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| {{short description| |
{{short description|U.S. political scandal that began in 2019}} | ||
| {{very long|words=18,000|date=May 2024}} | |||
| {{pp-extended|small=yes}} | |||
| {{Use American English|date=September 2019}} | {{Use American English|date=September 2019}} | ||
| {{Use mdy dates|date= |
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}} | ||
| {{Trump–Ukraine scandal}} | {{Trump–Ukraine scandal}} | ||
| {{Trump–Russia relations}} | |||
| {{Donald Trump series}} | {{Donald Trump series}} | ||
| {{Volodymyr Zelenskyy sidebar}} | |||
| The '''Trump–Ukraine scandal''' |
The '''Trump–Ukraine scandal''' was a ] that arose primarily from the discovery of U.S. President ]'s attempts to coerce ] into investigating his political rival ] and thus potentially damage ] for the ]. Trump enlisted surrogates in and outside ], including personal lawyer ] and Attorney General ], to pressure Ukraine and other governments to cooperate in supporting and legitimizing the bogus ] and other conspiracy theories concerning US politics.<ref name="involved pence"/><ref name="trump pressed"/><ref name="Baker">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/us/politics/trump-china-bidens.html|title=Trump Publicly Urges China to Investigate the Bidens |last1=Baker |first1=Peter |author-link=Peter Baker (journalist) |date=October 3, 2019 |work=] |access-date=October 4, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191003161404/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/us/politics/trump-china-bidens.html |archive-date=October 3, 2019 |last2=Sullivan |first2=Eileen |url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Veronica |last1=Stracqualursi |first2=Michael |last2=Warren |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/12/politics/giuliani-trump-ukraine-russia-impeachment-inquiry/index.html |title=Rudy Giuliani tells CNN he's unaware he's under investigation for Ukraine involvement |work=] |date=October 12, 2019 |quote=the unraveling Ukraine scandal |access-date=January 7, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mallin |first1=Alexander |first2=Jonathan |last2=Karl |title=Barr asked Trump for introductions to Italy, Australia in Russia probe review |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/barr-asked-trump-introductions-australia-italy-review-russia/story?id=65964849 |date=September 30, 2019 |access-date=October 20, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> Trump blocked payment of a congressionally-mandated $400 million military aid package, in an attempt to obtain '']'' cooperation from ] ]. Contacts were established between the White House and ], culminating in a call between Trump and Zelenskyy on July 25, 2019.<ref name="involved pence"/><ref name="trump pressed"/><ref name="Baker"/><ref name="TextMsg">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/10/04/us/politics/ukraine-text-messages-volker.html|title=Read the Text Messages Between U.S. and Ukrainian Officials |last1=Savage |first1=Charlie |date=October 4, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 5, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191011043711/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/10/04/us/politics/ukraine-text-messages-volker.html |archive-date=October 11, 2019 |last2=Williams |first2=Josh |quote=A newly released set of text exchanges revealed details about President Trump's efforts to use American foreign policy to benefit himself. |author-link=Charlie Savage (author) |url-access=limited}}</ref> | ||
| Trump released the aid after becoming aware of a ] complaint, before the complaint was known by Congress or the public.<ref name="trump knew"/> The scandal reached public attention in mid-September 2019 due to a whistleblower complaint made in August.<ref name="timeline">{{Cite news |work=] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/09/politics/impeachment-transcript-takeaways/index.html |title=We read all 2,677 pages of impeachment inquiry testimony released to date. Here's what's clear. |first1=Manu |last1=Raju |first2=Jeremy |last2=Herb |first3=Marshall |last3=Cohen |access-date=November 11, 2019 |date=November 9, 2019 }}</ref> The complaint raised concerns about Trump using powers to solicit ] in the ].<ref name=WapoComplaintReleased/> The White House corroborated allegations raised by the whistleblower. A transcript of the Trump–Zelenskyy call confirmed Trump requested investigations into Joe Biden and his son ], as well as a ], while urging Zelenskyy to work with Giuliani and Barr on this.<ref name=Bump27/><ref name=helderman/> | |||
| Former acting chief of staff ] said one reason why Trump withheld aid to Ukraine was Ukrainian "corruption related to the DNC server", referring to a debunked theory that Ukrainians framed Russia for ] system.<ref name="becket"/> Trump has publicly urged Ukraine and China to investigate the Bidens.<ref name="tremendous"/> The Trump administration's top diplomat to Ukraine, ], testified he was told aid to Ukraine and a Trump–Zelenskyy White House meeting were conditional on Zelenskyy announcing investigations into the Bidens and alleged Ukrainian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections.<ref name=bade>{{Cite news |last1=Bade |first1=Rachael |last2=Gearan |first2=Anne |last3=Demirjan |first3=Karoun |last4=DeBonis |first4=Mike |title=Trump made Ukraine aid contingent on public pledge to investigate Bidens and 2016 election, U.S. envoy says he was told |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/diplomat-who-raised-alarm-about-withholding-aid-to-ukraine-testifies-in-impeachment-probe/2019/10/22/086fb850-f436-11e9-8cf0-4cc99f74d127_story.html |access-date=October 28, 2019 |date=October 22, 2019 |newspaper=]}}</ref> ] ] testified he worked with Giuliani at Trump's "express direction" to arrange a ''quid pro quo'' with the Ukraine government.<ref>{{cite news|title=Impeachment inquiry: Donald Trump directed Ukraine to dig up dirt on Joe Biden, ambassador claims |date=November 20, 2019 |access-date=November 24, 2019 |work=] |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/world/donald-trump-impeachment-hearing-ukraine-ambassador-quid-pro-quo-1315067 }}</ref> | |||
| On September 24, 2019, the ] began a formal ], led by six House committees.<ref name=formal /> On October 31, 2019, the House of Representatives voted to approve guidelines for the next phase of the impeachment inquiry.<ref name=Demirjian-191031 /> | |||
| On September 24, 2019, the ] began a formal ].<ref name = formal>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/pelosi-top-democrats-privately-discuss-creation-of-select-committee-for-impeachment/2019/09/24/af6f735a-dedf-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html |first1=Rachael |last1=Bade |first2=Mike |last2=DeBonis |first3=Karoun |last3=Demirjian |date=September 24, 2019 |title=House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces formal impeachment inquiry of Trump, says his actions were a 'betrayal of national security' |newspaper=] |access-date=September 24, 2019}}</ref> On October 31, 2019, the House of Representatives voted to approve guidelines for the next phase of impeachment.<ref name=Demirjian-191031>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/house-to-vote-on-rules-governing-next-phase-of-trump-impeachment-inquiry/2019/10/31/bc2f5e7a-fbcc-11e9-ac8c-8eced29ca6ef_story.html | title=A divided House backs impeachment probe of Trump | newspaper=] | date=October 31, 2019 | access-date=October 31, 2019 | first1=Karoun | last1=Demirjian | first2=Rachael | last2=Bade | first3=Mike | last3=DeBonis}}</ref> Trump was impeached on charges of abusing the power of his office and obstructing Congress,<ref name="NYT-20191218">{{cite news |last1=Fandos |first1=Nicholas |author-link=Nicholas Fandos |last2=Shear |first2=Michael D. |author2-link=Michael D. Shear |title=Trump Impeached for Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress – Voting nearly along party lines, the House approved two articles of impeachment against President Trump, making him the third president in history to face removal by the Senate. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/18/us/politics/trump-impeached.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218190005/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/18/us/politics/trump-impeached.html |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |date=December 18, 2019 |work=] |access-date=December 18, 2019}}</ref> but was ].<ref name="acquit">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/02/05/no-senator-ever-voted-remove-president-his-party-office-until-mitt-romney/ |first=Philip |last=Bump |title=No senator ever voted to remove a president of his own party from office. Until Mitt Romney|date=February 5, 2020|newspaper=]|access-date=February 6, 2020}}</ref> | |||
| On December 3, 2019, as part of the impeachment inquiry, the ] published a 300-page report detailing that "the impeachment inquiry has found that President Trump, personally and acting through agents within and outside of the U.S. government, solicited the interference of a foreign government, Ukraine, to benefit his reelection. In furtherance of this scheme, President Trump conditioned official acts on a public announcement by the new Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, of politically-motivated investigations, including one into President Trump’s domestic political opponent. In pressuring President Zelensky to carry out his demand, President Trump withheld a White House meeting desperately sought by the Ukrainian President, and critical U.S. military assistance to fight ]."<ref name="Intel-Report">{{Cite web|url=https://intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/20191203_-_full_report___hpsci_impeachment_inquiry_-_20191203.pdf|title=Report of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Pursuant to H. Res. 660 in Consultation with the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs|last=Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence|first=U.S. House of Representatives|date=December 3, 2019|website=U.S. House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-05}}</ref>{{Rp|8}} | |||
| On December 3, 2019, as part of the inquiry, the ] published a report detailing that "President Trump, personally and acting through agents within and outside of the U.S. government, solicited the interference of a foreign government, Ukraine, to benefit his reelection. ...President Trump conditioned official acts on a public announcement by the new Ukrainian president...of politically-motivated investigations, including one into Joe Biden, one of Trump's domestic political opponents. In pressuring President Zelenskyy to carry out his demand, President Trump withheld a White House meeting desperately sought by the Ukrainian President, and critical U.S. military assistance to fight ]."<ref name="Intel-Report">{{Cite report |url=https://intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/20191203_-_full_report___hpsci_impeachment_inquiry_-_20191203.pdf |title=The Trump-Ukraine Impeachment Inquiry Report: Report of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Pursuant to H. Res. 660 in Consultation with the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs|date=December 3, 2019 |work=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203185924/https://intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/20191203_-_full_report___hpsci_impeachment_inquiry_-_20191203.pdf |access-date=December 5, 2019|archive-date=December 3, 2019 }}</ref>{{Rp|8}} In January 2020, the ], a non-partisan watchdog, concluded the White House broke federal law by withholding Congress-approved military aid to Ukraine.<ref name="NYT-Cochrane"/> | |||
