General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe 3 Big Reveals In Taylor's Bombshell Testimony On Trump's Ukraine Scheme
<snip>
Sept. 1: Ukraine is told military aid is being withheld for probes
Taylors prepared statement described the frenzied weeks after Trump placed a hold on military aid to Ukraine that had been authorized by Congress.
Even after Politico broke the news of the freeze on Aug. 28, it wasnt Taylors understanding that the hold was connected to Trumps demands that Ukraine open a Biden-related probe and a probe into conspiracy theories about the 2016 election.
The connection was only made for him four days later, during a Sept. 1 conversation with a National Security Council official, Taylor testified.
Sept. 7: Trump wants Zelensky to announce probes into Biden and the 2016 election
Taylor spoke to Morrison several more times after the Sept. 1 phone call. During a Sept. 7 phone call, Morrison recalled to Taylor a conversation that Sondland said he had had with President Trump.
According to the account, Trump had denied to Sondland that there was a quid pro quo.
But President Trump did insist that President Zelensky go to a microphone and say he is opening investigations of Biden and 2016 election interference, Taylor said of Morrisons account of the Sondland-Trump call.
Sept 8: Frozen aid is at a stalemate unless Zelensky announces probes- TPM
Taylor went to Sondland again, who discussed on the phone with Taylor his conversations with Trump and top Ukrainian officials, according to Taylors testimony.
Again denying the quid pro quo, Trump still wanted Zelensky to clear things up and do it in public, Sondland allegedly told Taylor.
Sondland told Taylor that he delivered the message to Zelensky and his aide Yermak, telling them there would be a stalemate unless Zelensky cleared things up
Zelensky agreed to do an interview on CNN announcing the probes, according to Taylors account of what Sonland told him.
Dana Milbank is right, this isn't quid pro quo, it's quid pro luto (this for dirt).
Midnight Writer
(21,768 posts)"work things out with Putin". Ukraine is under an active invasion by Russia. I take the "work things out" to be instructing Zelensky to make concessions to the Russian Bear.
stuffmatters
(2,574 posts)The twofer Putin needs to get the Russian sanctions lifted.
dchill
(38,502 posts)uponit7771
(90,347 posts)mercuryblues
(14,532 posts)He is a fat cat that bought his way into an ambassadorship. No way that guy will take the fall for trump and go to jail. From what I read of his deposition, it was self-serving. He seems like a guy that, despite making it big in the USA, he wanted-no he coveted what others were getting above him, he set out to get it for himself. Green eyed monster.
His only choice to save himself right now is to go to congress and "clarify" his testimony. Spill it all and hope for the best. It is actually his only choice if he wants to save his business. If he doesn't he will be going to jail for perjury and lose his business. He has to realize by now that trump will never protect him. trump will only protect himself.
Stuart G
(38,434 posts)Lonestarblue
(10,011 posts)He wanted Ukraine to manufacture evidence of corruption by the Bidens. The media keeps just talking about an investigation, as if it were warranted. They need to report accuratelythat Trump wanted false dirt on Biden to use in 2020. Its time for the media to call Trump what he is: a corrupt dictator who aligns himself with the worst of the worlds authoritarian leaders and sells out US allies and US national security at the drop of a hat.
dchill
(38,502 posts)...the opposite of their jobs.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)Duppers
(28,125 posts)grantcart
(53,061 posts)A harm to that person.
Bribery is where you entice someone to take action with a positive enducement.
Could be either but bribery fits better.
Bribery requires a specific quid for quo. That is why Malvaney's admission with today's statements by Taylor is so devistating.
gristy
(10,667 posts)Get dirt on Biden, or no military aid to resist Russia.
"That's a nice country you've got there. It'd be a shame if something happened to it."
grantcart
(53,061 posts)erronis
(15,291 posts)While I understand the underlying sentiment, the inquiry is not being performed by some mandated group of Democrats.
They are the elected representatives from all of the states and all of the parties. Not just the Democrats.
Now, some of any party may not agree with everything, but it is still the House that is bringing these inquiries.
magicarpet
(14,155 posts).... from the Oval Office,... AmeriKKKa is so proud to have this thug trDump
in the White people's White House.
Patriotic Americans - NOT SO MUCH !
docgee
(870 posts)Withholding the funds Congress already appropriated is straight up extortion.