Trump and his million dollar investment.
19
All President Trump cared about was getting his hands on Sondland’s $1,000,000.00 campaign contribution. My four-year-old granddaughter takes more responsibility for her actions than the president
Who will Trump throw under bus next? Watch out VP Pence.
31
I may be way off base, but as I follow all these witnesses, I just keep thinking that none of the people involved are particularly smart to come up with this devious plot. But who would really benefit from delayed military and financial aid? Russia would. Plot twist to all of this: trump got his marching orders from his pal, Vlad, the unnamed co-conspirator in all of this.
36
Why hasn’t anyone asked Sondland WHY did you find it necessary to tell Taylor there is no quid pro quo??? For that matter, WHY did Trump state that there is no quid pro quo??? Obviously, they themselves could see that this looked like the president was bribing the Ukrainians. I bet that Giuliani advised Trump that that was the line they had to carefully dance along. This is as close to the moment in A few Good Men when Tom Cruz asks why the commander would have to tell his direct reports NOT to Code Red the soldier who had been killed by his fellow soldiers.
18
“You can’t handle the truth!”
6
This whole investigation reminds me of Chris Christie and Bridgegate. Like Trump, he claimed he knew nothing about the actions of the people who worked for him. And he escaped prosecution.
But, he lost the governorship in the next election.
Trump may escape impeachment, but I fervently hope for the same results as Christie....
Losing the next election.
244
@Rich He served 2 terms, he didn’t lose any election.
6
And not only didn't he lose an election, he won one by a landslide a month AFTER bridgegate when anyone paying any attention at all, knew he was ankle deep, head first in it.
4
@beth, his aspirations for the presidency were gone, though.
7
Elise Stefanik is very concerned about the ”appearance of a conflict of interest” regarding Hunter Biden and Burisma, but the “appearance” of security aid being withheld for no reason, and the ”appearance” of all witnesses having unambiguously understood Trump’s demand for a public spotlight on Zelenski saying certain words in return for a POTUS meeting — these ”appearances” have no meaning because Trump never made his demand overtly, but instead relied on Rudy to make it clear, which he did in spades.
Got it, Congressman Stefanik.
233
@Mark Trump says, "I want nothing. No quid pro quo." but he says this AFTER the whistleblower's allegations have been made public. And then the kicker, "Just tell Zelensky to do the right thing" .
Is it just me or does that sound like something out of a bad Mafia movie?
42
@Mark Stefanik and "Magical minutes" Nunes never include the key witnesses who are ignoring their Congressional subpoenas when they harp on appearances of conflict of interest or the unfairness that the Whistle Blower is not testifying.
23
@Mark
How about the "appearance" of conflict of interest, nepotism, etc. regarding the trump family and the bizarro cabinet?
18
Gordon Sondland's repeated statements about his inability to recall is a transparent attempt to save himself. This is reminiscent of conversations with my teenage sons' amateur and desperate attempts to deny and deflect from his culpability and complicity in breaking some house rule.
The only difference is my son was 13 years old and the rule was limited to our home. The rules Mr. Sondland breaks involve the laws and ethics of the American Constitution. Mr. Sondland was acting with the involvement of and at the direction of Trump. His actions are spread across two continents and negatively affected many; not the least of which includes the deaths of many Ukrainian people.
I agree with Devin Nunes, this is turning into a cicrus. It's time for a vote on impeachment.
25
Its funny how this man praises somebody and then a month later distances himself from them. I guess we cannot expect anything better from a man who feels that everyone around him is like an object that can be used to his advantage until it is time to discard it.
The funny, and scary, thing is that no one in the GOP seems to want to stand up to him. We all knew that they always put Party ahead of Country. Now they are willing to put Loyalty to a crook ahead of both Country and Party ? What a funny bunch.
30
@Plato Funny if it weren't selling out the nation to support this crook.
20
He wailed, "Will I ever be rid
Of a charge that I called for a QUID,
A small QUID for a QUO
When I didn't, you know?"
(But you did. But you did. But you did.)
12
If Hunter Biden had an appearance of a conflict if interest, what kind of appearance does Sondland have for donating a million dollars to Trump and then becoming the EU ambassador?
47
Republicans argument that trump didn’t directly order anyone to do anything is really absurd. Do they want us to believe Rudy, Gordon, Rick, mike et al, were running this piece of the government on their own? With NO directions from the top?
42
@Vivien Hessel
great post.
If Trump is not running the government, and has his own rouge boys running it on their own, then he is not fit to hold the Executive Office of the President either.
He endangers the country and the Office of the President and the Constitution either way.
29
Sondland’ s statement is in itself carefully framed quid pro quo (something for something) in which he comes clean but portrays himself as an innocent, well-meaning dupe who awoke only too late to realize the bad company he was in. There were defendants in the dock at the Nuremberg trials that famously did the same thing — not expressly denouncing Der Fuhrer but attempting to hide in the apron skirts of “I was just following orders from Der Fuhrer.” Sondland appears to be attempting to trade something he wants (exculpation) for something the Democratic impeachment investigators want (clear admission that the Ukraine fiasco went from top to bottom).
13
Did I miss it, or did anyone ask Ambassador Sondland today whether he ever asked why the president wanted an investigation of Burisma? As an ambassador heavily involved with Ukraine, wouldn’t you be curious about the president’s concerns about Burisma, of all companies in Ukraine? According to him, he didn’t “make a connection” between Burisma and the Bidens until later on the “continuum,” and he says this with a straight face.
19
Sodoland, life-long republican, who donated 1 Million dollars to Trump campaign, tying the noose around Trump's neck, meticulously. Trump had employed Giuliani to carry out his aid for dirt deal using US tax poayor funds as a bribe cum extortionary tool, while Russia was engaging in war against Ukraine!
12
Time for Democrats to remind the witness and the tv audience that while Sondland may be correct that Trump never told HIM that aid to Ukraine was dependent on Ukraine investigating Biden, Trump did say that HIMSELF to everyone who was on the July 25, 2019 phone call and then confirmed that to the world at large after the summary of the call was released.
37
@Jay Orchard. Excellent point.
15
"Trump dismissed Sondland, saying ‘I don’t know him very well.’"
But he knew him well enough to take a one million donation for his election campaign.
And he knew him well enough to make him the ambassador to the European Union.
And he knew him well enough for Sondland to state that Zelensky “loves your ---.”
Good luck with that pathetic distancing Mr. President. You TOO were one of those who were in the loop.
40
Can't wait to tune in Fox News tonight!
Nonstop howling!
20
@Ken This morning, on Fox, Ken Starr astoundingly stated, "it's over." See: https://theweek.com/speedreads/879707/ken-starr-sondland-testimony-over
Here's more of Starr's remarks: "There will be articles of impeachment. I think we've known that, it was just confirmed today. Substantively, what we heard from the chairman just now is: It's over. We now know — this is his position — we now know that the president in fact committed the crime of bribery." He suggested that GOP Senators make a visit to the WH.
10
@Sophistia
Whoa. My mind just blew.
4
AMERICA To Sondland— u better tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Just now, as Adam Schiff is asking Sondland, the latter said he doesn’t remember saying “the Bidens” to Mr Holmes after the unsecure phone conversation with trump in a restaurant in Kyiv.
6
Mr. Nunes, I’ll tell you what’s not helping my fellow Americans - so many traitors and criminals to deal with:
Trump
Pence
Barr
Pompeo
Mulvaney
Gates
Sondland
Volker
Morrison
Eisenberg
Mnuchin
Giuliani
Parnas
Fruman
...
24
That thump you heard was the bus running over Pompeo the criminal.
27
prosecute, convict, and execute everyone involved.
15
I’ve noticed you suddenly started referring to the capital of Ukraine as Kyiv. The name in the English language is Kiev, and has been so for many years.
What the Ukrainians call it in their language doesn’t matter. Just like we don’t say København, Wien, Firenze or DDen Haag, but Copenhagen, Florence and The Hague.
For the sake of understanding, by everyone, not just foreign policy wonks, please stick to English. Thank you.
4
From what I’ve read, the name Kiev is Russian. The Ukrainians call it Kyiv, and they really want those who support them over the Russians to follow their lead.
21
@Hello Bamboo: Nope! Kyiv is the name which has its origins in Ukrainian. Easily pronounced in English!
5
John Dean redux?
2
Donald poor donald sat on his wall
Donald poor donald had a great fall
All his liars and sycophants seem to be stumped
So, alas, poor donald seems to be trumped!
11
Nunes and the rest of the Republicans keep calling for the whistleblower to testify. Not one of them is calling for Giuliani, Mulvaney or Bolton to testify. And Trump's minions are withholding documents that would assist in this inquiry. Must be because Trump is innocent of all of these charges.....and I'm the queen of the world.
355
@susan
Exceptional and spot on comment your majesty.
46
@Susan excellent! Indeed! Why aren’t the Republicans calling for those guys to testify? Hmmm. How about Trump?
18
@susan Spot on. The whistleblower is protected by statute. Giuliani, Mulvaney and Bolton, not so much. I'll believe the Dems are serious when they start handing out contempt of Congress citations and send the Sergeant at Arms to bring them in.
30
Even 80 percent of the voters know what Donald did with Russia and Ukraine to win his election. But there are only 50 percent people agree to remove him from the office. Under such circumstance, it is not possible to get two third senate vote required for his removal. All politicians live on their next election and do the right thing is not a virtue in this divided country.
4
Consider this U. S. Republican Senators up for re-election: Given the evidence already made public and you don’t vote for a conviction of the president early next year, voters will not re-elect you next November and Trump will also be voted out of office.
The result will be the greatest Democratic victory since LBJ beat Barry Goldwater.
7
DJT will do everything possible to stay in office because he still owes putin millions. Hundreds of millions if you follow the money from Deutsche Bank.
If he is not in office, he has little value to his boss.
DJT is in a tough spot - one that he will not be able to recover from.
25
Ambassador Sondland is the U.S. representative or liaison to the European Union. The EU is an economic & political organization of 28 countries affecting billions (trillions ?) of dollars and many millions of people. He doesn't take notes ?
That is as frightening as hard to believe.
25
There are transcripts and records of many of those meetings, and they aren’t classified, but the whites house isn’t releasing them to Sondland. So he can’t refer to them during good testimony.
6
@Mike Brown
And trump appointed him to this all important position....now telling us Sondland “is not a man I know well,”
This is all beyond frightening....
15
@Mike Brown: He’s Ambassador to the EU only because he gave Trump a million bucks and curried favor with him. Brown is supremely unqualified to hold the position - like many Trump appointees.
More disturbing is that Trump would believe it somehow helps him to claim he doesn’t know the Ambassador holding one of the more significant posts in the foreign service. And that this is the same tired line Trump dishes out whenever someone in his hand-picked entourage is caught with his fingers in the till or ‘turns State’s evidence’ to testify to Trump’s own malfeasance. He didn’t know Paul Manafort, his campaign manager. He disowned his devoted ‘fixer’ Michael Cohen as soon as he became a ‘stool pigeon.’ Lie for him, cheat for him, steal for him, toss children in cages for him, heap praise on him, and you’re the most fantastic person alive. Deny him anything, and you may as well be dead for all he cares.
Trump is the cigar-chomping old rich guy on the Titanic who elbows the infirm, women, children and orphans out of his way for a primo seat on a lifeboat as soon as he gets wind that the ship may go down. Except now Trump’s been made Captain of the ship; and he’d scuttle it in a heartbeat to save his own skin.
Need I mention that ship is the United States, its 330 million citizens and its allies?
8
Sondland's demeanor during this testimony is curious.
He's playing it light, almost laughing at times, as if this was all a silly thing and nothing serious.
Kind of seems like an executive used to telling lawyers...."hey, we're all friends here....let's not make a big deal out of this."
Similar to Trump in the sense of no weight of the role of their position or laws.
13
So by the line of the Republican questioning right now, one of two things is true.
Either Sondland was told by someone (and isn’t being truthful) that the aid was tied to an announcement of the investigations;
Or the White House is in such disarray that everyone thought something was true (an order to tie the aid to the announcement of the investigations) that wasn’t true.
Doesn’t look good for the White House no matter how you spin it.
14
Given Sondland's devastating testimony, if I were Trump I'd immediately agree to have Pompeo, Mulvaney, Guiliani, Perry, Bolton and anybody else he thinks will be helpful testify before the House and contradict Sondland. Unless, of course, he is afraid or knows that they too will fold.
20
Exactly! There’s a great quote from former U.S. attorney Joyce Vance,”No one prevents a witness from testifying who can exonerate them.” Trump has ordered all his staff, attorneys and Cabinet members to ignore Congressional subpoenas. Tell us everything we need to know,
7
Trump’s handwritten notes in giant sharpie letters are a metaphor to his general approach towards any act- big, loud, and stupid. If you can hammer the public with big capitalized block letters, repeated ad nauseam, his uneducated and intentionally ignorant followers will believe it is true. They believe truth is loud and simple. If they can’t understand it upon first listen it is a lie. They follow Trump because they do not have to think. Trump encourages them to not think- blind loyalty is his demand. “Trust me”.
This opposed to what we would expect from a leader: thoughtful, honest, nuanced when necessary. It is the hammer vs. the scalpel.
Democrats would do well in these hearings to concentrate on converting the scalpel work they are currently performing to hammer statements. “Bribery” is a good start. “Criminal” and “Illegal” are also big hammer statements. Let Nunes try to point to problems with the process when he cannot address the blatant criminal acts.
Right now I really miss having a smart and honest president.
20
Someone needs to explain “circumstantial evidence” to Congressman Turner.
8
Very difficult to watch Devin Nunes speak without a deep feeling of revulsion.
39
It appears the "Witch Hunt" has become the "Snitch Hunt".
5
Trump will soon say,” I hardly know this guy. I made him ambassador because he donated to my campaign.”
5
Already said it.
4
And yes, trump, u hardly know Sondland - who bought a ticket/s to the presidential inaugural ball in 2017. And trump offered him the position of the ambassadorship to the EU to be based in Brussels.
6
WOW!
Ever since Sondland was taken to the woodshed by Jordan and Turner, every one of his answers to the questions posed to him have been short, non-committal, and "vanilla" in its basis.
He is no longer "hot dogging" in front of the committee. He heard the message loud and clear from the Republicans - stop running your mouth, shut up and end this questioning.
Sondland's behavior and answers are clearly indicative of witness intimidation - by his own party.
19
President Sharpie strikes again!
By writing “No Quid Pro Quo” he thinks that it will absolve him of his crime.
Clearly Trump is not right in the head and must be impeached the soonest.
What a pathetic excuse of a president — he can’t even lie properly.
15
Jim Jordan is so dang arrogant.
Jim Jordan's condescending posture and verbal attack against Sondland is astonishing.
How incredibly insulting to ask, to YELL, at Sondland if he knew what quid pro quo meant.
Only the Republicans would embarrass and eat their own. I swear, Jordan's performance was for the benefit of Trump. I would not be surprised if Jordan got his marching orders from Trump to embarrass Sondland every chance he got.
Amazing and frightening.
21
Finally! Time to get our bumper stickers: DUMP TRUMP.
14
The sharpie would make a surprise appearance!
10
Keep your friends close and your deep pocketed donors closer.
7
The Minority Leader's inane speechifying today is bad nunes for Trump.
7
So Sondland is now "just the coffee boy". "I barely know him."
What a shock....
17
Sondland’s testimony is an example of exactly why we need professionals doing the important work for America. He clearly did not understand the nuances of diplomacy, National security, or cyber security. He didn’t have an understanding of the key position that Ukraine played in NATO and how their ability to protect themselves from Russia was important to the integrity of Europe as a whole and the NATO Alliance. He didn’t understand why the president should have given a fig about Ukraine. He didn’t realize that talking on an unsecured cell phone in a restaurant to the president was a risk for spying by the Russians or for that matter, the Ukrainians. He did not see why working with the president’s lawyer, who has net been vetted with a security clearance or registered as a foreign agent, on a diplomatic issue would be problematic.
