Washington, D.C. — Neera Tanden, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, released the following statement today regarding the testimony of Trump donor and ally Gordon Sondland, who was appointed by the president to serve as U.S. ambassador to the European Union:
“Quid pro quo.” “Everyone was in the loop. It was no secret.” “We followed the president’s orders.” These are the words, under oath, of President Donald Trump’s ally, million-dollar donor, and political appointee: Ambassador Gordon Sondland. Sondland’s testimony, coming on the heels of corroborating details from numerous witnesses, make clear that there can be no doubt now as to the extent of the president’s impeachable offenses. Trump directed an effort to use military aid and the promise of a White House meeting as leverage to extort Ukraine into investigating his political opponents and undermine our electoral process. Such actions are not only unlawful but also unacceptable for the leader of the free world.
Sondland’s bombshell testimony also underscores that Trump’s web of corruption extended across the U.S. government. Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, among many others, have now been directly implicated in Trump’s nefarious scheme. The Constitution makes crystal clear the remedy for such actions, and soon it will be up to every member of Congress to put country over party and uphold their duty and oath of office.
An honorable president who so abused the public trust would resign in shame. In Donald Trump’s case, the only action to stop his illegal activity is impeachment.
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