Former State Department Special Envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker offered testimony before the House Intelligence Committee Tuesday that completely exonerated President Donald Trump in the Democrats’ partisan impeachment inquiry.
Volker, who resigned from his post at the end of September, told lawmakers there was no bribe, no extortion, and no quid pro quo involved with the administration’s dealings with Ukraine.
“Mr. Zeldin asked you in the deposition that in no way, shape or form in either readouts from the United States or Ukraine did you receive any indication whatsoever, or anything that resembled a quid pro quo, is that correct?” asked Republican counsel Stephen Castor during the hearing.
“That’s correct,” Volker said. “I was never involved in anything that I would consider to be bribery at all…or extortion.”
Former U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker tells Intelligence Committee he was never involved in bribery or extortion. pic.twitter.com/lLC7yqxmxe
— The Federalist (@FDRLST) November 19, 2019
Volker’s comments came after the testimony of former National Security Council Staffer Tim Morrison, the Trump administration’s top Russia advisor in the White House until his resignation before his private deposition last month.
Morrison testified there was no bribery tied to military aid with Ukraine, the basis for which the Democratic impeachment efforts are built upon.
“Did anyone ever ask you to bribe or extort anyone at any time during your time in the White House?” asked ranking Republican Rep. Devin Nunes of California.
“No,” said Morrison.
Nunes posed the same question to Volker, who also said “No.”
"Did anyone ever ask you to bribe or extort anyone at any time during your time in the White House?"
MORRISON: No
VOLKER: NoThe Democrats' new poll-tested narrative continues to sink. Americans aren't buying their partisan impeachment of @realDonaldTrump. pic.twitter.com/Wk2KqulXrG
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) November 19, 2019
In October, Volker had already testified in a private deposition that there was no such “quid pro quo” or “bribery,” destroying the narrative pushed by Democrats and the mainstream media where Trump allegedly pressured the Ukrainian government to investigate the Biden family in exchange for the release of withheld military aid.
Volker and Morrison’s testimony come on the third day of public impeachment hearings, where Democrats have struggled to find incriminating evidence to convict Trump of a “high crime and misdemeanor” required to remove the president from office.
Last week, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch testified that she had no information that Trump participated in any kind of criminal activity whatsoever.
The Democrat’s own witnesses fail to live up to their expectations, primarily simply BEING there as Democrats make unfounded and unsupportable accusations. Then, friendly witnesses completely tear apart the impeachment narrative.
What now, Schiff?
The further out the Democrats go on the branch the bigger chance the branch is going to break and down they come
Earlier today, there was a new article about the impeachment proceedings on the NYT Facebook feed about every 10 minutes. Since the Volker and Morrison testimony… none.
You folks much have been watching a different hearing.
@Greg: No, we merely watched it instead of allowing the liberal propaganda media to tell us what to think about it.
@Deplorable Me: Yes watched it then muted the talking heads opinion and propaganda.
Nunes desperately needs new material. Drug deal? Doesn’t he realize that instantly brings Bolton’s comment about Giuliani to mind? And he says it twice, for Pete’s sake.
Then there’s their series of lame attempts to discredit Lt. Col. Vindman.
Republicans question Vindman’s bona fides
What the hey is Chris Stewart babbling about? They’re not in the White House. Their memes are beginning to fly around in their heads like bats.
If Sondland takes the Fifth tomorrow morning, it will be the beginning of the end.
@Greg:
Yes, the world looks different when you’re not indoctrinated…or working for a Leftist propaganda organization, like you are.
Guess your new world order will have to wait.
@Greg: Give it up. This ends with another Trump election win and the Dems losing the House.
@Nathan Blue: I thought Volker’s narrative was excellent—made sense. He believed Rudy a major problem because he was feeding Trump false information.
He praised the fired Ambassador.as well as former VEEP Biden.
