William Taylor: What you need to know

William Taylor

Who he is: Chargé d’affaires for Ukraine.

{mosads}Why he’s testifying: Taylor replaced Marie Yovanovitch, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, as the top diplomat in Kyiv following her abrupt removal in May. From that perch, Taylor was on the front lines of the White House’s effort to press Ukrainian leaders to find dirt on President Trump’s political rivals. At one point, he threatened to quit over it.

What he’s expected to say: In closed-door testimony last month, Taylor told lawmakers that Trump’s pressure campaign had “fundamentally undermined” U.S. interests in the region. He painted a scene where political operatives trampled over veteran diplomats to secure the investigations Trump sought. The quid pro quo involving a White House meeting, he said, was “clear.”

What he’s said: “I think it’s crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign.”