Sondland changes testimony, acknowledges delivering quid pro quo message to Ukraine
According to the new sworn declaration, Sondland told Congress that his memory was refreshed after reviewing the opening statements given to Congress by Bill Taylor, the acting ambassador to Ukraine, and Tim Morrison, a former adviser to Trump on Russian and European affairs.
Sondland said he also now remembered a Sept. 1 conversation with Andriy Yermak, a top Zelenskiy adviser, in Warsaw in which he told Yermak that "the resumption of U.S. aid would likely not occur until Ukraine provided the public anti-corruption statement that we had been discussing for many weeks."
He also said that soon after, he "came to understand" the statement would have to come from Zelenskiy himself. He claimed he doesn't remember exactly how he learned this, but that he thought it may have come from Giuliani or Kurt Volker, then-U.S. special envoy to Ukraine who resigned after his name appeared in a whistleblower complaint about Trump’s dealings with Ukraine.
Federal prison sentences on perjury charges can still be one heck of a memory enhancer cant it? My guess is his lawyer told him "theres enough evidence here to sink Trump and if he did pardon Manafort, hes definitely not pardoning you"
You know, people can be forgiven if they see some form of "contrition" on the part of the person who committed the crime. By in large, we are a rather forgiving people.
I'm trying to download/read his transcript, but a bunch of people must be doing the same, because it isn't loading or I'm getting an error.
Was there any sign of contrition? Any apology for lying and now coming clean? I bet his lawyer reamed him a new one.....now the question is, is this the WHOLE truth or part of the truth and a whole lot of ass covering?
Ass covering for sure. He and his lawyer know someone is going down. I am sure they saw the writing on the wall. Does he want to go down for Trump?
Last night I heard someone speak on what goes on during the closed door hearings. The Republicans with the doors closed are complete and total wimps. They don't defend Trump, they don't ask hard questions, I guess they just talk tough in front of cameras.
@Laura-f, I agree. The source is questionable. I brought up the tweet I did just so folks know that there is behind the scenes rumors that there is another quid pro quo that hasn't been outed yet, and supposedly it involves Jared.
I don't get the evangelicals either. If they believe in the Bible so much, why would they support someone who ran a high priced escort service? Don't get me wrong, I go to church all the time, and it's not my place to judge. That's the thing about the internet (kind of like the text messages that are coming to light as well), once something is there, there's a record. The http://www.trumpescorts.com/travel-companions /" target="true">Wayback Machine archives didn't forget Mango's past. LOL
Thats the problem here. They all know what is going on and have consciously chosen their assumed chances of reelection over what they know is right. Maybe its just me, but in my view(aside from morals and being on the right side of history), everyone's term comes to an end and I would want to be respected after my career in Washington, and also get a job/book deal that would make me good money. There is a lot more money in the private sector, post DC, for those who stand up against Trump than for the dime a dozen cowards that follow in line. Those who separate themselves end up making a ton more money after the fact because people want to hear their story. Do they not see this?
I'm interested that you say this because several pundits have said the same thing. They talk about how these people will be remembered and mention people like Joe McCarthy and what we think of him today. It's the opinion of these people that this is a consideration for a lot of Republicans. I don't know, but it's encouraging that you say the same thing.
Look at the watergate players. Yea Liddy had his 15 mins, but he was one of the criminals and not a true politico. John Dean is all over cable news 45 years later. Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein made their careers over it. If Mark Felt were still alive today, he would be very in demand as well. Just the fact that people vehemently chased his identity for almost 40 years shows clearly that we are fascinated with the good guys in the aftermath. Anonymous and "the whistleblower" are the new deepthroat. People will chase after their identity like they did Felt until its revealed and when it is, the money will come pouring in. The same goes for Vindeman, Yovanovitch, and Taylor thusfar. They arent doing it for the money, but it will come. The GOP sheep are choosing dollars and shame over hundreds and admiration. I just dont get it.