This new and severe weight of the truth that is added pressure on the dam that is already leaking like a sieve...
Mike P. needs to resign.
Now.
6
The impeachment hearings remind me of a history class I had in the past about the Nuremberg Trials which were notable for the proscution of political, military, judicial, and economic leadership of Nazi Germany led by Adolf Hitler who planned, carried out, and participated in war crimes. The difference, as I see it, between the Nuemberg Trials and the Impeachment Hearings, Hitler was already dead during the Nuremberg Trials so he couldn’t be touched.
Trump, and his dupes, on the othe hand, still live. They are responsible for many hardships and suffering in this and oher countries such as Ukraine and Syria. Trump should be prosecuted not only for bribery, but also other crimes he commited while he still sees the light of day.
4
I truly hope the people hear this Testimony for what it is. I truly hope that everyone who has been corrupt, yet failed to come forth spends time in prison. I truly hope that all conspirators in this Treasones episode, spend time in prison.
3
Pompeo is ant the heart of this as Trump's main operative. You will soon see the treason of Barr as HE tries to defend his two "good men".
I wonder how much money Putin is feeding into their overseas accounts?
4
Sondland said something today about having no choice. Yet the choice he and all of them always had was quitting.
Perhaps they seemed so sure they were the ones needed to get Ukraine the money that they did not even begin to consider quitting. Volker, Taylor, Sondland......they all could have quit, said 'See ya, criminal' and walked out the door of the Oval.
Sheesh. How these people delude themselves!
4
Pompeo reminds me of Sgt Schultz from Hogan's Heroes. Only this isn't a television comedy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34ag4nkSh7Q
1
Smoking gun
1
Ambassador Sondland donated 1MM to trump and now the IDIOT claims he knows little of the ambassador. Go figure, 1MM and he is an unknown to the trump clan...
REALLY??? I hire and only know the best and the best you can do mr. is claim you don't know him very well... your memory is failing faster then a stand of timber in the national forests!
2
#EveryoneWasInTheLoop - this was damning testimony, not just for Trump, but for all of the people Sondland specified.
It's high time that Mulvaney, Bolton, Guilliani, and Trump himself, be forced to testify under oath. I can't imagine why they wouldn't if they're (cough) innocent of any wrong doing.
3
It is quite clear to me that Mr Sondland is lying under oath. His assertion that he was unaware of the connection between Burisma and the Bidens until late August or early September is absurd. Why would both Trump and Gulliani be so interested in outing a single Ukrainian company in a great sea of corruption if there were not some political motivation i.e. the Bidens. If Mr Sondland is lying about this issue, what else is he lying about.
8
@EC M.D.:What does this exonerate Trump of?
1
After today's testimony by Gordon Sondland, I assume that the position of Ambassador to the European Union will be declared vacant by this evening.
President Trump is put on notice that I as a retiree, I am currently available to fill that open Ambassadorship. I can speak English, German and Russian, and know where Ukraine is located. As an elderly cynic, I no longer espouse any ethical or moral compass, and I would be far more discrete, and less naive, than Mr. Sondland was. I believe I could be a great Trump middle man, and assist him in his ongoing, nefarious bribery schemes involving world leaders.
2
The first rays of light today catch the political cockroaches at play. The first Trump loyalist to take a stand -- while in legal peril for having had to dramatically alter his initial statement -- has recognized that there is a law of the land higher than the pathological American president. In which direction will the rest scatter?
What possibly makes the remaining hordes of those Trump sycophants think that the American president -- who demands such strict loyalty that he hastriped to force his (our) public servants to sign legal non-disclosure agreements, which would actually be contrary to the laws of U.S. governance -- will not turn on every cockroach standing in his path while frantically seeking a way out.
1
Ambassador Sondland reconfirmed the Trump extortion plot described by all the other Congressional witnesses who testified this week. Sondland also described how Pence, Mulvaney, Pompeo, Perry and Giuliani were all odious co-conspirators in Trump's dirt for aid bribery of Ukraine.
3
That's not a bus Sondland's using; it's a steamroller, and he's in the driver's seat. Trump picked the wrong dude to hang out to dry this time..
2
Today Republicans appeared to be rearranging the chairs on Titanic
5
How will they defend the president when Giuliani is convicted, in the SDNY, of bribery?
I think they're in a box.
6
Republican Fantasy/Plan: Will take awhile to convict Rudy so Trump is safe from that problem for now. Next summer, Trump will choose Nikki Haley, who by that time will have made a lot of speeches about how amazing America is, as his new running mate over Pence. Or at least that's what the Republicans are thinking. (Whether they can lead Trump in that direction is another matter.) If this works and Trump wins the election, they can rediscover their morals and vote for impeachment and removal. And install a bright, shiny new president, a God-fearing Republican woman!
Quite a lot of time and effort went into producing Zelensky's selfie with DJT, it seems.
1
This is far worse than Watergate or the Clinton impeachment hearings. But based on past events of this horrific administration, I don't expect much in the way of resolution.
192
I agree. Unfortunately, the House Republicans have already demonstrated their continuing support for Trump.
As for the Senate, the top Republicans are only concerned with how they can manipulate the Impeachment trial, which seems inevitable, to favor themselves in the 2020 election.
71
@Antonio Paola If that happens, may the GOP reap their just rewards at the ballot box. This administration is a sham, and if it's supported by Republicans in Congress they deserve every bit of the anger churning in my stomach.
54
@Antonio Paola For the republicans in the house and senate, it’s all about re-election, that’s what keeps the “quid pro quo” money flowing to their secret off-shore accounts
27
Why do these Republicans act like breaking the laws of our country is okay? Why is it okay to withhold valuable aid that was already approved by Congress to get another country’s leader to publicly announce investigations by them into an American citizen and our 2016 election? Does ANY citizen of ANY country think that would be okay? (Poll that.) We thought the Republicans were very concerned about are sovereignty and not entering treaties they would commit our country into any more dependence on other countries, where they might expect us to pay costs in cash, military presence, etc. Here we have the entire leadership of the Republican Party unwilling to say our president’s request and conditions were wrong. It is not right to ask a foreign country something you are unwilling to do yourself. Afterall, Trump’s whole modus operandi is ‘I alone can fix it’ or we, as America don’t need the support of alliances because we are so strong. Can’t anyone else see, he didn’t want strong alliances because he doesn’t want the accountability built into commitments? Sondland is right in saying we weren’t running a rogue operation. This is how this administration has been run since they started their campaign. I can totally understand why he wouldn’t see this as totally irregular like State Dept. folks, but I sure have a rough time excusing the entire leadership of the Republican Party for the same. Please don’t tell me this is what the voters wanted. Justice will be served.
7
Sondland has a good sense of humor and does not seem cowed or nervous under interrogation. He has made some vapid attempts to cover for Trump but seems essentially truthful in his basic assertions that Trump attempted an actual bribe--quid pro quo.
Trump has his accomplices who were fully aware of his illegal and immoral shenanigans, but they mostly remain silent. Some like Jim Jordan are loud defenders of the indefensible and find supporters among Republican colleagues and the stubborn base.
Trump was right when he said he could shoot someone in Times Square and get away with it. But his accomplices---his supporters who enable his crimes, like Pompeo, Pence, Mulvaney, Jordan. Nunes ---among others--could join him in the shooting and also get away with it.
3
The Democrats would be wise to walk away from this and not have a vote. Let it go and focus on the coming election.
A vote would be a mistake.
The Senate will drag this out and make it look even worse than it looks right now.
Walk away.
2
@P&L That would be like the Robin Williams bit about British Bobbies, who, famously, don't wear guns: "Stop! Before I yell out stop again!"
