Second person heard call suggesting Trump cared more about 'investigations' than Ukraine: AP
A second official at the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine overheard U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon SondlandGordon SondlandTrump rails against impeachment: ‘They shouldn’t be having public hearings’ Senate Republicans can acquit Trump — but they cannot defend his conduct READ: Top diplomat revises testimony to indicate quid pro quo with Ukraine MORE‘s call with President TrumpDonald John TrumpButtigieg surges ahead of Iowa caucuses Biden leads among Latino Democrats in Texas, California Kavanaugh hailed by conservative gathering in first public speech since confirmation MORE about the need for an investigation by Ukraine, The Associated Press reported Thursday, citing an unidentified source.
Kyiv-based foreign service officer Suriya Jayanti also overheard the call, the wire service reported, citing a person briefed on what Jayanti overheard.
William Taylor, chargé d’affaires to Ukraine, testified Wednesday that someone on his staff overheard a July 26 call between Trump and Sondland during which Trump asked Sondland “about the investigations.”
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Sondland replied that “the Ukrainians were ready to move forward,” Taylor testified.
“Following the call with President Trump, the member of my staff asked Ambassador Sondland what President Trump thought about Ukraine,” Taylor said. “Ambassador Sondland responded that President Trump cares more about the investigations of Biden, which [Trump lawyer Rudy] Giuliani was pressing for.”
The call came a day after Trump spoke with Ukraine’s president on a call from the White House. That call ended up sparking a whistleblower complaint that led to the House impeachment inquiry.
Taylor offered information about the July 26 call for the first time at Wednesday’s impeachment hearing. He said he had learned of the call after he previously was deposed by House lawmakers behind closed doors.
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The staffer, David Holmes, is slated to testify to lawmakers behind closed doors on Friday.
The alleged call took place one day after Trump’s call with Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which Trump asked him to look into Democratic presidential candidate Joe BidenJoe BidenButtigieg surges ahead of Iowa caucuses GOP eager for report on alleged FBI surveillance abuse Biden leads among Latino Democrats in Texas, California MORE and his son.
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The House launched an impeachment inquiry into Trump in September following revelations about the Trump-Zelensky conversation.
Jayanti had been slated to testify last month in the inquiry, but the scheduling of her interview was among those shuffled after the death of House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Elijah CummingsElijah Eugene CummingsMaloney primary challenger calls on her to return, donate previous campaign donations from Trump Second person heard call suggesting Trump cared more about ‘investigations’ than Ukraine: AP Brindisi, Lamb recommended for Armed Services, Transportation Committees MORE (D-Md.).
The AP reported that Jayanti has been in Kyiv since 2018 and helps facilitate coordination between the country’s energy industry and U.S. business interests. She joined the State Department in 2012 and has also served at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq.
— Updated at 1:09 p.m.