Holmes can definitely play himself in the movie.
Ooooh. So can Dr. Fiona Hill. “I am here as a FACT witness.” (Emphasis HERS)
“I am an American by choice.”
Hill: The talking point about Ukraine and US elections is directly from GRU. Who attacked us in 2016 is not in dispute—it was Russia. They’re geared up to do it again and we’re running out of time to stop them.
Hill: Russia acting as a super PAC pumping millions into active measures that affect our elections.
(And I believe therein lies the answer as to why the GOP has tied itself to a Trumpload of cinder blocks)
(And I believe therein lies the answer as to why the GOP has tied itself to a Trumpload of cinder blocks)
Hill: they seed disinformation. They seed doubt. We need to be very careful not to give them more fodder.
I just want to acknowledge what a beautifully American experience this is, even though also difficult. People from a patchwork of backgrounds have chosen to dedicate their lives and careers to this dream of ours.
I am transfixed by both Holmes and Hill.
Holmes: Sondland prohibited him from attending a meeting and taking notes.
Note: if the restaurant in Kiev was anything like most European restaurants, the table was likely small and Holmes was likely sitting rather close to Sondland.
Q: did Trump not know that Kiev is in Ukraine?
It’s amazing that all these guys assume everyone is just like them. Sondland didn’t have enough self awareness to refrain from telling career civil servants that as far as he and Trump were concerned, “big stuff” was their own personal well being.
I thank God every day that he hired morons who just don’t get that people exist who work for and believe in something bigger than themselves.
By invoking executive privilege Hill denies Trump certain talking points, and also protects/sets future precedent for the office of the presidency.
Holmes: Lutsenko is corrupt.
Hill looks visibly angered at the reading of a GRU-sponsored conspiracy theory coming out of Trump’s mouth.
As Holmes enumerates Russia’s benefit re the disinformation campaign surrounding Ukraine, reminder that the GOP has spent the entire inquiry screaming those very talking points.
I have a feeling Hill is going to shut down Nunes + company every time they try to bring up these GRU-sponsored talking points. Wonder how they’ll recalibrate.
Hill: smearing of Yovanovitch was shameful.
(and Pompeo has participated with his complicit silence)
Holmes: it wasn’t just a US idea to get rid of Lutsenko. It was the consensus of allies.
My guess: Bolton stiffened because Sondland had just said the quiet parts out loud via official channels.
(because, again, Sondland had no relevant experience/self-awareness to prevent himself from doing so, IMO)