1
In spite of Sondland's incriminating testimony today, Republicans will continue to gaslight on behalf of Trump. They have chosen to go down with the ship because of their questionable perception that to dump Trump would jeopardize their election chances in 2020. Although that is an unprincipled position, Democrats should welcome it because it will actually
hurt Republicans in the long run.
P.S. I think Sondland's testimony today was more self-serving
than noble - but at least it is more than the cowardly
Mike Pompeo is willing to do.
7
As incompetent and corrupt as the Trump Administration has proven to be, many independents and moderates have little faith and trust in Warren and Sanders.
This is where the rubber hits the road and why impeachment has failed to gain more traction even as the dirt comes to light.
Sondland’s recounting of actual conversations between Trump and himself does appear to support the allegations made by the Democrats. He had “feelings” and “impressions” that there might be something amiss, but from the standpoint of facts, he didn’t bring anything new.
2
As has been the case for years: eventually, everyone associated with Trump ends up in jail, discredited, shamed, humiliated, sullied or cast aside like used Kleenex. Good on Sondland for having the savvy to bail out before the Trump train finally goes off the bridge into irrelevance and oblivion.
6
I can't bring myself to watch how Fox is spinning this. My head might just explode.
2
Wow just wow....I can't believe how naive and dishonest people are. Everyone talks about being a great honourable American; patriotic and all that, but the republicans can't simply admit that they are scared of Trump...be honest to the nation...a complete shambles!
2
Ambassador Sondland described in detail the connivance of Trump and his minions Mulvaney, Pompeo and Giuliani in perpetrating their Ukrainian extortion plot.
In the end, Mr. Sondland came across as a good but naive man who was used by these corrosive political con men. Trump, Mulvaney, Pompeo, Giuliani and Volk gave Sondland his guidance. They used him as their cut-out man - the messenger boy - for their nefarious scheme to get the Ukrainians to announce an investigation of the Bidens.
Trump and his "bad boys" are really creepy. Their plot is akin to a poorly written "Mafia meets the Keystone Cops" movie.
3
When accused of lying, Trump invariably insists sombody else lied first. The man's MO is no more sophisticated than his own vocabulary.
2
Drain the swamp? More like pump it directly into the White House.
Is there anyone in this administration (who isn't a "holdover") who knows right from wrong and is capable of doing what's right (or at least NOT do what's wrong)?
6
Mr. Pompeo should start looking for a position on Fox News since his days with Trump are numbered. He is now toxic for senator of Kansas. He is a con man and gaslighter along with Pence who knew exactly what transpired in Ukraine.
5
Despite the self inflicted pain, I have actually watched much of the hearings , including today.
When is anybody going to have the intellectual honesty to admit that nobody is seeking the truth ? Democrats seek only to impeach Trump. This has already been decided. Republicans will support Trump. Nothing else matters. Not the endless, repetitive hours going over details which cause most Americans to just glaze over.
And, having watched this tortured spectacle , I am equally fed up at the media. They, too, have no interest in actually seeking the truth. For the moment, I will spare the NYT, and give examples from the cable news networks, which, though they are in a profit driven business to entertain us, con us into believing they actually report news.
CNN headline as I write this says : "Ambassador says quid pro quo came at the express direction of the President".
Fox News headline, as I write this says: "Sondland implicates top officials on Ukraine, but says he never heard quid pro quo from Trump".
Huh ?? What, were they listening to two different simultaneous broadcasts of hearings ? Now I listened to this circus and I can state that both of these headlines are misleading and that neither of them provides a comprehensive assessment of what happened. They were written solely to pander to their viewers.
We care nothing about the truth. Our opinions are unchangeable. We will learn nothing from this. ,And we all - all- are an embarrassment to the rest of the world.
3
@Gino G
You are absolutely correct, we are not getting the full story from either side Why are we so involved in Ukraine when we are in debt here and have homeless on our streets.
1
How much he is thinking “I gave Trump a million dollars for this? Can I get a refund?”
6
Pompeo's reputation is gone, as happens with so many infected with the Trump virus. And as to the infamous phone call, if you mention the word, "reciprocal" unless you're teaching Algebra (not Trump's strong suit) you're looking for a quid pro quo.
1
Why not let all those White House staff answer subpoenas and testify, under oath, that they knew nothing about Guliani, Burisma, the Bidens, the investigation into Ukraine corruption, and anything else that implicates Trump; it would be a slam dunk, right?
4
Sondland was later asked whether he actually heard about a quid pro quo scheme from anyone and he answered he had not but had...presumed one.
Democrats thought they had Trump with Sondland and wound up looking foolish again
4
What does it matter anymore
Voters and the GOP have turned us into gross lying orange crooks, con men, liars, really does it matter anymore. They have made us all gross with prettiness, greed, and a smallness of character that makes America just one big flea market with junk for sale. This is America now. Trump will walk probably get reelected and down it continues to go. Trump means you've reached the bottom. All the money can't buy your way out of this grossness.
2
The only direct evidence is what Trump told Sondland.
"I want nothing"
"I want nothing"
"I want no quid-pro-quo"
"Tell Zelenski to do the right thing"
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is not impeachable, all the previous testimony, is hearsay, presumptions and 3rd hand non direct communications.
If you think the Republican Senate will convict Trump based on this then you need to stock up on emotional support animals.
2
@RS
It's over.
1
So, are the Democrats going to indict Sondland as well? He was complicit.
It doesn't matter anymore about what the republicans say or do ... this testimony can be played over and over throughout 2020 ... and all those who support the current administration can explain and explain ... and whine and whine ... people now know !!!
1
It's like the Godfather. Trump, like a Mob Boss, used Rudolph W. Giuliani as his Consigliere.
1
Hey, wait... what's that smell? Oh, it's a smoking gun!
2
Heck with the smoking gun: we’ve got the bullets
Several parallel worlds inhabit cable programing. You know where you step through a wall, gate, or solid rock. Interesting and entertaining and harmless. The Impeachment hearings are not harmless.
Patriots who testify like Lt Colonel Vidman,Marie Yovanovich are vilified by Republicans and praised as patriots by Democrats. Tonight on tv we'll see the Rachel Maddow's go up against the Hannity's. Crime versus the nothing burgher. Parallel worlds of truth versus lies. Even when the budget director spills the beans of quid pro quo before our very eyes the other worldly universe denies it.
VOTE!!!!!!!
1
No one will get out of the Trump presidency arena with the same reputation they had when they entered it, but, of course, they were chosen by Trump for a good reason. I don't think there's a decent, honorable. patriotic man or women among the lot of them and always remember that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
20
Sondland's convenient lapses of memory especially when he reported on conversations with Trump imply that he is not telling all and is still trying to protect Trump though throwing everyone else under the bus. His testimony was a masterpiece of of deception which tried to placate the hearings with partial truths about everyone and himself, but did not tell the whole truth about the president's guiding hand. We can not be satisfied with partial truths but need the whole story which Sondland could not quite seem to remember, is hidden in the testimonies of those hiding in the white house or in documents the administration will not release.
10
@just Robert it’s quite a contrast to yesterday’s testimony from Williams and Vindman and also that of Yavonovich. With them there was no looking heavenward to remember and no “I can’t recall.” He was very obviously hedging.
The President on speed-dial..
Only in Alice's Wonderland would the Republicans argue that up is down and down is up. But we tout the U.S. as a mature democracy where no one is above the law.
As the chief executive, Trump has grossly mismanaged the State Department to sully a political opponent. Let's answer the basic question "who benefits"--- not Pompeo, not Sondland, not Volker, not Bolton, etc. It's Trump and Pence who reap all the advantages of these ill-gotten gains.
