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Gordon Sondland, US ambassador to the EU, is testifying in today's impeachment hearing, and he came armed with damning texts and emails to throw Trump and Mike Pompeo under the bus.

Follow along all day for updates: bit.ly/35ntwWK

Because he was in contact with the president throughout the entire Ukraine scandal, Sondland is one of the most significant witnesses against Trump.

His previous testimony acknowledged a quid pro quo between the president and Ukraine. bit.ly/35ntwWK

Sondland started his testimony by throwing everyone under the bus.

He showed up with text messages and emails that he claims prove that top brass at the White House and State Department were involved in Trump's pressure campaign. bit.ly/35ntwWK

One of those emails was between Sondland, Pompeo, and Lisa Kenna, a career State Department aide. bit.ly/35ntwWK

"Members of this Committee have frequently framed these complicated issues in the form of a simple question: Was there a 'quid pro quo?'" Sondland's opening statement said.

"The answer is yes." bit.ly/35ntwWK

Sondland said he, Rick Perry, and Kurt Volker "worked with Rudy Giuliani on Ukraine matters at the express direction of the President of the United States."

"We did not want to work with Mr. Giuliani. Simply put, we were playing the hand we were dealt." bit.ly/35ntwWK

Sondland took aim at Giuliani, confirming Giuliani's requests "were a quid pro quo."

"Mr. Giuliani was expressing the desires of the President of the United States, and we knew these investigations were important to the president." bit.ly/35ntwWK

Sondland was asked about a phone call he had with the president, in which he said the Ukrainian president "loves your a--" and would investigate Hunter Biden's business dealings.

"That's how President Trump and I communicate. Lots of four letter words." bit.ly/2XyYqIF

Sondland discussed a July 26 phone call between himself and Trump in which the president discussed "investigations" in Ukraine.

David Holmes testified that he heard Trump ask Sondland about the status of "the investigations." bit.ly/35ntwWK

Republicans went from praising Sondland to slamming his credibility as a witness.

"You don't have records, you don't have notes because you don't take notes, and you don't have recollections," Steve Castor said.

"This is a trifecta of unreliability." bit.ly/35ntwWK

In a break in the hearing on Wednesday, Fox News anchor @BretBaier called Sondland's testimony and his 23-page opening statement "very damaging to some of the arguments the GOP has been making." bit.ly/37mY0K7

@BretBaier Trump weighed in on Sondland's testimony by reading off a note written in Sharpie.

Here's what it said: "I want nothing. I want nothing. I want no quid pro quo. Tell Zellinsky to do the right thing. This is the final word from the Pres. of the U.S." bit.ly/35ntwWK

Sondland testified that he discussed the Burisma investigation with Pence before Pence met with Zelensky in Poland on September 1.

Pence's office sharply disputed Sondland's testimony. bit.ly/35ntwWK

Rep. Devin Nunes warned Sondland that he was there "to be smeared" by Democrats.

Then Steve Castor, the minority counsel, questioned Sondland's credibility as a witness. bit.ly/37nj4Qx

Trump weighed in on Sondland's hearing as he was still testifying.

"Impeachment Witch Hunt is now OVER!" the president tweeted. bit.ly/35ntwWK

The GOP strategy has shifted in recent weeks as Republican lawmakers seek to paint Giuliani as a rogue element who carried out the shadow campaign on his own and not at Trump's behest.

But it looks like Giuliani won't take that lying down. bit.ly/35ntwWK

Republicans have spent the hearing alternating between praising Sondland and skewering him.

Mike Turner told Sondland he has "no testimony today that ties President Trump to a scheme to withhold aid from Ukraine in exchange for these investigations." bit.ly/35ntwWK

"I never said the President of the United States should be impeached," Sondland said after Mike Turner said Sondland's presumptions were based on "nothing" and "hearsay evidence." bit.ly/35ntwWK

Rep. Maloney won applause for questions that led to Sondland saying that an investigation into the Bidens would have benefited Trump.

"With all due respect sir, we appreciate your candor, but let's be really clear on what it took to get it out of you." bit.ly/2CYthVT

Follow all of @Politicsinsider's coverage on the impeachment hearings here: businessinsider.com/category/trump…

@Politicsinsider Laura Cooper revealed in testimony that she recently became aware of 2 previously unknown emails that show Ukrainian officials and a House committee asking about the frozen military aid to Ukraine.

They were sent on the day of Trump's infamous phone call. bit.ly/35ntwWK