IMO Trump, fueled by bad info from Rudy, tried to get dirt on the Biden’s. Wasn’t there–he released arms as required—–He has not committed an impeachable offense but he looks extremely foolish in the way he handled the whole debacle..
Dems increase their margin in House and net 2 Senate seats–Trump favored simply through incumbency—no idea who gets Dem nom but race will be competitive
Tulsi is doing great.
@Greg:
Unlike Democrats, Republicans aren’t afraid of words.
Vindman has been caught lying multiple times, this new one yesterday.
Vindman caught in another lie; said he could not get with Morrison to inform him of his concerns with call
And others…
Vindman took “artistic liberties” with the transcribing of the call he did. He lied
https://www.chicksonright.com/youngconservatives/2019/11/19/alexander-vindman-admits-to-making-up-parts-of-trump-call-summary/?utm_source=msp
Vindman lies about Obama sending Javelins to Ukraine
@Rich Wheeler:
BIDEN provided the dirt himself. Biden bragged about extorting Ukraine to protect his son. Provide a valid reason why it should NOT be investigated.
@Greg:
The Federalist is going to spin and leave it to Trump lickspitles to help sell that spin.
Meanwhile, over here in the real world, the headlines have exploded on how Kurt Volker, the GOP “Ace in the Hole”, has pretty much turned on them, leaving many Rs fuming. And if you don’t believe the headlines, just watch the hearing. And if you don’t believe the headlines or the hearing video and/or transcript, just go to some partisan rag like the Federalist or such.
But as always, the Trump worshipers will continue to bow and pray to their neon god. At it doesn’t make any difference how damning the testimony is.
@Ronald J. Ward: Hehe….all the little trolls are out of their holes…because this all an embarrassing farce for their party, and they know it.
Priceless.
If only the testimony were actually damning rather than a complete exoneration of Trump. You must be watching the CCN-lead version of the hearing fed to it’s faithful Leftist worshipers, like you.
This will all be an interesting lesson in history, about how so many people in America could succumb to hysteria and group-think, as we see with the silly comments presented by the angry trolls here.
College professor? Oh that’s right, teacher…*groans*
Everything about you, and your tired non-points, is a sad cliche.
@Ronald J. Ward: The Federalist is right leaning one of the few, but not those on the rights go to for those following the corruption of the previous admin, wouldnt you like to know who and why made the decision to deposit 1.8 billion IMF cash in an oligarchs bank, an oligarch that owned a controlling share in the gas company Bidens brat was used by?
The money vanished thats Ukraines problem and should be investigated, how the cash got there is the USAs problem no one seems to GAF who thought that was a good idea.
@Rich Wheeler: Well, its convenient to say that Rudy is feeding “false” information when the information damns Biden, Pelosi, and Podesta due to family members getting rich.
I’m trying to be objective about this, honestly. The Dem corruption is pretty cut and dry: Biden is even on tape admitting to bribing the Pres of Ukraine (since we’re using that word now). The idea Trump did anything wrong…on a released call transcript…is so far out that it’s treasonous to go forward with all of this.
Agreed it’s not impeachable, but the only reason to think it’s “foolish” is because Democrat-owned media is fueling that lie.
The Dems thought they’d taken power forever during the Obama years, not understanding their victories and policies were written in sand. Using media, entertainment, and education to brainwash and mislead people can work for a awhile, but it changes when those people are gainfully employed, taxed less, and watching a President “DO” rather than hang out with rockstars.
This impeachment is entirely about the Dems death tantrums in knowing they lost the cowardly-won victories of the past admin. I knew they’d fight back, but not this corruptly, or illegally.
They are using all their resources to win the Senate, betting on the idea they won’t lose the House in 2020 (which they will), so they can then illegally remove a duly elected President without anyone stopping them.
I consider the Democrat Party as seditionists, and enemies of the State.
Tulsi is great, but she’ll never get the nomination because she’s a) honest, and b) supports a platform that is closer to the right and essentially a Republican one.