| == Background == | == Background == | ||
| ]]] | ]]] | ||
| The scandal |
The scandal came to light when a ] report revealed that President Trump had asked Ukrainian president ] in July 2019 to investigate ], Trump's political opponent in the ], his son ], and company ], to discuss these matters with Trump's personal attorney ] and Attorney General ].<ref name="urged">{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/transcript-trump-call-ukraine-includes-talk-giuliani-barr/story?id=65848768|title=Trump urged Ukraine to work with Barr and Giuliani to probe Biden: Call transcript|last1=Santucci|first1=John|date=September 25, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925141842/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/transcript-trump-call-ukraine-includes-talk-giuliani-barr/story?id=65848768|archive-date=September 25, 2019|work=ABC News|last2=Mallin|first2=Alexander|last3=Thomas|first3=Pierre|last4=Faulders|first4=Katherine}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/25/trump-wanted-russias-main-geopolitical-adversary-help-him-undermine-russian-interference-story/|title=Trump wanted Russia's main geopolitical adversary to help undermine the Russian interference story|last1=Bump|first1=Philip|date=September 25, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191012223351/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/25/trump-wanted-russias-main-geopolitical-adversary-help-him-undermine-russian-interference-story/|archive-date=October 12, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> The allegations were confirmed by a non-verbatim summary of the conversation released by the White House.<ref name=Bump27>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/27/trump-says-whistleblower-complaint-isnt-accurate-white-house-keeps-showing-how-it-is/ |title=Trump says the whistleblower complaint isn't accurate. The White House keeps showing how it is. |last1=Bump |first1=Philip |date=September 27, 2019 |newspaper=] |access-date=October 4, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191012223748/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/27/trump-says-whistleblower-complaint-isnt-accurate-white-house-keeps-showing-how-it-is/ |archive-date=October 12, 2019 |url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="helderman">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mounting-evidence-buttresses-the-facts-laid-out-in-whistleblower-complaint/2019/10/05/c752843e-e6b5-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html |title=Mounting evidence buttresses the facts laid out in whistleblower complaint |last=Helderman |first=Rosalind S. |date=October 5, 2019 |newspaper=] |access-date=October 5, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191005220957/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mounting-evidence-buttresses-the-facts-laid-out-in-whistleblower-complaint/2019/10/05/c752843e-e6b5-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|archive-date=October 5, 2019|author-link=Rosalind S. Helderman|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="press secretary">{{cite web |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-81/ |title=Statement from the Press Secretary |author=White House Press Secretary |author-link=White House Press Secretary |date=September 25, 2019 |website=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925150004/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-81/ |archive-date=September 25, 2019 |access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref> Trump acknowledged he had told Zelenskyy "we don't want our people like Vice President Biden and his son to the corruption already in the Ukraine."<ref name="trump acknowledges"/> According to the whistleblower, the call was part of a wider campaign by Trump, his administration, and Giuliani to pressure Ukraine into investigating the Bidens, which may have included Trump's cancelling a scheduled trip to Ukraine by Vice President ], and Trump withholding $400{{nbsp}}million in military aid from Ukraine.<ref name="Balsamo-190926">{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-cb-trump-ukraine-whistleblower-complaint-takeaways-20190926-eirgv5vjvrhu3ebacfzp5qxh7i-story.html |title=6 takeaways from the whistleblower complaint, including Rudy Giuliani's central role |last1=Balsamo |first1=Michael |date=September 26, 2019 |work=] |access-date=September 27, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930201643/https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-cb-trump-ukraine-whistleblower-complaint-takeaways-20190926-eirgv5vjvrhu3ebacfzp5qxh7i-story.html |archive-date=September 30, 2019 |agency=] |last2=Long |first2=Colleen |url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/26/politics/whistleblower-complaint-released/index.html |title=Whistleblower says White House tried to cover up Trump's abuse of power |last1=Cohen |first1=Marshall |date=September 26, 2019 |access-date=September 26, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191012224245/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/26/politics/whistleblower-complaint-released/index.html |archive-date=October 12, 2019 |work=] |last2=Polantz |first2=Katelyn |last3=Shortell |first3=David }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pence-seeks-to-dodge-impeachment-spotlight-as-his-ukrainian-moves-attract-notice/2019/09/26/d397bdea-e07a-11e9-be96-6adb81821e90_story.html |title=Pence seeks to dodge impeachment spotlight as his Ukrainian moves attract notice |last1=Olorunnipa |first1=Toluse |date=September 27, 2019 |newspaper=] |access-date=October 1, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190927125249/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pence-seeks-to-dodge-impeachment-spotlight-as-his-ukrainian-moves-attract-notice/2019/09/26/d397bdea-e07a-11e9-be96-6adb81821e90_story.html|archive-date=September 27, 2019 |last2=Parker |first2=Ashley |url-access=limited}}</ref> | ||
| Immediately after the |
Immediately after the Trump–Zelenskyy call ended, White House national security aides discussed their deep concerns, with at least one ] (NSC) official alerting White House national security lawyers.<ref name="cnn-oct8"/><ref name="raised alarms"/> A text message between a State Department envoy to Ukraine and a Ukrainian official showed the envoy understood from the White House that a Zelenskyy visit with Trump was contingent upon Ukraine's investigating ] in the ].<ref name="wapo texts show"/> | ||
| Records of the |
Records of the Trump–Zelenskyy call were moved from the system where presidential call transcripts are typically stored to a system reserved for the government's most sensitive secrets.<ref name=Brown27/><ref name=Balsamo-190926/><ref name="nyt-comp-system-oct-2019"/> The Trump administration had also similarly restricted access to records of Trump's conversations with the leaders of China,<ref name="raised biden"/> Russia, Saudi Arabia,<ref name="cnn"/> and Australia.<ref name="trump pressed"/> It was subsequently revealed that this placement was made for political rather than for national security reasons.<ref name="Subramanian_Brook_9/26/2019">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/09/26/whistleblower-white-house-tried-conceal-ukraine-phone-records-removing-computer-system-complaint-say/3775866002/|title=Trump Ukraine: 'lock down' of call a sign of White House cover up|last1=Subramanian|first1=Courtney|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191012230249/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/09/26/whistleblower-white-house-tried-conceal-ukraine-phone-records-removing-computer-system-complaint-say/3775866002/|archive-date=October 12, 2019|last2=Brook|first2=Tom Vanden}}</ref> | ||
| The first whistleblower complaint was filed on August 12, 2019, reportedly by a ] officer detailed to the White House.<ref name=Detailed |
The first whistleblower complaint was filed on August 12, 2019, reportedly by a ] officer detailed to the White House.<ref name=Detailed/> It was based both on "direct knowledge of certain alleged conduct" and on the accounts of more than "half a dozen U.S. officials".<ref name="odni-statement"/><ref name="cnn-cohen-sep30"/> The complaint was eventually released to congressional intelligence committees on September 25, 2019,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-whistleblower-complaint-dni-to-provide-congress-with-whistleblower-complaint-today-live-updates-2019-09-25/|title=Lawmakers get first look at whistleblower complaint and one calls it "nothing short of explosive"|last=Segers|first=Grace|date=September 25, 2019|access-date=September 25, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929151404/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-whistleblower-complaint-dni-to-provide-congress-with-whistleblower-complaint-today-live-updates-2019-09-25/|archive-date=September 29, 2019|work=]}}</ref> and a redacted version of the complaint was made public the next day.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/read-full-text-whistleblower-complaint-n1058971|title=Read the full text of the whistleblower complaint|date=September 26, 2019|access-date=September 26, 2019|work=]}}</ref> On October 6, 2019, attorney ] announced the existence of a second official whistleblower, an intelligence official with firsthand knowledge who had spoken with the ] but had not yet contacted the congressional committees involved in the investigation.<ref name="abc-oct6">{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/2nd-whistleblower-forward-speaking-ig-attorney/story?id=66092396|title=2nd whistleblower comes forward after speaking with IG: Attorney|last1=Meek|first1=James Gordon|date=October 6, 2019|access-date=October 6, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007002923/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/2nd-whistleblower-forward-speaking-ig-attorney/story?id=66092396|archive-date=October 7, 2019|work=]|last2=Flaherty|first2=Anne}}</ref> | ||
| The whistleblower's complaint prompted a referral to the ]. On September 25, a |
The whistleblower's complaint prompted a referral to the ]. On September 25, a Department of Justice spokeswoman, Kerri Kupec, announced that the division had "concluded the matter" and determined that the call did not constitute a campaign finance violation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trumps-doj-clears-president-violating-campaign-finance-law/story?id=65849857|title=Trump's DOJ clears president of violating campaign finance law in Ukraine-Biden call|last=Mallin|first=Alexander|date=September 25, 2019|access-date=October 13, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930211216/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trumps-doj-clears-president-violating-campaign-finance-law/story?id=65849857|archive-date=September 30, 2019|work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/justice-dept-found-trump-didnt-commit-a-campaign-finance-crime-raised-by-whistleblower|title=Justice Department found Trump didn't commit a campaign finance crime raised by whistleblower|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 13, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930125222/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/justice-dept-found-trump-didnt-commit-a-campaign-finance-crime-raised-by-whistleblower|archive-date=September 30, 2019}}</ref><ref name="WeeksAfter"/> On October 3, after Trump publicly called for China and Ukraine to investigate Joe and Hunter Biden,<ref name=":4"/> ] (FEC) chair ] reiterated that "it is illegal for any person to solicit, accept, or receive anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/10/18/stymied-by-polarized-agency-fec-chair-ellen-weintraub-finds-her-voice-trump-critic/ |title=Stymied by a polarized agency, FEC Chairwoman Ellen Weintraub finds her voice as a Trump critic |last=Thebault |first=Reis |newspaper=] |access-date=November 10, 2019 |date=October 18, 2019 }}</ref> | ||
