Trump's biggest defenders in Congress reportedly knew nothing about move to block diplomat from testifying


After finding out from the press that the Trump administration blocked a top diplomat from testifying before Congress on Tuesday, several Republican lawmakers went to the White House and asked that they not be blindsided again, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News.
The State Department ordered Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, not to testify as part of the House impeachment probe. Several of President Trump's biggest cheerleaders — Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), and Rep. Scott Perry (R-Penn.) — were waiting for Sondland to appear on Tuesday morning, and after learning that he wasn't coming, they headed to the White House to talk with Trump and his senior advisers about how they can improve their communication with his congressional defenders, Bloomberg News reports.
This isn't the first time lawmakers who want to help Trump have been left in the dark, several people said, and the senior advisers agreed that everyone should be on the same page regarding the impeachment strategy. Read more at Bloomberg News.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Elon Musk departs the White House | June 6 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Friday's political cartoons include Elon Musk's departure from the White House, Democrats learning how to speak in word salads, an Donald Trump's chaotic birthday parade
-
The Torridon: a luxury retreat nestled amid Highland splendour
The Week Recommends Deep in Scotland's mountainous northwest, this boutique hotel is a stirring contrast between five-star elegance and rugged natural grandeur
-
'Arise, Sir Goldenballs': David Beckham plays the long game in quest for knighthood
Talking Point Former footballer set to be knighted in King's birthday honours after years of snubs
-
Trump hits Africa, Middle East with new travel ban
Speed Read The travel ban bars visitors from 12 countries and restricts entry from seven
-
Elon Musk slams Trump's 'pork-filled' signature bill
speed read 'Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong,' Musk posted on X
-
Depleted FEMA struggling as hurricane season begins
speed read FEMA has lost a third of its workforce amid DOGE cuts enforced by President Donald Trump
-
White House tackles fake citations in MAHA report
speed read A federal government public health report spearheaded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was rife with false citations
-
Judge blocks push to bar Harvard foreign students
speed read Judge Allison Burroughs sided with Harvard against the Trump administration's attempt to block the admittance of international students
-
Trump's trade war whipsawed by court rulings
Speed Read A series of court rulings over Trump's tariffs renders the future of US trade policy uncertain
-
Elon Musk departs Trump administration
speed read The former DOGE head says he is ending his government work to spend more time on his companies
-
Trump taps ex-personal lawyer for appeals court
speed read The president has nominated Emil Bove, his former criminal defense lawyer, to be a federal judge