We also know that ambassadors rarely have the President on speed-dial--- telling us that Trump was personally motivating a rogue foreign policy directed at bartering military aid in return for Ukraine meddling in the 2020 election.
As Elijah Cummings was fond of saying, "C'mon, we're better than that!"
7
@Dan: The Republicans insisit that the US is under rule by God, and only they know what God wants.
Do Faustian bargains ever turn out good in the long run? Asking for a friend in the State Department.
8
These hearings have certainly been a boon for Jim Jordan
and Elise Marie Stefanik.
Nikki Haley, the former ambassador to the United Nations, has been causing quite a stir, as well.
Nothing like turning lemons into lemonade. Ouch
1
@P&L
I guess, if that chance to prove oneself to be repulsive is a good thing.
Republicans are misleading the public with respect to Trump’s “No Quid Pro Quo” statement. Trump cared about the investigations on July 26th per Sonland’s phone call. However, on September 9th, once the house started demanding whistleblower complaints, Trump backtracked on that that saying he doesn’t’ want anything from Ukraine, and there is no quid pro quo. However, until that point, everything is conditioned based on announcing the statements, a quid pro quo per Sondland. This is an important distinction, and public shouldn’t be fooled on this.
7
@Sara: When the whistlle blew, Trump dropped the cookie and pulled his arm out of the jar.
3
Mr. Maximum Pressure, Mike Pompeo, employing Art of the Self-Dealing tactics to corrupt a country for political advantage, ignoring the fact that they are at war with Russia and could easily be taken over without American support. But Russia is not a threat in Trump's world, it's those evil Persians who are exporting terrorism around the world who must be stopped.
2
What else has Pompeo lied about? What is he hiding and why? He must be subpoenaed without delay and unfettered access to State Department witnesses commenced. There’s no telling what damage this man will do if allowed to continue as Secretary of State
8
I do not believe this will budge Trump supporters one bit.
They knew he was lying when he spread that despicable lie that Obama was not born in the US, and then claimed he had investigators in Hawaii finding amazing things.
So they have already committed themselves to Trump because they liked that lie for how it delegitimized Obama, and the truth was irrelevant.
Given that, how can it be important to them that he also tried to smear Biden. Even if they know Trump's actions are illegal, they approve of them.
3
I have a suspicion — as I did regarding Sondland's prior testimony — that he and his lawyers are being strategic.
I think they have varnished the truth to protect Sondland (ex. the continued assertion that he was not aware of the Biden/Burisma connection until very late).
His testimony greatly strengthens the case of illicit Quid Pro Quo re the 'investigations'/POTUS meeting. The case regarding withholding of aid is not helped much. Sondland's asserted 'presumption' that linkage existed between Zelensky’s public statement and the aid — no matter how logical and rational such a presumption might be — is not proof.
Unfortunately, that goes for all of the obvious indications of Trump's intentions for withholding aid.
Fortunately that should not matter. Trump's leveraging of WH access for personal political gain is enough.
2
“Trump holds his base with a cult-like power that has rarely, if ever, been seen before.”
I agree. And when people wonder how Germany in the early 1930s pulled off The Big Lie they need look no further than the Trump administration. I know that seems like hyperbole but just think about it.
14
Amazing that Sondland’s testimony was hampered by the unavailabitity of documents (notes and records) denied him by directives from the WH. If this isn’t point blank obstruction in plain sight what is?
7
Sondland has made it clear that Trump directed this shakedown of Ukraine, and that Pence and Pompeo knew about it and did nothing to stop it. Beyond all of those corrupt actors, there is still the question Jared Kushner's involvement. On June 4, Sondland hosted a dinner in Brussels where Jared was seated next to Ukrainian President Zelensky. What, one wonders, did Trump's son-in-law discuss with President Zelenksy over the course of that meal?
6
Quid pro quo is just another term for leverage which I thought the art of diplomacy was all about, not always some nefarious back room deal the Democrats would like to make us believe. With everyone in the loop it may very well have been a concerted diplomacy effort to try and clean up Ukraine until Joe and Hunter blundered into it because Hunter wanted to get rich and Joe trying to gain the failed hopes of his youth well past his prime and turning Ukrainian transparency into a totally partisan matter for Democrats to manipulate into a basis for impeachment. Could Rudy or Roger Stone have even come up with such a dirty political trick?
1
John Doe..(dead on arrival???)
You know full well that bribery is an impeachable offense and Mr. Trump tried to bride a foreign government to aid in his personal campaign for his own advantage by ginning up dirt on his political rival. Don’t think we are silly enough to believe you think this Quid Pro Quo was nothing more than the “art of the deal”...this fish is hooked!
1
@John Doe You can not use the levearge of official United States assests, and diplomacy to "leverage" information out of a foreign ally on your political rivals. For the milliionth time. For the Trumpers in the back, front, and side.
1
@John Doe - Are you seriously deluded enough to think Trump cares anything about cleaning up corruption?
btw, self dealing is not what diplomacy is all about.
1
If Trump survives this, what’s next? He has shed any cabinet member that would attempt to rein in his impulses. He has enablers close to him and in Congress. His irrational behavior is escalating and his morality has always been suspect. So I ask if we don’t stop him now, what’s next? How the Republicans react to this will determine how they are viewed historically. On this current course history will judge them poorly.
3
Not since the Civil War has the good reputation of West Point been so sullied by a notable graduate. At least Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis were clear about their intentions and loyalties. Pompeo has cowardly left his soldiers in the State Department out to dry and lied about his activities in a traitorous manner. For shame.
5
Indict Giuliani and compel him to testify with jail time as the alternative. Attorney client privilege does not apply to illegal acts. Such as extortion. What's good for the prosecutor that he was is good for the extortionist that he is.
4
I long suspected Mike Pompeo of deviousness in this affair. The SecState does not serve America; he serves a would-be tyrant. The discredited Tea Party’s true purpose has now been revealed in this dangerously disgraced, conspiratorial Kansan.
West Point cannot be proud of him, a graduate whose ultimate purpose has been revealed as the destruction of the Constitution. A man unfit for the presidency has saddled us with a man of surpassing disrepute.
This awful episode cannot soon be mended without further degradation to our nation.
5
Great job as always Michael. What truly leaves me gobsmacked is the pitiful attempt by Gym Jordan and Devin Nunes to poke holes in rock solid eye witness accounts. Have to see you on Morning Joe this week, no?
1
The senate Republicans will not convict ... unless we start protesting in the streets now. Then they will fold.
4
I guess I am the only one sort of liking Sondland?
1
How unusual. An Ambassador keeping the Secretary of State informed. Really?
November 20, 2019
As the good president Val Putin sits back and thanks the high lords of the universe from ever having to have a global empire when there exist such feeble minds that dare to call themselves leaders of their territory. So what's to do - well time for a revising the Communist Manifesto to bring back the Iron Curtain for survival of the fittest and all is right with the world.
3
I'm so sick of listening to Jordan and Nunes. If the Republicans want to find the truth, they'd release the relevant documents and witnesses would obey subpoenas. Instead, they endlessly repeat discredited theories and label the hearing a circus.
8
This is no chicken-or-egg matter, that of untangling origins in the Ukraine affair, no matter how many circular dead-ends, blind corners and middling scapegoats the Trump toadies have tried to introduce. One or two someone's commanded the final extortion plan. One or two someone's yelled, "Action!" And all the scurrying Pompeo's and Sondlands who took direction had, only and ever in their jobs, listened and looked up to one ultimate boss. It was Trump. Big surprise!
However, fellow Republicans and Trump administrators should now take note that Sondland ultimately decided -- with his back against the wall, having two stark sides from which to choose, either the president or the law -- went with the law. How remarkable that the latter still means something to at least one formerly-obfuscating participant.
