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Jordan to Star Witness Taylor: 'I've Seen Church Prayer Chains that Are Easier to Understand Than This'

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Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio argued on Wednesday that the way in which Bill Taylor, the top American diplomat to Ukraine, came to his “clear understanding” of President Donald Trump’s supposed intention to delay aid to Ukraine is more convoluted than a “church prayer chain.”

Taylor testified in the House Democrat-led impeachment inquiry on Wednesday that his understanding was that Trump was offering Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a quid pro quo: U.S. aid to Ukraine would be released after the Zelensky’s administration announced it would be opening anti-corruption investigations.

Jordan pressed Taylor on the source of this “understanding” by directing him to supplemental written testimony offered by U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland earlier this month in a closed-door hearing.

“Ambassador Taylor recalls that [National Security Council adviser Tim] Morrison told Ambassador Taylor that I told Mr. Morrison that I conveyed this message to [Zelensky adviser Andrey] Yermak on Sept. 1, 2019, in connection with Vice President Pence’s visit to Warsaw and a meeting with President Zelensky,” Jordan quoted from Sondland’s testimony.

“We got six people having four conversations in one sentence, and you just told me this is where you got your clear understanding,” the Ohio Republican said.

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“I’ve seen church prayer chains that are easier to understand than this,” he added, which drew a smile from Taylor.



In a series of questions, Jordan highlighted the fact that Taylor had no firsthand knowledge of Trump’s intentions of delaying aid to Ukraine.

Jordan: You didn’t listen in on President Trump’s call and President Zelensky’s call?

Do you think the impeachment inquiry will help Trump's re-election efforts?

Taylor: I did not.

Jordan: You’ve never talked with Chief of Staff [Mick] Mulvaney?

Taylor: I never did.

Jordan: You’ve never met the president?

Taylor: That’s correct.

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Taylor confirmed that he had three meetings with Zelensky following Trump’s July 25 call with the Ukrainian president and at no time did the issue of any linkage to U.S. aid being released in exchange for an announcement of anti-corruption investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden or anyone else ever come up.

“This is what I can’t believe, and you’re their star witness. You’re their first witness,” Jordan said.

“I don’t consider myself a star witness for anything,” Taylor responded. “I’m not here to take one side or the other or to advocate any particular outcomes.”

“My understanding is only coming from people that I talked to.”

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Randy DeSoto has written more than 2,000 articles for The Western Journal since he joined the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."
Randy DeSoto is the senior staff writer for The Western Journal. He wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.
Birthplace
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated dean's list from West Point
Education
United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law
Books Written
We Hold These Truths
Professional Memberships
Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Entertainment, Faith




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