Posted on 11/05/2019 4:13:42 PM PST by Kaslin
Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) tweeted on Tuesday that despite what many media headlines are reporting with regards to Ambassador Gordon Sondland's testimony, he did not confirm there was a case of quid pro quo between President Trump and Ukraine.
"Seeing many overblown (and outright false) reports about Ambassador Sondland's testimony. Here's what he actually said. 1. I did not (and still don't) know why aid was held up 2. I 'PRESUMED' it was because of corruption 3. I told Yermak my assumption," said Meadows, who sits on the House Oversight and Reform Committee.
Seeing many overblown (and outright false) reports about Ambassador Sondland's testimony. Here's what he actually said.
1. I did not (and still don't) know why aid was held up
2. I "PRESUMED" it was because of corruption
3. I told Yermak my assumption
See paragraph 4 here: pic.twitter.com/STZ2vtrVsv— Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) November 5, 2019
Democrats and the media are seizing on paragraph five of Sondland's update, where he tells Mr. Yermak the aid may not be released without an anti-corruption statement.
Even *if* you think this is nefarious... Sondland admits in paragraph FOUR this was based on an assumption! https://t.co/OA7MRn5aGf— Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) November 5, 2019
Sondland also told lawmakers when he talked with Trump about Ukraine, Trump told him, "I want nothing. I want no quid pro quo. I want Zelensky to do the right thing."
"Both transcripts released today show there is even less evidence for this illegitimate impeachment sham than previously thought," White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement. "Ambassador Sondland squarely states that he 'did not know, (and still does not know) when, why or by whom the aid was suspended.'...By contrast, Volker’s testimony confirms there could not have been a quid pro quo because the Ukrainians did not know about the military aid hold at the time. No amount of salacious media-biased headlines, which are clearly designed to influence the narrative, change the fact that the President has done nothing wrong."
>While it does not look good that Sondland assumed the military aid was tied to a public declaration of an investigation, in his own words, he does not know the exact reason why it was initially withheld. In Kurt Volker's testimony, he said there was no “linkage” between a White House meeting and Ukrainian investigations. He also told lawmakers he did not view the delay in aid to be significant because it was eventually given.
Sondland's text to former Ambassador Bill Taylor is another a indicator that he understood Trump's intentions, "I believe you are incorrect about President Trump's intentions. The president has been crystal clear no quid pro quo's of any kind."
PLUS, since USA has a treaty with Ukraine for investigations, it would have been appropriate for PDJT to ask for help. And foreign aid is almost always conditioned on cooperation from the recipient countries.
In short, had he done what is alleged, he would have been perfectly justified and correct. He’s got nothing to defend on this one.
This is another example of the left wing news media reporting the exact opposite of what actually happened.
Is there something wrong with a quid pro quo? Isn’t it kind of done all the time, by many different people? It’s called leverage.
Yup... These Dem’s leak what they want, when they want. Unless our side stands up and says something contrary - the narrative is going to be negative against Trump. The truth will prevail... I just wish there was more light on truth.
Yep, more fantasy land noise from the Demcorat Facist Party toadies in the Fake News.
He “felt” something in a conversation. His feelings are utterly irrelevant. He assumed something that was not part of any direction to him by any part of the US Government. To try and manufacture a “bomb shell” out of this is ludicrous
Does so! Does not! Does so! Does not! Ad infinitum.
Today it has been reported that Sondland said that there was a “quid pro quo”.
More Fake news, distortions, etc? Let’s see what develops. Sondland might find his ass before the Sen. Foreign Relations committee, also under oath and possibly in an open hearing. Getting Popcorn and chips for this one.
So once again the Fake News Democrat Fascist Party noise machine is lying to us.
“PLUS, since USA has a treaty with Ukraine for investigations, it would have been appropriate for PDJT to ask for help. And foreign aid is almost always conditioned on cooperation from the recipient countries.”
That fact exasperates me maybe more than anything else about this particular witch hunt. Why waste time on arguing whether or not there was a quid pro quo when the bottom line is the president has the right to expect certain things in return for money given to foreign countries? Giving it return for investigating possible corruption is not only commendable but, one could argue, we are bound by a mutual agreement to do so.
This should be moved to breaking news! It makes the Sondland testimony very clear.
Sort of like, “I’ll vote for you if you promise to do my bidding.” There are specific legalalties that attend to how holders of public office conduct their affairs. The lawless ones inhabiting DC are not about to shed clear light on those legalities, but if justice has its way, a significant amount of prosecution will come about.
Thanks, but I don’t really think quid pro quo is even worth mentioning. First is was the Russia hoax. Now it is this one. What hoax will it be next week?
The Dems are just ticked off because someone dared to question the allocation of taxpayer dollars. How dare President Trump demand to know if our money was going into corrupt politicians pockets or to fight the Russian incursion
I agree. The fact that Biden happens to be a “political rival” (hahaha-as if Biden stands a chance) does not negate the responsibility to curtail self-enrichment by sale of national influence.
Yes, it was on video that he got some investigation stopped. He is guilty as sin.
As long as QPQ isn’t for personal gain,(see Biden Family) I can’t see the illegality.
Presumed? Law 101 mens rea
Trump said no quid pro quo. Mic drop
“when, why or by whom the aid was suspended.’.”
Find that out and I bet we find a dem operative.
Trump’s instincts to not arm the Ukraine were correct and he only did it because he was being smeared as soft on Russia and pushed to do so by the senate war monger GOP contingent like McCain.
I hope this issue does not take down Trump but I don’t trust the GOP congress which I view as backstabbers and only fearing the base for their Trump support.
I also hope this makes the future Republicans want to cut funding to the State Dept and CIA and Pentagon and FBI and police as organs of the Deep State.
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