The NPR Politics Podcast White House Blocks Key Witness From Testifying In Impeachment Inquiry
Oct 8, 2019
The Trump administration has barred Ambassador Gordon Sondland from testifying in the impeachment inquiry, stirring frustration among House Democrats. This situation raises serious concerns about obstruction of Congress, especially given Sondland's crucial role in the Ukraine aid discussions. The tensions are escalating as the House Intelligence Committee confronts the White House over compliance. Public opinion on the inquiry is shifting, with increasing support from Democrats and some independents, complicating the political landscape for lawmakers.
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Sondland Background
- Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the E.U., was a major Trump donor and hotel manager.
- Known for his brash personality, he once hosted the Ukrainian president, a former comedian, at a Fourth of July party featuring Jay Leno.
Sondland's Text and Testimony
- Sondland's text message urging an offline conversation foreshadowed the inquiry.
- His stated disappointment at being blocked suggests the decision wasn't his, despite his close ties to Trump.
White House Strategy
- The White House's resistance is both legal and political, aiming to frame the inquiry as a partisan attack.
- This strategy relies on maintaining Republican support, prioritizing base unity over swaying Democrats.