AND, I assume you believe Tulsi is a Russian Asset, since your highly qualified, honest, and genuine candidate from the last election, Hillary Clinton, said so?
I mean she WON an election that no one was trying to win, after all?
And here’s why none of our resident trolls dare to comment on the Vindman article:
https://pjmedia.com/trending/ten-reasons-vindmans-testimony-was-bad-for-democrats/
The Democrat’s own star witnesses continue to admit nothing impeachable, or even questionable, happened.
Uh oh!
Isn’t it odd that the Republicans keep referencing Ukraine investigating “corruption” and Democrats keep accusing them of pushing for investigating “Democrats”. I guess, knowing what they know, the two are synonymous.
@Deplorable Me: This is happening because Trump started to investigate the Russia Hoax, which leads back to the DNC and prominent Dems. It’s not even secret, or conjecture: all the facts and corruption are not contested..by anyone.
This is like a squid inking when caught.
I see the invocation of Vindman scattered the trolls.
@Nathan Blue: You are making this too difficult
I was simply repeating what Volker said about Rudy—-and about Yovanovich and Biden
Re HRC—didn’t vote for her—I’m with Tulsi 100% all the way—HRC be damned—most Dems feel the same way—-she wants Trump out—she’s an environmentalist/vegan animal activist—-she’s a combat Vet against regime change wars
Let’s add she’s beautiful and well spoken—-what’s not to like?
What did you think of Sondland today—I missed it but heard he did Trump no favors.
It’s said DT is gonna shoot someone on 5th Ave tomorrow just to make sure his rabid base still onboard
@Richard Wheeler:
Well, let’s see… she supported an avowed socialist in 2016 and since she supports this impeachment sham, she obviously doesn’t think much of the Constitution.
Still not one single shred of evidence that Trump has done anything wrong, much less impeachable. Those that support impeachment would see our country sacrificed simply to remove Trump from office.
@Greg: Did Sondland take the 5th?
@Deplorable Me, #20:
Nope. Sondland prevaricated. It remains to be seen if he’s as clever as he believes he is. His exchange with Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney was a classic wiseguy display. He talks in circles and thinks he can’t be touched because his boss loves his ass. Plus he’s got a $55,000 watch, which sets him above the rules that apply to normal people. He can pay a million bucks for an ambassador’s spot, whereas someone like Marie Yovanovitch has to work a lifetime to acquire the necessary expertise, and can then be slandered and thrown away like a discarded kleenex.
@Greg: He’s been asked the same questions numerous times. Some people have far better things to do than play stupid games with Democrats. Remember Holder answering all the questions about Fast and Furious? Yeah, me neither.
Yeah, and he keeps changing his answers.
@Nathan Blue:
Wonder why our resident Democrats, like Wheeler and Comrade Greggie, never mention Alexandra Chulupa or the fact that Nellie Ohr testified before Congress that Fusion GPS was getting dirt on Trump directly from Ukraine?
Oh, wait, Hillary Clinton illegally laundered money through Perkins Coie to Fusion GPS to pay a foreign agent to dig up dirt on Donald Trump during the campaign, which includes dirt from the Ukraine via Alexandra Chulupa.
You see, to Wheeler, et al, if a Democrat is corrupt, it’s A-OK. But hey, one little smidgen of rumor about a Republican and it’s IMPEACH, IMPEACH, IMPEACH.
@Greg: He has consistently stated, “NO quid pro quo.” That’s pretty much all that matters.
@retire05: Apparently, no one expects a Democrat to be anything BUT corrupt.
No, Sondland HAS NOT consistently stated that. In fact, he has said something completely different. Here he is, under oath, clearly saying it:
Trump impeachment inquiry: there was a quid pro quo in Ukraine scandal, says Sondland
Is what Sondland is saying too difficult to understand? He’s speaking English. He’s using no big words. There’s no ambiguity that I can detect.
