Appropriate for Veteran’s Day: Notes from Vindman’s deposition.
Vindman was a witness to both the July 10 White House meeting and July 25 Trump-Zelensky phone call.
The purpose of the July 10 meeting at the White House with Ukrainian officials was to “build rapport, give Ambassador Bolton an opportunity to make his own assessment of President Zelensky’s team.”
Numerous American officials attended.
Vindman testified that at the meeting, Sondland told the Ukrainian officials that the “Ukrainians would have to deliver an investigation into the Bidens” to get the Zelenskyy-Trump White House meeting they wanted.
Sondland said this had been coordinated with Mulvaney.
Vindman clarified that Sondland “was talking about the 2016 elections and an investigation into the Bidens and Burisma.”
Vindman understood that “Sondland was trying to orchestrate an investigation being called by Mayor Giuliani.”
Vindman said that ahead of the July 25 Trump-Zelenskyy call, there were fears of “stray voltage” [In other words, fears that Trump would throw in something unexpected.]
Vindman listened to the call in the situation room with his supervisor Tim Morrison and several others.
Vindman, who took careful notes, testified that after the word “it”⤵️was the phrase “there are recordings.”
So what Trump actually said was: “Biden went around bragging that he stopped the prosecution so if you can look into it. There are recordings. It sounds horrible to me.”
Vindman also testified that the phrase “to the company” was actually “into Burisma.”
Thus what Zelenskyy actually said was: “He or she will look into the situation, specifically into Burisma that you mentioned in this issue.”
This raises the question of WHEN Trump mentioned “Burisma.” [Answer: We can only speculate.]
Also, to the best of Vindman’s recollection, after “Crowdstrike,” ⤵️Trump said, “they say you have it.”
Vindman testified that occasionally he talked to Ukrainian officials at the embassy and they’d ask, “What do we do about this situation?”
Vindman responded by saying, “it’s a domestic issue, stay out of U.S. domestic issues. It could fracture your bipartisan support.”
Narrator: In the chaos that ensued when the Giuliani-Sondman contingency pursued an agenda that benefited Trump personally, the Ukrainians were given two conflicting messages.
From Trump: Do us a favor.
From National Security staff: Don’t do it!
After the call, Vindman reported what happened to John Eisenberg.
He felt it was “inappropriate” and “wrong,” and he didn’t think it was proper to demand that a foreign government investigate a U.S. citizen.
Rep. Radcliffe (R) challenged Vindman’s use of the word “demand.” He wanted to know where in the transcript Trump made a demand.
Vindman talked about the vast power disparity between the President of the US and the President of Ukraine, and that “this was about getting a White House meeting,” so “it was a demand to fulfill his . . . prerequisite in order to get the meeting.”⤵️
Radcliffe wasn’t buying it. He wanted to know exactly where in the transcript Vindman found a “demand.”
Narrator: Notice that Radcliffe introduced “quid pro quo.” Republicans love using this phrase. Trump first established the “introduce a Latin phrase and mangle the meaning” defense.
So, Vindman explained the context— how the whole matter unfolded over the course of months, and that by July 10 it was clear what was needed for a White House meeting.
Vindman said, “That deliverable was reinforced by the President.”
Radcliffe persisted. “. . . you cannot point to me a specific place in the July 25 phone call that justifies the use of the word “demand.”
Vindman asked for a few minutes to look at the transcript.
Radcliffe was triumphant: Look! He can’t find anything!
Vindman came back and pointed to “I would like you to do us a favor though . . .”
Radcliffe pushed and pushed. Vindman held firm and insisted that Trump’s message had been clear and amounted to a demand.
There was a bit of drama. When the Republicans insisted on asking the name of every person Vindman talked to about the July 25 call, and Chairman Schiff accused them of trying to out the Whistleblower.
This occurred during the exchange between Swalwell (D) and Meadows (R)
Schiff remained cool and dignified. He kept the clock running. Wasted time, he said, comes out of the time for Republican questioning.
There was also a moment of levity when he mentions his twin / kid brother:
I’ve now done Over the Cliff Notes for Vindman, Fiona Hill, George Kent, William Taylor, Marie Yovanovich, Sondland, Volker, and McKinley.
The story told in the transcripts is one treachery and corruption.
It is also a story of patriotism, heroism, and love of truth and honor.
Finally, it’s part of the story of how Trump comes undone.
Without Democratic wins in 2018, none of it would be happening.
Next I’ll do overviews of what to expect Wednesday.
