Sondland testimony targets Trump, Pompeo and confirms deal with Ukraine

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BREAKING: Amb. Sondland to point finger at Pres. Trump, Sec. Pompeo and former NSA Bolton in public impeachment hearing testimony Wednesday: 'They knew what we were doing and why,' Sondland plans to say, according to opening statement obtained by NBCNews.

Further implicating Pompeo, Sondland plans to testify that it was"based on my communications with Secretary Pompeo" that he felt comfortable telling a top Zelenskiy aide the funds likely wouldn't be unfrozen until Ukraine committed publicly to the investigations sought by Trump. Those included probes into former Vice President Joe Biden's family and alleged Ukrainian meddling in the 2016 election.

But the email and text records Sondland is providing to Congress on Wednesday may corroborate some of his new account. But Sondland's testimony that they were carrying out Trump's wishes — and briefing top officials along the way — may complicate any efforts to use him and Giuliani as buffers between the president and allegations of wrongdoing.

During that call, according to testimony from diplomat David Holmes, Trump could be overheard asking Sondland about the investigations and was told the Ukrainians were ready to commit to them. Sondland also told Trump that Zelenskiy will do"anything you ask him to," Holmes testified. Arguing he bears no personal fault and acted in good faith, Sondland repeatedly blames Trump for forcing him, Volker and Energy Secretary Rick Perry to work with Giuliani on Ukraine, despite all of them thinking it was a bad idea.

 

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