President Trump called congressional investigators a “kangaroo court” after U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Gordon Sondland was suddenly blocked from testifying as part of an impeachment inquiry into Trump.
“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 to see,” Trump said in a Tuesday morning tweet.
“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!” he added.
….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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2019
It appears Trump was referring to a series of text messages exchanged between Sondland and chargé d’affaires William Taylor in September, which were released the same day former State Department envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker testified to investigators last week.
A key tenant of the whistleblower complaint that triggered the Democratic-led impeachment inquiry is the alleged existence of a quid pro quo between Washington and Kyiv. Investigators are examining whether the administration conditionally withheld military aid.
On Sept. 1, Sondland responded to concerns from Taylor by denying the existence of a quid pro quo in a text message exchange.
“The message to the Ukrainians (and Russians) we send with the decision on security assistance is key. With the hold, we have already shaken their faith in us. Thus my nightmare scenario,” Taylor said. “Counting on you to be right about this interview, Gordon.”
Sondland replied, “Bill I never said I was ‘right’. I said we are where we are and believe we have identified the best pathway forward. Lets hope it works.”
“As I said on the phone, I think it’s crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign,” Taylor responded.
“Bill, I believe you are incorrect about President Trump’s intentions. The president has been crystal clear no quid pro quo’s of any kind. The president is trying to evaluate whether Ukraine is truly going to adopt the transparency and reforms that president Zelensky promised during his campaign,” Sondland wrote, before adding that they should stop the “back and forth by text.”
Despite Democrats moving forward with an impeachment inquiry, the White House has called for a floor vote on the matter.
