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U.S. diplomat says top levels of Trump administration were in on Ukraine pressure

102 Comments
By Patricia Zengerle and Andy Sullivan

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102 Comments

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Yawn.

I was guessing what the first words were going to be from the Trumpettes and boredom feigned with a "yawn" was top of my list.

To anyone watching this objectively, this is an utterly damning testimony, proving very strong direct evidence that Gulliani has broken the law and strong circumstantial evidence that the president was behind it. Combined with all the other evidence against him, there can be little doubt about his guilt.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

My prediction from yesterday:

Oh, Mr. Sondland. You aren't the right guy for this role. Expect him to come forward with even more "remembered" information. He will fold.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Sondland said the three worked "at the express direction of the president of the United States" with Giuliani. The efforts by Giuliani to get Zelenskiy to investigate the Bidens "were a quid pro quo for arranging a White House visit" for the Ukrainian leader, Sondland said, using a Latin term meaning to exchange a favor for another favor.

The conviction of Roger Stone helped Sondland improve his memory.

Sondland just basically said that he's not willing to do jail time to protect Trump. That was the iceberg the Trumptanic just hit.

20 ( +20 / -0 )

@burningbushWho cares?

I know that's a flame aimed at far rightists, especially those favoring Russia's global expansion which entails further weakening 'western democracies' by using the free, for-profit press, among other measures, to attack democratic principles, including attacking the free press itself.

But to answer the question I care. I don't want Trump's right wing, foreign backed coup to further undermine the republic in their attempts to establish an even more authoritarian state governed by corporations and the elite (US and foreign). Especially a state led by a corrupt conman.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Earth to you. They simply don't care.

Again, you seem to somehow know what an extremely divided public thinks.

This isn’t convincing anyone. Have a chat with your supervisor or get a new textbook. Your bonus could depend on it.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

@blacklab--consult your whistleblower ID sources on the question of Muellers party affiliation and report back the answer like a good boy.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Phewww! Boy, does this ever stink of something rotten right out of the Oval Office.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Sondland just basically said that he's not willing to do jail time to protect Trump. That was the iceberg the Trumptanic just hit.

What? As always you say the most.....interesting things. Lol. Look this guy was all over the place. I agree, he doesn’t want to go to prison for Trump, he also doesn’t want to go to prison aligning himself with the Dems or the GOP. He was walking a very fine line which made his testimony all the more confusing.

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

so if everyone knew, seems even less likely anything wrong was done.

trump told Sondland he wanted “nothing”

said Trump didn’t link the aid to the statement.

sondland can’t recall so many things and kept agreeing with whatever other people said he said. But those people also said no quid pro quo.

so despite being told nothing unusual, sondland still presumes and believes a lot of things that others don’t.

He definitely believes what he is saying is true, but that doesn’t make him correct.

-14 ( +1 / -15 )

@burning bush--a vile of radioactive toxins, eh? You get half credit for effort, but for next time they are vials.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

I know that's a flame aimed at far rightists, especially those favoring Russia's global expansion which entails further weakening 'western democracies'

What??

by using the free, for-profit press, among other measures, to attack democratic principles, including attacking the free press itself. 

in other words, if you do not align yourself with the main street media liberal lemming pundits you are against Democracy.

But to answer the question I care. I don't want Trump's right wing, foreign backed coup to further undermine the republic in their attempts to establish an even more authoritarian state governed by corporations and the elite (US and foreign). Especially a state led by a corrupt conman.

OK so you would rather have a corrupt group of whiny unprofessional and incompetent socialists to burn the country and the constitution into the ground with the radical income redistribution policies and fascist ideas, do you think that’s going to bring happiness and prosperity to the country?

-13 ( +0 / -13 )

I am glad Dems made it abundant clear that they know Burisma= Biden. They didn’t specify so both of them.

ive worked with these Sondland type people for decades. “I sent an email, wasn’t me that did it, I told them I disagree, everyone else did it, if they said I said it then I did but I can’t recall”.

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

@bass--whiny unprofessional and incompetent sound pretty good compared to this mess. They can join Sneezy, Grumpy, and the other dwarves in the Disney party.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Up next: "Giulina? I barely knew the guy."

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Sondland worried very much about his future and family, so it seems he confessed the truth of what happened.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

No it was not in hospitality. I can’t meet people “like someone” in any industry. See why when a person “presumes” and “believes” it doesn’t count as being true?

You know only when and if I tell you what I do (or did). trump didn’t tell Sondland so he made the same mistake.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

Someone call the Maytag repairman - the Trumper spin cycle has overloaded!

Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, said he "followed the president's orders" to work with Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who was pushing Ukraine to carry out two investigations that would benefit Trump politically as he runs for re-election in November 2020.

THE SMOKING GUN!

Sondland depicted Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as engaged in the efforts to get Ukraine to carry out the investigations, including one targeting Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, and described Vice President Mike Pence as being aware of the efforts.

And Pompeo's Senate run is derailed, and Pence has no hope after Trump is impeached in 2020 - better call Romney...

"Everyone was in the loop. It was no secret,"

Kaboom!

Sondland said the three worked "at the express direction of the president of the United States" with Giuliani. The efforts by Giuliani to get Zelenskiy to investigate the Bidens "were a quid pro quo for arranging a White House visit" for the Ukrainian leader, Sondland said, using a Latin term meaning to exchange a favor for another favor.

And there it is QPQ - as if we needed it since everyone else has said "it was conditioned on", etc.....

Only one Trumper would go on the record before Sondland's testimony - and said he was a hero - is that still true?

