Ambassador Gordon Sondland ordered not to appear for House impeachment deposition, lawyer says

The Trump administration has directed US Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland not to appear for a deposition regarding the Trump-Ukraine scandal scheduled for Tuesday.

Statement from Sondland’s attorney:

The Trump administration directed a top American diplomat, Gordon Sondland, not to appear Tuesday morning for a scheduled deposition with House Democrats conducting an impeachment inquiry, per two people briefed on the matter.

Ambassador Gordon Sondland has been told by State to not appear this morning before the House – so he won’t. His attorney Robert Luskin said Tuesday morning he has no choice. “He is a sitting Ambassador and employee of State and is required to follow their direction”

This was one of Gordon Sondland’s texts where he says there was no quid pro quo involving aid to Ukraine. But evidently he won’t be telling that story to Congress today.

On State Dept blocking appearance by Amb Sondland, House Intell Chair @RepAdamSchiff says Sondland is considered “a key witness.” Says preventing Sondland testimony will be considered “further acts of obstruction of a co-equal branch of Government.”

President Trump weighs in on the decision

I would love to send Ambassador Sondland, a really good man and great American, to testify, but unfortunately he would be testifying before a totally compromised kangaroo court, where Republican’s rights have been taken away, and true facts are not allowed out for the public….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2019

….to see. Importantly, Ambassador Sondland’s tweet, which few report, stated, “I believe you are incorrect about President Trump’s intentions. The President has been crystal clear: no quid pro quo’s of any kind.” That says it ALL!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2019