U.S. House intelligence panel chairman says State Department withholding messages
Record ID:
1435656
U.S. House intelligence panel chairman says State Department withholding messages
- Title: U.S. House intelligence panel chairman says State Department withholding messages
- Date: 8th October 2019
- Summary: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 8, 2019) (UNRESTRICTED POOL) U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN ADAM SCHIFF ARRIVING TO NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN ADAM SCHIFF, SAYING: "We were informed about an hour and a half ago that by the attorney for Ambassador Sonland that the State Department would refuse to allow him to testify today. This was after conversations well into yesterday afternoon and evening with the State Department legal adviser in which there was no indication that the ambassador would be a no-show." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN ADAM SCHIFF, SAYING: "We are also aware that the ambassador has text messages or emails on a personal device which have been provided to the State Department although we have requested those from the ambassador and the State Department is withholding those messages as well. Those messages are also deeply relevant to this investigation." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN ADAM SCHIFF, SAYING: "This is one of the few impeachment inquiries in the history of our country. It goes to the core of whether the president abused his office to seek political help in his re-election campaign and did so to the detriment of our nation's security did so by effectively coercing a country that has been invaded by Russia to investigate a rival, and condition the relationship between this country and that country on whether they were willing to play ball. WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN ADAM SCHIFF, SAYING: "The American people have the right to know if the president is acting in their interests, in the nation's interests with an eye towards our national security and not in his narrow personal, political interests. They have a right to know. Indeed, the American people have a need to know and through this impeachment inquiry, we are determined to find the answers." SCHIFF WALKING AWAY
- Embargoed: 22nd October 2019 15:12
- Keywords: Gordon Sonderland Donald Trump Mike Pompeo Ukraine
- Location: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES; BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
- City: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES; BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
- Country: USA
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001B08MTS7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:The U.S. State Department is withholding messages from the ambassador to the European Union that are relevant to the impeachment inquiry, the chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee said on Tuesday (October 8).
"We are also aware that the ambassador has text messages or emails on a personal device which have been provided to the State Department although we have requested those from the ambassador and the State Department is withholding those messages as well," Adam Schiff told reporters.
"Those messages are also deeply relevant to this investigation," Schiff added.
The Trump administration directed Gordon Sondland, the United States ambassador to the European Union, not to appear for a scheduled deposition at the House of Representatives, the New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing two sources.
Sondland, who donated $1 million to the president's inaugural committee, had been scheduled to meet behind closed doors Tuesday morning with staff for three House committees as part of their impeachment inquiry.
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