Both Democrats and Republicans appear wary of upcoming testimony from EU ambassador at Trump impeachment hearing
Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union who met with President Trump several times regarding Ukraine, is scheduled to testify publicly before the House Intelligence Committee this week as part of Democrats ongoing impeachment inquiry, but lawmakers from both parties Sunday seemed hesitant to put much weight in what he will say.
Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union who met with President Trump several times regarding Ukraine, is scheduled to testify publicly before the House Intelligence Committee this week as part of Democrats ongoing impeachment inquiry, but lawmakers from both parties Sunday seemed hesitant to put much weight in what he will say.
That is likely because in a closed-door hearing, Sondland revised his prior testimony to say that he told a top Ukrainian official that U.S. aid would likely not resume until the country issues a corruption statement. Democrats quickly hailed the revelation as proof that Trump in a July 25 phone call tried to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into investigating Joe Biden's family business dealings in the country in exchange for the release of about $400 million in military aid. However, in prior testimony, Sondland said he had texted Ambassador Bill Taylor, the U.S. chargé d'affaires in Ukraine, that in September saying there was no quid pro quo.
When asked if Sondland was credible, Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the No. 2 Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told “Fox News Sunday” host Chris Wallace, "That's a good question. I'm not going to prejudge his testimony." House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., appeared equally noncommittal on Sondland.
Emails reviewed by The Wall Street Journal show Sondland kept several Trump administration officials informed of his effort to get Ukraine to launch investigations that Trump discussed in his call with Zelensky.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario