Epstein Secrets

has rejected any need for Western ships to patrol the waters along its -southern coast, instead pledging to secure the Strait of Hormuz itself. ... The United States has said that it envisages a scheme whereby nations would protect ships that carry their own flag, but that joint operations would be designed to c

al. Morrison and Volker agreed that, too, would be improper. Page 16977 EFTA00046488 Morrison: Ukraine aid was contingent on investigations, per Sondland -- Morrison said he reported details of the July 25 call to the National Security Council's top lawyer. He said he worried about the political fal

nduct. Both insisted that they didn't see him do anything illegal. Each seemed content to throw Rudy Giuliani, the president's personal lawyer, and Gordon Sondland, the megadonor who became ambassador to the European Union and is testifying today, under the bus. But they also validated key testimony from other

ying on Thursday, had warned him about the "Gordon problem," referring to Sondland, when he took over. "I decided to keep track of what Ambassador Sondland was doing," he explained. "I didn't Page 16978 EFTA00046489 always act on things Gordon suggested [and] that he believed were important." Volke

ry and Kurt Volker, at the time a special envoy to Ukraine, worked with Giuliani in pressing Ukraine 'at the express direction of the president of the United States' — even though they were reluctant to do so. At least initially, though, Sondland said he did not believe he was engaging in anything `improper' — i

ressure a foreign government to investigate Joe Biden. Rachael Bade, Aaron C. Davis and Matt Zapotosky report: "More forcefully than he has before, Sondland declared that the Trump administration would not give Ukraine's newly elected president, Volodymyr Zelensky, a chance to visit the White House — un

the investigations, rather than actually carry them out, though he conceded official announcements would hold foreign officials to their word. ... Sondland revealed an email showing that he asked Pompeo to help him orchestrate a face-to-face encounter between Trump and Zelensky, off to the side of a Wo

rry and Kurt Volker, at the time a special envoy to Ukraine, worked with Giuliani in pressing Ukraine 'at the express direction of the president of the United States' — even though they were reluctant to do so. At least initially, though, Sondland said he did not believe he was engaging in anything 'improper' — i

the investigations, rather than actually carry them out, though he conceded official announcements would hold foreign officials to their word. ... Sondland revealed an email showing that he asked Pompeo to help him orchestrate a face-to-face encounter between Trump and Zelensky, off to the side of a Wo

ressure a foreign government to investigate Joe Biden. Rachael Bade, Aaron C. Davis and Matt Zapotosky report: "More forcefully than he has before, Sondland declared that the Trump administration would not give Ukraine's newly elected president, Volodymyr Zelensky, a chance to visit the White House — un

tigations.' This is not what due process and the rule of law in our great democracy allows. And we can't have a lower standard for the President of the United States. We certainly shouldn't have a lower standard for the impeachment and removal of a democratically elected President." According to Conway, Taylor "

a US citizen." Bruce added that 'he most anticipated witness of the week is Gordon Sondland, the Trump mega-donor turned US Ambassador to the EU. Sondland has already revised his testimony once, admitting he personally told the Ukrainians that if they wanted nearly $400 million of military aid, they

n service officer based in Kyiv." The Washington Post (11/14, Wagner, 14.2M) reports that Jayanti was the embassy official tasked with accompanying Sondland throughout the day of the call." Mary Bruce said on ABC World News Tonight (11/14, story 6, 0:30, Muir, 6.71M) that on Friday, lawmakers will hear