It is the professionals that first recognized that trading congressional appropriated tax payer funds for a personal favor is not okay.
398
@Jane K Excellent post. I believe President Trump and Rudy Giuliani’s diplomatic goal objective was to install incompetent leaders to prepare the Ukrainian atmosphere for corruption. I wonder if we need to be following the money? What is Trump cabal’s real financial goals in Ukraine?
34
@Jane K Trump is all money and power; Sondland donated $1 million in return for his position of power. Big Business;including Trump; running America. What would you expect except corruption? Vote out Republicans to save America. Ray Sipe
38
He was naive and was led down the primrose path. I’ll bet he’s sorry he ever got mixed up with trump now.
27
I think the heart of the matter is if it's okay or not for other nations to be meddling in the elections of the United States.
Perhaps if this train of thought is emphasized rather than "quid pro quo", more people would be ready to impeach and remove.
26
The photo of his handwritten notes alone is scary as I remind myself this is the most powerful person in the world.
48
It is not an inconsequential side fact that Ukraine was in open war with Russia during the period being questioned. The withholding of aid had real, fatal consequences.
31
Obama didn’t provide them weapons- for a good reason- though the Dems never mention it.
2
When political leaders are NOT above reproach, honest, transparent and expose themselves to conflicts of interest they open themselves to attack. Trump whether innocent or guilty deserves the scrutiny he has getting. His total disregard for normal political conventions and moral safeguards has exposed our country to greater dangers of political chaos.
14
It’s clear that Trump was exceeding his authority. The Republicans’ efforts to trivialize or misrepresent what he did is an irrational attempt to avoid addressing his wrong doing. It’s obvious that Trump is deliberately ignoring every law and custom required to maintain a civil society where it demands that he forego what he wants to do. Allowing him to do this undermines the legitimate authority of our government and replaces it with anarchy.
20
Calling Rudy Giuliani to testify in these proceedings would be a waste of time!
It’s time to hear from John Bolton. If Mr. Bolton has additional information .... this is the perfect opportunity to prove his patriotism and testify. We need clarity on reported “drug deal” type pressure campaign and what was involved.
20
Walked out the kitchen door yesterday morning, smelled a skunk.
Odd. Didn't realize that the aroma could carry from Washington D.C. to the West Coast.
15
So Sondland came clean - sort of. Guess the third time really is the charm.
I'm sure his million dollar lawyers sat him down and gave him a reality check.
I cannot believe - well, yes I can - Pence's response to Sondland's assertions. 'It never happened.' So that's how it works - simply deny reality.
I generally don't pray for people but last night before falling asleep I prayed for Lt. Col. Vindman.
To think that he may have to seek refuge on a military base on account of the president. How low we have fallen.
39
With all the corruption in Ukraine, I’m wondering why the democrats haven’t asked if there were any other companies which were receiving as much attention.
7
Pence's chief of staff Marc Short stated a few minutes ago that “The Vice President never had a conversation with Gordon Sondland about investigating the Bidens, Burisma, or the conditional release of financial aid to Ukraine based upon potential investigations.” Short is responding to Sonland's assertion this morning that Sonland personally raised those issues to Pence before a meeting with Ukrainian President Lenensky. A "conversation" is a two-way verbal exchange. According to Sondland, Pence nodded in acknowledgement of what Sonland said but did not verbally respond. Is Short using semantics to cover for Pence?
17
Sondland would certainly know a quid pro quo when he sees one, given that he paid $1,000,000 for his ambassadorship.
32
Sharpie, but not too sharp.
14
Sadly, this testimony doesn’t matter
Just as none of the prior testimony mattered
Trump will be impeached on a partisan Congressional vote and then he’ll be acquitted on a partisan Senate vote
The only thing that matters is nominating the candidate best able to appeal to swing state independents and open minded republicans next November and ridding our country of this buffoon in chief once and for all
11
The Republican resistance to the testimony they've heard is staggering. It's reflected in Daniel McCarthy's staggeringly partisan piece published by this masthead today, an article that does nothing but make excuses for Trump's corruption and repeat exhausted; pathetically feeble, actually; talking points about the Bidens. It's simply unbelievable that so-called "conservatives" really think this stuff. Can you imaging their braying and their wailing if President Obama had dealt with Ukraine like Trump? They would have been out for his blood. They're happy to sell your country and your constitution down the river to get their own way.
10
Turn out the lights. The Republican party is over.
20
What is Donald’s criteria for knowing someone?
19
Right now, Sondland is claiming he has a plane to catch back to Brussels! Something about meeting with the decorators and contractors to renovate his apparently too-shabby official residence, at U.S. taxpayer (great) expense. So, he is deigning to hang around a little bit longer to humor the investigators. What a guy.
6
Life's a box of chocolates. DJT wanted a Roy Cohn but instead got a John Dean!
8
The photo of Trump’s notes is so disturbing. To think we have a president who needs notes like that in order to stay on such a simple message is amazing. Zoom in on it and stare for a moment if you want to feel worse about our democracy.
How can the GOP hitch their wagon to that man? That they haven’t shifted gears to start finding a legitimate nominee for 2020 shows their lack of character or ethics at this point. There are no other excuses or explanations.
80
At first glance I thought it was a cartoon . So unbelievable.
13
How can it be so difficult to do the right thing?
7
@ Ryan M Doesn’t it make you wonder why the GOP wants four more years of this infantile tyrant? Are they masochists? Moreover, they expect the rest of us to endure this insanity and pay taxes for the privilege too? No thanks.
3
What’s being ignored or not alluded to in the hearings is that this is less a scrutiny of malfeasance – or not – by Trump but a trial of whether or not we have an imperial presidency that overrides the dictates of Congress … we have three equal bodies that govern us … are the Republicans really so anxious to kiss Trump's ring? This is a morality play being played out on the premise of a wrongdoing. But the sotto voce theme is the battle of wills between the office of the President and Congress.
21
The debate tonight conveniently offers Joe an excellent opportunity for him to explain why the Republican’s request for Hunter to testify is not necessary. Like he’s said so many times already, “y’all know I’d never do anything anything like that.” It doesn’t hurt to keep repeating it, regardless.
2
Even the Republicans have stopped flogging that dead horse. Let it go. You can't pin this on the Bidens. It's just ridiculous.
7
Why?
Why give creedence to another cooked-up Republican conspiracy theory? The impeachment isn't about anyone named Biden.
4
It’s interesting to observe that neither the Democrats or Republicans have any particular sympathy for Sondland, but both sides court his testimony in their power struggle, and Sondland is on a side of his own. Therefore, neither side savages him for for his apparent tendencies to vacillate between versions of truth. He is an unreliable witness essentially out to not incriminate himself. As one of the “three amigos,” he was clearly handpicked to pressure Ukraine which was outside his remit as Ambassador to the EU. Conveniently, by being given that position, he was parachuted into Europe to clandestinely, if unqualifiedly or incompetently, lever Ukraine into doing Trump’s bidding.
Even if Zelensky had initiated an investigation into the Bidens, what would he have found that American investigators could not? The answer is nothing. In all likelihood, any evidence uncovered would have been fed to the investigation by Trump himself who would have attempted to steer its course from afar, stage two of the operation. The objective was clearly to besmirch the Bidens with a foreign investigation, whether it had substance or not, just to impugn his main political rival. It would have been interesting to see events transpire if this murky plot had have succeeded.
Fortunately, there are patriots -Sondland is not one of them - who would not allow this to occur on their watch.
9
It's been the Trump-Pence-(Ryan)-McConnell Republican Party all along. They are all "in the loop." They are complicit in a plan to basically sell out American interests to Russia in exchange for a foreign government announcing a bogus, made-up investigation into a political opponent and his family.
Will Trump voters and independents finally turn against this corrupt administration? Frightening if they do not.
18
Trump's favorite excuse for anything and everything: "I don't remember hearing that" and/or, "I've heard of him, but really don't remember speaking with him ever".
19
@MLH...Exactly. Trump "distanced" himself from Flynn, Manafort, all of the bad players onward up to Sondaland today. I can't wait to see how he pulls it off with Rudy.
14
Sondland has a remarkable memory of some things, but a very iffy one on those that implicate himself or Trump in a conspiracy to bribe a burgeoning democracy, Ukraine, to commit a corrupt action on Trump's behalf.
8
Interesting that Rep. Nunez wants to interview the whistleblower which would be illegal but doesn’t press to interview Mulvaney, Perry, Bolton, Pompeii et al which would be legal as well as helpful.
44
The Founding Fathers never could have anticipated such devotion to party over the good of the country. The Republicans are willing to go to any destructive lengths to defend what the entire world sees in the open now. They will grasp are any fig leaf, no matter how shredded, to defend an entirely amoral and destructive administration. The level of toxicity of the party system is on full display. We need ranked choice voting to reset our country to politicians taking responsibility to earn votes based on policy and break the cruel, catastrophic, iron grip the party power system has one the heart of our country.
16
How reassuring that President Trump, in his infinite wisdom, would appoint as a high-level Ambassador someone he "doesn't know very well." I guess when you claim to be a billionaire someone who donates a measly $1 million doesn't count for much.
16
Sondland was never Ambassador to the Ukraine, someone else was. So involving himself at all was indeed "muscling into" the situation.
7
Sondland has a remarkable memory of some things, but a very iffy one on those that implicate himself or Trump in a conspiracy to bribe a burgeoning democracy, Ukraine, to commit a corrupt action on Trump's behalf.
4
Here's one for the "change of pace" annals:
For once, Trump is having more than just a bad hair day...
11
Sondland’s opening statement said one thing. His testimony said the opposite. By pandering to everyone who questioned him, not to mention walking back practically every point he made in his opening statement, Sondland essentially pulled a gun on his credibility and shot it in the face. His testimony isn’t going to move the needle of public opinion one iota.
@Julio Wong
You had to pay attention to hear it. It was all there.
1
45th POTUS hired a personal attorney because the Ukraine matter is a personal matter.
Then went on to use his office to pay for it.
It appears that there are more officials involved than previously known.
I believe the main characters are POTUS, and Giuliani.
4
Dems continue their exercise in futility. Any articles passed by the House will certainly be rejected by the Senate. Dems are wasting the nation’s time and resources.
But spending millions on the Benghazi investigation was money well spent? The hypocrisy of the Republicans knows no limits.
30
Whereas Donald Trump spending $110 million-plus on golf is an exemplary use of the nation’s time and resources.
7
@Paul
You are off topic. I have no knowledge or interest in any Benghazi investigation. I voted for President Trump and can see no evidence of any “high crimes and misdemeanors”. Presidents routinely interact with foreign leaders for mutual benefit. There is nothing wrong in this. Ukraine is an American ally and needs our help against Russia.
I just so can’t stand this government by imposters. Squirming and lying and twisting into gyrations to get out of this. Senate may not impeach but those that are vulnerable will go down now or later
10
Republicans can pick and choose all out of context to make their case--but there's no context. It's the pea and shell game with Republicans in charge of shuffling.....Need Accurate Timeline
1
The winner here... Gerald Ford.
Imagine what it would be like if we had a widely respected VP who was not implicated at every turn by POTUS impeachable crimes.
We were able to move on from Nixon because of Ford. We cannot get rid of Trump because his own party realizes the guy behind him is useless and has no credibility.
8
On the other hand, there’s always the Speaker of the House! (2nd in succession behind the VP)
2
@LeslieM
Right which is all the more reason Rs won't vote to convict...
1
We voters really need to rescue this country from the Trump administration. The corruption being uncovered is astounding. It’s all swamp all the time.
16
At this point, Sondland is coming across as a coward buffoon who is desperate to save his skin at the cost of Trump, Pence and Pompeo. However, his ever-changing testimony can allow republicans to discredit him as "untrustworthy".
There is a scary possibility that Sondland is doing this knowingly, thereby giving the facts only to save himself and at the same time setting the stage for republicans to save Trump by making his testimony look untrustworthy.
Second possibility seems somewhat far fetched for ordinary times; however, ordinary time this isn't.
5
Castor bringing up Sept 9th question--on Sondland Call to President Trump--Sondland asked -what do you want from Ukraine?--Answer- Nothing. Castor continues this is striking, memorable? Castor mentions it's exculpatory for Trump--Really? It's also out of Context. July 25th was the "do us a favor" call. So of course, Trump had to back track afterward......Nothing was Exculpatory
10
The party’s over. The fat lady has sung. The train is leaving the station. The horse is out of the barn.
Can the pundits please cease and desist with the litany of how Democrats can appeal to “the center”? Can we have a serious conversation about how we start restoring the foundations of our Constitution and the rule of law in our government?
14
By appealing to the center.
3
It's getting very crowded under that bus....
19
Could someone in the hearing room please tap Rep. Jim Jordan on the shoulder and quietly tell him how crass and tacky it is to appear with the intelligence committee without his jacket.
UGH!
13
Spending millions of dollars to investigate... office politics.
Ho-Hum.
I don't care what happens with this TV show for the masses. As long as it keeps the Congress Clowns from passing more laws, I'm fine with that. Nobody knows how many federal laws we have on the books. We don't need more. So let them play their games and amuse the people who have replaced their passion for professional wrestling with politics. Just another dog and pony show to fill the air-waves.
Remove Trump for all I care.
It's like replacing the hubcaps on your car and believing that means you have a new car.
https://emcphd.wordpress.com
1
This is where we stand:
High Crimes and Misdemeanors: Check
Bribery: Check
Extortion: Check
Quid Pro Quo: Check
Massive Corruption: Check
Trump Is Done: Check
Many Are Going to Prison: Check
13
@H. Clark -- I especially like the "Trump is Done" part.
5
As for Trumps hospital trick, tough luck Donnie. Karma.
9
Nunes (whose name actually and appropriately rhymes with Loony TOONS) is a disgrace to the people who produced Fernando Pessoa and Magellan and who braved the unknown seas that ultimately gave the world to the world.
9
Trump is already throwing Sondland under the bus. Wow others were involved. In my dreams I see Trump and Pence being impeached and Nancy becoming President. If Trump is not convicted now I can't fathom what else the Republicans need. Get some spine. He will throw you under the bus in a minute.
6
I listened to Sondland’s testimony, which leaves no doubt that Trump and others in his administration engaged in impeachable conduct that is corrupt, unethical, and possibly criminal. In a sane time in history (e.g. Watergate), Trump would be readily impeached, convicted of impeachment, and disavowed by his party. Their hypocrisy, not to mention disloyalty to their oaths of office, our country and our national security, are a disgrace.
15
Can't say it often enough: It's federal statutory crime for anyone to solicit from a foreign national something of value in connection with an American election.
"I would like you to do us a favor though… Whatever you can do… It's very important that you do it."
Q.E.D.
12
And to think that Sondland paid a million dollars to be put through all of this. I hope he feels he got his money’s worth.
15
We speak of the anticipation and expectation that Sondland will be thrown under the bus soon, but methinks that Giuliani will, too. Expect Mr. Trump to be soon exclaiming, "Rudy? Rudy who? I hardly know the man!"
15
All the President’s men, the sequel.
Coming soon to your US Congress.
10
It is appallingly ironic to me that Ambassador Sondland, the son of Jewish immigrants who fled Nazi Germany, would work for DJT who at a minimum panders to white supremacists/nationalists and is attempting to wield executive power without any fear of consequence.
I hope he sees DJT for what he really is. I hope today the Ambassador proves to be honorable and truthful and puts this country first.
16
Don lying that he did not know Sondland very well. So obvious a lie, Sondland donated huge sums to Trump & the GOP. Sondland gave so much $$$ Trump anointed him with an ambassadorship. In other words, Sondland bought his own ambassadorship. He wants his money & reputation back.
GOP staffers in this town are applying for work on K Street in large numbers. They’re a little late, lobbyists want people with Dem contacts now.
14
Are we ready for President Pelosi?
12
From ambassador to bus driver!
