Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNew emails show White House worried that Trump's hold on Ukraine aid was simply illegal
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/12/21/1907266/-New-emails-show-White-House-worried-that-Trump-s-hold-on-Ukraine-aid-was-simply-illegalThe Center for Public Integrity has obtained a series of emails concerning the military assistance to Ukraine and Donald Trumps involvement in putting that assistance on hold. Though heavily redacted, the emails indicate that Trump acted to make sure aid remained blocked on the same day he spoke with Zelensky, and that White House staff were very concerned by Trumps actions to hold up assistance. Those emails show both that officials and diplomats worried first that it would undermine U.S. national security and that some were worried that by defying a law ordering that the funds be spent within a defined period, Trump was asking the officials involved to take an action that was not merely unwise but flatly illegal.
One of the first emails shows Office of Management and Budge official Michael Duffy following up on an article published by The Washington Examiner. Duffey makes it clear that he is following up on the article at the direct order of Trump. The article, published on June 19, spoke positively about the upcoming assistance. The Department of Defense cleared Ukraine of meeting obligations on both fighting corruption and supporting democracy on May 23, and sent a letter to Congress informing relevant committees of that approval, so its unsurprising that the Examiner wrote about the assistance as if were soon to be on its way. However, after Trump expressed interest in the article, no assistance was actually released by the OMB. It was thought that this was around the time that Trump put the assistance on hold, and DOD official Laura Cooper testified that her department was contacted several times by Ukrainian officials concerned about the lack of information.
Another email from Duffey paints an even more shocking picture. That email went to Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist on July 25, almost immediately after the call between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky. In it he expressed concerns about Trumps delaying assistance. Given the sensitive nature of the request, wrote Duffey, I appreciate your keeping that information closely held to those who need to know.
From the email, it seems that an official hold at the OMB may also date to July 25 the same date that Cooper reported Ukrainian officials calling her office to ask why there was a delay. However, the biggest reason that Duffey seems to be concerned is that Trump has provided no reason for the delay and failed to notify Congress of his actions. This places the White House in violation of the Impoundment Control Act, a law that, according to CPI, a president cannot simply ignore Congresss direction, no matter how inconvenient or unappealing that instruction might be. The Ukraine funds had been approved by Congress, signed by Trump, and cleared by the DOD, as provided for in the law. For Trump to hold them up, especially without telling Congress, was illegal.
One of the first emails shows Office of Management and Budge official Michael Duffy following up on an article published by The Washington Examiner. Duffey makes it clear that he is following up on the article at the direct order of Trump. The article, published on June 19, spoke positively about the upcoming assistance. The Department of Defense cleared Ukraine of meeting obligations on both fighting corruption and supporting democracy on May 23, and sent a letter to Congress informing relevant committees of that approval, so its unsurprising that the Examiner wrote about the assistance as if were soon to be on its way. However, after Trump expressed interest in the article, no assistance was actually released by the OMB. It was thought that this was around the time that Trump put the assistance on hold, and DOD official Laura Cooper testified that her department was contacted several times by Ukrainian officials concerned about the lack of information.
Another email from Duffey paints an even more shocking picture. That email went to Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist on July 25, almost immediately after the call between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky. In it he expressed concerns about Trumps delaying assistance. Given the sensitive nature of the request, wrote Duffey, I appreciate your keeping that information closely held to those who need to know.
From the email, it seems that an official hold at the OMB may also date to July 25 the same date that Cooper reported Ukrainian officials calling her office to ask why there was a delay. However, the biggest reason that Duffey seems to be concerned is that Trump has provided no reason for the delay and failed to notify Congress of his actions. This places the White House in violation of the Impoundment Control Act, a law that, according to CPI, a president cannot simply ignore Congresss direction, no matter how inconvenient or unappealing that instruction might be. The Ukraine funds had been approved by Congress, signed by Trump, and cleared by the DOD, as provided for in the law. For Trump to hold them up, especially without telling Congress, was illegal.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
4 replies, 2488 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (55)
ReplyReply to this post
4 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
New emails show White House worried that Trump's hold on Ukraine aid was simply illegal (Original Post)
CousinIT
Dec 2019
OP
Evidence keeps piling up. Force WH to go SCOTUS on witnesses and let them delay the Senate Trial.
OAITW r.2.0
Dec 2019
#1
LOCK HIM AND PENCE UP NOW!!!!! PENCE KNEW ABOUT THIS ALSO and THEY BROKE THE LAW.
trueblue2007
Dec 2019
#2
OAITW r.2.0
(24,504 posts)1. Evidence keeps piling up. Force WH to go SCOTUS on witnesses and let them delay the Senate Trial.
trueblue2007
(17,228 posts)2. LOCK HIM AND PENCE UP NOW!!!!! PENCE KNEW ABOUT THIS ALSO and THEY BROKE THE LAW.
lastlib
(23,248 posts)3. This could/SHOULD be HUGE!
A clearly illegal act. Republikans in Congress (at least the isolated couple who might have any spine to speak of) should be furious that Shitgibbon is violating their fiscal prerogatives by this action. But since the overwhelming majority of them are bought and paid for, they'll just look the other way (again).
Grasswire2
(13,571 posts)4. Impoundment Control Act.
Could that be used to hold him in violation for withholding documents from Congress and declaring privilege where there is no lawful privilege?
Does this act stand in contradiction to the Unitary Executive "theory" that is strangling America?