@Greg:
Sondland said that the quid pro quo was his presumption, not based on anything he was told.
You do know what a presumption is, don’t you, Comrade Greggie Goebbels?
@retire05, #27:
Right. It was everybody’s presumption. Nobody ever used the word bribe or extortion, but everybody knew what was up. For those who didn’t, the situation was clarified.
People who operate like this do not self-incriminate with direct statements. Instead, people are given to understand what’s to be done, or what’s expected.
Are you truly not smart enough to figure out how this works? Or are you only pretending not to get it? I believe Michael Cohen, Trump’s prior bag man, explained it at some point.
@Greg:
So everybody knew what was up? Really?
Biden told the Ukrainians to fire the prosecutor are no money. Do you think that is a quid pro quo? Do you even know what a quid pro quo is?
Bottom line; the US and Ukraine have an agreement that takes on corruption in Ukraine. Ukraine got aid from Trump in September, along with the aid he sent them in both 2017 and 2018. Ukraine did NOTHING to get the aid released.
And for that, lying Schitt-for-brains and Nancy Palsi wants to impeach the President.
Schitt asked Sondland “You do think it is objectionable to seek get a foreign government to investigate a political opponent?”
Do you agree that is objectionable, Comrade Greggie?
@Greg:
Yes, when he is discussing what Trump has SAID… what the FACT is, he clearly says “NO quid pro quo.” What people presume or assume is of no value.
Well, no. Not really. the DEMOCRAT’S presumptions. Those who WANT to presume it; those with a NEED to presume it presume it. What whiny, sore loser, crybaby, butthurt Democrats NEED to believe is more often than not in no way resembling reality.
Did you hear about Biden extorting the Ukrainian government to protect his idiot, coke-head, bastard-siring son? THAT’S the fact and THAT’S what this is all about. Trump has done NOTHING wrong and Democrats are desperately scrambling to keep their own corruption obscured.
It ain’t working.
@retire05, #29:
Do you understand that the fact of quid pro quo is not the wrongful thing? The wrongful thing has to do with what what was being sought.
Trump sought to acquire a personally useful thing—a political weapon he could use against Joe Biden—and delayed approved and critical defense aid to a foreign power as a means to leverage it. That was an example of corruption.
Please spare me the song and dance about Biden doing the same and bragging about it. Biden’s quid pro quo involved the realization of an official U.S. foreign policy goal. It’s what he was sent to Ukraine to do. There was no damn investigation of his son to stop. Nor have Trump’s tools ever bothered to say specifically what law Hunter Biden is supposed to have broken, or what fruitful deal for Burisma he’s supposed to have used his influence to seal. As far as anyone knows, his only sin was to have taken a job on the board of directors that lent the company some status and credibility. He exploited his dad’s stature. It looked bad, and for that reason he should not have done it, because his father’s political enemies were certain to exploit it. Which they are now doing.
@Greg: Dont you think an 83K per month job for his kid is a personally useful thing?
@kitt, #32:
He didn’t make $83K per month. Supposedly there were months when his compensation was as high as $50K, however, which was a helluva lot. Assuming it was that for 12 months of the year, that’s annual compensation of $600,000.
That seems completely ridiculous to me, but they were buying the Biden name. Sports figures can earn multi-millions per year just for lending their name and image to a company or product. Joe Biden was an important figure in Ukraine, so Hunter’s connection to him may well have lent status and credibility to Burisma that made him worth his keep over 5 years. He didn’t necessarily have to do anything nefarious for his presence to be considered an important asset.
If somebody knows of a specific illegal act he committed, they should say so. I pretty much assume they would have done so by now, if there was anything significant.
@Greg: He was a tool, According to payment records that two former Ukrainian law enforcement officials told Reuters is from Burisma, the company paid about $3.4 million to a company that was controlled by Biden’s business colleague Devon Archer, another Burisma board member, called Rosemont Seneca Bohai LLC between April 2014 and November 2015.
