Published 14:02 IST, November 6th 2019
Testimony from two of Trump's Ukraine aides to be made public
Witnesses have shown that Sondland, Volker and Trump's energy secretary, Rick Perry who was accused of running Ukraine policy for Trump to be made public.
Witnesses have revealed that Gordon Sondland, Volker and Trump's energy secretary, Rick Perry were known as the three amigos who were responsible for President Trump's unauthorized channel to Ukrainian government officials. The three amigos who were accused of running Ukraine policy for President Donald Trump will be made public on November 12. The democratic-led opposition party has released more transcriptions form their impeachment investigation proceedings.
Rick Perry refused to testify
Chairman of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff said the transcripts would be released from interviews with Kurt Volker, Trump's former special representative for Ukraine negotiations, and Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union. Volker resigned from his post as a special representative in September and testified to the House Foreign Affairs for over eight hours on October 3. Similarly, Sondland testified on October 17. Perry, who served as former Texas governor refused to testify and said he was from his cabinet post as of December 1. The second public release of testimony will be conducted on November 5, in the impeachment process of Trump that was launched by Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on September 24. US diplomat Sondland told a Ukrainian official that his country will receive about $400 million in security aid if they proceed investigations demanded by President Donald Trump.
Witnesses reveal Trump forced the Ukrainian govt to conduct an investigation
The details appeared to strengthen the initial whistleblower complaint that resulted in the investigation by the three US House of Representatives Committees. The testimony also added other witnesses which concluded that Trump pressurized the Ukraine government to conduct investigations 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son. It appeared to be aimed at helping his reelection campaign. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and accused the Democrats of unnecessarily targetting him and making it a political vendetta. On the other hand, the Trump administration has ordered the US officials not to cooperate with the probe. The two administration officials who had been scheduled to appear for testimony did not show up on Tuesday. Another four White House witnesses also failed to testify on Monday.
Updated 23:47 IST, November 6th 2019