And what we all want to know, is Donnie on his way to Walter Reed yet? If not, he will be....

9 ( +9 / -0 )

No he is no longer a hero. He had a chance to tell his own story and provide facts.

instead he assumed and presumed simply because he needed an explanation that he wasn’t given. He hid behind the supposed actions of others. Instead of using his own words he lamely just agreed with what anyone who supposedly “took notes” said.

cant recall, I could have said that, but I don’t know. On and on. Quite a slippery fellow.

heros tell their story. Not conflicting words of what both sides want to hear.

So when is he being prosecuted for lying the first time? He obviously said many different things the second time around.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

I think my favorite moment of the day was seeing the picture of Donald's speech to the press, written in black Sharpie, with shaky, unsure, manic handwriting that looked like something a 7 year old would scribble.

https://dynaimage.cdn.cnn.com/cnn/digital-images/org/ee4d60b9-f9ee-4b41-9aae-cfc4e2d4fc10.jpg

And this is the President? LOL

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Well, here's the daily dose of Trumper hypocrisy for our entertainment....

Is Sondland a hero or scum?

BlacklabelNov. 19  01:31 pm JST

hero. He revised his testimony when it wasn’t clear, knowing liberals would jump all over that clarification as “caught lying”.

he also honestly said it was his presumption, not that he had been told by anyone that what he presumed was true.

BlacklabelToday  08:39 am JST

No he is no longer a hero. He had a chance to tell his own story and provide facts.

instead he assumed and presumed simply because he needed an explanation that he wasn’t given. He hid behind the supposed actions of others. Instead of using his own words he lamely just agreed with what anyone who supposedly “took notes” said.

So when is he being prosecuted for lying the first time? He obviously said many different things the second time around.

We'll just wait until Giuliani, Pence, Pompeo, Perry, and Mulvaney go from hero to "when are they being prosecuted for lying"...

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Watch out for Trumpists doubling down and claiming that the reliance on foreign governments in election time is just fine. Mick Mulvaney had to go back on his comments, previously, when he said it's done all the time. He'll probably have to go back on his going back.

Remember that Trump said, only last month, Sondland is "a really good man and great American"

All in all, an excellent start to the day.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

OK Trump fans, no need to try to defend Trump anymore. We all know what happened here.

Please move on to phase 2.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

The sordid Republicans wallowing in the mire and tossing mud at every witness who has testified to Trump's unequivocal QPQ want us all to disregard our own lying eyes and ears in order to join with them in singing the president's praises and admiring the "Emperor's New Clothes". Trump's only cover for his shame is his pathetic little sharpie. Hans Christian Andersen couldn't have made up a taller story.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Aaaaaaand now a new memory has confirmed that Ukraine was worried about the aid and they were worried a lot sooner than September.

https://apnews.com/b731ce4910864402ab9be8cb81a8e7d8

Why didn't we know that before?

"Laura Cooper told lawmakers her staff has showed her emails she had not yet seen when she testified behind closed doors last month in the impeachment probe looking into Trump’s dealings with Ukraine."

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Gordon Sondland has testified that the President didn’t do anything wrong- so naturally the media is making it out that Trump handed Ukraine over to the Russians as a way to purposefully threaten the national security of the US. They keep forgetting that Ukraine was invaded while Obama was president and after Obama passed on a message to Putin that he would be more flexible about these kinds of things after his re-election. Obama did nothing and he is blameless. Trump provided weapons and he is bad. It’s all perfectly logical right?

No quid pro quo, no extortion, no bribery. Can’t wait for the trial in the Senate. Hope ‘Merica Mitch shuts out all of the Dems witnesses.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

Here we go Trumpets:

Denial

Anger

Bargaining

Depression

Acceptance.

My advice is to go directly to 5.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Burn Bush where is Trump gonna get more White voters to support him, when million of young White voters, will vote against him

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I'll go on record as saying that the Russian conspiracy theory is nonsense, totally debunked, even by the Dems own boy Mueller.

Except that is wasn't. The Trump asset was not exonerated.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

THE SMOKING GUN! 

What?

Jim Jordan: "Ambassador, when did it happen?"

Sondland: "When did what happen?"

Jordan: "The announcement! When did Pres. Zelensky announce that an investigation was going to happen...When did that happen?"

Sondland: "Never did."

Jordan: "Never did!"

Ok, so now it went bad to just funky for the Democrats.

And Pompeo's Senate run is derailed, and Pence has no hope after Trump is impeached in 2020 - better call Romney...

Pompeo should have an even better chance at the Senate run and if Trump is impeached it won’t do a darn to Pence, so what else do the Dems have? Hurry up, been up all night watching this B-Movie.

"Everyone was in the loop. It was no secret,"

Kaboom!

Oh, yeah....

Sondland: "I never heard from President Trump that aid was conditioned on an announcement of [investigations]."

Goldman: "So you never heard those specific words."

Sondland: "Right. Never heard those words."

Goldman: "Well, let's move ahead..."

*And there it is QPQ - as if we needed it since everyone else has said "it was conditioned on", etc.....*

But he won’t be removed or convicted, so then what?

The funniest thing about the whole child was when Schiff said “it gives me no pleasure in going down this road” I almost busted my spleen for laughing. This whole thing is a joke, funny, but a joke nonetheless.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Jim Jordan and Devin Nunes scrambling weasels making no sense at all. It's hilarious listening to their ridiculous and completely irrelevant line of questioning, as Republicans playing dodgeball with their ubiquitous lies.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Hurry up, been up all night watching this B-Movie.