The records showed 18 months in which two payments of $83,333 per month were paid to Rosemont Seneca Bohai for “consulting services,” according to Reuters. The two former law enforcement officials said one payment went to Archer and the other went to Biden.
According to payment records that two former Ukrainian law enforcement officials told Reuters is from Burisma, the company paid about $3.4 million to a company that was controlled by Biden’s business colleague Devon Archer, another Burisma board member, called Rosemont Seneca Bohai LLC between April 2014 and November 2015.
The records showed 18 months in which two payments of $83,333 per month were paid to Rosemont Seneca Bohai for “consulting services,” according to Reuters. The two former law enforcement officials said one payment went to Archer and the other went to Biden.
So both Kerry and Bidens kids were tools.
50K was an unconfirmed figure from the NYTimes.
Biden wasn’t able to protect Zlochevsky from a series of probes from Ukrainian prosecutors. Zlochevsky who was accused of violating tax laws, laundering money, and improperly obtaining licenses while he was still minister. The case probing tax violations was shut down by Shokin’s successor, Yuriy Lutsenko,(that was the guy given a do not prosecute order from the former Ambassador) about 10 months after he took over for the ousted prosecutor. Two separate cases into the licenses Burisma obtained and alleged money laundering were re-opened in recent months.
Rosemont Seneca Bohai LLC is a private investment management company which invests funds on behalf of clients who share in the company’s profits or losses. The $3.4 million from Burisma was a capital investment. The company was founded by Hunter Biden and Devon Archer.
Why would this sort of arrangement seem suspicious to anyone who isn’t the least bit concerned about the 500-some separate businesses that are tangled into the Trump Organization? It might be interesting to know how money moves around inside that multi-national corporate maze.
@Greg: Where did you get the “investment” information? Or did you make it up in your head, you and your sources have that habit.
My source Epoch times and Reuters.
Consulting services doesnt sound like an investment into a fund.
You are correct we dont care about Hotel money, it isnt asking for hundreds of millions or billions in US tax dollars.
@Greg:
Gee, why? Why, why, why? Well, how about this… a sitting Vice President used the threat of withholding a billion dollars in aid (extortion) to force Ukraine to fire the prosecutor investigating Burisma and end that investigation. THEN the fat stacks start flowing towards those that acted as the impetus for getting that investigation killed off. Is that the true facts? Probably, but possibly not. However, to say NOTHING about it looks suspicious is assuming everyone you are directing that towards is an idiot. We aren’t. We GET it.
Meanwhile, everyone that WAS involved in Trump businesses were not just sitting on boards of enterprises that they have no knowledge of or training in. Plus, the GOVERNMENT is not placing them there, supporting policies that direct business towards them or making sure no corruption investigations touch them. So, to the non-idiot, the differences are vast and stark.
@kitt:
Apparently, Hunter’s “consulting” consisted of, “Let me consult with Daddy and see if he can get that prosecutor fired. But, it’ll cost you.”
@Deplorable Me: Greg says 500 businesses as if thats a bad thing or supposed to be spooky or evil, he actually owns about 250 and has continued to build a business began by his grandparents.
He and the left just love trying to tear down successful people.
@kitt:
Don’t forget that Comrade Greggie is not only a globalist, but a Communist. He believes that the CEO of a company that manages 10,000 employees and who is responsible for making the business profitable should not be earning any more than the janitor in one of the buildings. Of course, Comrade Greggie will come back with “I never said any such thing” but remember, this is the same clown that can find a quid pro quo where there is none.
It is clear that Comrade Greggie suffers from the same malady that all left wing losers suffer from; wealth envy. You see, he is not smart enough to have produced any thing of value so he rails on those (Trump) who have. I doubt Comrade Greggie has the ability to run a lemonaid stand. His only expertise (if that is what you wan to call it) is the proliferation of b/s he spreads in these threads.