Sondland’s opening statement🔥
Over the Cliff Notes
Here's the statement: npr.org/2019/11/20/780…
Sondland acknowledges that his past testimony wasn’t completely accurate.
He opens by blaming the State Department for refusing to cooperate and allow him access to his records.
Over the Cliff Notes
Here's the statement: npr.org/2019/11/20/780…
Sondland acknowledges that his past testimony wasn’t completely accurate.
He opens by blaming the State Department for refusing to cooperate and allow him access to his records.
1/ “In the absence of these records, my memory has not been perfect,” he said.
Here he implicates Giuliani in the quid pro quo: A White House visit in exchange for announcing investigations into the 2016 server and Burisma.
Here he implicates Giuliani in the quid pro quo: A White House visit in exchange for announcing investigations into the 2016 server and Burisma.
2/ July 10: Sondland recalls mentioning the “pre-requisite of investigations before any White House call or meeting.”
[This was the meeting at which Bolton said he wanted no part of any drug deals being cooked up.]
[This was the meeting at which Bolton said he wanted no part of any drug deals being cooked up.]
3/ Sondland learned that Giuliani had been communicating secretly with Ukrainians—including the “reportedly corrupt Ukrainian prosecutor Lutsenko” without informing him, Perry, or Volker.
As late as Sept. 24, Pompeo was directing Volker to speak with Giuliani.
As late as Sept. 24, Pompeo was directing Volker to speak with Giuliani.
4/ Looking back, Sondland finds it odd that nobody told Sondland, Perry, or Volker anything about the Trump’s July 25 call with Zelensky ("ask you a favor though")
He doesn't doubt the witness accounts of the call in which he reportedly told Trump that Zelensky “loves his ass."
He doesn't doubt the witness accounts of the call in which he reportedly told Trump that Zelensky “loves his ass."
5/ Sondland points out, though, that he didn’t discuss anything classified.
[Narrator:🤣The phrase "loves your ass” is certainly not classified, but do we really want the Russians hearing Sondland tell Trump that Zelensky will do anything Trump asks? BUT HER EMAILS!]
[Narrator:🤣The phrase "loves your ass” is certainly not classified, but do we really want the Russians hearing Sondland tell Trump that Zelensky will do anything Trump asks? BUT HER EMAILS!]
6/ [For all this narrator knows, telling the president that another foreign leader loves his ass may be classified.🤣]
The call didn’t strike Sondland as odd. The president loves colorful language. The bigger surprise would have been if Trump didn't ask about the investigations.
The call didn’t strike Sondland as odd. The president loves colorful language. The bigger surprise would have been if Trump didn't ask about the investigations.
7/ Here’s the famous Quid Pro Quo, a White House visit in exchange for opening the investigations.
[I expect the GOP to argue that this came from Guiliani, not Trump. Nobody heard TRUMP say this, meaning that Giuliani may soon see the underside of a bus.]
[I expect the GOP to argue that this came from Guiliani, not Trump. Nobody heard TRUMP say this, meaning that Giuliani may soon see the underside of a bus.]
8/ Then Sondland goes on to document that Pompeo, Perry, and Mulvaney knew exactly what was going.
“Everyone was in the loop,” he said. “It was no secret.”
[How big is that space under the bus?]
“Everyone was in the loop,” he said. “It was no secret.”
[How big is that space under the bus?]
9/ He thus denies that he was running a rogue or unofficial operation.
He says the State Dept. knew what they were doing, and why.
By the end of August, he also believed security aid was being withheld unless the Ukrainians specifically addressed Burisma and the 2016 server.
He says the State Dept. knew what they were doing, and why.
By the end of August, he also believed security aid was being withheld unless the Ukrainians specifically addressed Burisma and the 2016 server.
10/ Sondland describes an increasing "insidiousness."
In testimony, he described it this way: at first, the request was general—a look into investigations. Then the requirements became more specific and “insidious” as more conditions were placed on the meeting.
In testimony, he described it this way: at first, the request was general—a look into investigations. Then the requirements became more specific and “insidious” as more conditions were placed on the meeting.
11/ That last part, by itself, could be a case study in how Trump corrupts people. Trump pulls people in. Then there's a graduate increase in insidiousness until the person is so tangled up they have no choice but help Trump cover the tracks.
12/ This is the difference between appellate and trial lawyers
Appellate lawyer: Respondent is mischaracterizing the evidence.
Trial lawyer: The defendant is lying through his teeth.
Trial lawyer: pounds the table.
Appellate lawyer: selects a good font.
Appellate lawyer: Respondent is mischaracterizing the evidence.
Trial lawyer: The defendant is lying through his teeth.
Trial lawyer: pounds the table.
Appellate lawyer: selects a good font.
Yes ⤵️
