The Daily

The Saga of Gordon Sondland

Nov 8, 2019

Michael S. Schmidt, a Washington correspondent for The New York Times, sheds light on Gordon Sondland's dramatic change in testimony regarding the impeachment investigation. Sondland, initially claiming ignorance, now confirms direct pressure from Trump's administration on Ukraine for an inquiry into the Bidens. The discussion dives into Sondland's unique journey from hotelier to ambassador and the political implications of his reversal. Schmidt also highlights the impact of this testimony on ongoing inquiries and the media's role in unveiling the truth.

28:56

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Episode guests

Michael S. Schmidt

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Episode notes

Intro

3min

Revisions and Revelations in Impeachment Testimonies

2min

Gordon Sondland: From Donor to Diplomat

11min

The Implications of Testimony in the Ukraine Scandal

4min

Sondland's Shifting Testimony

8min

Political Maneuverings and Legal Setbacks

3min

Gordon D. Sondland, the United States ambassador to the European Union, told impeachment investigators he knew “nothing” about a quid pro quo in Ukraine.

Now Mr. Sondland, a blunt-spoken hotelier, has changed tack. In a new four-page sworn statement released by the House, he confirmed his role in communicating President Trump’s demand that Ukraine investigate the Bidens in exchange for military aid.

Today, we discuss the road to Mr. Sondland’s sudden reversal, and what his new testimony means for the impeachment investigation.

Guest: Michael S. Schmidt, a Washington correspondent for The Times who covers national security and federal investigations. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily.

Background reading:

Mr. Sondland’s reversal offers a potentially critical piece of evidence to investigators trying to determine whether Mr. Trump abused his power.
Late-night show hosts mocked Mr. Sondland, saying he had reversed his testimony after remembering “one important detail: that I don’t want to go to jail for perjury.”

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