9
Two take aways:
1) Sondlund appears to now be coming clean and no longer obfuscating, probably because he thinks he is going to be well and truly thrown under the bus by Trump.
2) Sondlund played the very common card of a subordinate under an authoritarian and corrupt leader... "I was just following orders". Of course the good part about this attempt to self-protect is that he does have to actually come clean and do so completely if he is to have any chance of "following orders" to serve to keep him out of prison.
159
If there was any doubt, the quid pro quo and obstruction of justice is deep into the Oval Office now. The question is, who is finally willing to be driven over by the bus (and, I guess, gamble they will receive a presidential pardon)? Giuliani? Mulvaney? Pompeo? The step-by-step progression of this impeachment inquiry reminds me more than a lot of Watergate — or, for that matter, a lot of criminal conspiracy prosecutions.
Speaking personally, I think Mr. Trump is incompetent, amoral and dangerously ignorant. There are not enough words allowed in a comment to list all my feelings about why he should be removed from office. Yet when I woke this morning, at 4 a.m., to hear Mr. Sondland’s testimony live, my overwhelming sense was not of confirmation, but of great sadness, that our country — our really great, great country — should have been driven to this low point. Perhaps later in the day I will reflect that these hearings, and the people who have chosen to testify in them, are evidence that America still works, or at least is putting up a fight. Much of the outcome will rely on congressional Republicans. Ultimately, though, it will depend on voters. I can only hope and believe. I must hope and believe.
83
I feel the same. My beautiful, wonderful country has reached an all time low. I'm so sad, anf, frankly scared. I TRY to hope and believe, but I am surrounded by Trump supporters. I have to pull myself up every day and hope sanity comes back to America.
16
Why do we say the President was seeking a “quid pro quo” when Americans do not know what “quid pro quo” means?
Why do we say the President was seeking a bribe from Zelensky when Zelensky was not a willing party to this transaction?
We should call this crime exactly what it is: blackmail. Blackmail by the President and all his top men. A huge conspiracy at the highest levels of government to blackmail Zelensky to get him to do personal favors for the President with money that we taxpayers allocated to Ukraine to protect itself against Russia.
The crime is so brazen in its simplicity and its breadth. The evidence is so clear and consistent. Now we just need to start using the right words to match the crime.
49
Extortion is the word you are looking for.
14
@AK Is was extortion. Plain and simple.
11
Sondland denies hearing the word “Biden” in the call where two others overheard him speaking to the president. He now is backtracking on the “quid pro quo,” agreeing that it was a “speculation.” But, there was only one channel, not two, and all of the president’s men are culpable.
7
Now we need to investigate why Trump gave in to the Turks and whether that decision was related to the Trump Tower in Istambul. Note: Erdogan never gave back anything not even the S400. Something is not right when Mike Pence travels to Turkey
21
I love Whistle Blowers!
How many Whistle Blowers does the GOP want?
Everybody that’s testified is Whistling like a tea kettle.
22
@WhatvTheWow — This whistleblower is the latest addition to the list of GOP go-tos when they’ve got nothing else. Their defense is collapsing today and they don’t have a Plan B, so trot out the usual scapegoats.
3
I saw where Republican Sen. David Perdue is still claiming Trump is being denied “fundamental human rights” that “we fight for every day for everybody in the country.” Someone please tell him and any others who believe him that Trump has been denied no rights. He is experiencing full and formal due process under the terms of the U.S. Constitution. This is analogous to a grand jury except Trump has sycophants steadily trying to muddy the water where you or I in front of a grand jury would have no one. Purdue is showing his Ga Tech engineering education’s lack of history and law.
36
Remember this stain on our great country.
Remember all of the actions of the inept, insecure, illegitimate White House Oval Office occupant.
Remember all of the things his sycophant enablers have attempted and accomplished.
It will not be enough to just impeach, remove and (eventually) convict this corrupt individual and all of those who supported his actions.
We must remember all of their actions and VOTE THEM!!!
13
“Everyone’s hair was on fire.” - Sondland
14
While I'm no Nostradamus, here's my New Year's prediction. Trump will be impeached by the House and their goal of a Senate impeachment will fall flatter than Hillary's 2016 bid for POTUS. Hold your applause disgruntled 2016 loser Democrats. Trump will be reelected in 2020 alongside a Republican majority House and Senate. In the end, you have learned nothing as a party. You will continue to lose elections due to your outrageous unpopular leftist positions.
2
@Joshua Blatant corruption, gross incompetence, and unchecked power sounds so much better. I'll take my chances with the "leftist postions," thank you very much.
21
I guess you’re blissfully unaware of the results of the 2018 midterm elections and the results of this November’s elections? Does the term Blue Wave mean anything to you?
17
Joshua, I guess Democrats should learn their lesson from the 2018 House election as well as the recent gubernatorial races in Kentucky, Virginia, and Louisiana.
21
OMG!!! The Sondland testimony is jaw dropping and so many bombshells and new information implicating not only the president but also the Vice President and Pompeo!!! How will the GOP counter this?
11
Pence
Pompeo
Mulvaney
All directly implicated in Trump's bribery scheme by Sondland.
17
So will this Saturday be Trump’s massacre?
10
What makes me sick is that NOT ONE grown man in the room had the chutzpah to stand up to Trump and stop him. They all followed his direction even though they knew it was illegal and wrong. Where is their allegiance to the US constitution and the oath they took when they assumed their role in government. It is our taxpayer money- it our our country and this is what is taking place. Who knows what else has gone on. Just disgusting
38
Trump (a well documented pathologic liar): everyone is lying but me!
22
The party is over...
10
May 10, 2019 headline in Daily Mail: "Rudy Giuliani Is Pushing Ukraine To Investigate Joe Biden’s Connections." How could Sondland, Pence, Volker, Pompeo, Mulvaney, Perry, et al. not know the "Investigations" didn't have to do with Biden? Please!
11
"If we nominate Donald Trump, the Republican party will be destroyed and we will deserve it" - Lindsey Graham
58
@Yves -- Lindsey Graham: Definition of Deplorable.
13
Looks like Sondland does not want to be thrown under the bus - alone.
306
@APO GOP " Nothing to see here"; "Get over it" ; "the Bidens". "Look at the shiny objects".
10
@APO Sondland strikes me as a very shrewd person who does not appreciate Trump and other Republicans' attempts to discredit him.
8
Someone send Ambassador Sondland a truckload of Ginko Biloba.
He seems not to recall many things that others have testified to.
Yet with all his memory lapses his testimony is damning to our president and all the president's men.
9
@Charna -- classic!
1
I hope Californians toss Nunes out in their next election.
30
Believe me, we are working on it.
11
Ambassador Sondland tells us in his testimony that he could do a better job recalling events if he could have access to notations of his communication.
So we should ask Nunes and the President to please, by all means, release documentation, so we can improve the integrity of this inquiry.
14
Sondland is in hot water and way over his head. Apparently a good businessman (note his hotels and fortune), but really a naif politically. He says he concluded that the aid was contingent on the investigations and acted on that. Doesn't seem to tie it directly to Trump's tail, though (never heard from Trump aid was conditioned on announcing investigations). He's about to join L. Patrick Gray of Watergate era and twist slowly in the wind, because his recollection, refreshed as it is, is ultimately distasteful to both sides.
3
Well I don’t know if he is twisting in the wind but he certainly knows which way the wind is blowing. And he knows, and can describe very well, when an implicit demand is being made. In my opinion, “I want you to do us a favor, though.” is quite clear enough.
2
Trump and Pence both need to be impeached & sentenced. Pompeo and Mulvaney as well. And for good measure, Sarah Sanders, who spent every single day for the last 2+ years lying to the media and the rest of us, needs to be spend time in prison as well. All of these people worked together whether it was direct involvement of Trump's crimes or lying about them.
As the taxpaying citizens whose money was used to fund this disaster, not to mention pay these people, we need to see the people in this administration see many years behind bars where they belong. You don't get to ruin the foundation of this country and then just walk away when it's all over with as if nothing happened.
14
You forgot Bill Barr, who should also be relieved of his last name.
4
Giuliani has to be subpoenaed to appear before the Intelligence Committee. Of course, he won’t show. The Committee and the House should immediately hold Giuliani in contempt, playing their ultimate enforcer card - inherent contempt. This allows the House, on its own authority and without support from the Courts, to arrest Giuliani and jail him until he agrees to cooperate (or until this Congress ends, whichever comes first). Whatever political calculus has prevented charges of inherent contempt in the past, they are made irrelevant by the importance of securing testimony from Giuliani, the central eyewitness to decisive events in this impeachment Investigation. (Congressional Research Services has a couple of reports on inherent contempt, which explain what it is and its history.)
3
When the President continually states “I don’t know him very well”, he must think that the majority of us are little children that don’t understand. No Mr. President, we do understand exactly what you mean!
6
Republican elected officials are torn between propping up their party or propping up the Constitution. For them it is party over country all the way, wherever it leads them. Sondland wasn't elected to anything. He has made his calculation that there is no point in taking the fall for these crooks and it might be nice when this is all over to continue to run his business and see his family from the good side of the prison bars. Maybe a few Rs will cancel their hotel reservations, but that should be more than made up by the Ds who will not.
7
OK, that is fair. The three amigos only followed President Trump's orders.
The only problem, as the NYT's recently pointed out was that the two recent meetings between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, resulted in Mr. Trump subsequently declaring that it was not Russia, but the Ukraine, which launched a Cyber attack on the American 2016 election.
Mr. Trump was only following Vladimir Putin's orders.
7
Where is the Walrus?
5
Well, it appears Trump is finally able to follow through with his campaign promise - the swamp is about to be drained. Not sure he intended to go down the hole too...
13
So we are coming up on four full months since the President’s call to the new Ukrainian president and there’s been no announcement by the White House or the State Department of any progress made by Ukraine in investigating corruption. Was that a total makeup story or has the White House given up on this objective as official US policy regarding Ukraine?
Now we know the WH wanted an “announcement “ of an investigation. Sondland made that clear.
Political
Hurt Biden
Help Putin
1
Trump attempts to run the Gov't like his business, has his henchmen do his deals in the wilderness- aka; Rudy, Pompous Pompeo, etc, in this case. Pence is his often willing and often out of a loop dupe. But he knows stuff thru his own staffers talking to Trump staffers. And since we know Trumps stomps around the offices ranting and raving- it's likely many WH staffers are unwittingly in the loops as well.
Trump of course knew of Rudy's shenanigans as he was being incited by Rudy, to send him out to do the fixing. It all goes back to Trump. To believe otherwise is willfull ignorance.
Trump was involved in running his henchmen. His word salads are meaningless for defense.
8
No matter how much they try to cover it with butter and jam, Republicans are toast. And they know it.
13
Well, during these "magical moments", I just read that
the White House press secretary released the following statement:
“Ambassador Sondland’s testimony made clear that in one of the few brief phone calls he had with President Trump, the President clearly stated that he ‘wanted nothing’ from Ukraine and repeated ‘no quid pro quo over and over again.’ In fact, no quid pro quo ever occurred. The U.S. aid to Ukraine flowed, no investigation was launched, and President Trump has met and spoken with President Zelensky. Democrats keep chasing ghosts.”
As usual, when testimony is taken out of context, an entirely different alternative narrative can and has been created.
This is classic and vintage Republican handiwork - gloss over everything and weave together the bits and pieces into a misleading tapestry that "exonerates" Trump.
Anyone who reads or watches "Fox and Friends" will NEVER see Sondland's infamous quote "Everyone was in the loop".
And yet the Republicans have the audacity to accuse the Democrats of engineering false and damaging evidence and statements.
13
Repulican Damage Control Show......
Steve Castor:( leading the witness Sondland) President Trump didn't direct you to talk to Rudy-Correct?
Sondland: It wasn't an order. (chuckle)It was if you want to work on this--this is the guy you got talk to.
Stever Castor: Volker said I didn't take it as an instruction.(trying to downplay Giuliani Lean)
Sondland: It became clear to all three of us that if we wanted to move the relationship forward-President Trump wasn't interested in engaging-he wanted Rudy to handle it.
3
The Honorable Elijah Cummings was my Congressman.
Today he is smiling!
15
My Mom died on the same day. It has been my fervent hope that they are haunting White House together!
5
It is time to begin calling your Senator and demanding they vote to impeach.
12
@Readbetween theLines -- It's also time to REMOVE Trump from office.
5
Again, Nunes talks about foreign aid. But we don't give javelins as FA. Ukraine assistance was exclusively in the realm of US national security objectives in regard to Russia and geopolitical architecture and defense posture within the European theater. GOP is toast!
3
GOP counsel expects America to believe that Trump’s mere utterance of the words “no quid pro quo” is dramatically exculpatory. Trump is a known liar, for a start. But criminal pleadings most often start with “not guilty” in spite of guilt, and Trump likely would not even have known the Latin term unless by then his lawyers had pointed out the trouble he was in.
4
Clueless Nunes laments that because whistleblower did not testify Sondland cannot refresh his recollection.
It is because POTUS and SOS withheld Sondland’s files that has denied Sondland the information he needs,
13
“Maggie HabermanWhite House Correspondent
Nunes says that testimony from the whistleblower could have helped because lawmakers could have compared it to the account of the OMB official who testified behind closed doors on Saturday about the aid freeze and what Sondland has said, so that Sondland wouldn’t have to speculate.”
Wait...I thought the whistleblower was just hearsay? Didn’t they hear testimony from people who were on the call? Aren’t they talking to someone with some firsthand knowledge RIGHT NOW thus nullifying the need for the whistleblower?!? Isn’t the White House blocking others with firsthand knowledge & documents from testifying?!?
Why am I asking questions to which I know the answer?!?
4
Why is Nuñez peddling the conspiracy theory that it was Ukraine and not Russia who interfered in the last presidential elections and is continuing to interfere this very second?
Why is he very loyal to Putin and not to the US Constitution?
13
Question for all Trump defenders: Knowing what you now know, would YOU go to the mat — much less prison — for this man?
4
@MDB -- Remarkably, many of those supporters would say, Yes. They're angry...if also outright ignorant.
4
Nunes is running on fumes.
7
Trump to Sondland: Zelensky needs to announce an investigation of the Bidens in order to get a meeting and the promised military aid. But it's not a quid pro quo.
Mob boss to hitman: I'll give you $10,000 to kill that guy for me. But it's not murder for hire.
7
Trump to Sondland: Tell Ukraine if he wants a meeting with me and the military aid promised by Congress he needs to investigate Biden. But it's not a quid pro quo.
Mob boss to hitman: I want you to kill that guy for me. But it's not murder.
1
If only Mitch would read...
1
Trump dismissed Sondland, saying ‘I don’t know him very well.’
If Vegas had odds on that this statement would be made today by Trump, the odds surely wouldn't have been long. Trump is the so incredibly predictable in his stupidity -- the statements aren't even imaginative.
According to Trump, he doesn't know anyone very well -- epecially those who he doesn't agree with. Who, exactly, DOES he know in his administration? He doesn't know his advisors. He doesn't know his ambassadors. He doesn't know NSC experts? Even without the corruption, it sounds like Trump has no idea what's happening in this country. That alone should be grounds for removing him from office -- gross incompetence.
5
NEWSFLASH to: Devin Nunes, Russia attacked our democracy! Our Intelligence services ALL agree on this...FACT! Good grief!
10
Tell it to Melania, Donald.
But not others, that are a bit smarter.
3
Truth sets you free, at least I am confident the republic is safe. And not been overrun by liars. God I love my Country
2
Has anybody noticed that at one point Sondland refers to Secretary Pompeo as “President Pompeo“ ? Freudian slip ?
1
Trump is very shrewd . He utilized Giuliani as his conduit so as not to have to say anything directly to Sondland or anyone else . Just like a studied deliberate criminal crime boss would do . Then he has his out .
Despicable...
6
Making it a bigger headline doesn't make it any more significant
Don Corleone: “Someday, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me. But until that day, accept this justice as a gift on my daughter's wedding day.”
