Ambassador Taylor is testifying today

William B. Taylor Jr., the top diplomat in Ukraine, gave “damning” testimony Tuesday about President Trump and the effort to pressure Ukraine’s government for political gain, according to [Representative Ted Lieu, Democrat of California] and another person familiar with the opening statement Mr. Taylor delivered behind closed doors in the ongoing impeachment inquiry.

[...]

In an extensive opening statement, Mr. Taylor laid out a detailed timeline of events during his time in the administration, according to the person familiar with his testimony.

[...]

Mr. Taylor’s testimony was based in part on detailed notes that he took throughout his tenure, according to another person familiar with what he has told lawmakers. Mr. Taylor has shared his notes with the State Department but has not produced copies of them for lawmakers conducting the impeachment inquiry, the person said.

  NYT

Because he couldn't. They belong to the State Department.

The State Department tried to block Mr. Taylor from appearing for Tuesday’s deposition, or to limit his testimony if he did, according to an official working on the impeachment inquiry who insisted on anonymity to describe the negotiations. So early Tuesday morning, in keeping with a pattern that has allowed investigators to extract crucial information from numerous administration witnesses, the House Intelligence Committee quietly issued a subpoena to compel Mr. Taylor to testify, and he complied.

But they say that about everything.


We were allowed to seee Ambassador Yovanovitch's written statement. I'm guessing - and hoping - we'll get to see Taylor's. Recall that Taylor is the one who pointedly texted to Ambassador Sondland that "it’s crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign.”

...to be continued.