| Trump has denied all wrongdoing.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://time.com/5687055/whistleblower-complaint-allegations|title=The Whistleblower's Complaint on Trump and Ukraine Has Been Released. These Sections Will Receive the Most Scrutiny|last1=Law|first1=Tara|date=September 26, 2019| |
Trump has denied all wrongdoing.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://time.com/5687055/whistleblower-complaint-allegations|title=The Whistleblower's Complaint on Trump and Ukraine Has Been Released. These Sections Will Receive the Most Scrutiny|last1=Law|first1=Tara|date=September 26, 2019|magazine=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003182306/https://time.com/5687055/whistleblower-complaint-allegations/|archive-date=October 3, 2019|last2=Mansoor|first2=Sanya|last3=Abramson|first3=Alana}}</ref> He confirmed that he had withheld aid from Ukraine, while offering contradicting reasons for doing so. Trump first claimed it was withheld because of corruption in Ukraine, but later said it was because other nations, including those in Europe, were not contributing enough aid to Ukraine.<ref name=":0"/><ref name="Wagner"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/02/portman-trump-ukraine-021443|title=Trump praises 'honorable' Portman for corroborating Ukraine aid story|last1=Everett|first1=Burgess|date=October 2, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003052048/https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/02/portman-trump-ukraine-021443|archive-date=October 3, 2019}}</ref> European Union institutions provided more than twice the amount of aid to Ukraine than did the United States during 2016-17,<ref name="trump wrong"/><ref name=tableau/> and Trump's budget proposal sought to cut billions of dollars from U.S. initiatives to ] in Ukraine and elsewhere.<ref>{{cite news|first=Erica |last=Werner |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2019/10/23/trump-administration-sought-billions-dollars-cuts-programs-aimed-fighting-corruption-ukraine-abroad/| title=Trump administration sought billions of dollars in cuts to programs aimed at fighting corruption in Ukraine and elsewhere |newspaper=] |date=October 23, 2019 |access-date=October 23, 2019 }}</ref> | ||
| Trump has repeatedly attacked the whistleblower.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/another-gop-senator-breaks-trump-defend-ukraine-whistleblower-n1062226|title=Another GOP senator breaks from Trump to defend Ukraine whistleblower|last1=Gregorian|first1=Dareh|date=October 3, 2019| |
Trump has repeatedly attacked the whistleblower and sought information about the whistleblower.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/another-gop-senator-breaks-trump-defend-ukraine-whistleblower-n1062226|title=Another GOP senator breaks from Trump to defend Ukraine whistleblower|last1=Gregorian|first1=Dareh|date=October 3, 2019|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191012225255/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/another-gop-senator-breaks-trump-defend-ukraine-whistleblower-n1062226|archive-date=October 12, 2019|work=]|last2=Barrett|first2=Maura}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/09/30/donald-trump-trying-find-out-who-ukraine-whistleblower/3822241002/|title=Donald Trump: 'We're trying to find out' the identity of whistleblower who made Ukraine complaint|last1=Jackson|first1=David|date=September 30, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191012225249/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/09/30/donald-trump-trying-find-out-who-ukraine-whistleblower/3822241002/|archive-date=October 12, 2019}}</ref> In October 2019, after mentioning that the U.S. has "tremendous power" in the ] "if they don't do what we want", Trump publicly urged Ukraine and China to investigate the Bidens.<ref name=tremendous/> As of October 2019, there has been no evidence produced of any alleged wrongdoing by the Bidens.<ref name="noevidence">Multiple sources: | ||
| * {{cite news|url=https://www.afp.com/en/news/3954/trump-i-want-meet-my-accuser-doc-1kt4vy4|title=Trump: I want to meet my accuser|date=September 30, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001005324/https://www.afp.com/en/news/3954/trump-i-want-meet-my-accuser-doc-1kt4vy4|archive-date=October 1, 2019|agency=]|quote=Brandishing what he said were affidavits incriminating Biden's son Hunter over his work at a Ukrainian company, Giuliani said Trump was duty bound to raise the issue with Kyiv. Trump and his allies claim Biden, as Barack Obama's vice president, pressured Kyiv to fire the country's top prosecutor to protect his son Hunter, who sat on the board of a gas company, Burisma Holdings, accused of corrupt practices. Those allegations have largely been debunked and there has been no evidence of illegal conduct or wrongdoing in Ukraine by the Bidens.}} | |||
| * {{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-trump-whistleblower-lawmaker-idAFL5N26H3HV|title=Zelenskiy opponents say comments about Europeans to Trump could hurt Ukraine|last1=Matthias|first1=Williams|date=September 26, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001005323/https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-trump-whistleblower-lawmaker-idAFL5N26H3HV|archive-date=October 1, 2019|work=]|last2=Polityuk|first2=Pavel|quote=Trump pressed Zelenskiy to investigate the business dealings of the son of his political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic front-runner to challenge Trump in an election next year. Zelenskiy agreed. Biden's son Hunter worked for a company drilling for gas in Ukraine. There has been no evidence of wrongdoing by either Biden.}} | |||
| * {{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49842895|title=White House 'tried to cover up details of Trump-Ukraine call'|date=September 26, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930105132/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49842895|archive-date=September 30, 2019|work=]|quote=There is no evidence of any wrongdoing by the Bidens.}} | |||
| * {{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/there-s-no-evidence-trump-s-biden-ukraine-accusations-what-n1057851|title=There's no evidence for Trump's Biden-Ukraine accusations. What really happened?|last1=Timm|first1=Jane|date=September 25, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929202945/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/there-s-no-evidence-trump-s-biden-ukraine-accusations-what-n1057851|archive-date=September 29, 2019|work=]|quote=But despite Trump's continued claims, there's no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of either Biden.}} | |||
| * {{cite news|url=https://www.apnews.com/article/9a83a6cfe1ee46ae967bfe8bc981612a/|title=Biden to Trump on baseless attacks: 'I'm not going anywhere'|last1=Sonner|first1=Scott|date=October 3, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191012231640/https://www.apnews.com/9a83a6cfe1ee46ae967bfe8bc981612a/|archive-date=October 12, 2019|work=]|quote=Yet no one has produced evidence of wrongdoing by either Biden.}} | |||
| * {{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/02/politics/ukraine-impeachment-guide-trump-rudy-giuliani/|title=Ukraine scandal drives another day of breaking news in Washington. Here's the latest.|last1=LeBlanc|first1=Paul|date=October 3, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191012232153/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/02/politics/ukraine-impeachment-guide-trump-rudy-giuliani/|archive-date=October 12, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> Trump, his supporters, and right-wing media have spread multiple conspiracy theories regarding Ukraine, the Bidens, the whistleblower, and the ].<ref name=fringe>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/us/politics/trump-ukraine-conspiracy.html|title=How a Fringe Theory About Ukraine Took Root in the White House|last1=Shane|first1=Scott|date=October 3, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191004020517/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/us/politics/trump-ukraine-conspiracy.html|archive-date=October 4, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="lybrand"/><ref name="Pilkington30">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/30/trump-impeachment-five-conspiracy-theories-ukraine-dilemma|title=Five fantasies Trump is pushing about the Ukraine scandal—and the truth|last1=Pilkington|first1=Ed|date=September 30, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001124100/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/30/trump-impeachment-five-conspiracy-theories-ukraine-dilemma|archive-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref> The scope of the scandal expanded on October 9, when arrests were made by the ] of two of Giuliani's clients involved in political and business affairs in the U.S. and Ukraine,<ref name="Helderx"/> as well as news two days later that Giuliani himself was under federal investigation.<ref name=":3"/>{{Update inline|date=August 2020|reason=}} | |||
| === President Donald Trump === | |||
| * {{cite news|url=https://www.afp.com/en/news/3954/trump-i-want-meet-my-accuser-doc-1kt4vy4|title=Trump: I want to meet my accuser|date=September 30, 2019|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001005324/https://www.afp.com/en/news/3954/trump-i-want-meet-my-accuser-doc-1kt4vy4|archive-date=October 1, 2019|agency=]|quote=Brandishing what he said were affidavits incriminating Biden's son Hunter over his work at a Ukrainian company, Giuliani said Trump was duty bound to raise the issue with Kiev. Trump and his allies claim Biden, as Barack Obama's vice president, pressured Kiev to fire the country's top prosecutor to protect his son Hunter, who sat on the board of a gas company, Burisma Holdings, accused of corrupt practices. Those allegations have largely been debunked and there has been no evidence of illegal conduct or wrongdoing in Ukraine by the Bidens.}} | |||
