Instruments of oppression. I said that and believe its true. So finally, mr. Kent, for as long as i can remember. Policy predicated on principled interest in Democratic Values notely freedom of speech, pre and fair and other elections in the rule of law. Mr. Kent, when american leaders ask foreign governments to investigate their potential rivals, doesnt that make it harder for us to advocate on behalf of those Democratic Values . I believe it makes it more difficult for our diplomatic
representatives overseas to carry out those policy goals, yes. How is that, sir . Well, theres an issue of credibility. They hear diplomats on the ground saying one thing and they hear other u. S. Leaders saying something else. Ambassador taylor, would you agree with that, sir. I would. Is there anything youd like to add how it mike mate it more difficult for you to do your job, sir . Our credibility is based on a respect for the United States, and if we damage that respect, then it hurts our credibility
again send dozens of tanks to ukraine, again this send dozens of tanks to ukraine, again this has come late, the ukrainians have asked for this for a lon- ukrainians have asked for this for a long time ukrainians have asked for this for a long time. the french government, a couple long time. the french government, a couple of long time. the french government, a couple of weeks ago refused to sent tanks couple of weeks ago refused to sent tanks because he said that would make tanks because he said that would make nato countries belligerent in the war make nato countries belligerent in the war. since what you have seen in bucha, the war. since what you have seen in bucha, emmanuel macron has been quiet bucha, emmanuel macron has been quiet on bucha, emmanuel macron has been quiet on that issue, the americans and germany having taken the lead, and germany having taken the lead, and i and germany having taken the lead, and i think and germany having taken the lead, an
that would be the new normal. on july 25th according to the readout of the president s campaign, he asked the ukrainians to investigate ukrainians interference in our election that had been repudiated. and then july 26th, as i understand it, this person who reported to you heard the president saying he wanted investigations again in ukraine. so this is the question. the new normal that director mueller feared, is there a new normal that you fear that a president, any president, can use congressionally approved foreign aid as a lever to get personal advantage in something that in in his his interests but not the public s interest? that should not be the case, mr. welch. i yield back.
the american people see through all this. they understand the facts, support the president. they understand this process is unfair. and they see through the whole darn sham. with that i yield back. mr. welch. thank you. i d say to my colleagues, i d glad to have the person who started it all come in and testify. president trump is welcome to take a seat right there. you know, the question here is not a dispute about the enormous power that a president has. the question is whether in this case it was an abuse of that power. a president can fire and ambassador, for any reason whatsoever. the president can change his policies as he did when he opened the door for turk toy go in and invade kyrgyzstan and as
outside of the normal channels, but then they need to be part of u.s. foreign policy, and approaching those goals. mr. kent? agree. ambassador taylor, you have described in your previous testimony one instance shortly after arriving in ukraine in which ambassador sondland asked state department officials no the to listen to a july 28th call he had planned to hold with president zelensky. did you find that unusual? i did. what was the impact of ambassador sondland making that request? you found it unusual. what do you believe the impact was? i m not sure there was intermediate impact. was there a recording or transcript? that was the impact. it was not recorded. is that why the request was made, do you think, so there would not be normal state department employees from the operation center that would have