Impeachment inquiry: Trump ally must choose between loyalty and saving himself

[nitpicker]

Last edited Tue Dec 10, 2019, 04:58 AM - Edit history (1)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/17/impeachment-inquiry-gordon-sondland-trump-ally-loyalty-saving-himself

Impeachment inquiry: Trump ally must choose between loyalty and saving himself

David Smith in Washington

Sun 17 Nov 2019 07.33 GMT

Donald Trump’s fate in the impeachment inquiry could rest in the hands of a donor and supporter under pressure to turn against the US president to save his own skin.

Gordon Sondland, the American ambassador to the European Union, is due to testify on Wednesday during the second week of televised hearings that have rocked the White House.

Sondland is certain to be questioned about the biggest revelation from last week: a phone call he made Trump from Ukraine in July in which the president was overheard asking about an investigation into one of his political rivals. Sondland allegedly assured him it would go ahead.

The ambassador made no mention of the call in a deposition to the inquiry behind closed doors, nor in a revised statement three weeks later that conceded a quid pro quo over military aid. Now, in front of TV cameras and an audience of millions, he will be asked why.

As he weighs his answer, Sondland may try to balance fealty to Trump with the fate that has befallen others in the president’s circle: his former lawyer Michael Cohen and ex-campaign chairman Paul Manafort are both behind bars, while political operative Roger Stone was last week found guilty of lying to Congress.
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[Skittles]

1. what kind of idiot would go down with the Trump ship

we will find out

[joshdawg]

7. Perhaps 53 republican Senators??

[Skittles]

11. like I said

we will find out

[mgardener]

8. I know we have discussed Elise Stefanik here

I think she, like a lot of other Republicans will support Trump for a few more days and then find compelling reasons for impeachment.
Edward's win last night was very telling.
If they do not, they will pay for their support of Trump at the polls.

[Mc Mike]

2. This guy is as smart as Rump. He paid a million bucks to get himself into a massive legal jam.

Lemme guess, Gordon's dad built the business, Gordon inherited it, too.

[rpannier]

3. If you choose loyalty to Trump, you are a moron who gets everything you deserve

il douche is loyal to no one and will cut you loose in a heartbeat.

[Cirque du So-What]

4. Helluva dilemma there, gordo

Choose wisely...for once.

[Scarsdale]

5. Sondland just completed a

renovation of his residence in Ukraine. He got his $1 million donation back with kitchen remodels, outdoor facilities and other improvements. His wife is mad, ol' Gordie just exposed their scams, too. In keeping with the rest of the cabinet and tRump appointees Gordie is not too swift mentally. These complete incompetents have ruined the reputation of this country, worldwide. Too bad, it seems in most cases inherited wealth is passed on to the intellectually deprived.

[gab13by13]

6. Gordie is a scum bag just like Trump.

He may be dumber than Trump for carrying Trump's water. Is Gordie smart enough to listen to his lawyer, or is his lawyer a member of Trump's cult? I heard someone say that Gordie may invoke the 5th Amendment, my oh my, I wonder how that will play out? Plus he communicated in crypt and refuses to release the texts. Gordie is not to be trusted, I expect him to go down with the ship and expect a pardon.

[PJMcK]

9. Sondland's lawyers must be pissed

I have a sense that Sondland has been less than forthright with his attorneys. No competent lawyer would let a client lie to Congress, then go back and lie to Congress a second time.

Now he has to go back a third time to explain himself. I find this hilarious!

I would love to have heard his discussions with his lawyers about his testimonies. Just imagine their reaction when he said, "Well, there was this phone call..." Comedy gold.

Sondland is an idiot. Just like Trump.

[empedocles]

10. MSNBC legal commentator Chuck Rosenberg suggests Sondland is a

primate 'flip candidate'.