| Before this scandal came to light, U.S. president ] indicated he would accept foreign intelligence on his political rivals. In June 2019, Trump was interviewed by ], who asked: "If foreigners, if Russia, if China, if someone else offers you information on an opponent, should they accept it or should they call the FBI?" Trump responded: "I think maybe you do both. I think you might want to listen. I don't. There's nothing wrong with listening. If somebody called from a country—Norway—we have information on your opponent. Oh. I think I'd want to hear it."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/02/politics/foreign-dirt-campaigns-trump/index.html|title=Trump has already said he's OK working with foreign governments against his U.S. rivals|last1=Wolf|first1=Zachary B.|date=October 2, 2019|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003022005/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/02/politics/foreign-dirt-campaigns-trump/index.html|archive-date=October 3, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> After Trump said this, the chair of the Federal Election Commission, Ellen Weintraub, reminded Americans that according to federal law: "It is illegal for any person to solicit, accept, or receive anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/03/fec-chair-subtweets-trump-after-plea-for-china-to-investigate-bidens.html|title=FEC chair tweets reminder that accepting foreign help in an election is illegal after Trump urges China to investigate Joe Biden|last1=Higgins|first1=Tucker|date=October 3, 2019|access-date=October 6, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004130109/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/03/fec-chair-subtweets-trump-after-plea-for-china-to-investigate-bidens.html|archive-date=October 4, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> Previously in July 2016, while Trump was still a candidate in the ], he ]: "Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the ]" from 2016 Democratic presidential candidate ]'s email server.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/ukraine-if-youre-listening--how-trump-tries-to-quell-controversies-by-saying-the-quiet-part-out-loud/2019/09/20/8e68aad0-dbc1-11e9-adff-79254db7f766_story.html|title=Ukraine, if you're listening ...: How Trump tries to quell controversies by saying the quiet part out loud|last1=Parker|first1=Ashley|date=September 20, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190921034234/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/ukraine-if-youre-listening--how-trump-tries-to-quell-controversies-by-saying-the-quiet-part-out-loud/2019/09/20/8e68aad0-dbc1-11e9-adff-79254db7f766_story.html|archive-date=September 21, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://time.com/5573539/trump-clinton-russia-hack-joke/|title=President Trump Told Mueller He Was Just Joking When He Asked Russia to Hack Hillary Clinton|last=Dowd|first=Kathy Erich|date=April 18, 2019|magazine=]|access-date=October 6, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418215338/https://time.com/5573539/trump-clinton-russia-hack-joke/|archive-date=April 18, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| * {{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-trump-whistleblower-lawmaker-idAFL5N26H3HV|title=Zelenskiy opponents say comments about Europeans to Trump could hurt Ukraine|last1=Matthias|first1=Williams|date=September 26, 2019|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001005323/https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-trump-whistleblower-lawmaker-idAFL5N26H3HV|archive-date=October 1, 2019|agency=]|last2=Polityuk|first2=Pavel|quote=Trump pressed Zelenskiy to investigate the business dealings of the son of his political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic front-runner to challenge Trump in an election next year. Zelenskiy agreed. Biden's son Hunter worked for a company drilling for gas in Ukraine. There has been no evidence of wrongdoing by either Biden.}} | |||
| * {{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49842895|title=White House 'tried to cover up details of Trump-Ukraine call'|date=September 26, 2019|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930105132/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49842895|archive-date=September 30, 2019|publisher=BBC News|quote=There is no evidence of any wrongdoing by the Bidens.}} | |||
| * {{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/there-s-no-evidence-trump-s-biden-ukraine-accusations-what-n1057851|title=There's no evidence for Trump's Biden-Ukraine accusations. What really happened?|last1=Timm|first1=Jane|date=September 25, 2019|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929202945/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/there-s-no-evidence-trump-s-biden-ukraine-accusations-what-n1057851|archive-date=September 29, 2019|publisher=]|quote=But despite Trump's continued claims, there's no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of either Biden.}} | |||
| * {{cite news|url=https://www.apnews.com/9a83a6cfe1ee46ae967bfe8bc981612a/|title=Biden to Trump on baseless attacks: 'I'm not going anywhere'|last1=Sonner|first1=Scott|date=October 3, 2019|accessdate=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.fo/4lXef|archive-date=October 12, 2019|agency=]|quote=Yet no one has produced evidence of wrongdoing by either Biden.}} | |||
| * {{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/02/politics/ukraine-impeachment-guide-trump-rudy-giuliani/|title=Ukraine scandal drives another day of breaking news in Washington. Here's the latest.|last1=LeBlanc|first1=Paul|date=October 3, 2019|accessdate=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/AffHL|archive-date=October 12, 2019|publisher=CNN}}</ref> Trump, his supporters, and right-wing media have spread multiple conspiracy theories regarding Ukraine, the Bidens, the whistleblower, and the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/us/politics/trump-ukraine-conspiracy.html|title=How a Fringe Theory About Ukraine Took Root in the White House|last1=Shane|first1=Scott|date=October 3, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/xHWNl|archive-date=October 4, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="Lybrand1">{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/30/politics/donald-trump-inspector-general-whistleblower-complaint-conspiracy-fact-check/index.html|title=Fact check: Trump and other Republicans falsely claim whistleblower rules changed just before Ukraine complaint|last1=Cohen|first1=Zachary|date=October 1, 2019|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/19USk|archive-date=October 12, 2019|publisher=CNN|last2=Lybrand|first2=Holmes}}</ref><ref name="Pilkington30">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/30/trump-impeachment-five-conspiracy-theories-ukraine-dilemma|title=Five fantasies Trump is pushing about the Ukraine scandal—and the truth|last1=Pilkington|first1=Ed|date=September 30, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001124100/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/30/trump-impeachment-five-conspiracy-theories-ukraine-dilemma|archive-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref> The scope of the scandal expanded on October 9, when arrests were made by the FBI of two of Giuliani's clients involved in political and business affairs in the U.S. and Ukraine,<ref name="Helderx" /> as well as news two days later that Giuliani himself was under federal investigation.<ref name=":3" /> | |||
| === Donald Trump === | |||
| Before this scandal came to light, U.S. President ] indicated he would accept foreign intelligence on his political rivals. In June 2019, Trump was interviewed by George Stephanopoulos, who asked: "If foreigners, if Russia, if China, if someone else offers you information on an opponent, should they accept it or should they call the FBI?" Trump responded: "I think maybe you do both. I think you might want to listen. I don't. There's nothing wrong with listening. If somebody called from a country—Norway—we have information on your opponent. Oh. I think I'd want to hear it."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/02/politics/foreign-dirt-campaigns-trump/index.html|title=Trump has already said he's OK working with foreign governments against his U.S. rivals|last1=Wolf|first1=Zachary B.|date=October 2, 2019|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003022005/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/02/politics/foreign-dirt-campaigns-trump/index.html|archive-date=October 3, 2019|publisher=CNN}}</ref> After Trump said this, the chair of the ], ], reminded Americans that according to federal law: "It is illegal for any person to solicit, accept, or receive anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/03/fec-chair-subtweets-trump-after-plea-for-china-to-investigate-bidens.html|title=FEC chair tweets reminder that accepting foreign help in an election is illegal after Trump urges China to investigate Joe Biden|last1=Higgins|first1=Tucker|date=October 3, 2019|accessdate=October 6, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004130109/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/03/fec-chair-subtweets-trump-after-plea-for-china-to-investigate-bidens.html|archive-date=October 4, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> Previously in July 2016, while Trump was still a candidate in the ], he made a request: "Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the ]" from fellow presidential candidate ]'s email server.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/ukraine-if-youre-listening--how-trump-tries-to-quell-controversies-by-saying-the-quiet-part-out-loud/2019/09/20/8e68aad0-dbc1-11e9-adff-79254db7f766_story.html|title=Ukraine, if you're listening ...: How Trump tries to quell controversies by saying the quiet part out loud|last1=Parker|first1=Ashley|date=September 20, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/rC0dm|archive-date=September 21, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://time.com/5573539/trump-clinton-russia-hack-joke/|title=President Trump Told Mueller He Was Just Joking When He Asked Russia to Hack Hillary Clinton|last=Dowd|first=Kathy Erich|date=April 18, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 6, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418215338/https://time.com/5573539/trump-clinton-russia-hack-joke/|archive-date=April 18, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| === Ukraine and the Bidens === | === Ukraine and the Bidens === | ||
| In 2014, the ] was trying to provide diplomatic support to the post-] ] in Ukraine, and then-vice president Joe Biden was "at the forefront" of those efforts.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.apnews.com/article/9d4595ba4f3140c6bb6a3473a91f4a4c|title=The story behind Biden's son, Ukraine and Trump's claims|last1=Braun|first1=Stephen|date=September 23, 2019|access-date=September 24, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191010202315/https://www.apnews.com/9d4595ba4f3140c6bb6a3473a91f4a4c|archive-date=October 10, 2019|work=]|last2=Berry|first2=Lynn}}</ref> Biden's son ] joined the board of directors of ], a Ukrainian energy company, on April 18, 2014.<ref name="sorting"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-27403003|title=Vice President Joe Biden's son joins Ukraine gas company|date=May 14, 2014|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515030145/https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-27403003|archive-date=May 15, 2014|work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/57686/ |title=Another Biden Has Waded Into the Ukraine Crisis—The vice president's son has taken a new role in the country's energy industry |magazine=] |location=Washington DC |date=May 13, 2014 |first= Marina |last=Koren |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515062807/http://www.nationaljournal.com/white-house/another-biden-has-waded-into-the-ukraine-crisis-20140513 |archive-date=May 15, 2014 |access-date=September 29, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Hunter, then an attorney with ], was hired to help Burisma with ] ]s, and a consulting firm in which Hunter is a partner was also retained by Burisma.