Donald Trump: “...the United States has been very very good to Ukraine... I would like you to do us a favor though...”
Two perfect conversations.
1
Will President Pelosi run again for President next year?
Cause at the moment she is next in-line aft Don and Mike are removed from office
2
@Zac,
hopefully she will just keep the seat warm. she's a brilliant speaker.
2
How is it that Sondland doesn’t know Burisma code for Biden when his own phone call with Taylor (and Taylor’s subsequent texts) make this explicitly clear?
It is not enough for Sondland to thread the needle. He must tell the whole truth.
186
@Theo Baker
Indeed. Sondland conveniently "doesn't recall" some pretty important stuff and failed to make obvious links...riiiight! Situational memory. Say just enough to be useful to the inquiry and not perjure yourself.
Now, if this goes to trial in the Senate, can these witnesses be called again? If so, would a deal with Sondland make him give a fourth, more complete, version of the events?
2
They are all fully, irrefutably implicated now -- not only Trump, but Pompeo, Mulvaney, even Pence. No ifs and or buts. If this is not impeachable, we will have decided that there are no constitutional checks on the president's actions.
82
Call Your Senators ((202) 224-3121) and demand that they convict Trump when the Articles of Impeachment land on their desks. Speak up and honor the Constitution and those who spoke truth to power.
I hope the Democrats include Obstruction of the Mueller Investigation in the Impeachment Articles, along with the charges of Bribery, Obstruction of Congress, Witness Tampering & Intimidation of Congressional Witnesses.
67
Everything Trump and the GOP touch is sullied. Their prints are all over the weakening of democracy in the United States.
34
Trump et al have demonstrated their corruption time and again. The entire administration is bent on one goal; establishment of a totalitarian theocracy. The amazing thing is that the religious extremists believe Trump is with them. He's not. He is exploiting them for their votes so he can make money, because that is his one true love.
Many of us have been watching the evangelical madness grow for decades, calling out christofascism, working to preserve real religious freedom which includes freedom FROM religion. Trump et al are here to destroy the possibility of a country based on actual justice and fairness. We are a long way from that, but it is what most people want.
It is time to definitively let the evangelicals know...NO you do not get to control the country, the world, humanity. No to your extremism, no to your authoritarianism, no to forcing your beliefs on others.
No.
52
At the time Sondland repeated Trump's "No quid pro quo" statement, has anyone asked whether Trump knew what "quid pro quo" meant?
16
Trump likes to announce that he’s not doing exactly what he’s doing.
2
@jwjwj
The way it sounds, when "quid pro quo", glibly rolls off trump's tongue, it sounds like filler mumbo-jumbo that has no meaning for him. He could just as well be saying "there was no lollipop" or whatever phrase someone shoveled his way.
3
The truth will surface— whether it will be during this impeachment period or down the road. History will NOT BE KIND TO ANYONE TELLING LIES AND OBFUSCATING.
We are all listening and watching.
30
Drinking game: “I do not recall.”
Out cold before the end of the Democratic Counsel examination.
8
How can any republican watch this and still think the president is innocent?
43
They are forcing Bolton’s hand here. It’s clear that whatever was going on was underhanded and not being done through proper channels. He needs to explain this, as a more senior official than Sondland.
Issue fresh subpoenas for Bolton, Mulvaney, et.al., and bring up contempt of Congress. Self-preservation will have to kick in here at some point. Given who we’re dealing with, loyalty cannot be that blind anymore — especially with all those who have been found guilty for doing Trump’s illegal bidding,
25
@MDB They haven’t issue one for Bolton because Bolton wants to go to court for permission to testify under subpoena. Bolton has a chance to redeem himself. Hopefully he will take it.
1
@Doug Lowenthal — He needs to drop the delay tactics and appear.
1
We are witnessing corruption firsthand. It feels like the death of democracy.
30
Please remind me: Just WHY has Attorney General Barr been SO EAGER to protect the legal interests of corrupt Trump, and not represent the legal interests of the American People?
Will he finally change course somewhat?
Or will he go down in history as another person who time and again shielded the most corrupt prez in US history?
44
The various threads of crooks admitting to a crime : What are you talking about ?, Don't know anything about it, Did not do it, Discussed it but had nothing to do with it, He / She did it, I don't know him / her, They misinterpreted what i told them, ... I am the President and can shoot somebody in the middle of 5th Avenue if i wanted to, Yeah i did it - so what - get over it.
Forget draining the swamp - It looks like Trump and his GOP are so busy building a Swamp so deep and so filled with yuck that others coming into Washington will spend a lifetime draining it.
The US is a country of laws Donald. Did you know that ? Or did you simply think that the White House was Mar E Lago - II?
As for Pompeo - regardless of whether he was first, second or dead last in his class at West Point, one thing is very clear. The rate at which his lies are being perpetrated, he is becoming a legacy liability to West Point by every passing hour. They may soon disown him and revoke his diploma in order to protect the sanctity of the institution. At least i hope they do.
28
I’m not singing yet, but I’m warming up in the Green Room. The Fat Lady.
46
@Phyliss Dalmatian
I hear Pompeo wants to return home to Kansas. He can't take the heat. : )
3
I'd say John Bolton left at just the right time. I bet Pompeo, Pence, Perry and a Suburban load of other officials wished they had left too. If they are lucky they can all take a ride in a van to the Federal Penitentiary together and play gin for the next 25-30 years.
20
Sondland has been honest, though squirrelly! Tell the truth man! Be a patriot! So sick and tired of the Republican president’s sycophants making lame excuses, including the one yesterday where they said “Trump never served in the military so he doesn’t know how things work”! Seriously! Trump has a plethora of advisers IF he would listen to them!
This morning in the newsfeed, Ken Starr in an interview, “It’s time for the Republicans to walk over to the White House.” Yes, just like durning Nixon. Time for Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy to ask the Republican president to resign, along with Mike Pence, Mike Pompeo!
FYI to Republicans: there’s a mountain of evidence that Putin Not Ukraine attacked (not meddled) our elections and democracy!
20
If I were Bolton, I would welcome a subpoena now!
19
It is time for Citizen Guiliani to appear in response to a lawful subpoena. He is clearly a hostile witness, so the rules of crossexamination hold: never ask a question you don't already know the answer to. If Rudy takes the 5th on every question, that will be sufficiently telling. Or if somebody offers him personal immunity for his own testimony, then he needs to talk or go to jail. Frankly, I don't really care which.
343
@beaujames Rudy Colludy will spend the rest of his life in NY State Prison; no pardons for state crimes. Rudy is a Lawyer in NY State; they can prosecute. No pardons for State Crimes from President Pelosi. Ray Sipe
25
@Ray Sipe
Plus Rudy will get a chance to catch up on all the news with the mobsters he put away. I’m sure he’ll be met with a rousing welcome party.
24
@beaujames Did not Mr. Giuliani say that he had the best insurance and that if he were to have to go to the "hospital" all his medical bills would be paid? Does that not imply that he might want to engage in a brand new "quid pro quo," and spill some beans?
5
In Sondland's testimony to the Republicans, he seems to be doing some fancy dancing, deflecting damaging statements thus far and bluntly asking how he could be described as the “irregular” diplomatic channel by folks like William Taylor while he was working with key administration officials.
It almost feels as if during the break, he was some how informed to tone down his answers so they would not reflect as negatively towards the Republicans.
He was certainly a lot more forthcoming and open with his information prior to the break than since the hearing reconvened.
17
Marge. You are right. Sondland sees that it's now a fishing expedition, but he does not wish to drown for these GOP clowns.
@CHARLES 1A
If anything, Sondland's a worm. I don't see him going under for anyone.
2
I don’t understand why so many people seem to believe that Pence could appoint Haley as his Vice President. Wrong. Even assuming that Trump is removed from office while Pence survives to be his successor, a very unlikely parley, he can only nominate her. Congress must confirm the nomination, which they won’t.
7
"The country" IS functionally the Constitution. Patriots support the Constitution, even if it means turning their backs on someone they thought was an ally.
15
How much evidence is enough? It’s overwhelming, Everyone says Trump is guilty - except the people who are knowingly lying for him like VP Pence. They wouldn’t need even a fraction of the amount of evidence against Trump to convict a poor or minority American.
60
@DSD "They wouldn't need even a fraction of the amount of evidence against Trump to convict a poor or minority American." Or a Democratic president.
19
@DSD
And why can republicans get away with so much? Hey moderates.... I’m asking you why that is? Yet we know a democrat would have been impeached and removed.
The greatest indication of Trump’s culpability is the fact that he is not testifying in his own defence. For that matter, nor is Pence, Pompeo, Perry, or anyone else whose name keeps getting repeated. It seems that the entire administration is going to be impeached.
38
Every time representatives Jim Jordan and Devin Nunes have the opportunity to grandstand before the live impeachment hearings, they whine about chairman Adam Schiff’s refusal to allow Republicans to questions lower level administration employees, Hunter Biden, and to expose the whistle blower whose identity is legally protected under federal law. They are essentially flouting the law and willing to break it. Their requests are irrelevant, and they know it.
What Mr. Jordan and Mr. Nunes never mention, is their unbridled support of senior Trump administration officials refusing to testify before the impeachment hearings, nor Donald Trump’s refusal to let senior officials like Mr. Pompeo, Mr. Mulvaney, Mr. Bolton from testifying. These are the men who know the most about the alleged obstruction of justice and illegal actions taken by Mr. Trump and members of his administration.
Hypocrites Mr. Jordan and Mr. Nunes support obstruction of justice, but not protecting the whistle blower and state department employees from retaliation for their testimony. This says a great deal about the Republican ethics.
What are Mr.Trump and his congressional supporters hiding from we Americans? What is it that they are so afraid to let us know?
I think we all know the answer, but the truth is being obstructed by this administration and its supporters in Congress, who took an oath of office to support our COUNTRY, and not the PRESIDENT.
47
The thing is, nobody is surprised by this; it's all utterly believable.
The reactions to these revelations are partisan--but nobody is saying, "well, this seems unlikely!"
15
Reportedly Pompeo has been looking for a time in the next few months when he can exit as Secretary of State and run in Kansas for US Senate.
But will people of Kansas want him when his reputation becomes so tarnished?
19
@Jean
I would not put it past the good people of Kansas. All a candidate has to do is to thump the Bible and talk about tax cuts!
If this were Nixon and not Trump, who follows a similar playbook, we would have had the president's resignation in hand already. Trump is far worse than Nixon ever was and eventually may need to be removed from the White House in handcuffs.
Trump, Pence, and Pompeo should all quickly offer their resignations, start new lives in Dubai or Venezuela, and let the U.S. start to heal and recover under next in line, President Pelosi.
I hope we Americans have learned a valuable lesson and will think carefully before pulling the lever in the voting booth.
39
You are correct about what should happen, but the reality is that Trump may still survive all of this and get re-elected. The electoral college forever bends the country disproportionately to the right, and nothing now nor in the future can change that.
Immorality is winning, open crimes go unpunished, and Pelosi has zero chance of ever living in the White House, alas.
5
The implication of Pence, while delicious, is problematic because now the senate could be voting for president Pelosi.
10
My understanding is that the Senate doesn’t vote for the successor if Trump and Pence are both removed or resign. The Speaker of the House is the third in line to the presidency. Period. Sounds wonderful...President Pelosi! Karma!
15
The implication of Pence in this scandal makes removal of the President even less likely.
1
Right my point is that it complicates convicting trump if pence goes with him.
1
Pressure is not enough! Considering the tremendous amount of Ukrainian money in the millions that the Biden’s and his companies were hailing out I would have invaded with the military and the FBI before I sent the Ukraine government another dime of taxpayer funding.
Per Marc Short’s (chief of staff for Mike Pence) comments, I would love to have both of them come in and testify under oath about conversations that they say never happened. Easy to issue press releases, testifying is real hard.
8
I am beginning to wonder if there is anybody in trump's administration that he actually knows.
43
This country is starting to look like something out of The Onion...
28
@Zachary Griffin
As we peal away the layers it stinks.
Is anyone else get the sense that the rats are scrambling to get off the sinking ship?
If "everyone was in the loop" is confirmed, does it mean our country was run by greedy hypocrits and traitors, and not elected officials?
Well, trump supported may find a story to justify this disastrous mess, or they may collectively move to Russia or Turkey or Noth Korea and continue worship true tyrants, instead of the fake one here.
13
I am really surprised that no one has made any reference to Senator Ron Johnson, Republican from Wisconsin because in Sondland's prepared testimony, he “shared concerns of the potential quid pro quo regarding the security aid” with Johnson. Johnson has met with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine.
14
Just imagine what will be in the a Trump Presidential library someday!
13
@Jean. The Trump Library will have on display the cell phone he uses to Tweet and pictures of him standing with people he “doesn’t really know.”
13
Apparently no notes
1
@Jean
Seriously? A "President Trump Library"?
The shelves will be empty except for copies of "The Apprentice" and the walls will be loaded with portraits of Trump and Trump alone.
There may be a shelf filled with bright red, "MAGA" hats that couldn't be given away.
1
Please, please Democrats, subpoena Rudy and Bolton and enforce the subpoenas in the courts.
23
It’s your turn, Mr. Bolton. Do the right thing for your country and testify.
24
Too bad the Russian Republicans cannot handle the truth. About themselves. Vote them out, every level, every office, every last one of them.
23
gosh, I hope this is not premature, but I can hear the fat lady singing...
12
Thank you, Amb Sondland, that’s the game. It’s all over except for the shouting.
Soon-to-be-impeached ex-President Trump and soon-to-be-impeached ex-VP Pence and ex-Sec Pompeo, please leave the stadium quietly.
7
@T You overestimate the Senate Republicans.
1
Seems Rudy should be called to testify. He seems to know where ll the bodies are buried.
16
This is a very interesting and important report from the NYT about Ambassador Sondland's testimony. Thank you NYT.
3
Trump will be impeached or perhaps he will resign. He is shameless. He should not be able to benefit from his crimes so after he leaves office he And his whole family should be criminally investigated (RICO??), as well as sued in civil court by all the victims of fraud, rape, defamation. Let us hope they are declared guilty and jailed.
12
Wow! Republican Counsel is really floundering!
15
The Sondland express bus hit Trump, Pompeo, Perry et al., and there were no survivors.....
8
A political cartoon showed Nixon saying that he was not a crook and then Trump stating that he was; but so what. Sondland’s testimony indicts a good part of his administration in the criminal activity. This includes Pence, Volker, Pompeo, Perry, Bolton, of course Guiliani and in some ways Barr. They all were involved or looked the other way at the corruption. The Republican Party that condones such conduct and excuses it shares responsibility for the corruption.
So what is not an acceptable response if they cared about democracy, the rule of law, the Constitution, and our country and its national security and its honor. They are choosing power and political expediency over Patriotism and their oaths of office
in defending the indefensible- Trump and his extortion crimes. They should be ashamed of themselves. The entire administration needs to be impeached, convicted, and thrown out of office to face justice. The Republican Party must lose power as a result of their complicity.
516
@IN And the Republican members of the Senate and House will see nothing wrong. I guess they figure that if Trump violates his Oath of Office and/or is a crook it certainly is OK for them to follow his lead. They will say or do anything to stay in office so they can continue to feed at the public trough.
We should be so grateful for people like Lt. Col. Vindeman and the others who have the integrity and the guts to do what is right for the country
50
I think you’re being naive and not cynical enough. Power and political expediency is the name of the game for Republicans. You may want them gone but it’s not about to happen at least until Election Day.
9
My in-laws, erudite, moral, successful and otherwise wonderful people, .still. stand by Trump so far.
I despair...
26
Tonight's Democratic debate will not so much serve to whittle down the candidates for the presidency, but rather prove a vital tool in selecting President Pelosi's Vice Presidential choice.
32
@H. Clark
We can hope.
