WASHINGTON, D.C.— Following this morning’s testimony by Ambassador Gordon Sondland at public impeachment hearings in the House Intelligence Committee, People For the American Way Senior Fellow Elliot Mincberg released the following statement:

“Today’s explosive testimony by Ambassador Gordon Sondland is the closest to a John Dean moment we’ve seen so far during this impeachment inquiry. As I recall from the House Judiciary Committee hearing with U.S. Attorneys appointed and then fired by President Bush, testimony from officials appointed by and close to a president or administration can be the most devastating. That was also the case with John Dean and is now the case with Sondland. He specifically admitted that President Trump requested political investigations by Ukraine and that Trump made an announcement of the investigations a condition for a coveted White House meeting and the release of suspended military aid. Despite the Republicans’ continuing efforts to distract attention by rehashing right-wing conspiracy theories and complaining about the investigation, and despite Trump’s hasty denial, Sondland’s testimony is damning.”

Elliot Mincberg has researched and analyzed the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, religious liberty and other civil rights/civil liberties issues for more than three decades. He is also a former chief counsel for oversight and investigations of the House Judiciary Committee, where he gained extensive  experience with impeachment proceedings.

About People For the American Way

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.

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