<ref name="sorting"/><ref name="vogel-nyt">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/01/us/politics/biden-son-ukraine.html|title=Biden Faces Conflict of Interest Questions That Are Being Promoted by Trump and Allies|last1=Vogel|first1=Kenneth P.|date=May 1, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190504200501/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/01/us/politics/biden-son-ukraine.html|archive-date=May 4, 2019|last2=Mendel|first2=Iuliia|author-link=Kenneth P. Vogel|author-link2=Iuliia Mendel|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2019/sep/23/president-donald-trump-ukraine-biden-whistleblower/|title=Trump's Ukraine call, a whistleblower and the Bidens: What we know, what we don't|last1=Jacobson|first1=Louis|date=September 23, 2019|access-date=September 24, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924204438/https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2019/sep/23/president-donald-trump-ukraine-biden-whistleblower/|archive-date=September 24, 2019 |work=] |last2=Kruzel|first2=John}}</ref> In a December 2015 interview, Joe Biden said he had never discussed Hunter's work at Burisma.<ref name="bloomberg"/> Joe Biden traveled to Ukrainian capital ] on April 21, 2014, and urged the Ukrainian government "to reduce its ]".<ref name="wapo2014">{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-arrives-in-ukraine-to-show-us-support-as-crisis-with-russia-continues/2014/04/21/e4a77800-c960-11e3-a75e-463587891b57_story.html |title=Biden arrives in Ukraine to demonstrate U.S. support for new government as crisis with Russia continues|last=Wilson|first=Scott |date=April 21, 2014|newspaper=] |access-date=October 1, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422103301/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-arrives-in-ukraine-to-show-us-support-as-crisis-with-russia-continues/2014/04/21/e4a77800-c960-11e3-a75e-463587891b57_story.html |archive-date=April 22, 2014|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/23/world/europe/biden-ukraine.html|title=Biden Offers Strong Support to Ukraine and Issues a Sharp Rebuke to Russia|last1=Higgins|first1=Andrew|date=April 22, 2014|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190922091404/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/23/world/europe/biden-ukraine.html|archive-date=September 22, 2019|last2=Roth|first2=Andrew|url-access=limited}}</ref> He discussed how the United States could help provide technical expertise for expanding domestic production of natural gas.<ref name=wapo2014/> | |||
| Since 2012, the ] had been investigating Burisma's owner, oligarch ], over allegations of ], ], and corruption.<ref name="sorting"/> In 2015, ] became the prosecutor general, inheriting the investigation. The Obama administration, other governments, and ]s soon became concerned that Shokin was not adequately pursuing corruption in Ukraine, was protecting the political elite, and was regarded as "an obstacle to anti-corruption efforts".<ref name="Cullison2019">{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bidens-anticorruption-effort-in-ukraine-overlapped-with-sons-work-in-country-11569189782|title=Biden's Anticorruption Effort in Ukraine Overlapped With Son's Work in Country|last=Cullison|first=Alan|date=September 22, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013003229/https://www.wsj.com/articles/bidens-anticorruption-effort-in-ukraine-overlapped-with-sons-work-in-country-11569189782|archive-date=October 13, 2019|quote=Messrs. Trump and Giuliani have suggested that Joe Biden pushed for the firing of Ukraine's general prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, in March 2016 to stop an investigation into Burisma. In Ukraine, government officials and anticorruption advocates say that is a misrepresentation{{nbsp}}... Mr. Shokin had dragged his feet into those investigations, Western diplomats said, and effectively squashed one in London by failing to cooperate with U.K. authorities{{nbsp}}... In a speech in 2015, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Otto Pyatt, called the Ukrainian prosecutor "an obstacle" to anticorruption efforts |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/23/us/politics/trump-ukraine-collusion.html |title=Instead of 'No Collusion!' Trump Now Seems to Be Saying, So What if I Did? |last=Baker |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Baker (journalist) |date=September 23, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190924041038/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/23/us/politics/trump-ukraine-collusion.html |archive-date=September 24, 2019 |url-access=limited}}</ref> Among other issues, he was slow-walking the investigation into Zlochevsky and Burisma, to the extent that Obama administration officials were considering launching their own criminal investigation into the company for possible money laundering.<ref name="sorting">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/22/us/politics/biden-ukraine-trump.html|title=Trump, Biden and Ukraine: Sorting Out the Accusations|last=Vogel|first=Kenneth P.|date=September 22, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 23, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190923041752/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/22/us/politics/biden-ukraine-trump.html|archive-date=September 23, 2019|author-link=Kenneth P. Vogel|url-access=limited}}</ref> Shokin has said he believes he was fired because of his Burisma investigation, where Hunter Biden was allegedly a subject. However, that investigation was dormant at the time Shokin was fired.<ref name="bloomberg">{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-07/timeline-in-ukraine-probe-casts-doubt-on-giuliani-s-biden-claim|title=Timeline in Ukraine Probe Casts Doubt on Giuliani's Biden Claim|last1=Baker|first1=Stephanie|date=May 7, 2019|access-date=September 26, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190922162623/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-07/timeline-in-ukraine-probe-casts-doubt-on-giuliani-s-biden-claim|archive-date=September 22, 2019|agency=]|last2=Krasnolutska|first2=Daryna|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/former-ukraine-prosecutor-says-hunter-biden-did-not-violate-anything/2019/09/26/48801f66-e068-11e9-be7f-4cc85017c36f_story.html|title=Hunter Biden 'did not violate' Ukraine laws, says former top prosecutor|last1=Birnbaum|first1=Michael|date=September 26, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|last2=Stern|first2=David L.|last3=Gryvnyak|first3=Natalie|url-access=limited}}</ref> In December 2015, then-vice president Biden visited Kyiv and informed the Ukrainian government that $1{{nbsp}}billion in loan guarantees would be withheld unless anti-corruption reforms were implemented, including the removal of Shokin.<ref name="correcting-media-error">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/10/02/correcting-media-error-bidens-ukraine-showdown-was-december/|title=Correcting a media error: Biden's Ukraine showdown was in December 2015|last=Kessler|first=Glenn|date=October 2, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 2, 2019|author-link=Glenn Kessler (journalist)|url-access=limited}}</ref> ] voted to dismiss Shokin in March 2016.<ref name="correcting-media-error"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/30/world/europe/political-stability-in-the-balance-as-ukraine-ousts-top-prosecutor.html|title=Ukraine Ousts Viktor Shokin, Top Prosecutor, and Political Stability Hangs in the Balance|last=Kramer|first=Andrew E.|date=March 29, 2016|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190928224921/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/30/world/europe/political-stability-in-the-balance-as-ukraine-ousts-top-prosecutor.html|archive-date=September 28, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> The loan guarantees were finally approved on June 3, after additional reforms were made.<ref name="correcting-media-error"/> | |||
| At the time, ] was a matter of bipartisan concern in the U.S., with Republican Senators ], ], and ] co-signing a ] letter in February 2016 urging then-President Poroshenko to implement reforms, including "to press ahead with urgent reforms to the Prosecutor General's office".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/03/politics/gop-senators-echoed-biden-on-ukraine-reforms-kfile/index.html|title=Republican senators echoed Biden in urging Ukrainian president to reform prosecutor general's office|last1=Kaczynski|first1=Andrew|date=October 3, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004011556/https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/03/politics/gop-senators-echoed-biden-on-ukraine-reforms-kfile/index.html|archive-date=October 4, 2019 |work=]|last2=Steck|first2=Em}}</ref> Biden was not alone in targeting Shokin for anti-corruption reasons; he was joined by other European and U.S. officials. Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine ] and the assistant secretary of state ] both said in 2015 that Shokin's office was failing to root out corruption. In March 2016, testimony to the ], former ambassador to Ukraine ] stated, "By late fall of 2015, the EU and the United States joined the chorus of those seeking Mr. Shokin's removal" and that Joe Biden "spoke publicly about this before and during his December visit to Kyiv." | |||
| Since 2012, the ] had been investigating Burisma's owner, oligarch ], over allegations of money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption.<ref name="sorting" /> In 2015, ] became the prosecutor general, inheriting the investigation. The Obama administration and other governments and ]s soon became concerned that Shokin was not adequately pursuing corruption in Ukraine, was protecting the political elite, and was regarded as "an obstacle to anti-corruption efforts".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bidens-anticorruption-effort-in-ukraine-overlapped-with-sons-work-in-country-11569189782|title=Biden's Anticorruption Effort in Ukraine Overlapped With Son's Work in Country|last=Cullison|first=Alan|date=September 22, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/nTdij|archive-date=October 13, 2019|quote=Messrs. Trump and Giuliani have suggested that Joe Biden pushed for the firing of Ukraine's general prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, in March 2016 to stop an investigation into Burisma. In Ukraine, government officials and anticorruption advocates say that is a misrepresentation{{nbsp}}... Mr. Shokin had dragged his feet into those investigations, Western diplomats said, and effectively squashed one in London by failing to cooperate with U.K. authorities{{nbsp}}... In a speech in 2015, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Otto Pyatt, called the Ukrainian prosecutor "an obstacle" to anticorruption efforts|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/23/us/politics/trump-ukraine-collusion.html|title=Instead of 'No Collusion!' Trump Now Seems to Be Saying, So What if I Did?|last=Baker|first=Peter|date=September 23, 2019|newspaper=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/iMj1A|archive-date=September 24, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> Among other issues, he was slow-walking the investigation into Zlochevsky and Burisma, to the extent that Obama administration officials were considering launching their own criminal investigation into the company for possible money laundering.<ref name="sorting">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/22/us/politics/biden-ukraine-trump.html|title=Trump, Biden and Ukraine: Sorting Out the Accusations|last=Vogel|first=Kenneth P.