4
Here is the underlying flaw with the GOP case....people may not have linked he need for a Burisma investigation to include the Bidens....that is until THE PRESIDENT MADE THAT CLEAR on the July 25 call. Although I doubt Trump’s ability to do 2nd grade arithmetic, Trump’s own words proved 2 2 = 4.
19
I don't understand the role of Nunes etc. in this process. Are they acting as counsel for the President or supposed to be impartial? Can anyone explain?
22
@Jeff
Good question. Unfortunately there is no honor in that club . But, "They are all honorable men."???
3
You hit the problem on the head. They see themselves as zealously defending the president instead of seeking evidence to reach accurate conclusions.
The Republican Party honed our country’s partisan divide and then cemented its citizens’ identities by this partisanship. This is wholly in their lap.
9
Each US representative is elected by a district. When the get to congress the representatives are appointed to various committees by their party’s leadership. Because the Democrats hold more seats in the house Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, is speaker and Democrats hold the chairmanship of each committee.
These hearings are being conducted by the Intelligence Committee. Adam Schiff, a Democrat, is the chairman. David Nunes, a Republican, is the ranking member.
What Rep. Nunes should be doing is asking questions to get to the truth of the matter before the committee. This is what he is paid to do by the American People who elected him.
What Rep. Nunes is actually doing is politicking and performing for President Trump.
It is unfortunate that Rep Nunes’ views on the relationship between US House and the White House are so highly dependent on the president’s party.
7
It needs to be kept always in mind that the July 25 call transcript outlines the impeachable crime. Trump invited a foreign power to interfere in our free American democratic elections (for his own political advantage) and for that he should most emphatically be impeached and removed from office.
We knew the real crime BEFORE the hearings began.
We are now continuing the process of putting that despicable act in its unfolding diplomatic, political, military, foreign policy, and domestic policy context, as further insight is gained (and further charges added).
This is NOT, as the FOX/GOP spin machine would have it, an Impeachment in search of a crime.
Rather, the moment we had that phone call we had the impeachable crime.
This is a clear crime worthy of impeachment in search of every ounce of corroborating information.
We are working from the crime to the evidence; not, as usual, the evidence to the crime.
16
Mr. Nunes raises a good point, Hunter Biden needs to testify. Reason being, the President claims he was investigating the Bidens, fine.
As long as we are impeaching Trump, Mr. Trump is owed knowledge about Hunter, we all are. These conversations were on the Public dime, we need all of the evidence.
Now this appointment, Mr. Bidens position, may be unsavory or unearned, but who knows? Does it matter? Of course because we need to know if Hunter was committing treason or if he was abusing his citizenship. Now remember, a Trump is our Public Steward, Hunter Biden is a private citizen. There’s a distinction.
Hunter is owed privacy, his father is not. Joe Biden has chosen the Public path: full transparency. But the affairs of our President involves following up, and if that invades the sanctity of a private citizen, I’m sorry. Hunter Biden, you’ll be looked at. The needs of the Nation override the needs of one.
Bolton line here is democracy is transparent. Full transparency. I’m not looking for a witch-hunt, I’m just saying that all facts should or must be known. We cannot make any sound judgements otherwise.
Donald Trump is owed something? I think not. It is the other way around. Let’s start with his tax returns and head up the ladder from there.
15
What proof do YOU have that Hunter Biden or Vice President Biden committed a crime or crimes?! And this is not a trial, so Trump is NOT owed anything. It’s only in the Senate Trial that Trump will be treated like a defendant.
You do realize that the whole “Biden Conspiracy” is a lie, made up by a Russian mafioso, right? It has been debunked.
8
@PC The Biden's are irrelevant. The investigations into them them just had to be made public, not followed. Just a YUGE political dirty trick. Get real, the issue here is "T"'s behavior, not the Trumped up examination of the Biden's.
4
This is a sad day: It now is confirmed that the US Secretary of State and the Vice President both were well aware that Trump and Giuliani were acting like mobsters, extorting the Russian target nation of Ukraine before Trump would release military aid.
Pence has never been someone I admire, and living for several years now in the state “ next door”, we heard regular news about how unpopular he was as a governor even of ultra conservative Indiana.
Nonetheless, I always assumed that Pence ( who knows how to work across the aisle from his days in the Senate) privately disapproves of the immoral Trump.
Furthermore, I always assumed that in his own value system way, Pence was trying to be patriotic and serve with it in the back of his mind that corrupt Trump was very likely to someday do something that would result in impeachment.
My never rosy perceptions of Pence have become more negative now that I realize that he acquiesced and maybe abetted Trump’s extortion of Ukraine—all for the sake of political sound bites Trump could use in a campaign again Biden.
14
trump v Constitution of the USA.
Surely his taxes should show up in impeachment.
17
To paraphrase - “We were just following orders” - is a phrase that already lives in both perpetual evil and infamy.
Chilling.
45
Bombshell predicated on lies and distortion. Which is why millions of Americans, such as myself, consider the media to be the enemy of the American people.
The "Quid Pro Quo" revelation making its way around the news has absolutely nothing to do with Biden, military aid to Ukraine or Trumps political interests.
Sondland testified that Ukraine's President would get a state visit if they opened an investigation into the origins of the 2016 coup against Trump. This is in regards to the Ukranian server and Burisma. Sonland never said anything about military aid, yet journalists are trying to spin it this way.
Trump has every right to investigate how the 2 year Russian collusion hoax got started. It's in our democracies interests, not his.
3
@Gordon it's already been investigated by every US Intelligence Agency and they all concluded Russian interfered. That information is publicly available and is unanimously confirmed by everyone that is an expert. Only Trump and Guiliani seem to not agree with what the US spent millions of dollars & hours investigating using our best people.
7
@MarkSATL It's not possible for any U.S intelligence agency to claim Russia interfered because they never examined the DNC server. Unless you equate a few Facebook posts as "interference".
The greater point, your opinion is your own and that's fine - but if the POTUS disagrees and wishes to investigate, that is also fine and legal.
Are you listening to the same words that everyone else hears?
1
Counsel for the GOP just referred to the President's BUSINESS dealings (re: frustrations with Ukraine) .. what business dealings is he referring to??
11
The problem with Republican leaders is that even though they found Trump offensive, they thought he could become presidential. But as my Momma always said, “You can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear.” Now they cannot in any way, admit that they were wrong. That’s the bottom line! Sad that they would put their own fragile egos first and their country last.
8
The only suspense in this process is what the GOP leadership will come up with for their next defense of Trump. Every day there is more evidence to back-up the whistle blower's claims. And then every day we hear from the GOP about why the latest testimony means nothing because there is some new, idiotic reason why the facts aren't really the facts. The Spin Machine is running downhill with no breaks! I hope Jim Jordan and his minions took a fiction writing class in college.
11
Once again— the “sale” of prime ambassadorships should never be a standard practice. Gordon Sondland “donates” $1 Million to Trump’s campaign on 2016. He is not a foreign service career diplomat. He is a businessman just like trump. Anyone telling u that they can appoint/vote a businessman (good or bad) for a senior assignment or position in the US Govt is doing a disservice to this country. Prime example— Sondland, trump, and most of the jokers in this current Govt.
7
Now we are down to the Republican's last (weak) argument: while conceding there was in fact a quid pro quo, what Trump was asking for was simply a commitment from the Ukrainians to investigate domestic corruption in general and nothing that would benefit Trump personally. IOW, lies, more lies, lies about lies; so many lies they have lost track.
8
I find it amazing that Sondland wasn't on board as the ambassador until 2018 and yet Nunes kept harping and dragging up accusations and discussions about the 2016 election.
He had no real questions for Sondland or his damaging testimony, so he decided to once again, spend his time, blasting the Democrats.
He sounds like a rotten broken record.
20
Obviously Sondland donated a million dollars to Trump's inauguration because he's a never-Trumper.
It was really big of Trump to fill the White House with never-Trumpers
The Republican defense of Trump deserves nothing but sarcasm and ridicule.
16
@McGloin
It has mine.
1
Sondland is no doubt thinking a lot about all the better uses he could have put $1m to instead of buying an ambassadorship.
12
Prez --
Give us a Tweet! Give us a Tweet!
11
President Trump.
Vice President Mike Pence.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Shadow SecState Rudy Giuliani.
They need to testify to clear their names. Otherwise, their protestations of innocence are mere heresay.
What are they hiding?
15
Mike Pompeo has aspirations of being POTUS, however his association with the Republican president has tainted his reputation and no one but dye in the wool Republicans would ever vote for a man involved in extorting a foreign country!
Good for Sondland to not have continually take the Fifth. Listening to his testimony I’m reminded of what Michael Cohen said, that with Trump he didn’t tell you explicitly what to do it was implied! Just like a Mafia boss who, doesn’t explicitly say “go kill Rocco” but let’s it be known that Rocco needs to meet the fish in the East river!
No doubt that the Republican president, Rudy, Pompeo and...Mike Pence all were all involved in extortion! Lock them up!
6
Mr. Castor, have you no sense of irony?
Castor: “Trump knew about corruption in Ukraine because of his business dealings there, right?”
I guess that was first hand, working knowledge of Ukrainian corruption, right?
7
Sondland walks a very fine line of denying any wrong-doing by failing to "recall" many things, while remembering others in very great detail. It's almost comical (in an appalling sort of way) how well he remembers Giuliani's, Pompeo's, Bolton's, and Mulvaney's involvement in this. It'll certainly get interesting if any of those caught under the wheels of the Sondland bus will break with Trump and come testify.
163
@Brannon Perkison "If you say I don't remember it's not perjury" was attributed to Richard Nixon.
11
A pretty smart move since those whom he cites are too yellow-bellied to face questioning.
9
They did it, everyone knows they did it, so their next step is to say they were justified in doing it and that there is not only nothing wrong with doing it, but that it was somehow their obligation to do it. And, we should expect that many, probably most their followers will swallow that whole. And not gag. And that is where at least half of the problem lies...
534
@PeterS
Great first sentence and I think you're right. The base and big money who found the golden goose with this Queens crime mob, and evangelicals who think he's their literal savior. Are rents affordable Up North? I love Vancouver.
22
And, you can’t fix stupid. The problem is intractable.
18
@PeterS - This Jimmy Kimmel clip exemplifies to me one of the big problems with the Trump Base -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t75kZmrwxg
15
"In the loop." Never has so much depended on one phrase repeated over and over. Everyone was in this loop: Pompeo, Pence, Trump, Volker, Perry, even Bolton.
The big problem here is not the witness or the details of all this, but the fact Nunes is pushing a conspiracy theory about Ukraine trying to bring Trump down in 2016 that originated with Vladimir Putin.
Never mind all the CIA evidence of Russian meddling in the 2016 elections. Putin must be laughing hysterically--his knows Trump inside out, including his well-known paranoia.
It gives him cover to weaken Ukraine with Trumps help and blessing. Mark my words, Russian aggression will resume once this impeachment inquiry is over.
318
@ChristineMcM
Great comment Christine.
But I must respectfully disagree with your closing comment. Per Robert Mueller in his testimony earlier this year, ""Russia attacked our elections in 2016 and is intensifying its efforts today. It wasn’t a single attempt. They’re doing it as we sit here.”
Believe it or not, Russia is still this country's biggest threat to our national security and election process.
31
@ChristineMcM - Hard to say what the Russian's will do. - Most likely they are now rolling around on the floor laughing their heads off. - There is no escaping the fact that the GOP is totally complicit with the train wreck of the Trump Administration.
22
@ChristineMcM Christine, to think that my state has the burden of having Mr. Nunes as one of our congresspeople. On behalf of all thinking Californians I apologize...mea culpas abound. Yet the good news is that we also have Adam Schiff. God bless that man. And, yes, Putin knew exactly what he was doing when he hitched his wagon to the perfectly corrupt and perfectly weak narcissist named Donald Trump. Re Russian aggression, it will never stop as long as Putin is in power, which may be for the rest of his life. But I trust that little by little suspicion is creeping into the majority of Americans' minds. The base of nativists, bigots, and evangelicals may becoming outnumbered. I hope.
39
Who doesn’t take notes other than people committing crimes that want no records. Shouldn’t have used non secure phones then as pretty sure Putin has those records.
17
So Bill Clinton was impeached for lying to Congress. How many of the witnesses who lie on Trump's behalf are going to face penalties?
56
Where is Giuliani's, Perry's and Pence's testimony?
We knew they broke the law.
We knew Trump was the ringleader.
We knew Trump's personal lawyer was acting as a government agent.
The evidence is indisputable.
Email your Senators demanding impeachment!
Lock them up!
38
President Pelosi - a very lovely outcome !!
39
@OLG It would be lovely. But don't hold your breath.
Hey, re the impeachment thing.
I see at least 9 1/2 Articles of Impeachment coming.
Guilty, of all of them .
Hello Senators.
16
That's a real jump for Republican counsel to suggest "Talk to Rudy" was mere cranky exasperation from Trump. All the evidence overwhelmingly points to Rudy as being Trump's designated point man.
194
Here’s Giuliani on May 5, 2019: “I don’t do anything that involves my client without speaking with my client.”
21
@Daddy Frank Great quote, Frank. Nice work!
11
OK Mr. Bolton bases loaded, time to pound one over center field fence, bounce it off the parking lot and land it in the Potomac river.
479
@WhatTheWow
Don't trust Bolton. He could come in and lie to protect Trump. Then the star witness for the prosecution will be there star witness for Trump.
12
@McGloin
Bolton already called it a Drug Deal and I don't think there's any love loss with Trump.
By the way Bolton's always been about scorch and burn. "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again".
I hope your wrong Brooklyn, I hope your wrong!
13
@WhatTheWow
Bolton may be the only smart person in the entire cabal. Of course you can't trust him. But if it is in his interest, he will throw themall under the bus.
17
In case it means something the local broadcast tv stations are running a mixture of the hearings from yesterday and this morning. It is hard to tell which is which as they are not identifying them, not even the live feed of Sondland as being live.
Seems like these Sinclair Propaganda Network stations might be deliberately making it difficult to watch and follow along in real time.
49
This is about truth vs lies, not Democrat vs Republican as media portraying it. The message shouldn't be did Democrats change minds, it should be focused on why the liars are being protected. Those that say the media is the enemy of the state are hiding behind lies.
61
@Ben R.
And what media organization does more harm to the first amendment and assists in the enemies of the people targeting news? That’s a big red flag especially as they constantly lie for this administration.
The question is how do we confront this poison without undermining the first amendment? I’m sick of the targeting it for destruction and being unable to defend it from them.
1
I hope Nunes keeps referring to Trump as a "Russian agent". as THAT is the basis for all this drama.
31
The Goof Old Plutocrats will grill Sondland about his presumption that military aid was part of the quid pro quo but he had no proof.
Here is the fact: Trump is withholding the documentary and testimonial proof .
Now the a Democrats must go to court to enforce their subpoenas.
Those proceedings could force the GOP Senators to make a visit to the Oval Office. To keep the records from seeing the light of day....they may tell Trump that Pence would like him to remove the Golf Simulator so he could install his in-home Chapel.
16
Scrambled eggs can not get undone. Sonland threw trump pence and pompeo under the bus. Bloomberg is having a field day. You think not?
17
Devin Nunes needs to get a screenwriting and acting credit for his performance.
33
@Robin
He's a lousy actor. He sounds like he's playing the role of villain in a satirical production. He must be auditioning for a gig on FOX.
2
Oh What a Tangled Web we Weave when we first practise to Deceive...is this the John Dean moment ? Not quite.
2
Sondland looks and sounds like a joker. No comparison to the well-spoken career state department professionals. Must have been painful for them to "serve" under him. Something is very wrong here in US when guys like Sondland get wealthy enough to toss $1M to buy an ambassadorship. Anyone doubting white male privilege, just look up Sondland. Trump and Sondland are poster boys for the real estate industry - no wonder real estate crashed the economy in 2008. Jokers.
