Page:Impeachment of Donald J. Trump, President of the United States — Report of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives.pdf/482

 {| class="__grid __cell_vtp" A "Quid Pro Quo" from "the President of the United States"
 * +Comparison of Draft Statements
 * Yermak Draft August 12
 * Giuliani-Volker-Sondland Draft August 13
 * Special attention should be paid to the problem of interference in the political processes of the United States, especially with the alleged involvement of some Ukrainian politicians. I want to declare that this is unacceptable. We intend to initiate and complete a transparent and unbiased investigation of all available facts and episodes, which in turn will prevent the recurrence of this problem in the future.
 * Special attention should be paid to the problem of interference in the political processes of the United States, especially with the alleged involvement of some Ukrainian politicians. I want to declare that this is unacceptable. We intend to initiate and complete a transparent and unbiased investigation of all available facts and episodes,, which in turn will prevent the recurrence of this problem in the future.
 * }
 * Special attention should be paid to the problem of interference in the political processes of the United States, especially with the alleged involvement of some Ukrainian politicians. I want to declare that this is unacceptable. We intend to initiate and complete a transparent and unbiased investigation of all available facts and episodes,, which in turn will prevent the recurrence of this problem in the future.
 * }

Ambassador Volker testified that the language reflected what Mr. Giuliani deemed necessary for the statement to be "credible."$805$ Ambassador Sondland noted the language was "proposed by Giuliani."$806$ Ambassador Sondland explained that the language was a clear quid pro quo that expressed "the desire of the President of the United States":

"Mr. Giuliani's requests were a quid pro quo for arranging a White House visit for President Zelensky. Mr. Giuliani demanded that Ukraine make a public statement announcing investigations of the 2016 election/DNC server and Burisma. Mr. Giuliani was expressing the desires of the President of the United States, and we knew that these investigations were important to the President.$807$"

Shortly after Ambassador Volker sent the revised statement to Mr. Yermak on August 13, Ambassador Sondland called Mr. Giuliani and connected for nearly four minutes.

Ukrainian Officials and Career State Department Became Increasingly Concerned

On August 13-while Ambassador Volker, Ambassador Sondland, and Mr. Yermak were negotiating the draft statement about investigations-Mr. Yermak asked Ambassador Volker "whether any request had ever been made by the U.S. to investigate election interference in 2016." He appeared interested in knowing whether the U.S. Department of Justice had made an official request to Ukraine's law enforcement agency for legal assistance in such a matter.$808$ When Ambassador Volker sent Mr. Giuliani's approved draft statement to Mr. Yermak, he stated that he would "work on official request."$809$