|date=September 22, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 23, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/egHco|archive-date=September 23, 2019|authorlink=Kenneth Vogel|url-access=limited}}</ref> Shokin has said he believes he was fired because of his Burisma investigation, where Hunter Biden was allegedly a subject; however, that investigation was dormant at the time Shokin was fired.<ref name="bloomberg">{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-07/timeline-in-ukraine-probe-casts-doubt-on-giuliani-s-biden-claim|title=Timeline in Ukraine Probe Casts Doubt on Giuliani's Biden Claim|last1=Baker|first1=Stephanie|date=May 7, 2019|accessdate=September 26, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/m1G1d|archive-date=September 22, 2019|agency=]|last2=Krasnolutska|first2=Daryna|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/former-ukraine-prosecutor-says-hunter-biden-did-not-violate-anything/2019/09/26/48801f66-e068-11e9-be7f-4cc85017c36f_story.html|title=Hunter Biden 'did not violate' Ukraine laws, says former top prosecutor|last=Birnbaum|first=Michael|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|last2=Stern|first2=David L.|last3=Gryvnyak|first3=Natalie|url-access=limited}}</ref> In December 2015, then-vice president Biden visited Kiev and informed the Ukrainian government that $1{{nbsp}}billion in loan guarantees would be withheld unless anti-corruption reforms were implemented, including the removal of Shokin.<ref name="correcting-media-error">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/10/02/correcting-media-error-bidens-ukraine-showdown-was-december/|title=Correcting a media error: Biden's Ukraine showdown was in December 2015|last=Kessler|first=Glenn|date=October 2, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 2, 2019|url-status=live|authorlink=Glenn Kessler (journalist)|url-access=limited}}</ref> ] voted to dismiss Shokin in March 2016.<ref name="correcting-media-error"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/30/world/europe/political-stability-in-the-balance-as-ukraine-ousts-top-prosecutor.html|title=Ukraine Ousts Viktor Shokin, Top Prosecutor, and Political Stability Hangs in the Balance|last=Kramer|first=Andrew E.|date=March 29, 2016|newspaper=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/rdwMw|archive-date=September 28, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> The loan guarantees were finally approved on June 3, after additional reforms were made.<ref name="correcting-media-error"/> | |||
| During the same hearing, Nuland stated, "we have pegged our next $1 billion loan guarantee, first and foremost, to having a rebooting of the reform coalition so that we know who we are working with, but secondarily, to ensuring that the prosecutor general's office gets cleaned up."<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukrainian Reforms Two Years After the Maidan Revolution and the Russian Invasion |work=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119210006/https://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/03%2015%2016%20Ukrainian%20Reforms%20Two%20Years%20After%20the%20Maidan%20Revolution%20and%20the%20Russian%20Invasion.pdf |archive-date=November 19, 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=23 February 2023 |url=https://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/03%2015%2016%20Ukrainian%20Reforms%20Two%20Years%20After%20the%20Maidan%20Revolution%20and%20the%20Russian%20Invasion.pdf |date=March 15, 2016 }}</ref> Meanwhile, protests within Ukraine were calling for Shokin's removal, and the ] (IMF) also threatened to delay $40 billion of aid in light of corruption in Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/10/03/what-really-happened-when-biden-forced-out-ukraines-top-prosecutor/3785620002/|title=Explainer: Biden, allies pushed out Ukrainian prosecutor because he didn't pursue corruption cases|last1=Subramanian|first1=Courtney|date=October 3, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 6, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191010170358/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/10/03/what-really-happened-when-biden-forced-out-ukraines-top-prosecutor/3785620002/|archive-date=October 10, 2019}}</ref> ], a resident senior fellow at the ], said that "Everyone in the Western community wanted Shokin sacked{{nbsp}}... The whole ], the IMF, the EBRD <nowiki>]<nowiki>]</nowiki>, everybody was united that Shokin must go, and the spokesman for this was Joe Biden."<ref name="Cullison2019"/> The ] eventually praised Shokin's dismissal due to a "lack of tangible results" of his office's investigations, and also because people in Shokin's office were themselves being investigated.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/eu-hails-sacking-of-ukraine-s-prosecutor-viktor-shokin-1.2591190|title=EU hails sacking of Ukraine's prosecutor Viktor Shokin|last=McLaughlin|first=Daniel|date=March 29, 2016|newspaper=]|access-date=October 6, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003215312/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/eu-hails-sacking-of-ukraine-s-prosecutor-viktor-shokin-1.2591190|archive-date=October 3, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| As of |
As of May 16, 2019, when the prosecutor general's office cleared Biden and his son of alleged corruption,<ref name="Bloomberg No Evidence"/> there is no evidence that Biden acted to protect his son's involvement with Burisma, although Trump, Giuliani, and their allies have fueled speculation.<ref name="vogel-nyt"/><ref name="Fact-checking Joe Biden">{{cite news|url=https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2019/may/07/viral-image/fact-checking-joe-biden-hunter-biden-and-ukraine/|title=Fact-checking Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, and Ukraine|last=Jacobson|first=Louis|date=May 7, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825205709/https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2019/may/07/viral-image/fact-checking-joe-biden-hunter-biden-and-ukraine/|archive-date=August 25, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49856788|title=Ukraine ex-minister rejects Trump's Biden claims|date=September 27, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928001303/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49856788|archive-date=September 28, 2019|work=]|quote=<nowiki>]<nowiki>]</nowiki> said it was important to have a full reshuffle of the offices, and pressure was coming from the whole international community, not just Mr Biden or the US individually.}}</ref> Shokin's successor, ], initially took a hard line against Burisma, but within a year, Lutsenko announced that all legal proceedings and pending criminal allegations against Zlochevsky had been "fully closed".<ref name="sorting"/> In a related 2014 investigation by the ], British authorities froze U.K. bank accounts tied to Zlochevsky; however, the investigation was later closed due to a lack of evidence.<ref name="entous1"/> Lutsenko said in May 2019 that there was no evidence of wrongdoing by the Bidens, but he was planning to provide information to Attorney General William Barr about Burisma board payments so American authorities could verify whether Hunter Biden had paid U.S. taxes.<ref name="Bloomberg No Evidence">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-16/ukraine-prosecutor-says-no-evidence-of-wrongdoing-by-bidens|title=Ukraine Prosecutor Says No Evidence of Wrongdoing by Bidens|last1=Krasnolutska|first1=Daryna|date=May 16, 2019|access-date=September 23, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190923183838/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-16/ukraine-prosecutor-says-no-evidence-of-wrongdoing-by-bidens|archive-date=September 23, 2019|agency=]|last2=Choursina|first2=Kateryna|last3=Baker|first3=Stephanie|url-access=limited}}</ref> | ||
| In November 2019, |
In November 2019, Senator ] asserted that the whistleblower "is a material witness to the possible corruption of Hunter Biden and Joe Biden," adding, " might have traveled with Joe Biden to Ukraine for all we know," calling for investigators to subpoena the whistleblower. Asked for evidence to support his allegations, Paul replied, "we don't know unless we ask." Senator ], the ] chair, responded by saying "What basis does he have to say that? He needs to tell us ... You can't ask members , 'Do you want to subpoena this guy?' He might be this, he might be that."<ref>{{Cite news |first=Paul |last=McLeod |date=November 5, 2019 |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/paulmcleod/rand-paul-trump-whistleblower-ukraine-biden |title=Rand Paul Floated An Unfounded Theory That The Trump Whistleblower Has Ties To Hunter Biden's Work In Ukraine |work=] |access-date=January 7, 2020 }}</ref> | ||
| === Rudy Giuliani === | === Rudy Giuliani === | ||
| Since at least May 2019, Giuliani has been pushing for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the newly elected president of Ukraine, to investigate Burisma, as well as to check if there were any irregularities in the Ukrainian investigation of ]. On May 7, Zelenskyy and a group of his advisors had a three-hour meeting to discuss how to respond to Trump and Giuliani's pressure and how to avoid becoming involved in domestic American politics.<ref name="pressure">{{cite news|title=Ukrainian leader felt Trump pressure before taking office |url=https://apnews.com/article/b048901b635f423db49a10046daaf8a8 |work=] |date=October 23, 2019 |access-date=October 23, 2019 |first1=Desmond |last1=Butler |first2=Michael |last2=Biesecker }}</ref> Giuliani said the investigations he sought would be beneficial to President Trump, his client, and that his efforts had Trump's full support.<ref name="plans trip">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/us/politics/giuliani-ukraine-trump.html|title=Rudy Giuliani Plans Ukraine Trip to Push for Inquiries That Could Help Trump|last=Vogel|first=Kenneth P.|date=May 9, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190928143030/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/09/us/politics/giuliani-ukraine-trump.html|archive-date=September 28, 2019|author-link=Kenneth P. Vogel|url-access=limited}}</ref> Giuliani's efforts began as an attempt to provide cover for Trump to pardon Manafort, who had been ] in August 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2019/09/25/trump-giuliani-and-manafort-the-ukraine-scheme/|title=Trump, Giuliani, and Manafort: The Ukraine Scheme|last=Waas|first=Murray|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925232951/https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2019/09/25/trump-giuliani-and-manafort-the-ukraine-scheme/|archive-date=September 25, 2019|author-link=Murray Waas}}</ref> | |||