2
Pompeo knew he was involved in a “drug deal”. Why else would he keep denying involvement? So much for a senate seat, eh?
3
Mr. Sondland has a very short memory! He has no ideas....
An open question to all evangelicals :
What's it going to take for you to stop supporting this den of sin?
7
Of course he did. Barr too.
1
The professional civil servants were serious and solemn when they testified. Sondland laughs and smirks a lot. This makes me think that the man continues to lie and has no clue about the severity of his role in this clown show.
1
Have the Republicans no decency?
Do they have any courage? Do they have truth?
What do they think Giuliani was doing in Ukraine, how can they ignore his public statements?
And how foolish do they think Americans are?
They are all involved and they all knew. Now they all want us to "just get over it".
3
Sondland has proved smarter than I originally thought. He saw the rising tide and decided to head for higher ground.
My guess is that there will be a few more like him now. All the president's fixers and cronies keep winding up in jail. Sondland is rich and wants to stay a free man. His career is toast and his reputation in ruins, but he will get to sleep in his own bed at night.
196
@mrc
Respectfully, listening to him was ego boosting for me.
@mrc Sondland doesn't need this mess. I am sure he thought it would be fun, or whatever, to be an ambassador, but he is a politician, he is a business guy. At this point, I'm sure he wants nothing more than 1) not go to jail, 2) this is over at least for him and 3) get back to his business and forget the whole thing ever happened
1
@mrc
Awwww,
Sondland has to give up canoodling with stupid criminals.
1
This is so much bigger and more serious than Watergate. This corruption scheme involves a foreign nation not just a domestic situation. It involves the entire administration and the State Department. The Republicans in Congress continue to support the President and ignore the overwhelming evidence.
In Watergate the President and his aides had corrupted the system and were involved in a cover up. But the Congress upheld the Constitution and the rule of law. The country and the democracy was safe.
We don't have those safeguards in place this time.
129
@jeansch
Congress was considering articles of impeachment for Nixon for bombing Cambodia without seeking authorization from Congress. He had done that, and he did initiate the Watergate burglary.
Trump threatened to withhold military aid to Ukraine if they did not help him politically, but they didn't help him, and he didn't withhold the aid. Is the threat enough to impeach somebody on? Republicans will probably say no. Is threatening to use the government's power for a minor political advantage, but not doing it, worse than secretly bombing another country without authorization from Congress?
I guess we all have to make our judgments, but I find it hard to say that Trump is worse than Nixon. He's just more in-your-face. He delights in making Democrats angry.
Democrats have a problem: Trump's bark is much worse than his bite, largely because he and his administration are deeply incompetent. Trump interfered with the investigation of collusion with Russia, but didn't collude with Russia. He threatened to withhold aid in return for an investigation of Hunter Biden, but there was no investigation and the aid was not withheld. Legally, the obstruction and threats are crimes, but politically they don't add up to Republican votes or majority popular support for impeachment or removal.
And so the whole exercise becomes just more sound and fury signifying nothing. Does this even hurt Trump politically? He will get a big bump when he wins the last vote.
1
@Tom Meadowcroft
Interesting take, conflating Watergate with the bombing of Cambodia.
Trump allowed thousands of Syrians to die at the hands of Turkey. But that seems to be okay to you compared to Nixon.
So if I try to rob a bank but get caught, and don't actually take any money, I shouldn't be prosecuted?
There are a lot of prisoners who "attempted" crimes in prison right now that would love to get more on your take about what constitutes a "crime".
I guess the real question is, do people such as yourself believe what the President did - use congressionally appropriated aid and a white house meeting to get a foreign country to commit to investigating a political rival - is corrupt and an abuse of power? Whether or not it worked? I would like to get your response to that particular question.
10
@jeansch - I agree with everything you wrote but lets remember it took those Republicans a long, long time to get the message and barge into the Oval Office with their phones and pizza boxes and demand a resignation.
2
It is so refreshing to hear from Ambassador Sondland who is not trying to cover-up for the President. He's obviously not happy to have been thrown under the bus and he obviously does not care about keeping his position as Ambassador. This is how honest people talk.
150
@Sherry Not really, he had no choice, he was about to get caught for perjury, a felony
78
@Sherry
I was always willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I do think he is, as are all of these guys (including Volker and Morrison), hedging his testimony to do as little concrete damage to Trump and to keep himself from being accused of lying under oath. He’s cagier than he comes off on the surface.
36
@Sherry This is not an honest man. This is a man whose initial testimony has been so deeply contradicted by others’ testimony that he had no choice but to come at least partially clean here. Furthermore he was a willing participant in a criminal conspiracy to extort a foreign government into influencing our election. He is an enemy
23
When Watergate reached this point, Republicans abandoned Nixon and Nixon gracecully resigned to avoid months of contentious hearings. trump and his supporters want to drag these proceedings out regardless of consequences, such as the rioting in several Latin American countries and driving Iran toward destabilizing and resuming the nuclear program. Nixon would be appalled by trump's outrageous insults and trumps complete lack of Presidential decorum.
16
@DitchmitchDumptrump: Vlad Putin hand-picked Trump to shatter the US. The man is a trained judge of character.
5
In spite of it all, Trump hasn’t been impeached. So the case hasn’t been made yet. Trump has a defense. You don’t know it because you can’t read between the lines.
4
He is being impeached. It is a lengthy process for good reason.
4
@michjas
Few here know about Trump's defense because the NYT has stayed far away from the Executive overreach issue, which is the only area in which Trump is vulnerable. I'd wager that many NYT readers have no idea the president's behavior is quite easily defended.
The founding fathers gave the Executive vast powers, and democrats would be hard pressed to make their case that Trump exceeded this authority. (Sorry, there's no real case of quid pro quo, bribery or whatever it's being referred to today.)
I often think the NYT is doing its readers a disservice by leading them to believe the case against Trump is solid. They will be very angry when this is over.
3
@michjas If Trump has a case, he’s doing a great job at keeping it secret. He’s obstructed this investigation every step of the way.
4
Minority leader Nunes desperately wants the whistleblower to testify. Schiff should make a deal. If Nunes will produce Pence to testify Schiff will offer the whistleblower. I say this somewhat tongue in cheek but you get my point.
8
@Frank Heneghan Trump was on the phone call. We have the incriminating transcript. If Trump wants to dispute anything, he should testify.
1
Republicans are adrift on an iceberg that is rapidly melting.
16
No, Big Text.
Republicans are dancing and drinking shots on the forward deck of the Trump Titanic about two miles away from iceberg #1.
Sad.
3
@Big Text
They aren’t concerned since they don’t believe in climate change.
1
the question that hits hardest: which one of these amateurs WASN'T corrupt?
Every day we hear more, it appears that the sad answer is "none".
there's no shame among these traitors. Pompeo and Pence 2 supposedly devoutly religious men of faith, lie through their teeth and act so dishonorably, that they tarnish the already low faith most Americans have of fundamentalists.
All for a guy who will throw them each under the bus in a failed attempt to save his own hide.
Bill Barr should hang his head in shame, and go crawl under a rock. There's no place left for him to hide as well. The bus will also run him over
With trump, everyone takes it in the chin. veryone. except for trump himself.
The jig is up boys. You're all irreparably permanently damaged goods.
28
@adam stoler I’m not sure Sondland is corrupt. He’s just trying to slither out of the mess Trump put him in without incriminating himself. Thus, his many “I don’t recall(s)”.
1
They are Haldeman and Erlichman even if they don’t wind up in jail.
@adam stoler you're going to be sooo disappointed by the time the circus is over.