Hmm. Thought you and Trump both said you're not watching it?

The funniest thing about the whole child was when Schiff said “it gives me no pleasure in going down this road” I almost busted my spleen for laughing. 

What child? Are you ok?

It's quite worrying how the Trumpists are having a meltdown, just as their leader slowly implodes with his sharpie mission statements and legal worries.

Be of good cheer, though. It'll be all over soon & you can send adoring letters to wherever he's incarcerated.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

All are implicated in the Republican White House of Donald Trump, as all are in the loop!!

Donald Trump. Mike Pence. Mike Pompeo. Mick Mulvaney. Round up the deck chairs, boys and play, while the Titanic sinks.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Hmm. Thought you and Trump both said you're not watching it?

Thank God  for Youtube and even then the highlights are too long. 

What child?

I meant, scam...sorry.

It's quite worrying how the Trumpists are having a meltdown, just as their leader slowly implodes with his sharpie mission statements and legal worries.

No one is having a meltdown. Democrats are the ones that staged this hoax. But because it's not going their way, they are getting more and more desperate.

Be of good cheer, though. It'll be all over soon & you can send adoring letters to wherever he's incarcerated.

Yes, it will be all over soon, it will then go to the Senate, they'll call Hunter, maybe Schiff to testify and the the GOP will see not convict and remove this President and we can all look back in hindsight and laugh our butts off at what a complete idiot Schiff was for doing this, but at the same time grateful for him to help the President slide into a second term.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Gordon Sondland, a rich hotel owner, was made the U.S. ambassador to the European Union for donating $1 million to the Trump campaign.

Donny: Quid Pro Quo can really suck.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Gordon Sondland, a rich hotel owner, was made the U.S. ambassador to the European Union for donating $1 million to the Trump campaign.

Oh, stop! Hunter was heading a company getting paid $50K a month in Ukraine with zero experience and by a father who was at the time the second most powerful man in the world.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Donald Trump. Mike Pence. Mike Pompeo. Mick Mulvaney. Round up the deck chairs, boys and play, while the Titanic sinks.

Get ready for the 5 stages of grief when Trump is exonerated in the Senate. Rage at the unfairness of it all when the coup attempt fails. It is all an exercise in stupidity by the rabid Left who have been trying to impeach Trump since two seconds after Hillary blew an easy win in the 2016 election.

Trump is not going to win re-election unless the Dems keep up this ridiculous hate-fest. The election is in one year. This is all a tremendous waste of time over what even the Dems agree was a short delay with no actual bribery or extortion. Go back to working for the American people and quit this charade. It’s only going to hurt more when Trump is found innocent by the Senate.

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

Oh, stop! Hunter was heading a company getting paid $50K a month in Ukraine with zero experience and by a father who was at the time the second most powerful man in the world.

Wait, I minute: weren't you Trumpies telling us how great it was to have a president with zero experience? Heck, I'd you're really so concerned with corruption, remind me what qualifies Sondland, a hotel magnate, with no diplomatic experience, for an ambassadorship? :D

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Sondland, like the other witnesses, said a whole lot about nothing, that we already know.

There still is no crime because the aid was not withheld, and where are the Biden investigations?

This is still a bunch of Trump haters who are stirring the pot. Another all nighter, another yawn.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Thank God for Youtube and even then the highlights are too long. 

In that case, never become a journalist, that's my advice. It's like a stakeout, you have to watch reams of uninteresting stuff before the criminals eventually come a cropper.

Democrats are the ones that staged this hoax.

Remind us again. How did Democrats make the perfect crime, sorry, call? How did they withhold aid in order to blackmail Ukraine into interfering with the 2020 elections?

Oh, that's right. They didn't.

But because it's not going their way, they are getting more and more desperate.

Projecting much?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

campaign donations and public support. Same as most others such as Japan ambassador Kennedy. Or are you implying bribery and impeachable offense for this too

a hotel magnate, with no diplomatic experience, for an ambassadorship?

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Get ready for the 5 stages of grief when Trump is exonerated in the Senate. Rage at the unfairness of it all when the coup attempt fails. It is all an exercise in stupidity by the rabid Left who have been trying to impeach Trump since two seconds after Hillary blew an easy win in the 2016 election.

Trump is not going to win re-election unless the Dems keep up this ridiculous hate-fest. The election is in one year. This is all a tremendous waste of time over what even the Dems agree was a short delay with no actual bribery or extortion. Go back to working for the American people and quit this charade. It’s only going to hurt more when Trump is found innocent by the Senate.

Um. You need to try and comprehend the hearings. I know it's hard to get facts straight, when Trumpets lie with impunity in their imaginations, but Dems are not the one's dying, here, dude. Trump, Pence, Pompeo and Mulvaney are not feeling lively and frisky, today. In fact, they see their power in the White House have that sinking feeling, which is my reference to the string quartet on a famous boat. Please take my advice and Trumpets just go to Kubler Ross' acceptance, it's foolish not to.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Trump should of purged all the Obama left overs and put together a tighter team. The whistleblower, if its who they say it is, looks like a prize, as does the Lt. Col. Definitely not the sharpest bunch but instead tools for the Dem cause. MSM has picked this apart and found so many crimes and other mess thats just not there.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

It is all an exercise in stupidity by the rabid Left who have been trying to impeach Trump since two seconds after Hillary blew an easy win in the 2016 election.

Such hyperbole and hubris are typical of the extreme right, who have been defending a liar and a criminal administration since it came into power.