| On May 10, Giuliani canceled a scheduled trip to Ukraine where he had intended to urge president-elect Zelenskyy to pursue inquiries into Hunter Biden, as well as whether Democrats colluded with Ukrainians to release information about Manafort.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/11/us/politics/rudy-giuliani-ukraine.html|title=Rudy Giuliani Cancels His Trip to Ukraine, Blaming Democrats' 'Spin'|last=Vogel|first=Kenneth P.|date=May 11, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190511123600/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/11/us/politics/rudy-giuliani-ukraine.html|archive-date=May 11, 2019|author-link=Kenneth P. Vogel|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="WaPo How Trump pressured">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-trump-and-giuliani-pressured-ukraine-to-investigate-the-presidents-rivals/2019/09/20/0955801c-dbb6-11e9-a688-303693fb4b0b_story.html|title=How Trump and Giuliani pressured Ukraine to investigate the president's rivals|last1=Dawsey|first1=Josh|date=September 20, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190921004706/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-trump-and-giuliani-pressured-ukraine-to-investigate-the-presidents-rivals/2019/09/20/0955801c-dbb6-11e9-a688-303693fb4b0b_story.html|archive-date=September 21, 2019|last2=Sonne|first2=Paul|last3=Kranish|first3=Michael|last4=Stern|first4=David L.|url-access=limited}}</ref> Giuliani claimed he has sworn statements from five Ukrainians stating they were brought into the Obama White House in January 2016 and told to "go dig up dirt on Trump and Manafort", although he has not produced evidence for the claim.<ref name="CNBC-eight-times">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/20/trump-urged-ukraine-president-to-investigate-joe-bidens-son.html|title=Trump urged Ukraine president eight times during call to investigate Joe Biden's son, report says|last=Mangan|first=Dan|date=September 20, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920194258/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/20/trump-urged-ukraine-president-to-investigate-joe-bidens-son.html|archive-date=September 20, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> Giuliani asserted he cancelled the trip because he had been "set up" by Ukrainians who objected to his efforts, and blamed Democrats for trying to "spin" the trip. Giuliani met with Ukrainian officials to press for an investigation in June 2019 and August 2019.<ref name="repeatedly">{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-defends-conversation-with-ukraine-leader-11568993176|title=Trump Repeatedly Pressed Ukraine President to Investigate Biden's Son|last1=Cullison|first1=Alan|date=September 20, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 21, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190921014320/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-defends-conversation-with-ukraine-leader-11568993176|archive-date=September 21, 2019|last2=Ballhaus|first2=Rebecca|last3=Volz|first3=Dustin|url-access=subscription}}</ref> | |||
| As early as May 2019, Trump had instructed State Department officials attempting to set up a meeting with Zelensky to work with Giuliani. Establishing Giuliani as a gatekeeper in this fashion circumvented official channels.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/08/politics/trump-perry-giuliani-state-department/index.html|title=First on CNN: Trump told Perry and State Department officials as early as May to talk to Giuliani about Ukraine|last1=Polantz|first1=Katelyn|date=October 9, 2019|accessdate=October 9, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/TdRJM|archive-date=October 12, 2019|publisher=CNN|last2=Borger|first2=Gloria|last3=Atwood|first3=Kylie}}</ref> | |||
| As early as May 2019, as State Department officials planned to meet with Zelenskyy, Trump told them to circumvent official channels for planning this meeting and instead to work with Giuliani.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/08/politics/trump-perry-giuliani-state-department/index.html|title=First on CNN: Trump told Perry and State Department officials as early as May to talk to Giuliani about Ukraine|last1=Polantz|first1=Katelyn|date=October 9, 2019|access-date=October 9, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191012201853/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/08/politics/trump-perry-giuliani-state-department/index.html|archive-date=October 12, 2019 |work=]|last2=Borger |first2=Gloria |last3=Atwood |first3=Kylie}}</ref> In July 2019, days before Trump made his phone call to Zelenskyy, Giuliani participated in a 40-minute phone call with U.S. diplomat Kurt Volker and Andriy Yermak, a senior adviser to Zelenskyy. On this call, Giuliani said that if Zelenskyy were to publicly announce an investigation into Biden, it would help Zelenskyy have "a much better relationship" with Trump.<ref name="new audio">{{Cite web |last1=Chance |first1=Matthew |last2=Cohen |first2=Marshall |date=June 8, 2021 |title=Exclusive: New audio of 2019 phone call reveals how Giuliani pressured Ukraine to investigate baseless Biden conspiracies |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/07/politics/rudy-giuliani-ukraine-call-investigate-biden/index.html |access-date=June 12, 2021 |website=]}}</ref> | |||
| Responding to a motion by the liberal watchdog group American Oversight,<ref>, '']'', Edward Wong and Kenneth P. Vogel, November 23, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.</ref> on October 23 a federal judge gave the State Department 30 days to release Ukraine-related records, including communications between Pompeo and Rudy Giuliani.<ref>{{cite news |work=CNN |title=Judge orders State Department to release Ukraine records in 30 days |date=October 23, 2019 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/23/politics/judge-orders-state-department-to-release-ukraine-records/index.html |first=Zachary |last=Cohen |accessdate=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> On November 22, the State Department released internal emails and documents that bolstered Gordon Sondland's congressional testimony that Pompeo participated in Giuliani's activities relating to Ukraine. The documents also showed the State Department had deliberately deceived Congress about the rationale for Yovanovitch's removal as ambassador.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/23/us/politics/pompeo-trump-ukraine-impeachment.html|title=New Documents Reveal Details of Pompeo's Role in Ukraine Affair|first1=Edward|last1=Wong|first2=Kenneth P.|last2=Vogel|date=November 23, 2019|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> | |||
| Responding to a motion by the liberal watchdog group American Oversight,<ref name="new documents"/> on October 23 a federal judge gave the State Department 30 days to release Ukraine-related records, including communications between ] ] and Rudy Giuliani.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |title=Judge orders State Department to release Ukraine records in 30 days |date=October 23, 2019 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/23/politics/judge-orders-state-department-to-release-ukraine-records/index.html |first=Zachary |last=Cohen |access-date=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> On November 22, the State Department released internal emails and documents that bolstered Gordon Sondland's congressional testimony that Pompeo participated in Giuliani's activities relating to Ukraine. The documents also showed the State Department had deliberately deceived Congress about the rationale for ].<ref name="new documents">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/23/us/politics/pompeo-trump-ukraine-impeachment.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191124010802/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/23/us/politics/pompeo-trump-ukraine-impeachment.html |archive-date=November 24, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=New Documents Reveal Details of Pompeo's Role in Ukraine Affair|first1=Edward|last1=Wong|first2=Kenneth P.|last2=Vogel|date=November 23, 2019|work=] |access-date=December 12, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| During his call with Zelensky, Trump said, "I will ask to call you along with the Attorney General. Rudy very much knows what's happening and he is a very capable guy. If you could speak to him that would be great."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rudy-key-things-rudy-giulianis-involvement-ukraine-affair/story?id=66370461|title='You have to ask Rudy': 5 key things to know about Giuliani and the Ukraine affair|first=A. B. C.|last=News|website=ABC News}}</ref> In November, Trump denied directing Giuliani to go to Ukraine to seek damaging information on the Bidens.<ref>https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-26/trump-denies-sending-rudy-giuliani-to-ukraine-for-biden-probe</ref> Giuliani had asserted in September that "everything I did was to defend my client."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/defend-client-rudy-giuliani-defends-role-ukraine-controversy/story?id=65925747|title=Rudy Giuliani fires back at former White House aide|first=A. B. C.|last=News|website=ABC News}}</ref> | |||
| During his call with Zelenskyy, Trump said, "I will ask to call you along with the attorney general. Rudy very much knows what's happening and he is a very capable guy. If you could speak to him that would be great."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rudy-key-things-rudy-giulianis-involvement-ukraine-affair/story?id=66370461|title='You have to ask Rudy': 5 key things to know about Giuliani and the Ukraine affair |first=Anne |last=Flaherty |date=October 18, 2019 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> In November, Trump denied directing Giuliani to go to Ukraine,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-26/trump-denies-sending-rudy-giuliani-to-ukraine-for-biden-probe |first=Justin |last=Sink |agency=] |date=November 26, 2019 |title=Trump Denies Sending Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine for Biden Probe |access-date=December 12, 2019 }}</ref> but days after his impeachment acquittal acknowledged that he had.<ref name="Cohen_2/14/2020">{{cite news | last=Cohen | first=Marshall | title=Trump contradicts past denials, admits sending Giuliani to Ukraine |work=] | date=February 14, 2020 | url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/13/politics/trump-rudy-giuliani-ukraine-interview/index.html | access-date=February 16, 2020}}</ref> Giuliani had asserted in September that "everything I did was to defend my client."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/defend-client-rudy-giuliani-defends-role-ukraine-controversy/story?id=65925747|title=Rudy Giuliani fires back at former White House aide|first=Lucien|last=Bruggeman |date=September 29, 2019 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
| === State gas company === | |||
| === Naftogaz === | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| Since March 2019, while Giuliani was pressing the Ukrainian administration to investigate the Bidens, a group of businessmen and Republican donors used their ties to Trump and Giuliani to try to replace the leadership of Ukrainian state-owned oil and gas company ]. The group sought to have Naftogaz contracts granted to businesses owned by allies of Trump, but this effort hit a setback when Volodymyr |
