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U.S. envoy Sondland reverses impeachment testimony; says he knew of Ukraine quid pro quo

51 Comments
By Jonathan Landay and Mark Hosenball

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51 Comments

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I didn’t know it was acceptable for witnesses to “reverse” sworn testimony given under oath.

How could you not know this after so many of Donny's people had to amend the testimony they gave regarding contacts with Russians?

Dems are really getting desperate. Their narrative is a house of cards.

Thks comment is incongruent with the substance of this article. Way to keep the Trumpophile narrative alive with a blatant inaccuracy.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Watch out Sondland - there's a bus coming your way.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Lindsey Graham, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, just said he will not read the transcripts, and he's already written the whole thing off as a bunch of BS, because he doesn't like Schiff. In case you were wondering where this is headed.

Alternate headlines:

Gordon Sondland decides he doesn't want to go to prison for Donald Trump

In stunning reversal, Gordon Sondland revises testimony to tell the truth

In action sure to infuriate the President, Gordon Sondland cooperates with a coequal branch of government

They write themselves, really.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Lindsey Graham, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, just said he will not read the transcripts, and he's already written the whole thing off as a bunch of BS, because he doesn't like Schiff.

Well gee, who could blame him or anyone else. The guy is worse than scum and...anyway, there’s no need to read the transcript, if you want to make the argument the call was maybe inappropriate, fine, but that it arises to an impeachable offense, not at all and Graham doesn’t need to waste his time on boring partisan BS. The Dems want to see this through, go for it and the GOP will block any measure to remove him.

In case you were wondering where this is headed.

Like the Mueller witch hoax, in the trash.

-14 ( +1 / -15 )

Well gee, who could blame him or anyone else.

People that care about the rule of law and know the only way for justicevti be done is if the jury is impartial.

The guy is worse than scum and...anyway,

Ypu have claimed you're against name calling. I guess that only applies to people calling conservatives names. Sweet consistency.

there’s no need to read the transcript, if you want to make the argument the call was maybe inappropriate, fine, but that it arises to an impeachable offense, not at all

Good thing that's not for you to decide.

and Graham doesn’t need to waste his time on boring partisan BS. The Dems want to see this through, go for it and the GOP will block any measure to remove him.

Because the GOP cares more about staying in power than the rule of law.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

People that care about the rule of law and know the only way for justicevti be done is if the jury is impartial.

If that is true, then the Dems should back off Barr and Durham.

Good thing that's not for you to decide.

Then liberals shouldn’t complain about Graham not wanting to read it, that’s not for liberals to decide.

Because the GOP cares more about staying in power than the rule of law.

Democrats only care about obtaining power by any means necessary.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

If that is true, then the Dems should back off Barr and Durham.

Irrelevant. Not to mention the Dems aren't interfering with Barr and Durham. Try again

Then liberals shouldn’t complain about Graham not wanting to read it, that’s not for liberals to decide.

You're correct it's not for liberals to decide, but we can and should disparage those that refuse to listen to evidence before making a decision in a judicial proceeding.

Democrats only care about obtaining power by any means necessary.

I know you are but what am I? It ne erctakes you king to roll out that argument.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

My prediction from Oct 30:

"It's going to be bad for Taylor, Hill, Vindman, and eventually Sondland when he flips."

7 ( +8 / -1 )

@burningbush Dems are really getting desperate. 

Which is understandable given most Dems want to preserve the remaining bits of the republic as Trump and his GOP enablers continue to undermine the constitutional systems the US was built on, and foreign powers meddle to help Trump establish his system of corporatist authoritarianism, like the one Russia has

4 ( +5 / -1 )

After they've exhausted all the lies, propaganda, and character assassinations, the GOP will be forced to play their only card left:. Trump put himself above country but it's no big deal.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Lindsey Graham, Oct 20:

Sure. I mean ..show me something that ... is a crime," Graham told Axios' Jonathan Swan. "If you could show me that, you know, Trump actually was engaging in a quid pro quo, outside the phone call, that would be very disturbing."