Pompeo and Pence are both in it up to their necks and it's time to include them in the impeachment lineup. Pompeo, in charge of a State Department that despises him for his cowardly failure to defend its diplomats, desperately wants to weasel out of it somehow but hiding out in Kansas and hoping for a senate seat won't cut it. Pence has been a cardboard cutout of a veep since day one and will go down with Trump's Titanic.
20
Mr Pompeo, does this sound familiar?
A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do? I think they call it an honor code and minimum standard of behavior?
Maybe you heard something like that a time or two when you were living on the outskirts of Highland Falls?
15
Notice how Nikki Haley has been making the rounds lately? She’s auditioning to be Pence’s pick for VP once Trump skips town.
10
@EW
It would be nice if he would spare us all and skip town, but I think she’s angling at the VP position when Trump gets exonerated by the Senate (and trying to sell books). No way the GOP would run Pence in 2020 if Trump gets indicted by the Senate. He would have so many challengers, Haley one of them.
1
@EW
More like Pence's replacement when Donald makes Pence the scapegoat and throws him under the bus.
Sondland says Pence knew everything.
TaTa Mikey.
2
The next president’s name indeed will begin with a P but it will be Pelosi. Pence is also going to be removed from office. He too is guilty.
1
If Mike Pompeo were to testify about Ukraine to Congress, here is what America's Secretary of State would say:
"On the advice of counsel I invoke my Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination and respectfully decline to answer your question."
Only the worst possible people: TRUMP 2016 - 2019
November 3 2020
31
@Socrates
348 days to 11/3/20!
2
The Innkeeper wishes to avoid staying at a non-fabulous Federal “Resort”. Pay attention, Trumpers, and save yourselves.
Seriously.
15
This pressure campaign was an incredibly stupid idea. And it didn't even work!
I expect more from stable geniuses. This one was a dud.
12
@Andrew
I wouldn't trust one of these bureaucrats/diplomats with our foreign aid after listening to them.
1
Pompeo should be impeached.
15
Well there you have it people, right from the horse's mouth (so to speak): "I want nothing, I want nothing, I want no quid pro quo. Tell Zelinsky, President Zelinsky, to do the right thing."
America shall be kept great even longer than expected or so t'would appear!
You're welcome.
1
@Bob The horse (Trump) made the quid pro quo clear in the transcript of the July 25 phone call with Zelensky.
1
@Bob - If you believe Trump said that, I have a bridge to sell you.
@DR
Where is this bridge? I must have it at once! Will pay top dollar.
Gordon Sondland was represented by the mass media as a naive hotelier.
Sondland has exposed himself as adept nimble bureaucratic in- fighter who has hog- tied and bull - dogged Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Mike Pompeo, Rick Perry, Mick Mulvaney and Rudy Giuliani and their underlings into their mutual Ukrainian machinations.
Devin Nunes is a very dim- flickering light bulb. Minority Counsel Steve Castor is far from a Johnnie Cochran. Jim Jordan was a great wrestler and wrestling coach. He never took the bar exam nor practiced law.
Because this House Intelligence Impeachment Investigation is such a serious affair regarding our republic I wish that the Republicans had more competent membership and legal representation.
Sondland complained that the State Department and White House wouldn't give him access to internal documents regarding this Ukrainian affair.
While Vladimir Putin has no incentive to hurt his American Siberian President pet puppet, perhaps Xi Jinping or Kim Jong Un or Ayatollah Khamenei or Julian Assange may want to harm Trump and enlighten the American people.
If they are listening pretty please let the American people know what you know.
14
@Blackmamba
Hey Jim Jordan's being sued for protecting a serial sex offender team doctor for years.
Of course he'd defend Trump.
2
Hey, but at least there was no hanky-panky with an intern.
19
Whatever was done, it is clear what would have worked best. Send a bagman like Giuliani to ask for the investigation—no telephone call, no witnesses. If you need to pressure Zelensky, dig up some dirt on him.
Any idiot extortionist does the dirty deed on the sly. This is not rocket science.
7
@michjas
Trump was within his rights to send whoever he wanted to negotiate on his behalf. He has precedent on his side.
This is another dud.
1
The deliberate idiocy of Republicans to deny how Trump operates suggests to me that every fool among them making excuses got hooked themselves via some poison caveat slipped into a deal negotiated by Trump's personal lawyer before he would sign.
2
Schiff & Pelosi have lost the Independents with this investigation.
"Polls show independent voters are souring on Democrat-led 'takedown' of the GOP."
Schiff, please close these hearings down before any more damage is done.
4
@P&L Would you please site your references?
10
@P&L No. The truth must be heard, and corruption exposed. There is nothing to be gained by listening to "concern trolls" who only offer up misdirection.
15
@P&L -- And Schiff and Pelosi have gained newly registered Democrats and disgusted Republicans in droves...
19
On July 26th, Trump did ask and cared about the investigations, however, once the whistleblower filed the complaint, Trump backtracked on September 9th saying he doesn’t want anything.
Ambassador Sondland mentioned that Trump said “No Quid Pro Quo”. But this was on September 9th, couple of days after the Whistleblower already filed a complaint, and House demanding the whistleblower complaint. WH, DOJ and Trump already knew about this compliant. Of course, Trump is going to say that he doesn’t want anything on September 9th.
However, on July 26th, Trump clearly asked about the investigations on the phone corroborated by both Sondland and Embassy Staffer. This is the important distinction
18
The White House's defense strategy is pretty clear now: allow Sondland to tell the truth (there was extortion and he knew it) so he can't be accused of perjury, but deny him access to all relevant records, so that everything he says is from memory and there is no paper trail back to the President or any high ranking administration officials (Pompeo, Barr, Perry).
7
@Htb: Rudi Giuliani simply took over Michale Cohen's role as Trump's private attorney.
6
With similar success
@Steve Bolger - And how did that work for Cohen? People should have listened to Trump's former personal attorney when he gave advice but everyone always thinks they are smarter and won't get into the same traps. But its been nice not seeing Rudy all over t.v. for a few weeks now.
2
Note to Pompeo:
Prez's "Witch Hunt" has become the "Snitch Hunt".
13
After all this, I don't expect the Senate will convict Trump.
It's you Americans who can convict both Trump and Republicans. Vote. America's dignity is tested.
13
@uji10jo Everyone says vote but we can't afford to wait that long. What's he going to do next once acquitted? We need him gone now.
12
May Pence and Pompeo get bounced out on their keisters along with Trump. They are all sadly lacking any moral compass.
16
New York Times, thank you for the Live Video of the hearing testimony by Gordon Sondland. How do they keep their cool with cameras on them and the opposition trying to trip him up on dates, his frame of mind?
5
Pompous Pompeo. You can’t fix Hubris, you can only send it back Home.
15
The question that I would like to hear asked of Sondland and the others testifying, is the following:
"To your knowledge was any member of Congress aware of the President's quid quo pro extortion scheme to get dirt on the Bidens?"
Seriously I would like to have that question asked and answered... Because I can't imagine our blabber mouth president not sharing his schemes with a key ally or two out on the golf links. Lindsey Graham comes to mine.
22
If there is any doubt that the US Congress is blessed with some of the most vapid people imaginable, behold Jim Jordan.
24
Did anyone see the Presidents notes for his press brief a few moment ago.
Was that the same sharpie he used for his hurricane warning?
20
Time to impeach Trump for treason, extortion, lying, obstruction and violation of his oath. Pence, Pompeo and Barr need to be removed and possibly indicted. Nancy pelosi should take over if Constitution were being followed. GOP has lost all credibility.
"All roads lead to Putin"
19
Republicans are trying to say that unless the person committing the crime says that they are committing "insert said crime, i.e. bribery" then there was no crime. What kind of lawyers are those guys?! And the notion that "only direct one on one conversation with person" is evidence is another weak, pathetic, defense.
