It’s Thursday.
It’s day 23 of the Impeachment Inquiry.
As the headline suggests, President Trump is hosting another campaign rally. This time from Dallas, Texas.
Currently happening regarding the Impeachment Inquiry.
U.S. EU Ambassador Gordon Sondland arrived on Capital Hill to offer his testimony to the three House Committees handling the impeachment inquiry.
Ahead of his testimony Sondland’s opening statement was released. In the 18 page PDF, Sondland explained that he was disappointed that the State Department prevented him from offering testimony on Oct. 8th.
He goes on to explain his interest as the U.S. European Union Ambassador in the Ukraine. Writing “Ukraine’s political and economic development are critical to the long-lasting stability of Europe. Moreover, the conflict in Eastern Ukraine and Crimea, which began nearly five years ago, continues as one of the most significant security crises for Europe and the United States.”
He includes in his statement a timeline of events. Included in the timeline is a meeting he and others attended in May of 2019 to debrief President Trump. Sondland says that President Trump was “skeptical” that newly elected Ukraine President Zelensky was “serious about reforms and anti-corruption,” based on this President Trump directed those present in the meeting to talk to his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, about the President’s concerns.
However, President Trump was skeptical that Ukraine was serious about reforms and anti-corruption, and he directed those of us present at the meeting to talk to Mr. Giuliani, his personal attorney, about his concerns.
It was apparent to all of us that the key to changing the President’s mind on Ukraine was Mr. Giuliani. It is my understanding that Energy Secretary Perry and Special Envoy Volker took the lead on reaching out to Mr. Giuliani, as the President had directed.
Sondland Opening Statement.
Sondland also says in his statement that he didn’t understand until much later that Giuliani’s agenda included efforts to get the Ukrainians to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden or his son Hunter.
I did not understand, until much later, that Mr. Giuliani’s agenda might have also included an effort to prompt the Ukrainians to investigate Vice President Biden or his son or to involve Ukrainians, directly or indirectly, in the President’s 2020 reelection campaign.
Sondland Opening Statement.
SONDLAND’s lawyer also say he wants to share documents with impeachment investigators but is being blocked by the State Department and White House. https://t.co/YC2E6Lhals
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) October 17, 2019
Their letter: pic.twitter.com/89upClrEqv
So far the President has tweeted 4 times, and retweeted 8 times.
This is the real story. Thank you Jim! https://t.co/VqJrsUJdiX
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2019
In early August 2019 USA Today reported that President Trump has added a projected $4.1 trillion dollars to the national debt in two years, according to the budget watchdog group.
My warmest condolences to the family and many friends of Congressman Elijah Cummings. I got to see first hand the strength, passion and wisdom of this highly respected political leader. His work and voice on so many fronts will be very hard, if not impossible, to replace!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2019
Democrat Rep. Elijah Cummings of Baltimore, Maryland, passed away early Thursday. Cummings was the Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, one of the Committees involved in the Impeachment Inquiry.
He was 68 years old.
WATCH: The flag at the White House is lowered to half-staff in honor of the late Rep. Elijah Cummings. He died at age 68 early Thursday https://t.co/tUgLEYJg1f pic.twitter.com/3x3B64HKJ6
— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 17, 2019
For more thoughts on the passing of Cummings @ the News Blender.
The Greatest Witch Hunt in American History! https://t.co/sPnloffJMT
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2019
Rinse and repeat. Always the same, knocking the process, while ignoring the absolute appearance of wrongdoing on the part of President Trump and his administration.
#Winning.
As the Witch Hunt continues! https://t.co/klvvwSXq7M
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2019
See?
His current pinned tweet. As a note these pinned tweets do not seem to last long.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2019
The video shows imagines of the CNN staff, with the voice-over saying “This is CNN, the most trusted name…” in news is cut off replaced with a laugh track.
This post will be updated within reason.
This is an Open Thread.
Live Feed: Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney is scheduled to hold a rare press briefing.
Allegedly Vice President Mike Pence is going to have a press briefing following his meeting with Turkish President Erdogan.
I say allegedly because there is a few seconds of footage of the pair in a room, neither took questions.
