Sondland Backs Away From Trump and Giuliani in Impeachment Probe
- Republicans were hoping Sondland’s testimony benefits Trump
- Ambassador says it was ‘wrong’ to withhold Ukraine aid
This article is for subscribers only.
Ambassador Gordon Sondland sought to distance himself from Donald Trump and said he was uncomfortable with Rudy Giuliani’s role in Ukraine policy although he only learned later about efforts by Trump’s personal lawyer to get Ukrainian officials to investigate Joe Biden.
Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union and a generous Trump donor, told House impeachment investigators he was never on board with Giuliani’s plan to dig up dirt on Biden, a leading Democratic candidate, and his son. According to Sondland’s opening delivered behind closed doors, he said he also disapproved of the White House decision to withhold foreign aid that Congress designated for Ukraine.