Today, former National Security Council official Fiona Hill and U.S. Embassy in Ukraine staffer David Holmes once again confirmed Trump’s bribery scheme.
Here are the most damning pieces of their public testimony:
1. Holmes: “Clear Impression” That Military Aid Was Withheld For Investigations Into The Bidens
During his testimony and subsequent questioning, Holmes confirmed that all evidence pointed to the Ukraine military aid being withheld because Ukraine had not announced investigations:
“By this point, my clear impression was that the security assistance hold was likely intended by the president either as an expression of dissatisfaction with the Ukrainians who had not yet agreed to the Burisma/Biden investigation or as an effort to increase the pressure on them to do so.”
In a subsequent exchange, Holmes confirmed this again, saying:
2. Hill and Holmes Confirm “Burisma” Was Code For Biden Investigations
3. Holmes Testified That Giuliani Acted On Behalf Of Trump AND Pence With Ukraine
While Giuliani has claimed he acts solely as Trump’s personal lawyer, Holmes testified that a top adviser to Ukraine President Zelensky was contacted by “someone named Giuliani who said he was an adviser to the Vice President.”
4. Holmes Confirms Details Of Sondland-Trump Call That Proves Trump Was Directing Investigations
Holmes confirmed the bribery scheme laid out in the call between Donald Trump and Sondland in a Ukrainian restaurant, testifying that:
“I then heard President Trump ask, ‘So, he’s gonna do the investigation?’
“Ambassador Sondland replied that ‘he’s gonna do it,’ adding that President Zelensky will do ‘anything you ask him to.’”
In his public testimony, Sondland corroborated Holmes’ characterization of the call, saying, “that’s how President Trump and I communicate, a lot of four-letter words; in this case three-letter.”
5. Hill And Holmes Forcefully Debunk GOP Conspiracy Theories That Ukraine Intervened In The 2016 Election
During her testimony, Hill denounced a Republican talking point that Ukraine meddled in the 2016 election, saying GOP lawmakers were amplifying Russian propaganda:
“Based on questions and statements I have heard, some on this committee appear to believe that Russia and its security services did not conduct a campaign against our country and that perhaps, somehow, for some reason, Ukraine did. This is a fictional narrative.”
She also implored Republican lawmakers to stop perpetuating the disinformation:
The Washington Post: Fiona Hill Tells Impeachment Inquiry About A ‘fictional Narrative’ On Ukrainian Interference
CNN: Former Top Russia Adviser Sharply Disputes GOP Claims On Ukraine
VICE News: Final Impeachment Witnesses Are Blowing Apart GOP’s Trump Defenses
Holmes also refuted another Republican conspiracy theory:
From VICE News: “Holmes also debunked another favorite GOP conspiracy theory Trump: That Vice President Joe Biden pushed to fire a Ukrainian official to benefit Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company where his son Hunter worked.”
6. Holmes Confirmed Ukraine Was Planning To Announce Investigations On CNN Before Whistleblower Complaint
Originally posted on ImpeachmentHQ. Re-posted with permission.
