Thread by @TheViewFromLL2

Sounds like Volker's testimony yesterday was a pretty incredible display of gymnastics. nytimes.com/2019/10/04/us/…

Volker, in testimony: I never urged Ukraine to investigate Biden.

Volker, responding to a text in August about whether 'we' want Zelensky to give a press conferencing announcing Ukraine was investigating Biden: "Yes, I'm hoping we can convince him to do that!"

Volker, in testimony: This was all Giuliani's idea, it was Giuliani who wanted Ukraine to make a statement about Burisma and 2016. I convinced Ukraine not to.

Volker, in response to Ukraine's proposal to name Burisma and 2016 as investigation targets: "Sounds great!"

Volker, in testimony: I thought it was essential that Ukraine not do anything that could be seen as interfering in 2020 election.

Volker, in texts: "Yo Ukraine, fyi that promise to set up a meeting is all dependent on Zelensky convincing Trump he's going to interfere in 2020."

Volker: "At no time was I aware of or took part in an effort to urge Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Biden."

This is so disingenuous it borders on being an outright lie. Volker knew the only reason Burisma mattered was because Trump could use it to attack Biden.

My thesis stands.

Volker's testimony is incredibly lame. His position is that he knew Trump's demands for Ukraine investigate Biden were a threat to national security, so in order to protect US national security, he did his best to find a way to appease the president.

In his testimony, Volker goes to great lengths to distance himself from any involvement or knowledge of the July 25th call.

But Volker is the one who told Zelensky, 30 minutes before the call, that if Zelensky convinces Trump he'll investigate, Zelensky will get his meeting!