Trump Regime Blocks Deposition By Sondland

Adding another log to the impeachment fire:

The Trump administration on Tuesday blocked a planned deposition from Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union and a central figure in the Democrats’ impeachment inquiry, according to a statement by his lawyer.

Democrats swiftly called the administration’s move an act of obstruction and accused President Trump of hiding information about his efforts to pressure the Ukrainian government to investigate his political rivals. Democrats had earlier said that any attempt to block statements from witnesses could constitute an impeachable act.

Sondland was scheduled to be deposed on Tuesday morning before House committees seeking information about his activities as Trump urged Ukraine to investigate his political opponents, according to his lawyer, Robert Luskin.

Sondland is the Trump donor who, as Ambassador to the E.U., engaged in a back- and- forth with U.S. chargé d'affaires in Kiev Bill Taylor about the Biden "investigation" quid pro quo needed to get military aid flowing to Ukraine, until he sent his classic CYA email to Taylor (p. 9 of attachment). Goddmmit Dems, get out subpoenas and put some consequences behind not complying with them!*

Obstruction of Congress is one of the articles of impeachment filed against Richard Nixon for interfering in Congress' lawful investigatory powers:

This is impeachable obstruction of Congress. It fits Article III of the Nixon Articles of Impeachment to a “T.” And it shows Trump and Pompeo know that Gordon Sondland’s deposition testimony would’ve totally supported the #Whistleblower re #Ukrainehttps://t.co/uLHIofYles

— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) October 8, 2019

Some further perspectives --

The timing of this is more interesting than the decision. They could've objected a week ago. Pulling the plug the morning of suggests the WH has figured out some of his answers would be really damaging. https://t.co/O34oIgsiSF

— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) October 8, 2019

The reason Sondland is so dangerous is that he was communicating directly w Trump.

— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) October 8, 2019

* This --

.@realDonaldTrump is again making it clear that Congress needs to invoke our inherent contempt powers.

Real, punitive consequences will stop this obstruction.

— David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) October 8, 2019

(Image:  screenshot of Gordon Sondland, Ukraine scandal co- conspirator)