Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, has been directed not to appear Tuesday for a scheduled interview with House committees leading the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.

Sondland, a Trump political appointee, has emerged as a central player in Trump’s bid to persuade Ukraine’s new government to commit publicly to investigate corruption and the president’s political opponents.

“Early this morning, the U.S. Department of State directed Ambassador Gordon Sondland not to appear today for his scheduled transcribed interview before the U.S. House of Representatives Joint Committee,” Robert Luskin, Sondland’s attorney, said in a statement. “Ambassador Sondland had previously agreed to appear voluntarily today, without the need for a subpoena, in order to answer the Committee’s questions on an expedited basis.”

“As the sitting U.S. Ambassador to the EU and employee of the State Department, Ambassador Sondland is required to follow the Department’s direction,” Luskin continued, adding that Sondland “is profoundly disappointed that he will not be able to testify today.”

Luskin noted that Sondland traveled to the U.S. capital from Brussels “in order to prepare for his testimony and to be available to answer the Committee’s questions.” Read more

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Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, has been directed not to appear Tuesday for a scheduled interview with House committees leading the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.

Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, has been directed not to appear Tuesday for a scheduled interview with House committees leading the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.

Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, has been directed not to appear Tuesday for a scheduled interview with House committees leading the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.

Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, has been directed not to appear Tuesday for a scheduled interview with House committees leading the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.