Even when he's gone, they will still claim that he did nothing wrong & there was nothing to see.

Because, you know, he's one of their own. He sent out all the right signals and used all the key words.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Be of good cheer, though. It'll be all over soon & you can send adoring letters to wherever he's incarcerated.

Unfortunately, that's unlikely to happen, at least as a result of this impeachment. The impeachment is the right thing to do, but we can't let ourselves have the expectation that the Republicans will suddenly become ethical and do the right thing when this hits the senate.

The democrats also need to be ready for Trump to proclaim more of 'exoneration' and 'witch hunt' when they do, and campaign on that.

Instead, the democrats need to work out a proper campaign strategy based on the results of the impeachment, targeted towards the areas being campaigned in.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Wait, I minute: weren't you Trumpies telling us how great it was to have a president with zero experience?

Hunter is not running for the Presidency nor is he running the country, Trump is not running a company in a foreign country and hiding behind his dad to shield him from testifying. Try again.

Heck, I'd you're really so concerned with corruption, remind me what qualifies Sondland, a hotel magnate, with no diplomatic experience, for an ambassadorship? :D

Well, if you want to go that route then Obama should have never been President as he voted only present in the Senate. But yeah, he got those Chicago political skills.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Same as most others such as Japan ambassador Kennedy.

Yes, our dancing ambassador. She got a lot done while appointed...didnt she?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Omg, Sondland made a complete fool of himself.

Sondland: "What the f#$% do you want from Ukraine Mr President?"

Trump: " I want nothing, no quid pro quo, tell him to do his job!"

This is not evidence of quid pro quo. But here's some:

Biden: "So then I tell him, I am getting on a plane in 6 hours. You have until then to fire the prosecutor or you aren't getting the billion dollars."

Oh my.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

Such hyperbole and hubris are typical of the extreme right, who have been defending a liar and a criminal administration since it came into power. 

Criminal? Nope, never convicted with anything, doesn't even have a criminal record and if you want to talk about lying, I want to see one businessman or politician or lawyer that doesn't lie, we can name names all day on the people that lie.

Even when he's gone, they will still claim that he did nothing wrong & there was nothing to see.

No, we know he's not perfect, but so far liberals haven't shown anything Trump committed a crime.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

but we can't let ourselves have the expectation that the Republicans will suddenly become ethical and do the right thing when this hits the senate.

Quite the opposite. I expect them to tear things up in the Senate, if Schiffs sham makes it over there, and quickly dismiss this whole distraction from what really needs to be done. Trade agreements, withdrawal from Dem inspired wars, holding corrupt and useless politicians like Schiff and Pelosi responsible for the dystopia they have created in their districts, and let Trump get back to doing what he does best; accomplishments that benefit my country.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Hunter is not running for the Presidency

No, he was a privately hired person in another country. Much less a necessity to be qualified than running for president.

T is not running a company in a foreign country

Yes he is. Lots of them silly.

and hiding behind his dad to shield him from testifying.

That's Jarrod and Yvanka.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

campaign donations and public support.

Ah, so bribery is okay? So how is this different than Hunter Biden?

Same as most others such as Japan ambassador Kennedy. Or are you implying bribery and impeachable offense for this too

Lol No. Merely pointing out the hypocrisy of the right. On the one hand, paying for an ambassadorship is okay, but the VP's son working at a foreign firm is not? Okay. Lol don't even get me started on Ivanka's China trademarks or Donny hawking Jr.'s "best seller"etc.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Like the way Adam Schiff has acted has nothing at all to do with that? Why such high expectations for our conduct and none for yours?

Schiff called for a 10 min break before the Republican cross examination for a restroom break. Next we see him, he is holding a press conference outside. Im surprised he didnt bring the press in the toilet stall with him.

but we can't let ourselves have the expectation that the Republicans will suddenly become ethical and do the right thing when this hits the senate.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Criminal? Nope, never convicted with anything, doesn't even have a criminal record and if you want to talk about lying,

Just because he hasn't been convicted, doesn't mean he won't eventually be.

I want to see one businessman or politician or lawyer that doesn't lie, we can name names all day on the people that lie.*

I'm sure you do. Trumpists have been urged to defend their man and deflect as much as possible.

We don't need to post his 14 thousand lies and counting - we all know the man is a pathological liar and a danger to US security and democracy.

We must now start thinking of a post-Trump America, where such disgusting intimidation of witnesses, promoting falsehoods and smearing patriots becomes a thing of the past.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Dunno, both their resumes are very impressive.

Nope, they are entirely unqualified for their positions.

Hunter...besides being dishonorably discharged

Hunter wasn't dishonorably discharged.

a drug user

Hah, Trump is on sudafed - aka speed - all day every day.

he's claim to fame is...

Yvanaka and Jerrod's claim to fame is a father (-in-law) who was a reality TV star.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Like the way Adam Schiff has acted has nothing at all to do with that?

Like the way Trump has acted doesn't have anything to do with him getting impeached?

Why such high expectations for our conduct and none for yours?

Why such high expectations of our conduct and none for yours?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

It must be because I never saw the Ambassador to Japan being removed.

the VP's unqualified drug addicted son working at a foreign firm getting paid obscene amounts of money while his Dad is in office and responsible for that country directly? Of course that is not alright and you know this.

 On the one hand, paying for an ambassadorship is okay, but the VP's son working at a foreign firm is not?

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

Ah, so bribery is okay? So how is this different than Hunter Biden? 

