The State Department is blocking an ambassador and key witness in the Trump-Ukraine scandal from testifying before Congress

• The State Department is blocking US Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland from appearing for scheduled Tuesday morning testimony before Congress.
• Sondland's attorney released a statement explaining that the State Department had "directed" Sondland to skip his scheduled, voluntary testimony before three congressional committees pursuing an impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump.
• In 2018, Trump nominated Sondland to be the US ambassador to the European Union.
• Text messages Sondland exchanged with other diplomats are at the center of a scandal over whether Trump improperly pressured Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son.
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The State Department is blocking US Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland - an important witness in the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump - from appearing for scheduled Tuesday morning testimony before Congress.

Sondland's attorney Robert Luskin released a statement explaining that the State Department had "directed" Sondland to skip his scheduled, voluntary testimony before three congressional committees pursuing the impeachment inquiry.

"As a sitting US ambassador to the EU and employee of the State Department, Ambassador Sondland is required to follow the Department's direction," the statement explained, adding that Sondland was "profoundly disappointed" that he was not able to testify on Tuesday and hoped "the issues raised by the State Department" would be resolved.

Before joining the State Department, Sondland made a fortune as a successful hotel executive and entrepreneur in the Pacific Northwest and became a generous donor to Republican politicians - which included giving $1 million to Trump's 2017 inaugural fund.

In 2018, Trump nominated Sondland to be the US ambassador to the European Union. And now, text messages he exchanged with other diplomats are at the center of a scandal over whether Trump improperly pressured Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son.

Former US special envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker, charge d'affaires for the US embassy in Ukraine Bill Taylor, and Sondland all exchanged messages regarding Trump's relationship with Ukraine.

Read more: Newly revealed text messages show Trump diplomats' internal turmoil over his pressure on Ukraine

In one exchange that took place on July 21, Taylor texted Sondland saying Zelensky was "sensitive about Ukraine being taken seriously, not merely an instrument in Washington domestic, reelection politics."

Sondland replied: "Absolutely, but we need to get the conversation started and the relationship built, irrespective of the pretext. I am worried about the alternative."

After Taylor expressed concern in a September 1 exchange that withholding US military funds in exchange for an investigation was "crazy," Sondland responded, "the president has been crystal clear no quid pro quo's of any kind."

"The president is trying to evaluate whether Ukraine is truly going to adopt the transparency and reforms that President Zelensky promised during his campaign," Sondland added. "I suggest we stop the back and forth by text. If you still have concerns, I recommend you give Lisa Kennna or S a call."