43
@kat perkins don’t use Trump’s method of evaluating people by their looks. Don’t pin the crash solely on RE when structured finance products and consumer debt levels were also major factors. And don’t use “woke” phrases such as “white privilege” if you expect to move minds rather then merely rant.
@Larry
Trump evaluates people based on their assets and loyalty. This is common in board rooms all over this nation.
1
"But I followed the president's orders."
"But I followed the president's orders."
"But I followed the president's orders."
"But, but..."
This, horribly, is a principal definition of "duty" in America.
What happened to "conscience" and "responsibility"?
The U.S. government is full of lemmings who do the president's bidding without including Self-Examination in the process. "Is the president's order sensible, ETHICAL? --Oh, who cares, the president told me to do it."
It's an unconscionable state of affairs.
Lt. Col. Vindman is a rare, rare breed in this nation.
59
I’ve fought against this administration & wanted this day to come.
However, my schadenfreude is being killed by my sorrow that Donald Trump was able to become President, & allowed to wreck havoc here & throughout the world.
And his advisors let him.
Today is both incomprehensible, and unsurprising.
38
John Dean moment today.
18
@Human
Dear Human,
Hardly. John Dean had some remorse. This guy smirked the whole time. His testimony was interesting but not the knockout punch I see described in these comments.
Unbelievable! Nunes is still parroting the debunked conspiracy theory that Ukraine, not Russia, meddled in the 2016 election. It's a conspiracy theory supported by none other than Putin. The GOP, everybody!
54
@DH -- Happily, Nunes is imploding before our eyes...
14
Apparently we will find out sooner than later if the Supreme court things The President, Lawyer/Fixer, and his Administration Officials are above the law? Or must testify and provide records.
Records that they are requited to preserve.
20
Hopefully Democrats are working on ways to compel Bolton to testify, as he seems the most likely to speak the truth, if he's willing to risk Republicans losing an election. It seems that without the brave patriotic testimonies and complaints from the whistleblower, Vindman, and Yovanovitch, there would be no pressure on Trump's team to "revise" their official stories.
The more sunlight there is on Trump's "perfect call," the more obvious that Trump's shakedown and coverup is far more serious than Nixon's crimes. How much more do we need to know for the big lie to fall apart? Will even one cabinet member from the cabal of silence among All the President's Men break ranks and testify under oath, or will they all go down together to preserve that great man, King Trump?
37
Sondland's opening statement describes perfectly why it's a terrible mistake to "gift" an important ambassadorship to a neophyte donor, rather than installing a seasoned diplomat.
He doesn't take notes. "Never have" is not an excuse for not doing his job responsibly. He apparently thought it was not illegitimate to have Trump's personal attorney insert himself between Ukraine and $400 million of aid approved by Congress. Or that he, the ambassador to the EU was inserted into the affairs of the Ukraine, which is outside the EU.
He comes off as a rich donor who thinks his wealth is adequate qualification for anything he wants to do. Playing at ambassador? Sure, why not? He's a billionaire, after all.
42
If this were the 70s and most Americans watched Walter Cronkite for news every night, Sondland’s testimony would be the final nail in the coffin.
Thanks, Rupert Murdoch, but no thanks.
54
Re: “Mr. Trump’s interest in Ukraine: For the president, it seemed more important that Ukrainian officials announce that they were investigating Democrats than for them to actually follow through.” Sounds just like the pressure Trump exerted in a phone call to Mexico’s president about his wall.
20
@Marcy Solomon Basically this sounds like he trying for a re-do of 2016. Use foreign help to prompt an investigation of an opponent so you hammer them with it, regardless of the fact that the accusation is baseless. Back in 2016 it was Clinton, e-mails and lock her up. This go around, he want Biden, Burisma and lock him up.
1
If this isn’t impeachable than what is? I don’t see how the republicans can spin their way out of this.
38
@Steve Mason
Spin is what they do well.
Constitutional line of succession puts Speaker Pelosi next in line for the White House after Trump and Pence. Next pivot by GOP will be to muscle Pence to resign, and Trump appoints a replacement VP outside of this dirty circle to keep Pelosi out.
8
@P Maretz - However, Congress has some kind of role in the selection in replacement VP. That might, or might not, be a problem.
1
@P Maretz - That's what Nikki Haley is counting on. Why else would she suddenly attach herself to Trump to appeal to Trump supporters?
1
As Ambassador Sondland took his break today, the looks on the faces of Rep. Nunes and Rep. Jordan was priceless - the look of utter disbelief. OUTSTANDING!
115
Voters wanted Trump to run this country as a business. Well, they got it, alright. Trump has been running our country in the same corrupt way he ran his business. Hopefully, he doesn’t bankrupt the Fed before he’s gone.
Michael Cohen was right when he last testified before Congress, Trump has sullied all those who serve him.
142
@Jane K
It is amazing what the Right thinks a businessman is: a pathological liar that engages in fraud and will sell out anyone, even We the People.
If you are a Right-Wing "businessman" I don't need your crooked business
6
Pence may be indirectly implicated, however, if Trump is removed, the Republicans in the Senate will have their man in Pence so even if the house decides to impeach him as well he'll never be removed. Pence is a more formidable 2020 candidate than Trump at this point... especially if he installed Nikki Haley as his VP, which she is perfectly poised for, unfortunately. This may backfire spectacularly for Democrats.
1
@Haynannu You seriously think Pence is more formidable than the Trump?
I wouldn't bet the farm on that one.
14
@Haynannu I'll take my chances against Pence in a heartbeat. He's wooden, and the stuff he clearly cares about most -- imposing religion, discriminating against the LGBTQ community -- is extremely unpopular. He'll never inspire the passion that Trump has inspired. And, for however many voters care, he too will be deservedly tarred with this scandal by the time it's done.
If Nikki Haley were the *Presidential* candidate, *then* I'd worry.
13
Trump must be held accountable. There may be a backlash at some point. But Democrats will have to deal with it then. At the moment, they have to defend the constitution.
Pence may try to salvage his reputation, but the reality is he will have to defend why he did not act sooner to save our country from ruin.
11
Still nothing to see here, folks? All of the previous testimony laid the groundwork for today.
16
True to form, Trump only cares about public displays, and no underlying substance---hence the desire for the public announcement by Pres. of Ukraine about investigating the Bidens.
Clear proof that Trump's goal was sabotage our next election in his favor.
33
Trump just wanted the soundbite and video of Zelenski saying "Biden" and "investigation" in the same sentence, in a “public box” - that, and the smokescreen diverting 2016 election interference from Russia to Ukraine, prolly as a favor to Putin. That's it. As for David Nunes saying the American people "see through" the impeachment hearings, I would correct that to "see clearly.”
19
I think I missed the Senate confirmation hearings for Guliani...
34
It was on twitter, our country’s new senate, congress, executive branch... you name it!
11
I just wonder what Sondland is not saying, if he feels comfortable about admitting this. The next questions lawmakers should ask is why? To smear Biden, not likely . Trump is part someone’s larger geopolitical plan for sure. Trump’s ambition drove him to pick some unattractive allies. Too bad for him!
2
We have a millionaire hotel-chain owner buying his way into a critical position, a corrupt lawyer pushing the personal agenda of a president, millions of taxpayer dollars being diverted for nefarious purposes, dying Ukraine citizens. It is truly unbelievable that our country has come to this.
73
The rats are leaving the sinking ship in a rapid fashion. President Pelosi?
22
I love the smell of burnt toast in the morning.
23
@Chuck Burton -- classic!
2
There's not enough room under the bus for all of the people that Sondland just threw under it.
43
Dear Republicans:
As you are running out of excuses in defending the indefensible, how about this—
“It was really Obama and Hillary on the call doing multiple voices!”
You’re welcome.
35
Sondland named enough names to fill a federal prison.
17
Lindsey, its not hearsay any more. Got that?
33
Trump: I have the biggest, most beautiful bus to throw people under.
Sondland: Hold my beer.
30
Rudy under the bus. Trump will be impeached.
12
Is Gordon Sondland really painting himself a poor victim who was kept "out of the loop"?
3
It sounds to me as if "Stupid Watergate" has just found its John Dean.
13
Sondland comes through, well, sorta. The dam bursts? Can you imagine his meeting with his attorney last night. The attorney says, "you can take the fifth, or you can come clean and face the consequences." Perhaps he listened to Lt Col Vindman yesterday saying that RIGHT matters in America. A pang of conscience? No, no, how naive of me. Imagine how comforting it is to be behind the 8-ball and have to depend upon D the C to back you up.
3
These are the words I have wanted to hear for a long time. Just what spin the republicans care to use cannot stop the damage brought forth from Sondlands early testimony. All of the presidents men will now be out in some strong and damaging light. I am waiting for more to come. Pray for our country!
11
Okay, is Trump's out that he will have to resign for health reasons now instead of being impeached?
19
No. He’ll want to spend more time with his family.
3
The fact that Sondland testified at all today is revealing and damning for Trump. He was already on the record and risked perjury from his prior testimony and written addenda if he confirmed that indeed there was a quid pro quo. He could have possibly refused to testify or plead the 5th today since any admission would further complicate his legal exposure.
Now he’s aligning himself with the other foreign service officers in confirming the plot and putting country above fealty to the administration. Since Trump, Pence, Bolton, and Pompeo are the only superiors who haven’t testified, by implicating them directly today Sondland puts them all in the crosshairs and may have taken the heat off himself.
305
@Josh Trump is toast. Pompeo; Perry Guiliani and all the top Trumplicans are toast. Nunes is still screaming conspiracy theories;there is no real defense. Vote out GOP to save America. Ray Sipe
35
Trump and his suckers in congress have actually destabilized the United States. Digest this for a moment
52
For some people, meeting world leaders might be a memorable experience, but Gordon Sondland is no ordinary person. Gordon Sondland paid a million dollars for his posting, and still he can’t be bothered to recall anyone more important than A$AP Rocky.
If that’s not elite, then I have no idea what ‘elite’ means.
18
He's too important to take notes.
5
@ unique Agreed. Sondland’s arrogance is palpable. It seems as if he takes everything as a joke with little respect for his role as a public servant. All the world’s a stage and he’s a big player in it. The adage goes, the higher they climb, the further they fall. Sondland is some climber. Maybe we can define elitism = ignorance arrogance financial bubble - accountability?
3
Sondland is clearly throwing Pompeo, Rudy and DTJ under the bus in a effort to polish his own position.
I find most of what he says about Pompeo and Rudy to be very credible, but I am skeptical about some of his accounts of convos with Trump.
I suspect he would like to keep his job in Brussels for a little longer (after all, it cost $1Million).
10
@John B I'm going to give Sondland the benefit of the doubt. Statistically there should be at least a couple of people with consciences in the Trump administration. Perhaps we have finally witnessed someone who is refusing to follow Trump's playbook.
It's about time!
6
So... impeachment for all those were aware and knowingly supported the illegal activity too... right?
Of course that won’t happen.
Because the deeper this gets, I’m assuming we’ll soon start discovering that Republican Reps and Senators were involved in the plot too.
15
Ambassador Sondland has just clearly explained the "Art of the Deal", and it's a tragedy.
23
<>
At least it is clean and out in the open. But hardly acceptable -- the whole lot of them: Trump, Pence, Pompeo, Perry, Giuliani, and all the henchmen.
If Republicans can't wake up now, they wouldn't no matter the crime.
15
@PT
"Yes, we did it because he told us to."
(That was in the brackets above, but the NYT text editor didn't recognize it brackets.)
1
Listening to the hearings, it struck me as outrageous when I heard Sondland say that Ambassador Taylor, a career diplomat, did not have access to the President, but Sondland, whose background is hotel management, and who essentially bought himself the post of Ambassador, had access. Drain the swamp already!
60
Surely there must be some Republican Senators who can muster up a conscience. There must be some Republican Senators who will put our nation ahead of their party. The nation needs 20 Republican Senators who can finally decide that they do have some morals after all. Trump, Pence, and the entire criminal cabal has to go.
36
It would be great but don’t count on it!!
7
Another pair of Amigos—Trump and Sondland, reducing everything, including US international affairs, to a transactional, self-serving deal, a pair of real estate dudes. Ego a mile wide, character an inch deep.
24
Nicole Wallace got it right by calling it what it was: extortion.
34
I wonder if the consigliere Rudy or
The Godfather Trump are following the
testimony. I was concerned that
Gordon Sondland would be Trump’s
“Frankie Five Angels” (metaphorically)
by taking the “5th”. Sondland is
coming clean in a dirty Presidential
administration and they were all in on
it...Pence and Pompeii and the
others will be revealed. All “at the
express direction of the president.”
Trump supporters were setting up
Sondland to take the fall but he
has declined to do so by evidence
of his testimony.
19
With the implication of Mike Pence, may I be the first to welcome you to the White House (as a resident) Speaker Pelosi.
27
OK, America. It is now abundantly clear. Your President has been lying to you for months about Ukraine and the impeachment.
Clinton was impeached for lying once.
Trump has lied openly and repeatedly.
48
Two words: President Pelosi.
21
Sensitive government email communications delivered on “WhatsApp”
Sensitive government phone calls made to President Trump on unsecured cell phone lines!
Rudy Giuliani, an unelected....unvetted personal lawyer for President Trump is charged with administrating foreign policy.
Putin is smiling! Foreign agents have the phone call transcripts!
Good grief!
35
@PeterH - It seems the mobile phone companies in the Ukraine, are Russian.
1
Head over to Fox News. They say there is nothing to see here. I give up.
11
@N - Good, that will damage Fox News.
1
quid pro quo = bribery
12
The openness and ease of Gordon Sondland and his testimony is reminiscent to Mount Vesuvius – there’s just no capping off the damaging and flowing information he continues to share with the committee.
I cannot imagine how the Republicans will be able to counter one word from Sondland. “Everyone was in the loop” pretty much sums up this entire scenario.
Gordie, Gordie, Gordie. He talks and acts as if he has some kind of assurance that he will walk away from this entire nightmare, unscathed, if he was willing to throw everyone else involved under the bus and the Capital Dome.
40
Go to the Townhall website. You’ll see how they counter things.
@Rachelle Lane
That certainly sounds ominous.
2
Trump is their boss, he is completely responsible. So what is the big deal about impeachment?Trump is in no way irreplaceable. There is an election coming up so let Pence step up for now and we can vote on a replacement next year.
12
@AG
Except Pence is implicated as well and is just as culpable for doing nothing when his boss is engaged in criminal conduct. In what alternate reality does Trump disappear and Pence take over?
11
I don’t like Pence, but I am curious why Republicans cling to Trump when Pence would carry on their agenda without all the fuss.
13
@AW
Because the us is big enough for all of the GOP, and "T" would have zero reservations about tossing them all under.
Sondland’s testimony strongly implicates Trump and the State Department— but leaves a crucial loophole:
Sondland notes that he lacks most of the documentation necessary to substantiate his testimony, and states that he neither took notes nor prepared memos to memorialize the events in question.
Thus, Sondland has simultaneously delivered bombshell testimony, protected himself against perjury, and preserved deniability for the White House.
Got to admire, however reluctantly, how well Sondland and his lawyers have played all sides.
22
@ANetliner
Funny too how "now he recalls", which could also mean "was coached to a solution".
No doubt there are partisans revising White House documentation to cover up for Trump.
1
Based on past logic, the Republicans next line of defense is crystal clear:
-Hillary won the popular vote with a margin of 3 millions votes. She should be President;
-the President committed a crime;
-therefore Hillary should be impeached, prosecuted and jailed.
21
Goodness me.
And here I was thinking “House of Cards” was far fetched.
21
This is closer to the British version of House of Cards.
As a witness, it will be interesting to see how his smirking, giddy at times, demeanor plays. He is being consistent—in one way at least—with what we’ve seen previously from him: all the world’s a stage for him to waltz across, all transactions are dumbed down to simple deliverables, whether it’s buying a hotel (the extent of his worldly professional life) or brokering a crooked deal for the US President. As Ms. Haberman described him, the “accidental tourist” in Trumpland.
