NBC News is reporting that Fiona Hill, until recently a top aide on Russia and Europe for Donald Trump, will tell Congress next week that Rudy Giuliani and Gordon Sondland, the E.U. Ambassador, circumvented the National Security council to pursue a shadow policy on Ukraine. From NBC News:
Hill’s appearance next week before Congress has stoked fear among people close to the president, said a former senior White House official, given her central role overseeing Russia and Ukraine policy throughout most of the Trump administration.
Her plans to testify also pose a key test for whether congressional committees pursuing an impeachment inquiry can obtain testimony from other former officials who have left the administration, given the possibility that the White House may try to assert executive privilege to stop them from testifying.
Hill is scheduled to appear on Monday, October 14.
Meanwhile, Axios scoops tonight that Ambassador Sondland will testify before Congress next week. The White House had blocked Sondland from being deposed earlier this week. From Axios:
“One source familiar with the rescheduling tells Axios that after the State Department pulled the plug on Sondland’s testimony, Republicans close to Trump encouraged him to let the ambassador come before the committees. Trump’s allies believe Sondland’s testimony will be helpful to their side.“