15
Sondland seems too cavalier and smug to have an ambassadors post. What's always so funny? Who are these people, anyway?
14
to Jim Jordan get a calendar out because September 9 comes after July 25 --when the bribe happened...So yeah 11/9 is called Back Tracking---or Bribe Discovery Damage Control
15
This explains SO much!
You really have to go back to the Days of President Harding, Teapot Dome and the host of scandals, kickbacks and bribes going on around it to find its like in American History.
5
While it's hopeful / wishful thinking that this is all wrapped up now, we need to look at the reality of the situation.
That reality is simple. The House will most likely move to impose Articles of Impeachment against Trump (and maybe Pence). It will pass through the House, most likely straight down the party lines. And then it goes to the Senate. And there, ladies and gentlemen, is the crux. With a Republican controlled Senate still clinging loyally to Trump, nothing is going to happen against Trump. He will not be removed from office. The worst he might get is censured, and I honestly doubt even that.
I do not trust a single Republican, much less the 20+ required in the Senate to turn against Trump. Trump holds his base with a cult-like power that has rarely, if ever, been seen before. It shows the shallowness and frankly the true colors of the Republicans in power.
It's moments like this, that I can say that I'm truly ashamed of what has become of the country. This country is headed straight over the abyss of Political loyalty over the law of the land, and the repercussions may be felt for generations.
194
@Bret I share your predictions and your disgust. I have to wonder if this is a nation I’d go to war for if I was a young man and faced a draft today. I doubt it.
17
@Bret
It's probably better if Donald does not get convicted in the senate - because the next in line (Pence) would pardon him for any wrongdoing. This way, there is still an opportunity to proceed with criminal charges after he is (hopefully) voted out of office.
11
@Bret I do hope however that enough voters do not believe they want this president knowing what has been exposed. He only has absolute control over 30--35 percent.
4
Does anyone else find it hard to believe that none of these men could connect Burisma with the Bidens?
Wouldn’t you question Trump’s overwhelming interest in this one company and do a few minutes of investigation into it as Mr. Morrison mentioned yesterday. It took him only that amount of time to do a google search and find the connection for himself.
I often do an online search before posting a relatively anonymous comment here so that I know what I’m talking about. You would think that these representatives of our country would take the same care in the far more important task of carrying out our foreign policy.
16
@Me
Schiff won't even do a google search to find out the name of the Whistleblower.
This is a disaster.
1
@P&L - What on earth are you talking about?
1
So, in the end, there will be a House impeachment along party lines, perhaps with a few, very few, defections on each side. And then there will be a Senate trial that will acquit along party lines, with perhaps a few, very few, defections. And the Democratic electorate will not be shifted, and the Republican electorate will not be shifted. A zero sum game.
2
@Kevin
But trump will always have "impeached" as part of his presidential resume. Then with luck and the cooperation of patriotic Americans, he will be voted out in less than a year. That will be enough for me.
9
@Kevin
damaged goods all. esp the party.
5
@Kevin
But we will know much more about the facts. The fog presented by Republicans may continue to blind the eyes of ardent Trump supporters, but most Americans will be able to see the wrong doing. It will clarify that the charades, drug deals, scandals, briberies, crude methods, self interests, and failures of the Trump Administration are real.
If you there is a cancer on the Presidency, you can not ignore it. It is real.
10
Let’s not forget. Pompeo was the one who met secretly on our soil with Russian spies who have been banned from being on our soil. Of course Pompeo is a part of Trump’s extortion scheme.
17
When did "drug deal" become a code word for anything other than an actual drug deal?
8
@J
When Donald Trump was inaugurated.
It's one giant Presidential 'drug deal'.
Thanks for the coinage, John Bolton.
15
@J When reportedly used by Ambassador John Bolton to describe the planned actions to be used by Rudy Giuliani in and about President Zelenskiy of Ukraine.
I know you know but this needed to be said again.
2
Without question, this testimony confirms the systemic corruption that saturates the Trump Administration. There is no way for Republicans to spin this, even though they will inevitably try.
It's time for Trump to fall on the sword for their ideology and gamesmanship, and for the people to decide in 11.5 months on which direction the country is going to take.
Anything short of this is treason.
13
The bakers dozen of people the president has ordered not to testify should be brought up way more often. When Republicans press, Dems should push back with, “ let them testify “. If no man is so high as to be above the law, then they should direct their Sargent at Arms to arrest and jail those that choose to ignore lawful subpoena, translation, under penalty! No penalty means no law. That should be worth fighting for. A veritable “law and order” issue.
13
"It seemed more important that Ukrainian officials announce that they were investigating Democrats than for them to actually follow through."
“I never heard, Mr. Goldman, anyone say that the investigations had to start or had to be completed."
Of course not because there was nothing to be found to begin with. You obviously can't investigate a made up conspiracy theory or you risk that said conspiracy will blow up in your face. However you can use the threat or appearance of an official investigation to convince the public (aka Trump's guileless base) that there is "something fishy" going on "something" worth to be investigated. And then you use that official declaration of an investigation to smear Biden. That's what Trump and his henchmen wanted, that's what the mob was planning to do.
7
@TheOutsider
Yep.
“People are saying,” as Trump is fond of saying. Even though he is literally the first person ever to say whatever it is.
Why can’t the Democrats actually make your point from their bully pulpit?
I am so so tired of hearing these Republicans trying to create a false narrative to muddy the facts. They talk about getting Hunter Biden in (this is about Trump not Biden), hearing directly from the whistle-blower (he/she is protected and the attacks by Trump and the other Republicans of all the other witnesses only shows how much this is needed), how Trump's support of Ukraine (ignoring it was coming with pre-conditions) is more than what Obama offered, they want to discuss the discredited ideal it was Ukraine and not Russia who interfered in 2016 (all US intelligence agrees on who it was), and parsing it down to it being hearsay when everyone is saying the same thing. If you want the point man have Trump himself come in and tell his side. Everything points to Trump extorting Ukraine for his personal gain. They are pulling a Trump and throwing so much out there they hope the truth gets lost in the smokescreen. They are talking as if the idea of the "drug deal" was an accusation of a real drug deal, and not a metaphor for what was happening. Nunes and the rest are disgusting.
18
A bit off topic, but...
Ambassador Sondland seems proud of the fact that he’s not a note-taker, never has been a note-taker. It would seem to me preserving records would be essential in diplomatic service. If he prefers not to do his own note-taking, I would suggest he employ a personal assistant. How can one maintain a continuum of discourse and agreement/disagreement with the executive, fellow diplomats, foreign counterparts, various heads of state, etc.? Additionally, I would think contemporaneous notes, texts, and emails would be required by law to be preserved as federal records.
Recall the episode some time ago in which Nikki Haley stated, “I don’t get confused;” it was during her tenureship as U.N. ambassador. I think she announced (prematurely, according to others) something about Russian sanctions; she was ‘corrected’ as having been ‘confused.’ Here is an example (besides being an incredible misogynistic trope) of the importance of a clear diplomatic continuum with all participating parties being ‘read in.’
It’s difficult to accept that someone awarded a position such as that occupied by Mr. Sondland would not be required to take a few classes in government and diplomatic protocol.
12
Mr. Sondland provided a 'John Dean cancer on the presidency' moment, and the smoking gun is more like a nuclear explosion.
So, the whole cast of White House characters was in on the shakedown, and the only one who appears to have been bitterly opposed is John Bolton. We need to hear him testify...pronto.
13
Schiff, it's all over. Close up shop. Skip the vote. Tell your people to watch the debates tonight and prepare for the 2020 election.
