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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNo 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 Taylors text about it being crazy to link Ukraine assistance to help with a political campaign.
Link to tweet
Mike 03
(16,616 posts)MaryMagdaline
(6,855 posts)The worst.president.ever.
madaboutharry
(40,212 posts)Just now on MSNBC, "S" (in the text about communicating by phone rather than by text) stands for Secretary of State.
StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)ffr
(22,670 posts)Link to tweet
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)"We'll, if he's not going to testify, we will just go ahead and tell you everything you need to know anyway". LOL!
Maru Kitteh
(28,340 posts)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.
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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)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!