Trump tried to block former Ukraine Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch from testifying, but Adam Schiff responded with a subpoena that she complied with.
Rep. Adam B. Schiff, the Chairman of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Rep. Eliot L. Engel, the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs issued a statement about Trump’s effort to block Yovanovitch from testifying:
Last night, the Committees learned that the State Department, at the direction of the White House, directed Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch not to appear for her voluntary interview today. This is the latest example of the Administration’s efforts to conceal the facts from the American people and obstruct our lawful and constitutionally-authorized impeachment inquiry.
“In response, the House Intelligence Committee issued a subpoena to compel her testimony this morning. This duly authorized subpoena is mandatory, and the illegitimate order from the Trump Administration not to cooperate has no force. As is required of her, the Ambassador is now complying with the subpoena and answering questions from both Democratic and Republican Members and staff.
“Any efforts by Trump Administration officials to prevent witness cooperation with the Committees will be deemed obstruction of a co-equal branch of government and an adverse inference may be drawn against the President on the underlying allegations of corruption and coverup.â€
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After Trump blocked Sondland’s testimony at the last minute earlier this week, Rep. Schiff was ready for the president to pull the same stunt again.
Trump tried, but it didn’t work because Marie Yovanovitch wanted to testify.
What is known about her testimony is extremely damaging for Trump. Yovanovitch has laid out for investigators a picture of a hollowed-out State Department that is doing Trump’s bidding, and a president who directly removed her from her post because she wouldn’t go along with Rudy Giuliani’s scheme to pressure Ukraine to investigate the Bidens.
Yovanovitch risked her career to testify, and the information that she is providing is a service to the country.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
