U.S. Diplomat Acknowledges Quid Pro Quo

WASHINGTON (AP) – House investigators have logged another key piece of corroborating testimony in their impeachment inquiry.  American diplomat Gordon Sondland acknowledged what Democrats contend is a clear quid pro quo with Ukraine, pushed by President Donald Trump and his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani.  Sondland added to his sworn testimony that military assistance to the East European ally was being withheld until Ukraine’s new president agreed to release a statement about fighting corruption as Trump wanted.  Sondland’s additions were revealed Tuesday when Democrats released transcripts of some witnesses’ testimony.  Trump’s July 25 call with Ukraine’s president in which Trump pressed for a public investigation into Ukrainian activities by Democrats sparked the impeachment inquiry.  Trump has denied any quid pro quo and maintains there was nothing wrong with his request.