Sondland implicates Trump in quid pro quo, says Pence, Pompeo knew

Diplomat says Ukraine leader couldn’t get a White House invite — unless he announced probes

Ambassador Gordon Sondland said administration officials were aware of the pressure on Ukraine for investigations that could damage President Trump’s political foes. A Defense Department official also gave new details that linked a hold on aid to a key July 25 phone call.

• By Rachael Bade, Aaron C. Davis and Matt Zapotosky

Sondland undercuts GOP defenses 2:42

(Video: The Washington Post; photo: Matt McClain/The Post)

• Video: Sondland’s testimony in 5 minutes
• Video: Hale and Cooper’s testimony in 5 minutes

Sondland’s bombshell testimony leaves Trump’s GOP allies scrambling

The bombshell testimony alleging that the president attempted to leverage an invite for the Ukrainian president in exchange for an investigation into his political opponents forced the White House to quickly recalibrate its defense of the president’s actions.

• By Seung Min Kim, Josh Dawsey and Kayla Epstein

• Republicans defend Trump as concerned with corruption, but aides tell a different story

The Take

Analysis

Sondland’s dramatic testimony shakes the impeachment debate and undercuts the president

In clear and unequivocal language, the E.U. ambassador implicated President Trump and other senior officials in the effort to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

• By Dan Balz

Analysis: Did Ukraine know aid was withheld? 3 takeaways from Cooper’s and Hale’s testimony.

• Laura CooperUkraine knew of stalled aid earlier than White House claims, official says

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Analysis: What Trump, Pence and others knew, according to Sondland’s texts, emails and testimony

Testimony ensnares Pompeo in Ukraine scandal as he mulls political future

MORE COVERAGE

• ‘Easy come, easy go’: Sondland embraces his role in history with nonchalance
• FBI seeks interview with whistleblower who triggered impeachment inquiry

IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

‘Comes down to one guy’: In impeachment probe, all eyes turn to Gordon Sondland

The U.S. ambassador to the European Union, who is set to publicly testify Wednesday, could solidify the case against President Trump, though doing so would require that he revise his previous testimony or acknowledge significant omissions.

• By Aaron C. Davis and Rachael Bade

Activists gather outside the Ukrainian president’s office on Oct. 29 to protest the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces in the Luhansk region. (Getty Images)

U.S. military aid bolsters Ukraine’s front lines, but the Trump drama makes Kyiv nervous

President Trump’s hold on aid did not seriously disrupt Ukraine’s military. The real fallout has been one of perception among Ukrainian officials and others — the worry that the White House cannot always be counted on to be in Kyiv’s corner.

• By Sergey Morgunov, Will Englund and Michael Birnbaum

• The quid pro quo evidence so far

Trump said his Ukraine call was ‘perfect.’ Witnesses testified otherwise.

Three current and former Trump administration officials described how they harbored a variety of concerns surrounding the July phone call.

• By Karoun Demirjian, Mike DeBonis and Matt Zapotosky
• 2 hours ago

Recap of Tuesday’s testimony and reaction

Judge intends to rule by Monday on House subpoena to Donald McGahn

The Fix

Analysis

Volker makes a big correction, and other takeaways from today’s testimony

Alexander Vindman, Jennifer Williams, Kurt Volker and Tim Morrison begin a hectic week of impeachment hearings.

• By Aaron Blake

• Analysis: This answer from Kurt Volker makes very little sense

Critic’s Notebook

Lt. Col. Vindman’s uniform spoke loud. His humanity spoke louder.

• By Robin Givhan
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