![Impeachment investigators announce first public hearings next week](https://sharedmedia.grahamdigital.com/photo/2018/12/18/US%20capitol.JPG_21675674_ver1.0_1280_720.jpg)
Impeachment investigators announce first public hearings next week
Mark Reinstein/Corbis Historical/Getty Images via CNN(CNN) - House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff on Wednesday announced impeachment hearings will begin next week as Democrats prepare to take their case against President Donald Trump to the public. The hearings are the next step for Democrats as they move closer to impeaching a President for the third time in US history. In his 15-page opening statement, Taylor explained how he was told that "everything" Ukraine wanted was conditioned on the investigation. Jordan criticized Democrats for not bringing back for public testimony US special envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker, whose transcript was released Tuesday. The public hearings will be conducted just by the House Intelligence Committee.
![Transcript released of testimony by top US diplomat in Ukraine](https://sharedmedia.grahamdigital.com/photo/2019/11/06/Bill%20Taylor%20deposed%20Oct%2022%202019.jpg_22445007_ver1.0_1280_720.jpg)
Transcript released of testimony by top US diplomat in Ukraine
(CNN) - The top US diplomat in Ukraine told Congress that it was his "clear understanding" that US security aid to Ukraine wouldn't happen unless the country's president announced he would investigate President Donald Trump's political rivals, according to a transcript of Ambassador Bill Taylor's deposition released Wednesday. In his 15-page opening statement, Taylor explained how he was told that "everything" Ukraine wanted was conditioned on the investigation. He gave a damning account of how Trump told his appointees to establish a quid pro quo with Ukraine, trading much-needed US military assistance for political favors from Zelensky. In the wake of that testimony, Trump accused Taylor of being a "Never Trumper." In text messages to Sondland, Taylor said it would be "crazy" to withhold military aid in exchange for political help from Ukraine, suggesting a potential quid pro quo.
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Bill Taylor willing to testify publicly in impeachment probe
There has not been a request yet made for Taylor to testify publicly, according to the source. But Democrats privately say that Taylor would be a logical choice for one of the first witnesses when the House begins public impeachment hearings. Sondland's lawyer did not reply to a request for comment when asked if he would be willing to return to testify publicly. "I don't speak Latin"Taylor's opening statement provided a preview of what kind of witness he would be for Democrats publicly. "According to Mr. Morrison, President Trump told Ambassador Sondland that he was not asking for a 'quid pro quo.'