Author Topic: State Department blocks ambassador from speaking to Congress in Trump impeachment inquiry  (Read 4273 times)

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Offline edpc

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Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, has been directed by the State Department not to appear Tuesday for a scheduled interview with House committees leading the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.

Sondland, a Trump political appointee, has emerged as a central player in Trump's bid to persuade Ukraine’s new government to commit publicly to investigate corruption and the president’s political opponents.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-administration-orders-ambassador-center-ukraine-scandal-not-appear-congress-n1063636

I disagree.  Circle gets the square.

Offline libertybele

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Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, has been directed by the State Department not to appear Tuesday for a scheduled interview with House committees leading the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.

Sondland, a Trump political appointee, has emerged as a central player in Trump's bid to persuade Ukraine’s new government to commit publicly to investigate corruption and the president’s political opponents.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-administration-orders-ambassador-center-ukraine-scandal-not-appear-congress-n1063636

Interesting. We'll see if he complies.
Romans 12:16-21

Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly, do not claim to be wiser than you are.  Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.  If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all…do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Offline skeeter

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Interesting. We'll see if he complies.

His answer should be 'I'll appear before an actual impeachment hearing.'

Offline edpc

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Interesting. We'll see if he complies.


His attorney has already put out a statement that he would not testify, based upon the fact he is bound by state department protocols. It’s further down, in the article.


"As the sitting U.S. Ambassador to the EU and employee of the State Department, Ambassador Sondland is required to follow the Department’s direction," Luskin continued, adding that Sondland "is profoundly disappointed that he will not be able to testify today."


Trump has also weighed in, via Twitter.


Donald J. Trump
✔
@realDonaldTrump

 I would love to send Ambassador Sondland, a really good man and great American, to testify, but unfortunately he would be testifying before a totally compromised kangaroo court, where Republican’s rights have been taken away, and true facts are not allowed out for the public....

Donald J. Trump
✔
@realDonaldTrump

....to see. Importantly, Ambassador Sondland’s tweet, which few report, stated, “I believe you are incorrect about President Trump’s intentions. The President has been crystal clear: no quid pro quo’s of any kind.” That says it ALL!

17.6K
8:23 AM - Oct 8, 2019
I disagree.  Circle gets the square.

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Offline txradioguy

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Reveal who this fake whistleblower is and you'll get the texts.
The libs/dems of today are the Quislings of former years. The cowards who would vote a fraud into office in exchange for handouts from the devil.

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Offline edpc

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There are legitimate reasons why Sondland should answer questions. He is the US ambassador to the EU and Ukraine is not part of the European Union. Having a formal inquiry may be the best thing that could happen. In previous impeachment processes, under Nixon and Clinton, the minority party also gained the power to subpoena. Republicans could call and question their own specific witnesses.

https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2019-10-07/subpoena-power-republicans-want-house-vote-impeachment-inquiry-pelosi-doesnt
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Offline Cyber Liberty

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Trump's correct on this:  Unless and until Republicans have the same powers as the Majority in these "hearings," he should not cooperate in any way.  There's nothing to cooperate with.
For unvaccinated, we are looking at a winter of severe illness and death — if you’re unvaccinated — for themselves, their families, and the hospitals they’ll soon overwhelm. Sloe Joe Biteme 12/16
I will NOT comply.
 
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Offline Sanguine

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Trump's correct on this:  Unless and until Republicans have the same powers as the Majority in these "hearings," he should not cooperate in any way.  There's nothing to cooperate with.

Exactly.

Offline austingirl

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Trump's correct on this:  Unless and until Republicans have the same powers as the Majority in these "hearings," he should not cooperate in any way.  There's nothing to cooperate with.

Absolutely.
Principles matter. Words matter.

Offline txradioguy

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Trump's correct on this:  Unless and until Republicans have the same powers as the Majority in these "hearings," he should not cooperate in any way.  There's nothing to cooperate with.

@Cyber Liberty I don't think Nancy is going to let the Republicans anywhere near this impeachment crap.

She's opened up her playbook to how she treated the Republicans in the House during the Obamacare proceedings.  She completely shut them out during that as well.  Told them they weren't needed or wanted.

History is repeating itself.
The libs/dems of today are the Quislings of former years. The cowards who would vote a fraud into office in exchange for handouts from the devil.

Here lies in honored glory an American soldier, known but to God

THE ESTABLISHMENT IS THE PROBLEM...NOT THE SOLUTION

Republicans Don't Need A Back Bench...They Need a BACKBONE!