I wish liberals would make up their minds! First it was quid pro quo, that didn't work, then we had extortion, but that reeeeally didn't work and now we should use bribery, that has much more sinister and ominous political meaning, so we'll stick with that and what bribery are you talking about? Volker and Morrison said there wasn't any bribery.

Lol No. Merely pointing out the hypocrisy of the right.

I was doing the same for the left.

On the one hand, paying for an ambassadorship is okay, but the VP's son working at a foreign firm is not?

It is funky, I'll give you that, but once this gets to the Senate we can sort this out when Hunter is called to testify.

Okay. Lol don't even get me started on Ivanka's China trademarks or Donny hawking Jr.'s "best seller"etc.

Good, because I would have a magnificent rebuttal.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

THE SMOKING GUN! 

What?

Need hearing aids?

Sondland said the three worked "at the express direction of the president of the United States" with Giuliani. 

BINGO!

And Pompeo's Senate run is derailed, and Pence has no hope after Trump is impeached in 2020 - better call Romney...

Pompeo should have an even better chance at the Senate run and if Trump is impeached it won’t do a darn to Pence, so what else do the Dems have? Hurry up, been up all night watching this B-Movie.

They're done, tainted, dirty, finished - I'm telling you, better call Romney or Mattis...

"Everyone was in the loop. It was no secret,"

Kaboom!

Oh, yeah....

Why's Donnie preventing them from testifying then? They could clear him immediately - just say that everything Sondland, Taylor, Kent, Hill, Morrison, Vindman, Volker, et al was all wong? Come on, let's hear from Pence, Pompeo, Mulvaney, and Rudy....

And there it is **QPQ** - as if we needed it since everyone else has said "it was conditioned on", etc.....

But he won’t be removed or convicted, so then what?

Newsflash! Anyone else remember all those posts of "there was no QPQ" from the Trumpers...well, that goal post just moved 99 yards... We've moved to Phase 2 of the coverup...

The funniest thing about the whole child was when Schiff said “it gives me no pleasure in going down this road” I almost busted my spleen for laughing. This whole thing is a joke, funny, but a joke nonetheless.

No, the funniest thing was when Nunes finished his goofy statement and Schiff thanked him for his remarks and the whole room erupted in laughter...

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I wish liberals would make up their minds! First it was quid pro quo,

Quid pro quo isn't a crime, it explains an exchange of goods or services, illegal or otherwise.

It is funky, I'll give you that, but once this gets to the Senate we can sort this out when Hunter is called to testify.

Lol Hunter is going to be called to testify, no one cares about your silly little made-in-Russia conspiracy theories.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Good, because I would have a magnificent rebuttal.

Which is? :D

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Who would want a piece of the pie the Republicans are baking with all the rotten, rancid cherries they've been assiduously pickin' out of the testimony of witnesses? If offered a serving of the Republicans' cherry pie, like Trump, patriotic Americans would say: "I want nothing!" Unlike Trump, once would be enough and, they wouldn't put it in writing.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

They dont receive any pay.

They don't need to - they have the power of the country at the fingertips which they have been using to make their own companies profitable. That's millions and millions more than they would ever make with a salary.

If I knew I could use the power of the office to my own ends, I'd pay my own salary to be in their position.

since when is Trump a drug addict?

Since he got busted sniffing like a crack fiend with a drawer full of UK Sudafed - the stuff that contains ephedrine, which is used to make Methamphetamine. AKA ice, or crystal meth.

Sorry, you hadn't realized your president is a junky? It's quite well documented, but your right-wing deep-state fake-news MSM refuses to report on it, because they think it's better to have a junky in office, than to have the other team take power.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Infinite realities. That's what's happening here. The facts don't matter because the facts hold different meanings depending on your reality. It's really interesting to watch.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Trump might of come up to the line, but he never crossed it. No crime committed. Sondland is just worried about his fanny, since the Dems scared him, and Schiff almost got what he wanted, but Sondland was all over the place so Schiff made a fool of himself.

Lets hurry up and get this Schiff show done with, over to the Senate if thats what it comes to, and Trump acquitted of all wrongs.

Then lets start Dem hearings to get them all charged for misuse of treasury funds for this fraud.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

You just said they make obscene amounts of money in their position.

Yep, they've got the power of the office, with a corrupt boss who will back them, because it just makes him more money.

It's obscene alright.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Trump might of come up to the line, but he never crossed it.

Other than the fact that all the evidence and everyone who was part of it and has said otherwise, you must be right!

7 ( +7 / -0 )

I'm assuming Donnie made the proactive step and checked himself into Walter Reed last night - save himself the ambulance trip when the old ticker started acting up when he saw Sondland run over him in the bus...

Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, said he "followed the president's orders"

The ambassador, a wealthy Oregon hotelier and Trump political donor, detailed the president's active participation in the Ukraine controversy.

"Everyone was in the loop. It was no secret," Sondland said in an email he sent to top administration officials ahead of the July 25 telephone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that triggered the impeachment inquiry.

Sondland said the three worked "at the express direction of the president of the United States" with Giuliani. The efforts by Giuliani to get Zelenskiy to investigate the Bidens "were a quid pro quo for arranging a White House visit" for the Ukrainian leader, Sondland said, using a Latin term meaning to exchange a favor for another favor.

If they were smart, Giuliani, Pompeo, Pence, and Mulvaney checked themselves in too...

Well, look at the good side, Roger Stone will have soon have some acquaintances in the cell block to play cards with...

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Need hearing aids? 

Not me, Schiff.

