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kpete

(71,994 posts)
Tue Oct 8, 2019, 01:14 PM Oct 2019

No wonder Trump doesn't want Sondland to talk

NEWS: A person with knowledge of the situation confirms to NBC that Gordon Sondland spoke by phone with Pres. Trump on Sept. 9 before responding to acting Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor’s text about it being “crazy” to link Ukraine assistance to help with a political campaign.




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MaryMagdaline

(6,855 posts)
2. So he was given a chance to back away from his criminality and he went full bore instead
Tue Oct 8, 2019, 01:24 PM
Oct 2019

The worst.president.ever.

madaboutharry

(40,212 posts)
3. This story gets dirtier by the hour.
Tue Oct 8, 2019, 01:29 PM
Oct 2019

Just now on MSNBC, "S" (in the text about communicating by phone rather than by text) stands for Secretary of State.

ffr

(22,670 posts)
5. This is nearing out of control for the rethuglicans. "Where's the line?"
Tue Oct 8, 2019, 01:42 PM
Oct 2019


NBC: U.S. officials and others with knowledge of their relationship also say that Sondland is part of a small cadre of ambassadors who enjoy direct and frequent access to Trump. They say the two speak frequently by phone and have spoken extensively about Ukraine in the past.

ScratchCat

(1,990 posts)
6. Sounds like a few people said
Tue Oct 8, 2019, 01:46 PM
Oct 2019

"We'll, if he's not going to testify, we will just go ahead and tell you everything you need to know anyway". LOL!

skip fox

(19,359 posts)
8. Yep!
Tue Oct 8, 2019, 01:59 PM
Oct 2019

Because if they asked why he wrote Taylor that there was no quid pro quo after a 5-hour gap on communications, he would have to evoke executive immunity which would prove that he consulted the White House, involving Trump[ in more obstruction.

Scenario:

Ambassador Gordon Sondland receives call from Bill Turner warning against quid pro quo.

Sondland calls Trump.

Trump consults with advisors and lawyers for several hours.

Trumps calls and tells Sondland to inform Taylor in no uncertain terms that there is no quid pro quo and to stop text messaging about aid to the Ukraine and Biden

Sondland calls Taylor and follows the President's dictates.


***********************

The problem with Sondland testifying is that he can't claim executive privilege while hiding the existence of his communication with Trump, and once he admits talking to Trump in that five-hour period the reason for his denial to Taylor will be obvious and implicate Trump even more in obstruction.

abqtommy

(14,118 posts)
9. I remember actor Robert Blake portraying character Anthony Vincenzo "Tony" Baretta
Tue Oct 8, 2019, 02:07 PM
Oct 2019

and delivering the line "If you can't do the time don't do the crime." Evidently tRUMP and his Traitor Tots weren't listening!

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