Offline Cyber Liberty

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@Cyber Liberty I don't think Nancy is going to let the Republicans anywhere near this impeachment crap.

She's opened up her playbook to how she treated the Republicans in the House during the Obamacare proceedings.  She completely shut them out during that as well.  Told them they weren't needed or wanted.

History is repeating itself.

Let's hope the useful idiots like Amash and Romney see this.  I am not optimistic.
For unvaccinated, we are looking at a winter of severe illness and death — if you’re unvaccinated — for themselves, their families, and the hospitals they’ll soon overwhelm. Sloe Joe Biteme 12/16
I will NOT comply.
 
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Offline txradioguy

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Let's hope the useful idiots like Amash and Romney see this.  I am not optimistic.

I'm not either...we have politicians allegedly on our side that are more fearful of what some talking head on the nightly news is gonna say about them than actually doing the right thing for their constituents and the country.
The libs/dems of today are the Quislings of former years. The cowards who would vote a fraud into office in exchange for handouts from the devil.

Here lies in honored glory an American soldier, known but to God

THE ESTABLISHMENT IS THE PROBLEM...NOT THE SOLUTION

Republicans Don't Need A Back Bench...They Need a BACKBONE!

Offline Cyber Liberty

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I'm not either...we have politicians allegedly on our side that are more fearful of what some talking head on the nightly news is gonna say about them than actually doing the right thing for their constituents and the country.

Useful idiots we will have with us always.  But remember:  Susan Collins did vote to confirm Kavanaugh.
For unvaccinated, we are looking at a winter of severe illness and death — if you’re unvaccinated — for themselves, their families, and the hospitals they’ll soon overwhelm. Sloe Joe Biteme 12/16
I will NOT comply.
 
Castillo del Cyber Autonomous Zone ~~~~~>                          :dontfeed:

Offline Right_in_Virginia

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Trump's correct on this:  Unless and until Republicans have the same powers as the Majority in these "hearings," he should not cooperate in any way.  There's nothing to cooperate with.

 :thumbsup:

Offline Jazzhead

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Trump's correct on this:  Unless and until Republicans have the same powers as the Majority in these "hearings," he should not cooperate in any way.  There's nothing to cooperate with.

Agreed.  American justice is not defined by kangaroo courts.   
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Offline aligncare

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State Department blocks ambassador from speaking to Congress in Trump impeachment inquiry v2.0

Offline jpsb

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Offline edpc

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Quote
Democrats to subpoena Sondland


That won’t really matter. Their subpoena power is fairly weak. If the administration doesn’t want him to testify, he will defy it, like Rove and Holder have, in the past.
I disagree.  Circle gets the square.

Offline Cyber Liberty

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For unvaccinated, we are looking at a winter of severe illness and death — if you’re unvaccinated — for themselves, their families, and the hospitals they’ll soon overwhelm. Sloe Joe Biteme 12/16
I will NOT comply.
 
Castillo del Cyber Autonomous Zone ~~~~~>                          :dontfeed:

Offline truth_seeker

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The ambassador to the EU has precisely what role, in dealings between the US, and non-EU member Ukraine?

"God must love the common man, he made so many of them.�  Abe Lincoln

Offline XenaLee

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His answer should be 'I'll appear before an actual impeachment hearing.'

Exactly.   These unofficial "requests to appear" should be ignored.   Only the truly stuckonstupid useful idiots are unaware that the rats are merely playing impeachment games here.
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Offline Cyber Liberty

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Exactly.   These unofficial "requests to appear" should be ignored.   Only the truly stuckonstupid useful idiots are unaware that the rats are merely playing impeachment games here.

Well, today the Democrats issued a subpoena for the Ambassador.  Let's see them enforce it.

Schitt also announced a refusal of this subpoena would be an Article of Impeachment (obstruction), if such a thing ever came to a vote.
« Last Edit: October 08, 2019, 05:28:22 pm by Cyber Liberty »
For unvaccinated, we are looking at a winter of severe illness and death — if you’re unvaccinated — for themselves, their families, and the hospitals they’ll soon overwhelm. Sloe Joe Biteme 12/16
I will NOT comply.
 
Castillo del Cyber Autonomous Zone ~~~~~>                          :dontfeed:

Offline edpc

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Well, today the Democrats issued a subpoena for the Ambassador.  Let's see them enforce it.

Schitt also announced a refusal of this subpoena would be an Article of Impeachment (obstruction), if such a thing ever came to a vote.


Technically, they could do that, because similar obstruction charges were part of the articles of impeachment, being drawn up for Nixon.
I disagree.  Circle gets the square.