Sondland said the three worked "at the express direction of the president of the United States" with Giuliani. 

Sondland said: Sondland: "I never heard from President Trump that aid was conditioned on an announcement of [investigations]."

Goldman: "So you never heard those specific words."

Sondland: "Right. Never heard those words."

Goldman: "Well, let's move ahead..."

Thank you.

They're done, tainted, dirty, finished - I'm telling you, better call Romney or Mattis...

How? Trump is rising in the polls in Wisconsin by 2% and now 53% don’t want to see this President impeached. Thank you, Mr. Schiff for helping our President slide into his second term.

Why's Donnie preventing them from testifying then?

Why won’t Schiff allow Hunter and the whistleblower....lol, yeah...testify?

Newsflash! Anyone else remember all those posts of "there was no QPQ" from the Trumpers...well, that goal post just moved 99 yards... We've moved to Phase 2 of the coverup...

One question, did Ukraine get their money? It’s a simple yes or no.

No, the funniest thing was when Nunes finished his goofy statement and Schiff thanked him for his remarks and the whole room erupted in laughter...

I think they were a little more like laughing at Schiff for staging this circus. Lol

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Lol Hunter is going to be called to testify, no one cares about your silly little made-in-Russia conspiracy theories.

Hmmmm...judging from the public’s reaction, it would seem that the majority of public could care less about what Schiff and the whiny Democrats think about this fake impeachment.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

What happened is no longer a question. The question is who is okay with this.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

This nonsense is ruining your 2020 Dems. I actually didn’t know there was a debate going on right now. Talk about bad timing for Dems. But it’s ok Yang and Gabbard still blocked from speaking.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

The elephant in the room, as I have said all along, is that MSM Dems and others had already convicted Trump before he even got elected. We watched Hollywood elites and CNN smirk that he would never get elected. We watched them howl when he did. We watched the "resistance" form and evolve today to the radical, fanatical freak show that it is.

I personally could care less if Trump asked another country to dig up the dirt on scummy Biden, or any other Dem, for that matter, even if it is illegal. Not impeachable at all. The Dems are a detriment to the progress of my country and by that alone, are all guilty.

I think most of the is scandal is Giulianis hand at work, and suggestions to Trump. Thats what I think. So far no crime has been committed and I expect a full aquittal of Trump

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Trump lied. He told us we would get tired of winning.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Trump lied. He told us we would get tired of winning.

Can't get tired of winning if you never win.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I personally could care less if Trump asked another country to dig up the dirt on scummy Biden, or any other Dem, for that matter, even if it is illegal. Not impeachable at all.

More authoritarian, fascist rhetoric. The leader is beyond reproach and the law must be ignored to suit his needs. Disgusting.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

More authoritarian, fascist rhetoric. The leader is beyond reproach and the law must be ignored to suit his needs. Disgusting.

Sorry but thats the answer to your Dems governance. The answer to inept, incompetent, corrupt ,worthless and useless people who excuse filth, who allow drug addicts free roam of their cities, who have taxed people out of their districts, who excuse criminal behaviors, akin to third world atmospheres, who create havens for illegals in clear violation of the law, who have accomplished nothing but self destructive laws and bills.

Cant have it both ways; a magnifying glass on Trumps every move but nothing on yours. I just prefer Trump, thats all, dont need to have a hissy about it and call me a fascist.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

Please take my advice and Trumpets just go to Kubler Ross' acceptance, it's foolish not to.

When there is a $22 trillion debt and built in annual deficits for the foreseeable future that both parties could care less about, Trump and the rage he has caused among the American Left is the least of the country’s problems.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Donald Trump now knows precisely what he can get away with. “He appears to be daring the rest of the political system to stop him—and if it doesn’t, he’ll go further.”

Holding back aid meant for Ukraine for corruption concerns should be a concern for all here. Seeing that the Ukraine is the first line of defense with Russia's aggression and Russian annexing aspirations. Whats to stop Russia from going forward?

Now on the (shakedown for aid) the Democratic party is so hell bent on proving. Think about this.

Trump wanted Ukraine to investigate the Biden family, accusing Joe Biden of strongarming the Ukrainian authorities, including the then President Petro Poroshenko, to fire General Prosecutor Viktor Shokin in 2016 to protect his son. I see nothing wrong with investigating why Mr. Shokin had to go.

Now supposing for a minute that non of this came to light.

Supposing for a moment that the Ukraine's the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) did uncover some serious information on wrong doing by the former V.P. Biden and son Hunter. What would have been done with that information? Would Father and son be on the hot seat in front of some judiciary panel?

Would Trump use the information for political gain?

Had Trump used dirt possibly discovered by the Ukraine on the Biden to further his own Ppolitical aspirations instead of handing over the findings to the right agency. Then yes. Big problem if proven.

Mr. Shokin says he was fired and really got the shaft here. Fired to prevent him from investigating Hunter Biden, which the Biden family strongly denies. And of course the Biden's deny it or any wrong doing. But its there trust me. There is something there the Biden's do not want the American tax payer to know. So what if Trump held back aid bucking for a looksy in to the Biden's. This sort of thing has been going on for decades. It is what we call, I will scratch your back if you scratch mine. In the end this is only an issue because some whistle blower brought to the attention of the Democratic party who have been hell bent on ousting this President since day one. Yes, Trump is not perfect. But he is doing his best. I am partial as I am Republican. Middle right is where I stand. There are many things I am unhappy about with current administration.

There have been promises Trump made that for some reason or another have not been kept. For example.

