Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, will criticize President Trump for the Ukrainian pressure campaign — which Sondland helped orchestrate — and will express his disappointment in being forced to work through unofficial channels on Ukraine-related matters during his Thursday testimony, according to his prepared testimony, which was first obtained by the Wall Street Journal.
Sondland: aware of the massive legal risk he’s in and willing to break with Trump in order to salvage his reputation and limit his liability. But waaaay more culpable and central to the corruption of the Department of State with regards to Giuliani’s shadow Ukraine campaign than Sondland is willing to admit at this time.
The committee members receiving his testimony today should twist the screws.
I wonder if the strategy is to make Dull Donald’s behavior seem epically incompetent and unethical but not rising to the level of removable from office?
its pretty much of a “I had no idea any of this was going on…” thing. He even claims to not understand that there was a connection between Burisma and Biden.
His biggest problem is that he has to admit that Rudy told him about wanting an investigation into the insane “Ukranian server” story…
Mr.Giuliani specifically mentioned the 2016 election (including the DNC server) and Burisma as two anti corruption investigatory topics of importance for the President.
but he’s very vague about “when”. Based on the texts, however, this would have to have occurred at what Sondland claims is his first conversation with Rudy in “early august”
Sondland repeatedly said he would never have participated in any effort to use Ukraine for political purposes. That doesn’t square with the admission that he knew about Trump;s concern about “the DNC server”.
Nor does much else of what Sondland claims add up. He’s going to have a hell of a time squaring this circle during questioning today…
” I understand that all my actions in Ukraine has the blessing of Secretary of State Pompeo…”
Sondland just threw Pompeo under the bus…
Addendum:
Sondland is playing Pontius Pilate here and also throwing under the bus other people.
Sondland claims that the Tres Amigos (Perry, Volker, Sondland) were in favor of scheduling a call (Trump/Zelensky) but Bolton, Hill others we’re not but did not tell him of their misgivings of the impropriety.
Addendum2:
“Let me me clear: Mr Giuliani does not work for me or my Mission…”
But of course Sondland is distancing himself from Grenade Giuliani, as Rudy is now under investigations & counterintel investigation!
Addendum3:
” I simply prefer to talk rather than text…”
Just like his BFF Trump, talk is cheap and does not leave a written trail for investigators unless there’s tape.
So for someone who does not like to text, why would Sondland text Taylor ‘No quid pro quo’ five hours after Taylor said that withholding aid was crazy!
Addendum4:
To the best of my recollection, I do not recall any discussions with the WH withholding US security assistance for Ukraine in return for assistance with President’s 2020 re-election campaign”…
AND there is the BIGLY LIE!
Addendum5:
”In conclusion…Ukraine is not a dirty word…”
Indeed, Ukraine is not a dirty word BUT only up until Trump/Thugs-R-Us decided to use Ukraine as the scapegoat of the 2016 Russian election interference AND served Ukraine in gold plated platter for Putin!
I don’t think Sondland’s lawyer is very good. Sondland is clearly lying throughout his opening statement – even if you assume he was so clueless he didn’t know “Burisma” meant “Biden”, it still doesn’t explain why he thought demanding an investigation about “the 2016 election” and “the DNC server” made any sense.
Let me translate this for you: “It is important to emphasize, at the outset, that I have had limited time to review the relevant facts in order to prepare for my testimony. I will do my utmost to answer the Committees’ questions fully and truthfully, but the shortness of time is challenging.” "I’m going to lie as best as I can to make it seem like I was un-involved in this illegal scheme. Anything I can omit or say that will make it look less bad is what I’m shooting for in today’s testimony."
But none of them have that cow bumper on the front to move large objects out of the way. If you’re in front of that bus as it approaches, you’re goin’ under it.