Trump: "I want nothing, I want nothing, I want no quid pro quo",' Trump repeated, pounding the press corps with his message and nothing else. '"Tell Zelinsky, President Zelinsky, to do the right thing".'
3
To quote the wizard Harry Dresden who might have been talking about our POTUS, anyone "with that much power and that little control, that utter lack of concern for anything but self is evil the the most effective sense of the word".
10
Pompeo must be brought before the hearing. If he refuses to testify it can simply be added as further evidence of obstruction of congress. Similarly for Mulvaney, Perry and Guliani. Either they be brought to account, or be seen as cowards. As a member of the jury-- the public-- I vote for guilty of "bribery, treason and other high crimes and misdemeanors."
I see also in re-reading the Constitution that "Judgment in Cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law."
Once removed, trump should still be prosecuted.
64
@East End Does not matter. Your opinion in the eyes of ruling class does not matter. The American way of rich and powerful only. If you think next Republican President is going to be better? Facts shows otherwise. Modern tools manipulate voters kind that you cannot imagine.
And this is only for the pressure on Ukraine. What other skeletons are hidden in the closet? Any other whistleblowers out there or have the Republicans threatened their anonymity enough to silence other folks who may want to come forward?
Of course, the illegal stuff is hideous. One can only imagine what lives might have been lost or might yet be lost because of the delay with assistance for Ukraine's defense.
But the legal stuff is equally to be condemned. Let us not forget the President's deformation of the judicial system, his evisceration of environmental protections and tacit [and not so tacit] support of white nationalism.
31
@Christopher Beaver
And the separation of thousands of children from their families.
3
Game. Set. Match.
31
@Vote with your $ - The only thing missing is a broken tennis racket that could be auctioned off.
@Vote with your $
If ONLY we had an unbiased linesman.......
Republicans, no more heresay. Sondland's testimony is first-hand evidence of quid pro quo. And even more telling is the fact that Trump is distancing himself from Sondland. Pence, Pompeo, Mulvaney and others were definitely "in" the loop. Republicans, if you don't want heresay ask Trump to allow them to testify instead claiming executive privilege. And as an aside - Ambassador Volker seems to have committed perjury. He should be penalized as Sondland's testimony has been confirmed by other career diplomats like Taylor and Kent.
I hope Bolton will now testify. We Americans can pony up 2 million for his tell-all book!
32
@NNI
Trump should testify. What sort of a world leader is too afraid to stand up for himself under oath. It’s ridiculous.
12
Lock.Them.All.Up
117
It's not gratifying to see a West Point graduate go down in flames. (Except when it's a despicable person like Pompeo.)
67
@Paul-A
No matter how "smart" you are academically to reach the top at West Point, it is how well you can flatter and be obsequies to your Superiors as well. Nuff said about Pompeo. BTW, what about his record in private business, failures galore.
9
The way I see it: the officials that have chosen not to appear and not give testimony (per the White House directive ) would have to most likely plead the 5th to not incriminate themselves.............including Bolton
21
Pence, you are next!
74
@Sandra Higgins Yes. He should not be allowed to become president and pick his own VP as did GRFord.
33
@Jill: Gerald Ford was Speaker of the House before he was appointed Vice President to take the presidency when Nixon resigned.
5
@Steve Bolger Right, and Ford appointed Rockefeller to be his VP.
If Pence resigns first (like Agnew), then it'll be Trump appointing Nikki Haley as his new VP in hopes of her pardoning him, as Ford did Nixon.
1
Watching today’s testimony, I am stunned to learn that U.S. ambassadors, whether they’re career diplomats or political appointees, aren’t required to keep extemporaneous notes on phone calls, meetings, any conversations related to their diplomatic work. Sondland thinks it’s hilarious that he’s never been a note-taker and so can’t remember various conversations he had about Ukraine. From where I sit, it makes him look unprofessional and foolish. And the idea that he didn’t put together Burisma and Biden is hard to believe. There were news accounts of Giuliani’s goals vis à vis Ukraine. Does Sondland not read the newspaper either?
131
@Galfrido
He's not a diplomat. He runs hotels. He has people to do that for him. He's a fish out of water.
24
@Galfrido Meant “contemporaneous.”
8
@Galfrido Sondland has not been allowed to access his emails or all of his phone records by the State Dept. even though they are not classified and he's requested them several times. I suppose he'll keep better notes next time...
25
Not only did Pompeo know, but Sondland has named Pence.
Impeaching Pence before he can unilaterally name a VP (as did GRFord), is imperative.
Pence and Pompeo were in on the "drug deal."
Trump should resign, as should Pence.
72
@Jill
Yes! Pelosi for President!
4
The entire Trump Administration is one giant smoking gun with the corrupt Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Mike Pompeo and the corruption-exporting Rudy Giuliani transmogrifying America's foreign policy into another rigged election in 2020.
The founders of America warned us about such Grand Old Phonies and they included a Constitutional provision for impeachment for just that traitorous, treasonous reason.
Impeach Trump-Pence-Pompeo for attempted bribery, extortion and abuse of power.
They have disgraced and defiled America and the Presidency for far too long.
300
@Socrates
Impeachment yes, conviction may be not.
Please remember these:
“There can be no daily democracy without daily citizenship (Ralph Nader).”
“In a democracy, the highest office is the office of citizen (Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter)."
Do not forget to vote for the 2020 general election!
22
@Socrates - I'd like to see Barr included in that. When Justice was alerted to the 7/25 phone call, they basically sat on it and put out some nonsense to those concerned to the effect that there was nothing to see here, no harm, move along. Barr was again, hiding trump's dirty laundry.
62
@Socrates Pence must go, also, lest he step in as president and unilaterally name his own VP, as did Gerald Ford after Nixon resigned.
23
All the President's men!
All the President's men!
What now?
Are Pompeo, Perry and the rest of them planning to continue their cabinet meetings in Leavenworth?
Will Pompeo be campaigning for the Senate from Leavenworth?
Trump is mid-air flying to his latest rally in Austin tonight. Did you see that pixel grab of his notes? "I did nothing! I did nothing!"
Jeepers.
Now we know why John Bolton resigned.
John Bolton - USA dialing 9-1-1.
Mr. Bolton, please pick up the red courtesy phone.
Mr. Bolton please pick up the phone...
40
Corrupt
Liar
Obstructing Justice
„In the Loop“
15
If the head of Administration at West Point refuses to revoke Pompeo's diploma and commission, there should at minimum be a very public statement describing Pompeo's complete lack of honor or respect for the nation he swore to defend.
59
Subpoena Pompeo---Jail him if defies...Supreme Court wants no part--Sorry-Do Your Job
21
@TWShe Said
and Bolton.
2
Of course they ALL were in on it.
That is the reason Rick Perry handed in his resignation for the end of this year. Might not be soon enough.
Now, it looks like Pence is also implicated.
Hello, President Pelosi?
Could happen. No one is willing to fall on their sword for the most corrupt and least loyal president ever.
91
@Jill
Pence is going to want to appoint Nikki Haley as vice-president. She's been busy touting Trump the last 2 weeks.
10
@Rima Regas President Pelosi only happens if trump - AND Pence are convicted by the Senate. That's possible (anything is possible) but very highly unlikely.
7
@fast/furious Right...like Rockefeller w/Ford. Shine the light.
3
Sondland is using Pompeo to blame for all his hundreds of “I don’t recall” moments. If Pompeo had released all the docs he could piece things together. Pompeo is implicit and corrupt but Sunderland is also lying. He said he had very few direct calls with Trump and simply didn’t remember what he said after the Trump cell phone call in Kiev when a witness heard him say “Trump only cares about the Biden’s”
Now if you had very few phone calls with the President wouldn’t the moment be significant enough for you remember them?