He promised he would end the sanctuary cities that have resulted in so many needless deaths. Cities that refuse to cooperate with federal authorities will not receive taxpayer dollars, and we will work with Congress to pass legislation to protect those jurisdictions that do assist federal authorities.”

Despite efforts, Donald Trump fails to cut funding from sanctuary cities. Trump had options here. This promise has stalled or is in Limbo.

This really got me excited about the Trump Presidency.

Establish a commission on radical Islam

Trump said one of my first acts as president will be to establish a commission on radical Islam which will include reformist voices in the Muslim community who will hopefully work with us."

As of today no signs of any commission.

If the Democrats succeed in ousting the President from office cause they cant not stand the thought of him being in the oval office another 4 years. I hope the Democrats have a plan for the blow-back that will be forth coming.

Foreign policy is President Trump's area as President to run as he sees fit, I find him capable and he has some vision with room for improvement. Holding back aid to look into corruption is no impeachable crime. The Democratic party should have let the things run the course. But they did not want to sacrafice Biden and his bid for President. Had the President dug dirt on Biden through a Ukraine's the National Anti-Corruption Bureau. Then used that information at debate for re-election. Then the Dems. could have a collusion argument.

The Dems. can not beat this President fair and square at the ballot box, so scandal after scandal and nothing but noise.

You think another sitting U.S President never threatened to hold back aid for some unknown reason?

I remember when Bill Clinton was trading White House access for political favors.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

This all comes from Trump's obsessiveness over his rivals. All he had to do is just ignore the Bidens and this would not have happened. Bidens didn't do anything. Trump started all this.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

TheLongTermerToday  11:52 am JST

I personally could care less if Trump asked another country to dig up the dirt on scummy Biden, or any other Dem, for that matter, even if it is illegal.

Says just about everything we need to know about your moral values.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

@Simon Foston.

Says just about everything we need to know about your moral values.

Welcome to new (real) world Simon.

We only care because the left media says we should care. In U.S politics. Threatening to hold back aid and to dig up dirt on political rival is not such serious infraction in realtily. If the world really knew what it stakes to make the world a safer place and whats done behind closed doors and back channels in US. politics. The (shakedown scandal the Dems are pushing) is really so inconsequential.

@Wolfpack-

When there is a $22 trillion debt and built in annual deficits for the foreseeable future that both parties could care less about, Trump and the rage he has caused among the American Left is the least of the country’s problems.

The real world and what is coming! Ukraine what?

Thank you Wolfpack.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

The elephant in the room, as I have said all along, is that MSM Dems and others had already convicted Trump before he even got elected.

The invisible elephant, because it doesn't exist...

We watched Hollywood elites and CNN smirk that he would never get elected. We watched them howl when he did.

I assume those Hollywood folks include failed reality TV stars and Kanye West....

We watched the "resistance" form and evolve today to the radical, fanatical freak show that it is.

As in every witness that testified this week was a Trump pick and member of his administration...

I personally could care less if Trump asked another country to dig up the dirt on scummy Biden, or any other Dem, for that matter, even if it is illegal. Not impeachable at all. The Dems are a detriment to the progress of my country and by that alone, are all guilty.

I don't agree with calling Trumpers deplorables, but that is a deplorable statement. If you think that, you should go live in Russia or some banana republic where that sort of thing is tolerated...

I think most of the is scandal is Giulianis hand at work, and suggestions to Trump. Thats what I think. So far no crime has been committed and I expect a full aquittal of Trump

BINGO! As we all predicted, the bus is now heading for Rudy, then Pompeo, then Pence, then Mulvaney....then Don Jr, then Melania...

Sick....

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Remember this all began with the Trump paranoia about the Bidens, the Obamas, and the Hillaries. Trump started this. Bidens didn't do anything. All the Trumps had to do was not be paranoid about the Bidens and the impeachment would not be going on.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

What I find most ironic about this past two weeks, is not Sondland's testimony today on following Donnie's orders and the QPQ, or Taylor, Kent, Volker, Hill, Vindman, Williams, et al all confirming it, it was the revelation that Rick Perry was smack dab in the middle of the whole Ukraine mess....

The impeachment was started because Trump tried to shakedown the Ukrainians to launch a bogus investigation of Hunter Biden, who he claimed WITHOUT EVIDENCE was corrupt, when at the same time his Energy Secretary Rick Perry was pressuring the Ukrainians to give a sweetheart deal to his Texas oil and gas buddies - you know, Texas-size corruption....

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2019/11/11/after-push-from-energy-secretary-rick-perry-backers-got-huge-gas-deal-in-ukraine/

Can you believe that? Perry was doing the exact thing Trump claimed Biden was doing - yet there was no evidence in Biden's case, but Perry left all kinds of evidence of his dirty deals. What you doing about that Mr President? Got Rudy on the job on that one? Probably not since he's an accomplice....

This just shows what a disgusting cesspool the whole Trump administration is - I mean, we did find out today from Sondland that "everyone was in the loop"....

Flush it down the toilet where it belongs....

1 ( +2 / -1 )

This testimony combined with the 'transcript' pretty much paints the whole picture, and it ain't pretty. Still, Trump diehards will see nothing wrong, they are the frogs being boiled alive. Oh America, how low you have sunk. Is there anyone with any moral fibre left in you country?

However, after the senate fails to remove Trump from office, their chances of winning the White House next year will be pretty much nil. They may even lose control of the senate. The base will always support Trump, the swing voters, however, have had enough...