8
In a sane world, this would be game, set, and match.
Any Republican who is still on board with Trump after this is willfully aiding and abetting impeachable conduct. But - they already were.
What’s different is that now there is no dodging it. Their only response left is to deny that it was impeachable, and to offer up fantasy world conspiracy theories to ‘explain’ it all away.
Also, this is a cautionary tale, a demonstration that being a businessman is not all the qualification you need to be effective in government. It is a misapprehension. Sondland is coming across as being way over his head in all this. Compare with Yovanovitch or Vinland.
22
@Larry Roth
The falsehood is business people are smart and government is dumb. The truth is that many businesses people are simply lucky in life and government is hamstrung by their corruption to undermine it.
Not all government is good government and not all business is bad business though. We need both but the worship of the wealthy in this country is absurd and brought us to this place. It has to stop.
1
This merely confirms what the original telephone call already showed. No one who read that account could think anything other than the president was demanding a quid pro quo, using hundreds of millions of government dollars to obtain a dirty political advantage. Sondland says Trump knew about the Ukrainian strategy. Of course he knew. Those were his own lips moving.
People who wilfully averted their gaze from the truth before will still do so.
12
Its only a dirty political advantage if you find yourself on the opposing side. Republicans remember fondly the Russian Entrapment Hoax and dirty political advantages being levered for personal D party power. Quid Pro Joe has already admitted in a live interview that he leverages political power for personal gain. His son maintained his ficticious seat on a company board for which he has zero knowledge in return for large sums of money. The Constitution allows the President as the Chief Diplomat and Chief Executive to both pursue justice anywhere on the planet involving crimes of American Citizens and shaping foriegn relations in any way the President sees fit. He is not denying Ukraine the aid but ensuring their fostering of corruption ends by bringing rogue American power brokers to heel.
2
@Billy “He had to announce the investigations — he didn’t have to actually *do* them.”
- Amb. G. Sondland
I’ve simply been too busy and simply a tad bored with all of this but this testimony coupled with both Pence and Pompano implicated had all but assured Trump will be impeached. I can’t wait to watch the GOP senators go on record with this very guilty man. Vote Mitch out of office Kentucky.
28
He has meddled in 2 elections. Period. He needs to go.
20
Looks like Morrison and Volker may have to adjust their testimony a little further.
14
Prosecutions of mafiosi often run into the problem that the people testifying against the capo are themselves made men and shady characters, whose testimony evolves as they feel the net closing in on them. Very often they start telling something closer and closer to the whole truth, but by then their initial untruths, half-truths, omissions and evasions damage their credibility.
The prosecutors know and the police know that the capo is guilty, but the slick lawyers and consiglieri often get away with sliming the witness.
I am afraid that this is what is happening here with Sondland. So while the movie is starting out in the old way, it is not clear how it will end. Will Nunes, Graham, and Trump destroy Sondland? We can but wait and see.
Who says this story lacks pizzazz?
11
Lots to unpack here. But I’m still shaking my head at Sondland’s admission that he’s not a note-taker. Anyone in his position, I would think, would want a written record, just for events such as this one — just to provide cover, if nothing else.
8
Let me guess the GOP on this. The extortion to Zalensky was the right thing to do. So the denied, denied, denied. Now they can’t anymore. So now it was perfect.
2
Gordon Sondland = ROSEMARY WOODS
5
It is simply dumbfounding that Nunes was so clueless about the possibility that Sondland's testimony might be damaging to trump that Nunes actually predicted a Democrat "smear" of Sondland. The gang that couldn't shoot straight, indeed!
11
If Volker and Sondland didn’t understand Burisma = Bidens, what did they think was the reason that that one company as being singled out?
If your boss tells you that things hinge on X, how would you do your job without understanding what X is, why it matters...?
11
One little comment struck me. Is the White House using WhatsApp now?? And remind me, why were we chanting Lock Her Up? Hmm, seems like we aren't so upset with this kind of stuff anymore.
7
I would love to see a side-by-side comparison of just the physical demeanor and ticks of Sondland and Vindman. Sondland sure looks nervous in comparison. And an amateur as well.
3
Hope the GOP is reading these comments: you may save Trump today, my friends, but you can kiss the Senate and White House goodbye in 2020.
15
It’s beginning to look like Gordon Sondland could be the “John Dean” of this impeachment inquiry, albeit he is less polished and more clumsy, but equally damaging testimony to the president.
18
Sounds like a bunch of gangsters enmeshed in a taudry deal. Only Fox 'news' could obscure this reality enough that so many of its viewers still believe Trump is being treated unfairly.
8
As many have surmised, these hearings aren't moving needles. I do worry that the fatigue is real and interest is mostly (98%) those who are aware of the charges and defenses. And most are partisan. As an independent, I bet a draw favors GOP. If I was trying to change out POTUS, I'd find the most electable alternative and that would be my plan. The impeachment process may backfire as many have noted.
13
No "draw" here, AMM.
Rather, a whole and utter defeat for Trump and the G.O.P.
13
@AMM It's not about "changing out the President". It's about having a country where all people respect he rule of law. If we do not have that, then Russia is right, we are no different that them. Trump already believes this.
31
@AMM Odd, but I’m not sensing “independence” in your narrative. There is plenty of time for the “needle” to move, just as there is plenty of time for Trump to fake an illness and try an end-around the impeachment process which (he thinks) will result in a “Hail Mary” pardon from Pence. Of course, with Mikey in the cross-hairs of this Ukrainian miasma, he may not get the chance to bomb-throw for his Boss.
The SS Trump is taking on water...let’s see how many other rats desert the leaky vessel in the wake of Sondland’s siren song.
13
Aside from arriving with the evidence, a still-smoking gun, Sondland (finally complete without memory lapses) simply confirms what has been wildly obvious and already documented: a President’s guilt. And a guilt that makes Nixon’s look like a misdemeanor. Oh, yeah, plus a coverup by the AG, Secretary of State, Sec of Energy...
1026
@JP
And Pence. Don't forget his part in all of this.
61
@lynchburglady
Clear that Pence was totally in the loop.
34
@lynchburglady
Above all things, don't forget Pence.
39
This testimony appears decisive and damning.
883
His goose is cooked this time.
16
@Sloan Kulper -- ah, yes!
And just in time for Thanksgiving!
19
@Ken And after dinner, a nice fireside chat with President Pelosi
19
Any bets on how long Sondland will remain in his post as American ambassador to the European Union after his testimony today?
Since Trump has a track record of turning on any one who goes against him, especially in a very public forum, I wonder if he will be tweeting evil, mean, and disrespectful messages to Sondland during this morning session?
555
@Marge Keller Losing one's post is better than being in jail for lying to Congress. Would you trust the man who only thinks about himself to remember to pardon you if you went to jail?
28
He’ll be gone by the end of this week.
21
@Marge Keller
"He gave my inauguration a million bucks? Nevah heard of him"
43
The game is over, Republicans. You know it and we know you know it. It's time for you to cut your losses -- while you can. Donald Trump must go.
564
@Jimbo
But he can’t now leave Pence behind.
18
And Pence, Pompeo and Mulvaney, all partners in high crimes and misdemeanors.
4
go to jail you meant, right?
3
Nunes invokes George Washington in his opening statement????!!! I don't recall ever reading that George Washington committed extortion to get dirt on a political opponent.
255
Nunez went too low! He’s simply the worst. Hopefully, these scammers would get jailed time soon!
15
@susan
Exactly!
What a stretch and such audacity and brass of Nunes to even suggest any kind of similarity.
16
And the American public goes “yawn”.
10
Game over for the President. Truth always win.
9
@Rachelle Lane I disagree. We are riveted.
Nope. Riveted
How long until we hear from Trump that he never met Sondland, he is a low level Ambassador, and he has no idea who he is?
123
@JRDrums
Just happened. Getting in the helicopter at the WH, trump just said he had hardly ever spoken to Sondland and did not know him.
9
@JRDrums
He already said about Sondland, “I don’t know him very well.”
5
I would have liked to participate in that pool!
1
What say you, Mitch McConnell, and how will you and your Republican band of brothers - and sisters - exploit and manipulate this loaded piece of news? In fact, is it not a smoking gun, or will you keep up your charade of shooting with blanks rather than real bullets? I repeat in capital letters: "WE FOLLOWED THE PRESIDENT'S ORDERS," and ...THERE WAS A CLEAR QUID PRO QUO..." This is our nation, to where we have descended...infamy, lies, deceits, power at all costs.
219
Quid. Pro. Quo. Game, set, match.
95
@Gary
When Republicans can't win the game, they destroy the rulebook.
11
The Biden situation has never been debunked as the article states, just Democrat talking points.
2
Can you explain what needs to be debunked? That Biden enforced the US policy on Ukraine openly through the standard State Department channels and with the support of all other European countries?
6
The Biden situation is neither here nor there. You can't hold back Congress-approved aid as a pressure point for personal political gain.
20
When all is said and done you still cannot bring yourself to use the correct term which is “Democratic.” GOP 1875-2019. Rest in Peace.
4
A bunch of crooks spilling the beans on each other. But it looks like the mafia Don is well protected by his consigliere, Bill Barr, and his hit men - Nunes, Gaetz, Scalise, Jordan and Graham. But for how long is the only remaining question.
93
@Plato
Great point.
Don't forget to include Ratcliffe in that pack of hungry, angry and attack junkyard dogs.
Sondland's a millionaire. Even if Trump dumps him today, he's still a very rich individual who won't be holding any tag day sales.
6
Hallelujah! At last some truth!
36
So regarding the “deep state” ... is that Rudy?
36
A couple of thoughts so far...
Schiff to Sondland, “tell everyone more about this “Continuum of Insidiousness” - sounds like a bad Bond movie title.
Nunes to Sondland, “you are going to be smeared today”.
From Republicans no doubt...
34
Until the Republicans remove their juvenile protest signs they will continue to demean themselves and, by extension, whatever case they may actually have to make in defence of the president.
61
I hope that Republican Senators at least keep this thought in the back of their mind: would I mind if Democratic Presidents did this to a member of my own party? If they want to play Realpolitik, they have to accept that their opponents will ultimately do so as well.
37
@ Ken - I beg to differ with Mr. Nunes’s comment. This will help the American people. Based on Mr. Nunes “performance” yesterday, I made a donation to his 2020 opponent.
131
This means we’ve entered the “ok it was quid pro quo but that’s totally fine and who cares” phase of the Republican defense plan. Precisely why so many GOP members of Congress have been unwilling to answer the basic question: is it ok for foreign governments to interfere in our elections? In the end they knew they’d have to say “yes.”
84
The next phase, by the way, is the one where they stick their fingers in their ears and run around screaming “nananananana can’t hear you” then trash the place.
9
@Keef In cucamonga
They already trashed the place, big time.
7
I stand corrected. I will amend my statement to “trash the place even more, if that’s possible at this point.”
6
Sorry, not enough for the Republicans and Trump supporters. They need live video footage of Trump actually saying and doing all the things that his accused of. Even if there is such a video, it still needs to pass a "doctoring" test.
22
@Lord Varys fair enough, but the rest of the country just spit up in their coffees.
2
I am betting that Secretary Pompeo is thinking how much more pleasant his plebe year at the Academy was than what is going on now.
No one escapes association with Mr. Trump with their reputation or dignity intact.
86
@Steve Daniel Secretary Pompeo may do well to contemplate Sir Thomas More's line in A Man for All Seasons. "“Why [Michael], it profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world. But for [State]?”
2
There was no shadow policy. DJT, Pence, Pompeo, and Giuliani were all in it together. That was our policy.
61
It was not an “open” policy, so I’d say it’s shadowy....or shady.
3
The problem is that this so-called policy was run at taxpayer expense without accountability to taxpayers through congressional oversight. Frankly, I don’t want any president picking my pocket for leverage so he or she can win elections. Do you?
2
Watching Sondland, and his antics as he scrambled to get into Trump’s ever-wide circle of unqualified enablers, it’s clear he has an ego that Trump might appreciate. He seems to be enjoying the spotlight, period, whether it’s playing at being a real ambassador, flirting with perjury to Congress, or outing a President, Secretary of State et al, while complaining about “the hand I was dealt.” Typical “successful” businessman; no ethics, full of himself even in failure.
38
Kind of like Trump, only successful in business.
5
This is what happens when you have skilled professional attorneys asking the questions instead of grandstanding politicians.
Let this be a lesson for the next 1,000 times we're forced to investigate the crimes of Trump and his cronies.
69
Some blogs reporting Pompeo now mulls resigning as he feels his association with Trump will hurt his senate aspirations. I think the senate ship sailed a long time ago.
105
I agree. Especially considering there are several contenders in the Primary out there. Pompeo is damaged goods now.
10
Senate aspirations?! Pompous barely polls for dog catcher.
3
@C A Simpson
'Now'?
He's always been damaged goods.
3
Most meaningful:
"Mr. Trump did not care about Ukraine but was interested only in “big stuff that benefits the president” like the “Biden investigation.”
This has been obvious to anyone who has paid attention in the past 40 years, Trump ONLY cares about Trump. Taking down his enemies is his favorite activity. He doesn't care about the US, Ukraine or any other country and it's citizens.
94
Once again this is second and third hand information we are hearing from Sondland which in no way implicates the President.
Oh wait a minute Republicans can't use that anymore.
Let's go back to what Mulvaney said "no big deal get use to it"
Time for Jim Jourdan and his colleagues to shift tracks again.
No worries Trump's core voters won't even recognize the difference.
35
Before watching Ambassador Sondland testify, I had little respect for him, but now I see a man who is honorable that was under a lot of pressure. What an the Republicans say now?! Case closed.
1
How childish and outlandish of Jim Jordan and company to have signs made to apparently chastise Schiff re: whistle blower identity.
Any thinking American realizes that the whistle blower pulled the alarm on troubling interactions trump has had with Zelensky. There is no dispute that the call and underlying premise of the call are indeed troubling and requiring investigation. There's absolutely zero legitimate reason to know the whistle blower identity... the call happened and it was wrong, period. The rest is up to witness testimony to determine if impeachment articles are warranted.
Just like trump, Jordan is relying and depending on the ignorance or stupidity of his followers to attempt obfuscation of the facts- I hope Ohioans see through this con and vote him out after he's done throughly disgracing and embarrassing the Republican Party. Shame on him.
82
@Ltron This is a really important point. Only someone who wants to punish the whistleblower cares about its identity.
Maybe we have heard from the whistleblower! Hopefully we will never know.
3
Trump, Pence, and the entire criminal cohort will be gone by December 1. It will, indeed, be a merry Christmas.
21
@H. Clark From your mouth to Santa Claus's ears. :)
1
Anyone got eyes on the trump family? They may be sneaking on to a plane bound for Russia to seek asylum as we're all watching the hearings...
29
@Kris They could be heading for other friendly countries: Saudi Arabia, N. Korea, or even Turkey. Good riddance.
1
The smoking gun. But wait for the Nunes/Jordan spin. Despicable.
28
The Three Banditos: Pompeo, Pence, and Trump.
18
Will he be refunded his $1,000,000?
35
@Richard -- No. That $1,000,000 should go to us taxpayers.
3
Latest Trump tweet: Who is this Sondland guy and this Giuliani guy? I barely knew them.
295
Who is the “Pence guy? I barely have heard of him? Pompeo? Didn’t I have that for dessert last night?”
16
@Jay Orchard Trump at 11:45pm read notes to the press“I don’t know him very well. I have not spoken to him much. This is not a man I know well. He seems like a nice guy though.
6
@Deirdre Amazingly predictable!
2
I saw all of this in “The Maltese Falcon” just last night.
Where Humphrey Bogart (aka Gordon Sondland) says to Mary Astor (aka Donald Trump):
“Yes angel, I'm gonna send you over.... You’re taking the fall…. I won’t play the sap for you.”
