In a new interview with The New Yorker, President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani—who carries no security clearances and was never vetted by Congress—outlined how and why he directed United States foreign policy.
According to Giuliani, he orchestrated the removal of US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch.
Why?
Giuliani told Adam Entous of The New Yorker that Yovanovitch was an obstacle to attaining his goal of obtaining politically damaging information about former Vice President Joe Biden and his son to use for the 2020 election.
Giuliani said:
"I believed that I needed Yovanovitch out of the way. She was going to make the investigations difficult for everybody."
Yovanovitch made it clear in her career and her congressional testimony that her allegiance was to the United States and her oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. Such dedication to country served Yovanovitch well, as she was appointed and served as an ambassador for both Republican and Democratic Presidents.
“I believed that I needed Yovanovitch out of the way,” Giluliani said. “She was going to make the investigations di… https://t.co/mVU3pytEdj— Tea Pain (@Tea Pain) 1576524855.0
However such loyalty to the United States and the Constitution did not suit Giuliani's goals on behalf of President Trump. But eliminating a veteran member of the foreign service with an exemplary reputation would require more than just Giuliani's request.
According to The New Yorker, the former New York mayor compiled a list of conspiracy theories unbacked by facts and easily disproven. Giuliani sent his list to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the FBI and The New Yorker.
Rudy Giuliani told The New Yorker he wanted former Ambassdor to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch fired because he thought… https://t.co/JsjeUHIBuR— HuffPost (@HuffPost) 1576539122.0
Giuliani also went on another propaganda media tour while enlisting the help of known conspiracy theorist John Solomon.
Giuliani told The New Yorker:
"I said, 'John, let's make this as prominent as possible. I'll go on TV. You go on TV. You do columns'."
Given the role of Yovanovitch's removal and Ukraine in the impeachment process, many found Giuliani's admissions to The New Yorker surprising. The interview verifies testimony Yovanovitch gave in October during the impeachment inquiry.
Testimony the White House denied.
I agree, @LindseyGrahamSC. Giuliani needs to come before the Senate Judiciary Committee immediately and testify und… https://t.co/n2rQkikHeT— Kamala Harris (@Kamala Harris) 1576532846.0
If Giuliani is now defending himself by placing his credibility up against the credibility of Yovanovitch, he's tru… https://t.co/pQz6S4g4p7— David Corn (@David Corn) 1576524586.0
The presidents free lawyer can’t stop confessing..... https://t.co/xg9CnmhhuZ— Molly Jong-Fast (@Molly Jong-Fast) 1576525834.0
Giuliani’s admission today that got Ambassador Yovanovitch fired in order to more easily enlist the State Dept in T… https://t.co/LIH7BFa1Lb— Chris Murphy (@Chris Murphy) 1576538807.0
How Giuliani's latest admissions help the President's case or his own is unclear. Also unclear is if the President and his personal lawyer are still reading off the same script.
Trump was asked by reporters today what Giuliani shared with him about his trip to Ukraine. Trump responded "not to… https://t.co/SqmOWhssgQ— Jim Acosta (@Jim Acosta) 1576532975.0
The #TrumpCrimeFamily better get their #FakeNews stories right before prison time.
— Im🍑 the🍊 #TrumpCrimeFamily (@IndictPOTUS45) December 16, 2019
He has the shady lawyer thing down. But he doesnt have the intelligence to be good at it.
— Clown Dispatcher🥃 (@DispatcherClown) December 16, 2019
Giuliani isn't helping Trump's cause. He needs to find a new personal lawyer.
— Denise (@Denise82031906) December 16, 2019
But with increased chatter about possible charges against Giuliani, it may be time to ask whose interests he's serving: his own or Trump's?
Rudy is still proving he'll be the best witness for the Dems.
— Rob H (@arob505) December 16, 2019
The documentary Giuliani Time is available here.