12
@Scrumper
Sondland is using Pompeo to blame because Pompeo is set to resign and get elected as Governer of Kansas,. Pompeo is going to fall on his sword for the President who will then pardon him.
Trump will then hold a prayer breakfast with the evangelicals, clean house and fire everyone and claim he has been let down by people he trusted that were really swamp dwellers. Expect VP Ivanka . Secretary of State - Jared is shovel ready after his work on middle east peace.
Rudi will be first under the bus (Bad Hombre - didn't really know him all that well but carry an unopened pardon ) Kelly Anne will run DOD, Sarah Huckabee will do dancing with the stars, and Ben Carson will, quite naturally, become the designated survivor.
Watch out for a prodigal return from Bannon in a national security role.
4
Better order more buses.
26
I wish that Mr. Pompeo’s fellow West Point alumni would do an op-Ed calling out his violation of the oath that they all took.
39
@JCAZ
Sec Pompeo plays to an audience of one.
10
@JCAZ
GREAT idea!
3
The Secretary's days are numbered; there are no more graceful exits that follow his misguided enabling of a demonstrably unfit pretender to the Presidency.
With his professional and political reputation in tatters, his credibility gone, and what was supposed to be leadership now exposed as a con, all that's left is a book and a book tour.
Run for the Senate from Kansas? We're not in Kansas anymore!
233
@JS Somebody, please -- don't send Pompeo back to Kansas! Help!
1
No wonder the State Department is sitting on all the notes and other communications. Mike Pompeo has once again been shown to be thoroughly knowledgeable of the failed Trump bribery scheme despite his repeated denials.
Pompeo should be called to testify under oath. He has clearly been trying to cover up what he knows.
Such testimony would not come in time for the impeachment inquiry, but it could be very useful to Kansas voters. They need to know that Mike Pompeo is a liar. He should not be entrusted with the honor of being their Senator.
133
Gordon Sondland = Rosemary Woods
The depth of corruption of the Trump Criminal Enterprise is being dragged into daylight, like it or not.
44
@Donald LOL, this is only the very tip of the iceberg
23
If Michael Cohen had access to a TV and was able to view Sondland's testimony this morning he was probably murmuring under his breath..."at the direction of Individual 1".
73
Sec. of State Pompeo is a blight on the reputation of West Point and their code. What will West Point do to ensure their graduates do not simply repeat the honor code, but live by it? I recommend removing the word “cadet” in the West Point Honor Code “"A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do." Some appear to take it literally and dismiss it after graduation. West Point needs to set the standard.
26
@dyeus: I don't know how religion ever got so mixed up with war in the US. War is sacrilege.
7
@dyeus
Pompeo follows the tradition of people like Sec of State Colin Powell, who lied to the UN about nukes in Iraq.
4
I presume very quickly we'll see a tweet from President Trump that...
- Trump barely/never knew/met Mr. Sondland, but even so...
- He's a "never Trumper" (which would be interesting in this case, since he was a major donor to the Trump campaign)
- Like Meryl Streep, he's overrated, not very good at what he does.
- And of course the whole thing is a witch hunt.
And I suppose the Republican congressional leaders will pick up these themes, as they have shamefully been doing to attack the other witnesses, despite their lifetimes of loyal service to our country.
But wait a minute—NONE of these things work for Sondland. Even the witch hunt thing—because this is the best case yet of some real bad stuff and someone who was in the middle connecting the dots.
There is something I found refreshing about Sondland's testimony. Here is a rare case of a Trump insider who is actually showing some integrity and loyalty to our country, and who is saying I must tell the truth, even if it may damage the President.
37
@Jerry Schulz
Trump obliged your request in his remarks this morning:
“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,” Trump said.
“He was with other candidates. he actually supported other candidates. Not me — came in late,” he said of Sondland, a wealthy hotelier and donor to the president’s inaugural committee.
“That means it’s all over. What do you want from Ukraine, he asks me, screaming. What do you want from Ukraine? I keep seeing all these ideas and theories,” Trump told reporters before departing the White House for a trip to Austin, Texas. “Here is my response that he just gave. Ready? You have the cameras rolling? I want nothing. That’s what I want from Ukraine," Trump continued. "I want nothing — I said it twice."
“I’m always in a good mood. I don’t know what that is,” Trump said.
By now, it's really not all that hard to predict what trump's "defenses"/lies will be!
12
@Jerry Schulz
Well, maybe he saw Roger Stone leaving the courthouse and thought: Uh-oh.
That's not integrity or loyalty.
That's: "How do I stay out of jail for perjury?"
23
@Jerry Schulz
He’s just scared of the penalty for lying to Congress. Still laudable of course.
4
It goes all the way to the top. The cover up, the conditioning of foreign aid, the involvement of top secretaries of energy state even VP and top diplomats. They all knew that they had to please their one Boss and do everything they could to make him happy. Wow. Trump only cares about being pleased. He bullies his way through and expects nothing short of full throated loyalty.
67
I'm appalled that one thing has been lost in the noise. Trump didn't just push Ukraine to "investigate." He blackmailed the Ukrainians, to _feed a false narrative_ around the Bidens, with both sides knowing it was false; and to bolster the pro-Russian narrative of Trump 2016. NO actual investigation needed, just talking points. Therefore, 100% domestic campaign contribution. Although this is secondary in the articles of impeachment, it's vital to the pubic, because it goes to what Trump is and how his party fakes his actions.
102
@Tara: The fine points of Trump's MO have not been concisely described. Withholding payment of a bill until a party does some compromising dirty-work for Trump is extortion to render the victim subject to blackmail in the future. He's done it many times. He's got some little prank secret with every sycophant.
9
Remember, with Trump all roads lead to Putin! I’m guessing that conversation they had with only translators started out with Putin saying “ I want you to do me a favor though ‘.... just sayin
5
Clearly this will conclude with impeachment. If the Senate does not convict, remember on election day how these craven paper patriots abandoned their responsibilities and defended this crooked con artist. Vote Democratic for the next generation. Perhaps at some distant future point the Republican party will have reconstituted as a party with ideas and solutions, as opposed to the current horrifying lot of reality and truth denying hypocrites.
171
@Alan
I'll remember every GOP that isn't craven and therefore does not vote for impeachment/conviction. MAGA 2020! Let's all agree to vote republican down the line and keep America a free and great country!
@Bob Stay in your bubble Bob! And watch for election returns next year. I’m sure everything will go swimmingly for you!
Sondland would certainly know a quid pro quo when he sees one... since he paid $1,000,000 for his Ambassadorship.
And while Pompeo's knowledge of the quid pro quo is significant, what about Pence? Both Pompeo and Pence should be impeached along with Trump... Paging President Pelosi!
264
So where's Pompeo in these last two weeks? MIA I'm afraid.
35
@MrDeepState Ukraine supposedly is only a fraction of state department matters. Pompeo is busy assuring Israel trump is here as prophet to save it from Iran. And the Kurds are crying displaced abandoned so Pompeo is busy dealing with Trump’s impulsive messes.
West Point - Do the honorable thing and revoke Mike Pompeo's diploma. Please don't let him sully your pristine reputation. At this juncture in our history, we all need to stand up and say NO to the triple threats of Crookery, Misogyny and Bigotry. The relevancy of both American Values and our Democracy depends on it.
105
@Plato
Robert E Lee was also West Point graduate similar to Pompeo. Peompeo sold his soul to Trump.
27
When do the impeachable hearings for Pompeo begin? How about the contempt citations for Hicks, Mulcaney, Guliani, etc. etc.?
222
@Douglas Evans Pompeo is resigning, isn't he? Going to run for Congress in Kansas, I heard.
18