You can learn a lot by watching movies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPT49WXC0Zo&t=8s
72
@A. Stanton
Sondland still has quite a few "I don't recall"s in his testimony, while not directly linking the quid pro quo to Trump.
Do you think Sondland *really* doesn't recall that much? Do you think Trump did not endorse the quid pro quo to him?
Sondland is doing his best to tell the minimal amount he can get away with, but without throwing Trump under the bus. Don't expect major revelations to come from this direction.
3
He specifically stated there WAS a quid pro quo - AKA bribery and extortion - and it was executed are the express direction of the president. Read the transcript - of his testimony.
5
What did they know and when did they know it?
25
New Trump defense: My instructions on Ukraine were misunderstood. And Sondland is bald.
151
@jay you made me laugh on such a day. Thank you
11
@Jay Orchard - I so needed that laugh. Thank you.
5
Wow! The complete tie of Trump to the Ukraine scheme to force them to meddle in our 2020 election.
Trump needs to go. Now.
166
Sondland throws Trump for a loop by testifying that he, Pompeo, Mulvaney et al were in the Ukraine one.
44
Pompeo. Bolton. Sondland. “Everyone was in the loop.” Watch them turn on each other now. We can only hope.
217
@Joanna S.
We must hope that this is the evidence that finally convinces Bolton to testify under oath.
7
I’m continually surprised that Republican senators and representatives don’t simply say, “You’re right, Trump is a virus on the nation, and VP Pence will assume his duties.”
I personally find Pence frightening, but at least there’s a brain in his head. And he’s much closer to the conservative Republican agenda.
I don’t know why the GOP continues to try to prop up Loser Trump.
44
Pence may act like normal person, but I think his “brain” isn’t very capable.
9
@David G Well, at this point Pence is a collaborator in the conspiracy to bribe, so he too should be looking at jail time.
The problem the GOTP has is that they are ALL guilty of knowingly accepting foreign (Russian) assistance in their elections (both money and information stolen from Democratic candidates). If Trump collapses and we get a non-corrupt AG in place, they all go down.
15
It’s all about the base. And the fact that they value power over the oaths they took to uphold the Constitution.
14
Sondland : everyone's in the loop, now everyone under the bus!
66
This is what happens when a nation goes so far off the rails that it minority-elects the lowest common denominator it can find.
206
Yes I’m surprised the Chinese never declared this an illegitimate election “victory” and sent in for a military coup. Oh wait, that was us. All over Latin America.
3
Well they’re going to throw Rudy Giuliani under the bus. They had better be careful for he knows where ALL the bodies are buried.
162
@Oliver Considering the man can't even unlock his phone, he probably doesn't know anything. It's probably just bluster.
2
@Oliver His electronic communications should be easily discoverable. Unless he was advised by Chris Christie to toss the phone off the GWB into the Hudson.
4
Wow....Watching Sondland’s opening statement: This is really bad for Trump, Pence, Pompeo, and Giuliani...
How will the disgraceful Republicans spin this??
123
@Raydeohed "how will Republicans spin this?"
--> 'Sondland was acting on his own, and the investigations were never supposed to be tied to the military aid'
The takeaway is that you can totally get away with extortion, so long as you never put anything in writing and you only operate on a *wink wink nudge nudge* basis.
5
The problem is that a judge/jury can see through that and convict anyway. When the jury is a bunch of spineless Republican senators...
5
We all new this. Sondland even throws Perry under the bus.
25
There are only so many times you can run the same story.
4
What looked like the "shadow foreign policy" turns out to have been the official US foreign policy with the blessing of the President, Vice-President, and Secretary of State, but contrary to the expressed wishes and advice of Congress and the professional diplomats.
Impeach all three at the same time. Save the taxpayer some dough while saving democracy and the rule of law.
208
Thank you Ambassador Sondland for doing the right thing! Today is a fantastic day for the USA!
Nunes, Castro, Jordan, Pompeo, Perry, Pence, you are all on notice
Mr Bolton there is a seat at the table waiting for you- please tell us what we need to hear.
63
@Deirdre - Sondland is just trying to save his own skin.
2
Gordon Sondland reads like an open book.
I can see him running his mouth freely and throwing others under the bus, like Senator Ron Johnson.
What I thought was incredible was when Nunes compared Trump to George Washington and that if "Democrats were around in 1794, they probably would want to impeach him, too."
24
People have fretted that focusing impeachment solely on the Ukraine issue is too narrow, but as more witnesses testify, I think it actually gets at the heart of the danger Donald Trump has posed to our nation from day one: his foreign policy does not seem to align with American foreign policy.
This has been the case with Russia, Turkey, Syria, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia, but also Canada, France, and Germany.
Some of these higher level witnesses may be covering themselves, but their testimony seems to be: we wanted to follow through on the American policy goals of supporting Ukraine, so we had to get around Trump’s decidedly un-American goals of getting Ukraine to agree to these investigations. Lower level people like Vindman only expressed their honest shock at how outside of the norms they found Trump’s behavior.
We may never get the final word on why Trump behaves the way he does, but this situation is a perfect encapsulation of the fact that Trump has no business being the Commander in Chief of this country due to his conflicts, lack of moral character, and inability to put nation above self.
120
Trump’s foreign policy as it relates to Ukraine is actually a very specific domestic policy in the most limited sense that its intent was to benefit the president himself.
14
@Jenna
Why does Trump behave as he does? Because after so many bankruptcies and defaults on loans, he would have been flat broke. It was only a large infusion of dirty money from Putin allied criminals that kept him afloat. They demand as a quid pro quo that Trump reorient US foreign policy to Russia's benefit. They have received a very large return on their investment.
6
@Jenna
If we don't list and explain Trump's blatant pattern of attacking the Constitution in public, then this is just one "mistake."
Now is the time to explain that saying, "the Press is the enemy of the People," the Emoluments Clause is "phony," and China, please investigate the Bidens, all on TV, shows that Trump's INTENT is always to underminie the Constitution to end all limits on his power.
The Right will claim this doesn't rise to the level of impeachment. It is Trump's PATTERN of attacks on the Constitution that rises to the level of impeachment
5
Gordon Sondland has decided, thankfully, to pull a full John Dean and connect all the dots from Trump to Giuliani to Pence and to Pompeo. The full criminal conspiracy will now be revealed by a staunch Republican--a mega-donor, who has first-hand knowledge and first-hand contacts with all the principal conspirators as well as the Ukrainians. Sondland is the proverbial iceberg that will sink the Trump Titanic. The Republicans now have a stark choice--go down with the ship into the dark depths of history and bury what's left of the Republican Party or head for the lifeboats.
83
Sondland’s lawyer has done a Pulitzer Prize effort in drafting his client’s opening statement, including a fair amount of fiction about Sondland’s innocence. I predict Sondland resigns later today.
18
Oops.
I wonder, however, if the GOP can see the wreckage or if they will just blithely step over it.
Again.
18
This story doesn't begin with Zelensky. Please remember that Team Trump also pressured President Poroshenko, during his failed bid for re-election. They dangled a White House meeting and also held up the delivery of Javelin missiles to Ukraine. Poroshenko's government then conveniently halted four investigations into Paul Manafort and stopped cooperating with the Mueller probe. Trump, Giuliani and others on Team Trump have a record of extortion and obstruction, using Ukraine's investigations and vulnerability to Russia as means to their corrupt ends.
53
This testimony should be added to the arguments before the Supreme Court supporting disclosure of Trump’s financial information. Every single thing he does, from undermining the Ukrainians, trashing the EU and NATO, the very act of “winning” the election while cavorting with Russian hackers, benefits Putin and destabilizes not only the United States, but democracies worldwide. Since Trump only acts if it benefits his ego or pocketbook, it follows that Putin has been lining both with praise and money.
28
If you were innocent, wouldn't you want your testimony aired as well. The Simple Fact that WH has blocked Firsthand Witnesses is nod to guilt. It's not as Nunes purports -Hearings are Circus therefore zero Republican Support--The other way around--
14
Ok. That was a the gas...
Now someone go get a match!
The Dems can light this anytime they want now and there is nothing the gop can do.
11
I'm worried the Senate may just convict. We'll get Pence and he'll name Nikki Haley Veep. Game over for 2020 and beyond for Democrats taking back the White House.
4
@Haynannu Pence is also implicated, so he may not be fit for service, either.
6
Pence is also implicated
5
Not of Pence is implicated in all this.
4
"Songland Sang like a Songbird - "Everyone Was In The Loop"
26
@Marge Keller
the LAND was alive with the SONG sang by the songbird, and not the loopiest of birds tweeting in this ever-growing loop!
Loopy Tunes.
That's all Volks!
3
@Don Salmon
the SONG **sung** by the songbird as he LAND-ed the best punch yet:
“Everyone was in the loop. It was no secret.”
Game, set, match.
Time for Lindsay Graham and Marco Rubio to change parties, with 20+ more Republican senators to join them, announce they will vote to convict both Trump and Pence, at which point we welcome 46, President Pelosi!
1
Justice will be done. it is altogether fitting and proper that a false conspiracy theory is the illusory prize that will bring down the Trump Administration. I believe this is a bit more scandalous than the alleged Kenyan who wore a tan suit...
16
@Dr. Pangloss: it is rather interesting that john solomon wrote those crazy conspiracy articles to throw dirt on the democrats... but they just might bring down the GOP instead.
So I guess we are back to Nixon’s defense, “if the presidents does it, it’s not a crime.”
14
Trump, Giuliani, Pence and Pompeo should be arrested immediately. Clearly they were all part of the criminal syndicate that Trump is trying so desperately to protect. Time's up; hand over your passports, your keys and security badges, put your hands behind your backs, and clime into the back of the paddy wagon.
18
Senate Republicans: It's time to throw in the towel and vote to impeach.
39
Game, set, match. America wins 6-Love.
11
It’s hard listening to spin each and every day. Especially when one is able to see, hear, or read what’s transpired.
When all is said and done, it’ll be interesting to see which political bottom feeders are left as none of these people seem to do anything in the interest of the American people, only their small selves.
16
How nice to finally see some public servants deliver good on their promise to defend the constitution, and protect the United States from all enemies, foreign and domestic.
Mr. Trump (I simply refuse to afford him the title of President in view of his having done nothing since 2016 but to daily disgrace the office) has left us no room for doubt that his intentionally treasonous, mutinous, and repulsively corrupt actions have done nothing on behalf of this country but to accrue both its domestic and international shame.
Trump is nothing but an arrogant and open-faced enemy of this country, who has maliciously corrupted every single corner of our national pride he has been able to put his vile and venomous, octopus-like tentacles upon.
That there are still (and in full view of the daily unyielding disgraces foisted upon our democratic republic and rule of law) Republicans who have willingly, and without any conscience nor concern for the welfare of our country, traded every honor, every moral code of basic decency and who have - equal to their petty tyrant master - chosen to put party, ambition, and personal power before every possible consideration to their oaths of office, is the most disgusting, and criminally reprehensible fact of all.
Unless one has given oneself over to the Republican’s fevered, fascistic fanaticism with reckless abandon, there exists more than ample evidence to convict not only the “president” of criminal intent, but his co-conspirators as well.
26
These hearings are great entertainment and I'm really enjoying the spectacle, except the part where the Trump suckups whine and ask irrelevant questions. Jordan, Ratcliffe and the rest are gonna look back with shame on their role in protecting this clown-in-chief.
VOTE.
27
Those guys are incapable of shame.
3
Today's top story, aid testifies that known criminal Donald Trump did crimes. Also, water is wet.
This isn't a revelation, but it's nice to watch the Republicans squirm under the weight of public shame.
615
@Thad I don't see anyone squirming. Quite the opposite. They mock the process and denigrate those following their conscience.
20
@Thad I am not sure they squirm at all. The GOP has lost any trace of soul it ever had attaching their wagon to this guy.
45
It’s amazing how water’s wetness has to be proven in the current kangaroo administration’s reign. Doesn’t take much effort to dismiss it as fake news, which creates enough doubt about said wetness.
16
The Three Amigos: Pompeo, Pence, and Trump.
193
I am sick of people, including fellow progressives, denigrating a pretty funny movie like The Three Amigos by invoking it to describe these criminals. Enough! :)
17
@Paul C. McGlasson The Three Stooges
3
@Paul C. McGlasson You mean Three Stooges, only not very funny.
1
Gordon D. Sondland is not in the military, a woman, or a member of the supposed 'deep state.' As such, Trump will be reluctant to go after him on Twitter during today's testimony. I look forward to him throwing Trump and his entire crime syndicate under the proverbial bus. The hourglass has been turned over; Trump's time in office is rapidly dwindling. Sondland's testimony will help speed up the process.
345
I’d add that Sondland isn’t a black person, either, so he won’t go after him as ferociously as “The Squad.” But, then again, Trump would never have a black person in his inner circle. Rich, elite, wealthy white guys are who he likes to surround himself. Though, to his sycophants, he’s not racist. Right, just like he’s not corrupt.
9
@H. Clark
Trump goes after everyone who fails to show complete loyalty to Trump himself. Every time. That's what he cares about the most.
7
In his opening statement today, Republican Rep. Nunes proclaimed, “This impeachment is not helping the American people.”
Well, we have some news for you, Rep. Nunes:
More than the impeachment, your president is not helping the American people.
For three long years under Tyrant-Buffoon-Cheat Trump, the U.S. has suffered domestically from policies that divide, and others that simply have not been followed through (see infrastructure improvements), and has also suffered international mockery.
Your president, Rep. Nunes, should never have been elected.
Thankfully, though, Trump has presented just cause for impeachment and removal from office -- a godsend for the nation.
846
@Ken I totally agree, but once Trump is removed Pence ascends to the presidency and he is also neck-deep in this scandal and has been caught in many lies. What a mess!! Sometimes I wish we had some version of the British system and could call immediately for new elections. It's hard to wait for 11/3/20 to cast the vote to complete the blue wave and start to restore our democracy. In any event, it is a comfort to know that Trump will get what he so richly deserves. But I wish that the Republican Senators would grow a spine and remove him from office as a growing majority of the country is demanding. It would be fitting - Trump always describes himself as the best, the first, the only. I hope he gets to live that dream and become the first US president to be removed from office as well as the first to subsequently be indicted and convicted and serve prison time. It would be such a well deserved disgraceful end for such a disgraceful human being.
63
@Ken
Thank you, well said.
12
@Pat M - Pence will go down with Trump.
15
In today’s impeachment hearing, Devin Nunes commented that Democrats ‘established a beachhead’ in the Intelligence Committee to investigate the president. I like that analogy, except that it was the 2018 voters who established that beachhead, much like the Allies’ Normandy invasion first punctured Germany’s control of Europe in WWII.
I look forward to 2020, when voters surround the Trump bunker and complete the restoration of rule of law in the US.
230
@ChrisMas
And to complete the analogy, we will have the Nuremberg trials shortly after.
7
Sondland's statement is the nail in the coffin of the hearsay argument and just about every other argument previously propounded by Republicans. The only thing left for Republicans to claim, which Trump vehemently opposes, is that Trump did something wrong but it doesn't constitute an impeachable offense. I look forward with bemused interest to seeing what kind of favorable "sond-bites" Trump's Republican lackeys can extract from today's devastating testimony.
235
@Jay Orchard
Did you see Daniel McCarthy's op-ed today?
This is exactly what he is claiming. Trump did exactly what everyone knows he did. Not only is it NOT wrong, McCarthy tells us, it's exactly what his supporters wanted when they voted for him - it's a stellar example of cleaning out corruption.
ignorance is knowledge
war is peace
2 + 2 = 5.
If Big Brother says it (Barr, McCarthy, Nunes, Jordan, etc), it's true.
11
Justice will be done. it is altogether fitting and proper got a false conspiracy theory is the illusory prize that will bring down the Trump Administration. I believe this is a bit more scandalous than the alleged Kenyan who wore a tan suit...
87
Well it is becoming clearer and clearer why Trump so desperately wants no one to testify.
567