3 ( +4 / -1 )

SlickdrifterToday  01:07 pm JST

@Simon Foston.

Welcome to new (real) world Simon.

We only care because the left media says we should care. In U.S politics. Threatening to hold back aid and to dig up dirt on political rival is not such serious infraction in realtily.

So just supposing some smoking gun appeared that even Republicans would have to acknowledge as conclusive proof of illegal acts committed by President Trump, you think Republican Senators would still be okay with exonerating him? After all I'm sure they have a better grasp of how this new (real) world works than me.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Says just about everything we need to know about your moral values

Funny, but when the Democrats and one John McCain did it to Trump, that’s apparently ok? What a confused bunch of little people.

What I find most ironic about this past two weeks, is not Sondland's testimony today

"No one told me directly that the aid was tied to anything. I was presuming it was."

Q: "You testified, 'President Trump never told me directly that the aid was conditioned on the investigations?'"

Sondland: "That's correct."

The impeachment was started because Trump tried to shakedown the Ukrainians

And Sondland changed and revised his story so many times like this...

Q: "If your answer is yes, then [Adam Schiff] is wrong and the headline on CNN is wrong. No one on this planet told you that President Trump was tying aid to investigations, yes or no?"

SONDLAND: "Yes."

This just shows what a disgusting cesspool the whole Trump administration is -

But the House Democrats lead by shifty Schiff is far more of cesspool.

https://thefederalist.com/2019/11/19/vindman-just-admitted-to-leaking-to-the-anti-trump-whistleblower/

Dems need some tic tacs.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

Wow, did you see Donnie's unhinged impromptu press conference today? He was more wound up and off the rails than Sean Hannity....

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/politics/2019/11/20/trump-responds-sondland-impeachment-hearing-sot-vpx.cnn

And did you see the "Sharpie" notes he was using - they look like they were written by a two year old....

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/photographer-captures-trump-s-handwritten-talking-points-responding-sondland-n1087026

No wonder he needs ambulance runs to Walter Reed - he's clearly shaken. Reminds me of Nixon on TV sweating buckets as the end came for him.

Things are bad - keep your fingers crossed he doesn't pull a "wag the dog" moment...

5 ( +6 / -1 )

When will Donny be deposed? SCOTUS won't override a subpoena of Donny even with all the conservative nutjob justices on the court.

Watching Donny perjure himself at every turn wil be comedic gold! He's nowhere near smart enough to understand he's not the smartest person in the room. He lacks impulse control and compulsively lies, so his deposition will be akin to a Monty Python skit.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

the liberal media fell for the "take a picture of Trump's talking points" AGAIN.

How many times will you fall for the same trick? Havent you heard a picture is worth a 1000 words?

Now all everyone remembers is what the paper says. We win, again.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

the liberal media fell for the "take a picture of Trump's talking points" AGAIN.

How many times will you fall for the same trick? Havent you heard a picture is worth a 1000 words?

Now all everyone remembers is what the paper says. We win, again.

Oh, yeah! We won the photo of the notes contest. Never mind all of Donny's own people testifying that Donny broke the law, we won the photo of the noted contest!!!!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Now all everyone remembers is what the paper says. We win, again.

Not me. I'll remember a well dressed male who looked like he was off his meds and needed assistance.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

How many times will you fall for the same trick? Havent you heard a picture is worth a 1000 words?

Now all everyone remembers is what the paper says. We win, again.

ah ok must be all the 4D chess playing logic seeping through

3 ( +4 / -1 )

bass4funkToday  02:29 pm JST

*"Says just about everything we need to know about your moral values"*

Funny, but...

Presumably you're quite relaxed about the idea of President Trump committing illegal acts to put the Dems in their place too.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

I just watched the entire testimony Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, offered up. Love how the leftist media wraps this up as bombshell testimony! Oh my, the smoking gun! Look out!

I am supposed to believe this bombshell testimony? The smoking gun? When a guy says.

He needed access to State Department records to jog his recollection of certain events,

Come man, are your serious?

“In the absence of these materials, my memory has not been perfect,” he said.

But this is America. Right matters!

So do facts times and precise dates when accusing the President of the United States of misconduct.

Mr. Sondland you have discredited yourself and ended your career that was given to you on a silver platter due to your contributions and deep pockets Mr. Sondland, a GOP megadonor was tapped to be US ambassador to the European Union, all while his colleagues in the Foreign Service who assumed senior roles in the State Department after lengthy careers in government who I am sure know how to take notes.

I am not a note taker, nor am I a memo writer. Never have been.”

Those words, documented in Gordon Sondland’s opening statement as part of Wednesday’s impeachment hearing. Ambassadors George Kent and Bill Taylor, both career Foreign Service officers who were stationed at the US embassy in Kyiv, told lawmakers that they maintained copious notes during conversations with foreign leaders and other administration officials.

Sondland, a foreign policy neophyte who received the job after contributing $1 million toward Trump’s inauguration landed this job.

The point is Sondland is an opportunist that will put you you and anyone under the bus to further his agenda. Including his own boss. No creditably! None. Can not event produce a copy of the so-called email that links everyone in the loop.

This impeachment is dead on arrival. Whats an incredible waste of time and tax dollars.

Meanwhile economy soaring. Walls getting built. Cocaine, Meth, Marijuana and Fentanyl smuggling drastically cut down. Crime is down. Presidents approval is up.

This impeachment reminds me of this scene in the 300.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us15_iXt6e8

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Just saw Trump’s rant and his scrawl on the pad.

Utter trash.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

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