9 ( +10 / -1 )

So, everyone knew about Trump’s extortion of Ukraine. He wanted President Zelensky to get in front of a microphone and announce in no uncertain terms that a probe of the Bidens was being re-opened. Once that was done, the money spigot would flow and the doors of the White House would be thrown open.

And once again for the slow learners: Trump was doing this not in exchange for some kind of US benefit. He was doing it specifically for personal gain in an upcoming election.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Trump has denied wrongdoing

Deny deny deny. Which is what's to be expected from a gangster like Trump. Trump knows the thugocracy / kleptocracy he's running is his best chance to pay off debts to various global financiers.

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And once again for the slow learners: Trump was doing this not in exchange for some kind of US benefit. He was doing it specifically for personal gain in an upcoming election.

We have a lot of slow learners in this site. In fact, they seem to be unable to learn or absorb any facts if it challenges their world view.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

This is why initial testimony was conducted behind closed doors: nobody could know how other players testified. Of course Sondland was aware of the quid pro quo; he simply committed perjury and is now panicking as the transcripts come out.

Lesson: Get involved with Trump, become collateral damage.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

impeachment investigation

This will really be the Democrats' undoing. Where is the impeachable crime?

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

In a reversal of his initial testimony in the impeachment inquiry last month, Sondland said that by the beginning of September, "in the absence of any credible explanation for the suspension of aid, I presumed that the aid suspension had become linked to the proposed anti-corruption statement."

Or, in other words, I lied under oath. Are we not surprised? It is a requirement listed on the application of anyone that works for Trump - just ask Manafort, Gates, Flynn, Papadapolous, et al....

Witnesses have testified that Volker and Sondland, with Trump's secretary of energy, Rick Perry, were known as the"three amigos," responsible for Trump's unofficial channel to Ukrainian government officials.

Three amigos? You mean Three Stooges - being led by Dimwit Donnie and Crazy Rudy - what a cabal of morons.

And its all now unraveled - with Trump's best bud and fellow hotelier Sonland busting Trump wide open.

We already know this was a "drug deal", but it would be nice to see John Bolton put the knife in Trump too - and watch all the Repubs and Trumpers squirm...

5 ( +6 / -1 )

He didn’t “know“ anything. He presumed.

 I presumed that

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

i had to read like 20 paragraphs of speculation on liberal media to get to this conclusion.

he thought the aid was linked to a statement of anti corruption. The aid wasn’t paid when he expected and the statement had yet to be released.

So he presumed the aid wouldn’t come until the statement. But actually the aid was sent soon after without any statement.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Watch out Sondland - there's a bus coming your way.

Nah! These limo guys never take a bus. Besides, the perjury bus heading to prison, never stops to pick up slick operators like Sondland, Clapper and their ilk who with money and political connections prefer the penthouse to the pen

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Watch out Sondland - there's a bus coming your way.

Are you sure he won't catch a train?

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Irrelevant. Not to mention the Dems aren't interfering with Barr and Durham. Try again 

Relevant, they’re trying their utmost best to discredit Barr, the man that probably regrettably taught 1/3 of these socialists in his classes.

.

You're correct it's not for liberals to decide,

Then they all should be quiet.

but we can and should disparage those that refuse to listen to evidence before making a decision in a judicial proceeding.

Gosh, I wish liberals would have said and thought the same thing during the Mueller probe when it comes to listening to evidence.

I know you are but what am I?

No, just pointing out the double standard.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

i had to read like 20 paragraphs of speculation on liberal media to get to this conclusion.

Otsukare-sama. You must be very tired, its very tough that chose to read 20 paragraphs.

So he presumed the aid wouldn’t come until the statement. But actually the aid was sent soon after without any statement.

No, the aid was paid after Donny's little hands got caught in the cookie jar. Are you seriously suggesting robbing a bank isn't crime if you pay the money back? That's a lame argument.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Some pretty pathetic excuses by the Trumpers here to deflect and attempt to minimize the fact the Trump's hand-picked EU Envoy - the guy that Trump told to make the QPQ happen with Urkraine along with Crazy Rudy has turned. Sonland chaired two meetings with the Ukrainians, one with John Bolton and the other with LTC Vindman, where he specifically said any meeting by the Ukrainian President with Trump at the WH was contingent on them starting a smear investigation of the Bidens.

