Americans will hear firsthand today from Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor about how Trump abused his power by pressuring Ukraine to interfere in our election.

House Republicans will do their best to discredit him, but they’ll have a tough time.  Here’s some background on decorated veteran and career diplomat Bill Taylor:

• Taylor is a West Point graduate who served in the Army, including in Vietnam and Afghanistan.

• Three veterans who served with him described him as a “man of honor,” “public servant,” and “role model.”

• The former ambassador to Afghanistan described Taylor as a “most capable but unassuming government servant,” adding that “Bill always volunteered for the tough posting.”

• Taylor worked for the State Department under both Republican and Democratic administrations and served as ambassador to Ukraine under George W. Bush.

Ambassador Taylor provided critical testimony to the committee:

• It was Taylor’s “clear understanding” that Ukraine’s military aid had been held up until Ukraine agreed to announce investigations into his political rivals.

• Taylor said Ukraine felt pressured by Trump. Ukraine understood that in order to get the White House meeting they wanted and the aid they had been promised, they had to pursue the investigations Trump wanted.

• According to Taylor, Giuiliani turned U.S. relations with Ukraine into a “snake pit.”

• Taylor revealed he threatened to step down from his position because of Trump withholding the Ukraine aid.