Further regarding the argument that Trump just wanted to address corruption:
"We're not meddling in an election,
we're meddling in an investigation, which we have a right to do," Mr. Giuliani said in an interview on Thursday when asked about the parallel to the special counsel's inquiry.
"There's nothing illegal about it," he said. "
Somebody could say it's improper. And this isn't foreign policy I'm asking them to do an investigation that they're doing already and that other people are telling them to stop. And I'm going to give them reasons why they shouldn't stop it
because that information will be very, very helpful to my client, and may turn out to be helpful to my government."
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/us/politics/giuliani-ukraine-trump.htmlRudy is acting as Trump's
personal lawyer, not as a representative of the US. If this was about corruption as a matter of policy, why would Rudy need be involved?
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Actual text message exchange:
[7/19/19, 4:49:42 PM] Kurt Volker: Can we three do a call tomorrowsay noon WASHINGTON?
[7/19/19, 6:50:29 PM] Gordon Sondland: Looks like Potus call tomorrow. I spike [sic] directly to Zelensky and gave him a full briefing. He's got it.
[7/19/19, 6:52:57 PM] Gordon Sondland: Sure!
[7/19/19, 7:01:22 PM] Kurt Volker: Good. Had breakfast with Rudy this morning-teeing up call w Yermak Monday. Must have helped.
Most impt is for Zelensky to say that he will help investigationand address any specific personnel issuesif there are any
Again, if it's actually about corruption, why the focus on Zelensky
saying it?
[8/9/19, 11:27 AM] Kurt Volker: Hi Mr Mayor! Had a good chat with Yermak last night. He was pleased with your phone call.
Mentioned Z making a statement. Can we all get on the phone to make sure I advise Z correctly as to what he should be saying? Want to make sure we get this done right. Thanks!
Gordon Sondland: Good idea Kurt. I am on Pacific time.
Rudy Giuliani: Yes can you call now going to Fundraiser at 12:30
If this was really so straight forward and about corruption, why was Bill Taylor so concerned?
[9/9/19, 12:47:11 AM] Bill Taylor:
As I said on the phone, I think it's crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign.https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/10/04/us/politics/ukraine-text-messages-volker.htmlThese are not conspiracy theories. This is a direct quote from Rudy and these are real text messages sent in real time, not some sort of hearsay. What do people make of this? Is it of no real concern? If so, why?