Defend or deflect?

Why bother. All of the testimony confirms there was no quid pro quo. Every single person who testified said that it wasn't in the call, and it was only their opinion.

On top of that, only one person who testified was actually on the call.

When this gets to the senate for trial, it's going to be the shortest in history.

Senator> "Eric Ciaramella, were you on the call?"

EC> "No"

Senator> "Who told you about the call?"

EC> "Lt. Col. Vindman"

Senator> "Dismissed"

Senator> "Lt. Col. Vindman, can you show us where quid pro quo happened in the call?"

Vindman> "No"

Senator> "Lt. Col. Vindman, were you aware that the call you discussed with EC was classified?"

Vindman> "Yes"

Senator> "And you discussed it with your brother"

Vindman> "Yes"

Senator> "Can you define 'SEDITION' for us?"

Vindman> "uh...."

Senator> "Are you familiar with Fort Leavenworth?"

Buh buh the charge must be true.... there were, like, a bunch of people who testified and stuff.

Impeachment failed in one house committee controlled by dems? No problem, just repeat it in another committee ad nauseum.

They'll hold a vote, and they'll vote it down. If they vote to impeach, the damage to them will be multiplied.