Sonland lied under oath the first time, when he said he didn't know anything about a QPQ - then LTC Vindman testifies he was in the room and directly brought it up - twice. Of course he had to amend his testimony - either that or go to jail. Not only Vindman but Bolton could both confirm he lied.

Expect Rick Perry to be the next to turn on Trump. It's exactly like an organized crime prosecution - trap the hoods in lies and get them to squeal on the crime family head...

Then we have Our Man Bolton, who is too smart to get caught in any lies - he'll just tell it like it is - it was a QPQ "drug deal"...

It's starting to look more like John Gotti 2.0 and Nixon 2.0....

Dems are really getting desperate. Their narrative is a house of cards.

Trumpers here are standing on the tracks watching the train bear down on them, all the while looking in the sky and saying what a great day it will be tomorrow...

6 ( +7 / -1 )

But actually the aid was sent soon after without any statement.

The aid was sent only after news of the phone call was leaked.

Where is the impeachable crime?

Political corruption (imagine how Rupubs would have reacted if Obama had pressured a foreign country to investigate Trump Jr.) and, increasingly, obstruction of justice. And there is much more to come.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Blacklabel:. So he presumed the aid wouldn’t come until the statement. But actually the aid was sent soon after without any statement.

Ukraine promised to make the statement and the money was released. The patriotic Americans at the State Dept told Ukraine not the make the statement.

You were either duped or you are trying to dupe others. I suspect the former.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

If you're interested in the topic, read this. Many dominoes are yet to fall, and the truth is likely uglier tnan we can imagine. https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/05/impeachment-testimony-released-gordon-sondland-kurt-volker-065990

3 ( +4 / -1 )

And Sondland tosses Dimwit Donnie under the bus...

Hey Donnie - how does it feel? Little different when you're the tossee rather than the tosser...

Better get used to it - when Crazy Rudy, Perry, Mulvaney, Pompeo, even Pence are looking at some serious jail time, expect them to flip too....

Heck, you better even watch out for Don Jr, Eric and Jared tossing you under the bus to save their own skins...

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Trump has denied wrongdoing and accused Democrats of unfairly targeting him

He’s such a whining brat.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Of course Sondland knew. Oh, and how about the change in the Trump gang's quid pro quo argument. Just a short time ago it was: "NO QUID PRO QUO!" and today it's like, "Yeah, there was quid pro quo. So what?" Lie - Deny - Admit & Embrace

7 ( +7 / -0 )

that it arises to an impeachable offense, not at all

Where is the impeachable crime?

If there was no crime, why are Trump 'n' Friends refusing to cooperate?

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I'm excited for the usual suspects to explain why the GOP getting curb-stomped in elections they deliberately framed as a referendum on impeachment is actually good news for Trump.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

The guy is worse than scum and...anyway, there’s no need to read the transcript

That's odd. I'm sure you've said you're against name calling?

Of course transcripts should be read. And witnessed should not be intimidated.

(Invalid CSRF - 5 minutes after logging in!)

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Read the transcript.

No quid pro quo.

But

Quid pro Joe!

The Bidens are going down.

Trump 2020 all the way

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

I thought we weren't supposed to read the transcript? I wish you guys could make up your minds.

Ready to comment on losing the state of Virginia? Or the Republican governor of deep red state Kentucky losing the election?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Read the transcript.

No quid pro quo.

Interesting interpretation. It's pretty clear to everyone that this was Trump putting the screws on the Ukraine's President. Mulvaney admitted it and now Sondland is.

Trump 2020 all the way

To jail.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

impeachment

Stock market hits a new record high...

Let's stop this madness and impeach Trump!

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Things are looking pretty good for Trump regarding 2020.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Called it!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Things are looking pretty good for Trump regarding 2020.

