Tipsheet

House Dems Continually Recite Testimony That's Based on Presumption

Over the last two days, we have heard House Democratic Impeachment Managers repeatedly reference Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland's testimony as evidence that President Donald Trump threatened to withhold military aid to Ukraine unless an investigation was launched into the Bidens and their corrupt behavior.

One of President Trump's defense team members, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), shared a video to remind Americans of one important tidbit: Sondland had no direct knowledge of the call and offered no evidence. His testimony is based solely on his own presumption.

"Is that your testimony today, Ambassador Sondland, that you have evidence that Donald Trump tied investigations to the aid because I don't think you're saying that?" Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) asked.

"I've said repeatedly, congressman, that I was presuming," Sondland responded. "I also said President Trump –"

"No one told you. Not just the president," Turner interjected. "Giuliani didn't tell you. Mulvaney didn't tell you. Nobody. Pompeo didn't tell you. Nobody else on this planet told you that Donald Trump was tying aid to these investigations. Is that correct?"

"I think I already testified to that," Sondland said. 

"No, answer the question. Is it correct that no one on this planet told you that Donald Trump was tying this aid to these investigations?" Turner asked. "Because if your answer is yes then the chairman is wrong and the headline on CNN is wrong. No one on this planet told you President Trump was tying aid to investigations. Yes or no?" 

"Yes," Sondland replied with a smile.

"So you really have no testimony today that ties President Trump to a scheme to withhold aid from Ukraine in exchange for these investigations," Turner said. 

"Other than my own presumption," Sondland admitted. 

Makes you wonder why Democrats are relying heavily on Sondland's "presumptions" to make their case.