Press Statement – Ambassador Gordon Sondland
U.S. Ambassador to the European Union
October 8, 2019

Early this morning, the U.S. Department of State directed Ambassador Gordon Sondland
not to appear today for his scheduled transcribed interview before the U.S. House of
Representatives Joint Committee. Ambassador Sondland had previously agreed to appear
voluntarily today, without the need for a subpoena, in order to answer the Committee’s questions
on an expedited basis. As the sitting U.S. Ambassador to the EU and employee of the State
Department, Ambassador Sondland is required to follow the Department’s direction.
Ambassador Sondland is profoundly disappointed that he will not be able to testify today.
Ambassador Sondland traveled to Washington from Brussels in order to prepare for his
testimony and to be available to answer the Committee’s questions. Arrangements had already
been made with Joint Committee staff regarding the logistics of his testimony. Ambassador
Sondland believes strongly that he acted at all times in the best interests of the United States, and
he stands ready to answer the Committee’s questions fully and truthfully.
Ambassador Sondland hopes that the issues raised by the State Department that preclude
his testimony will be resolved promptly. He stands ready to testify on short notice, whenever he
is permitted to appear.