This is just gaslighting, now. Or in some kind of denial. The Trumpist beloved regime is in serious swamp territory with intimidation, gangsterism and rampant corruption.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/05/impeachment-marie-yovanovitch-ukraine-transcript-reveals-fear-and-chaos-in-the-state-department

4 ( +5 / -1 )

It's pretty clear to everyone that this was Trump putting the screws on the Ukraine's President

Where's the impeachable crime? Hint: There isn't.

Trump 2020 all the way

To jail.

Dream on.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

SerranoToday 01:40 pm

Read the transcript.

No quid pro quo.

But

Quid pro Joe!

The Bidens are going down.

Trump 2020 all the way

Transcript has been read - that's what kicked this off.

Quid pro quo has been admitted to.  New line is "so what".

What are the Biden's going down for?  Could it be the completely refuted conspiracy theory from TrumP

"Trump 2020 all the way".  Really?  Is this the best contribution you can offer supported by Bidens going down?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Where's the impeachable crime? Hint: There isn't.

Threatening to withhold aid in order to interfere with the US elections is a crime.

This matters because it is illegal to ask foreign entities for help in winning a US election. Which is what Trump did.

And subsequent efforts to cover it up isn't helping

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Democrats have been suffering from fear and chaos since they discovered that they had been lying to themselves about Hillary's inevitable election as POTUS, three years ago.

In a reversal of his initial testimony in the impeachment inquiry last month, Sondland said that by the beginning of September, "in the

> absence of any credible explanation

> for the suspension of aid,

> I presumed

> that the aid suspension had become linked to the proposed anti-corruption statement."

"Absence of any credible explanation"? "I presumed"? Apparently Pelosi still doesn't feel as if she has enough public support for her bid to become President, and this is the best ploy they can come up with. The charade continues.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Threatening to withhold aid in order to interfere with the US elections is a crime.

Look at the transcript. Trump didn't do that. He doesn't need Ukraine to win 2020.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Democrats have been suffering from fear and chaos since they discovered that they had been lying to themselves about Hillary's inevitable election as POTUS, three years ago.

Well, she did get more votes than your man baby. But this is not about HRC, it's about the corrupt doings of the Trump administration, the obstruction and cover ups.

Good deflection, mind. Shows the Trump apologists are terrified.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

He doesn't need Ukraine to win 2020.

Correct. It's Russia he needs again, just like he needed it in 2016.

Anyway, now every single witness so far has confirmed the quid pro quo (i.e. bribery) by most of the leading members of the Swamp administration, starting at the very top. Anyone pretending not to see that probably thinks the world is flat, doesn't rotate etc. Self-hypnosis again.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

This will really be the Democrats' undoing. Where is the impeachable crime?

If you don't know by now, it's not worth telling you

7 ( +7 / -0 )

theeastisred - Anyway, now every single witness so far has confirmed the quid pro quo (i.e. bribery) by most of the leading members of the Swamp administration, starting at the very top. Anyone pretending not to see that probably thinks the world is flat, doesn't rotate etc.

"Every single witness so far"? Seriously? According to Sondland,  "in the absence of any credible explanation for the suspension of aid, I presumed that the aid suspension had become linked to...." yada, yada, yada.

In other words, Sondland has not confirmed the quid pro quo. It looks as if the CNN-types are wrong. Again. But they are being consistent.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Contrary to Grump's mendacious claim that the transcript is an accurate, word for word report of the phone call, those of us who paid attention and remembered have known from the get-go that the transcript was not a verbatim record, but merely a rough account (minus details undoubtedly damaging to the POTUS). Soon the full verbatim report will be made public and that together with corroborating testimony from those truth-tellers privy to what was said during the call to Zelenskiy and to the pressure put on the Ukrainians for WEEKS to take a "quid pro joe" and dish up dirt on Don's "sleepy" nemesis, should be all the evidence needed to convict the weasel in the White House of "High Crimes & Misdemeanors", both very impeachable offenses. If, in spite of the prima facie evidence, the slippery orange mudskipper gets off the hook, America deserves a second serving of Trump's swampy fare to learn its history lesson the hard way.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

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