Since March 2019, while Giuliani was pressing the Ukrainian administration to investigate the Bidens, a group of businessmen and Republican donors used their ties to Trump and Giuliani to try to replace the leadership of Ukrainian state-owned oil and gas company ]. The group sought to have Naftogaz contracts granted to businesses owned by allies of Trump, but this effort hit a setback when Volodymyr Zelenskyy won the ].<ref name="ap-naftogaz">{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/d7440cffba4940f5b85cd3dfa3500fb2|title=AP sources: Trump allies pressed Ukraine over gas firm|last1=Butler|first1=Desmond|date=October 6, 2019|access-date=October 7, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191007000124/https://apnews.com/d7440cffba4940f5b85cd3dfa3500fb2|archive-date=October 7, 2019|work=]|last2=Biesekler|first2=Michael|last3=Lardner|first3=Richard}}</ref> During a state visit for President Zelenskyy's inauguration in May, former ] ] reportedly pressured President Zelenskyy to fire members of the Naftogaz supervisory board,<ref name="ap-naftogaz"/> but Perry denied this, stating in a press conference on October 7: "That was a totally dreamed-up story".<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/07/rick-perry-denies-pressing-ukraine-037716|title=Perry denies pressing Ukraine on energy company, says he's not resigning|last=Adragna|first=Anthony|date=October 7, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 10, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013033452/https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/07/rick-perry-denies-pressing-ukraine-037716|archive-date=October 13, 2019}}</ref> On October 10, Perry was issued a subpoena by the ], the ], and the ], partially concerning his interactions with Naftogaz.<ref name="CNBCPerry"/><ref name="PerryJointCover"/><ref name="PerrySubpoenaSchedule"/> | ||
| '']'' reported that Perry planned to have ], a former Obama administration official, replaced as a member of the board at ] with someone aligned with Republican interests. Perry denied the reports.<ref>{{cite news |work=] |title=Ukrainian energy giant was a focus for Rick Perry and Giuliani associates |date=October 17, 2019 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/17/politics/parnas-fruman-perry-naftogaz/index.html |first1=Michael |last1=Warren |first2=Rene |last2=Marsh |access-date=October 25, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=] |title=How Rick Perry Became a Figure in the Impeachment Inquiry |date=October 18, 2019 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-rick-perry-became-a-figure-in-the-impeachment-inquiry-11571437260 |first1=Timothy |last1=Puko |first2=Georgi |last2=Kantchev |access-date=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| === Dmytry Firtash === | === Dmytry Firtash === | ||
| ] is a ] who is prominent in the natural gas sector. In 2017, the Justice Department characterized him as being an "upper echelon (associate) of Russian organized crime".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/07/26/feds-call-ex-manafort-associate-dmytro-firtash-top-tier-player-russian-organized-crime/514131001/ |title=Feds call ex-Manafort associate Dmytro Firtash a top-tier player in Russian organized crime|first=Doug|last=Stanglin|work=] |date=July 26, 2017 |access-date=November 19, 2019 }}</ref> Living in Vienna, Austria, for five years he has been fighting extradition to the U.S. on bribery and racketeering charges, and has been seeking to have the charges dropped. Firtash's attorneys obtained a September statement from Viktor Shokin, the former Ukrainian prosecutor general who was forced out under pressure from multiple countries and non-governmental organizations, as conveyed to Ukraine by Joe Biden. Shokin asserted in the statement that Biden actually had him fired because he refused to stop his investigation into Burisma. Giuliani, who asserts he has "nothing to do with" and has "never met or talked to" Firtash, has promoted the statement in television appearances as purported evidence of wrongdoing by the Bidens. Giuliani told CNN he met with a Firtash attorney for two hours in New York City at the time he was seeking information about the Bidens.<ref name="attack biden"/><ref>{{Cite tweet |user=RudyGiuliani |number=1198985975298449409 |title=The NYT today has so much #FAKENEWS! 1. I did not ask anyone to dig up dirt on Joe Biden and certainly not with Dimitry Firtash, who I have never met or talked to. 2. I never heard of Shokin meeting w/Congressman Nunes. How many times can a source lie? Law suit?|first=Rudy|last=Giuliani|date=November 25, 2019 |access-date=December 12, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/27/politics/rudy-giuliani-ukranian-oligarch/index.html |title=Rudy Giuliani gives shifting answers on seeking information from Ukrainian oligarch|first=Andrew |last=Kaczynski |date=November 27, 2019 |work=] |access-date=January 7, 2020 }}</ref> | |||
| Firtash is represented by Trump and Giuliani associates ] and his wife ], having hired them on ]'s recommendation. ''The New York Times'' reported in November that Giuliani had directed Parnas to approach Firtash with the recommendation, with the proposition that Firtash could help to provide compromising information on Biden, which Parnas's attorney described was "part of any potential resolution to extradition matter".<ref name="auto4">{{Cite news |access-date=January 7, 2020 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/us/giuliani-ukraine-oligarchs.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191125080811/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/us/giuliani-ukraine-oligarchs.html |archive-date=November 25, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Why Giuliani Singled Out 2 Ukrainian Oligarchs to Help Look for Dirt |first1=Jo |last1=Becker |first2=Walt |last2=Bogdanich |first3=Maggie |last3=Haberman |first4=Ben |last4=Protess |date=November 25, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> Shokin's statement notes that it was prepared "at the request of lawyers acting for Dmitry Firtash".<ref name="attack biden">{{cite news|url=https://time.com/5699201/exclusive-how-a-ukrainian-oligarch-wanted-by-u-s-authorities-helped-giuliani-attack-biden/ |first=Simon |last=Shuster |date=October 15, 2019 |title=Exclusive: How a Ukrainian Oligarch Wanted by U.S. Authorities Helped Giuliani Attack Biden |magazine=] |access-date=October 18, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/ukrainian-oligarch-firtash-linked-giuliani-pals-gas-deals-biden-dirt-n1067516 |title=Oligarch Firtash linked to Giuliani pals' gas deals and Biden research |work=] |first1=Ken |last1=Dilanian |first2=Dan |last2=De Luce |first3=Tom |last3=Winter |date=October 16, 2019 |access-date=October 18, 2019 }}</ref> ''Bloomberg News'' reported on October 18 that during the summer of 2019 Firtash associates began attempting to dig up dirt on the Bidens in an effort to solicit Giuliani's assistance with Firtash's legal matters, as well as hiring diGenova and Toensing in July. ''Bloomberg News'' also reported that its sources told them Giuliani's high-profile publicity of the Shokin statement had greatly reduced the chances of the Justice Department dropping the charges against Firtash, as it would appear to be a political ''quid pro quo''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-18/to-win-giuliani-s-help-oligarch-s-allies-pursued-biden-dirt |agency=] |title=To Win Giuliani's Help, Oligarch's Allies Pursued Biden Dirt |date=October 18, 2019 |first1=Stephanie |last1=Baker |first2=Irina |last2=Reznik |access-date=October 19, 2019 |url-access=limited }}</ref> | |||
| ] is a ] who is prominent in the natural gas sector. In 2017, the Justice Department characterized him as being an "upper echelon (associate) of Russian organized crime."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/07/26/feds-call-ex-manafort-associate-dmytro-firtash-top-tier-player-russian-organized-crime/514131001/ |title=Feds call ex-Manafort associate Dmytro Firtash a top-tier player in Russian organized crime|first=Doug|last=Stanglin|newspaper=USA Today |date=July 26, 2017 |accessdate=November 19, 2019 }}</ref> Living in Vienna, Austria, for five years he has been fighting extradition to the U.S. on bribery and racketeering charges, and has been seeking to have the charges dropped. Firtash's attorneys obtained a September statement from Viktor Shokin, the former Ukrainian prosecutor general who was forced out under pressure from multiple countries and non-governmental organizations, as conveyed to Ukraine by Joe Biden. Shokin asserted in the statement that Biden actually had him fired because he refused to stop his investigation into Burisma. Giuliani, who asserts he has "nothing to do with" and has "never met or talked to" Firtash, has promoted the statement in television appearances as purported evidence of wrongdoing by the Bidens. Giuliani told CNN he met with a Firtash attorney for two hours in New York City at the time he was seeking information about the Bidens.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://time.com/5699201/exclusive-how-a-ukrainian-oligarch-wanted-by-u-s-authorities-helped-giuliani-attack-biden/|title=Exclusive: How a Ukrainian Oligarch Wanted by U.S. Authorities Helped Giuliani Attack Biden|website=Time}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/RudyGiuliani/status/1198985975298449409|title=The NYT today has so much #FAKENEWS! 1. I did not ask anyone to dig up dirt on Joe Biden and certainly not with Dimitry Firtash, who I have never met or talked to. 2. I never heard of Shokin meeting w/Congressman Nunes. How many times can a source lie? Law suit?|first=Rudy|last=Giuliani|date=November 25, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/27/politics/rudy-giuliani-ukranian-oligarch/index.html|title=Rudy Giuliani gives shifting answers on seeking information from Ukrainian oligarch|first=Andrew Kaczynski|last=CNN|website=CNN}}</ref> | |||
| Later that day, ''The New York Times'' reported that weeks earlier, before his associates Lev Parnas and ] were indicted, Giuliani met with officials with the criminal and fraud divisions of the Justice Department regarding what Giuliani characterized as a "very, very sensitive" foreign bribery case involving a client of his. Barr also attended the meeting.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 18, 2020 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/17/politics/barr-giuliani-justice-department-meeting/index.html|title=Barr dropped into Giuliani meeting at Justice Department in previously undisclosed encounter|first1=Evan |last1=Perez |first2=David |last2=Shortell |publisher=]}}</ref> The ''Times'' did not name whom the case involved, but shortly after publication of the story Giuliani told a reporter it was not Firtash.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/18/us/politics/giuliani-business.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019012009/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/18/us/politics/giuliani-business.html |archive-date=October 19, 2019 |url-status=live |title=Giuliani Mixes His Business With Role as Trump's Lawyer |first1=Kenneth P. |last1=Vogel |first2=Michael S. |last2=Schmidt |first3=Katie |last3=Benner |date=October 18, 2019 |work=] |url-access=limited |access-date=October 25, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=dfriedman33 |number=1185398172648120320 |title=Asked Giuliani if the recent meeting he had at DOJ involved Firtash or his case, as many people are speculating. Rudy texted: "It did not." |first=Dan |last=Friedman |date=October 18, 2019 |access-date=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> Two days later, the Justice Department stated its officials would not have met with Giuliani had they known his associates were under investigation by the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/20/politics/justie-department-distances-rudy-giuliani-brian-benczkowski-meeting/index.html|title=Justice Department distances itself from Giuliani|first=Evan |last=Perez |publisher=] |date=October 21, 2019 |access-date=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> diGenova has said he has known attorney general Bill Barr for thirty years, as they both worked in the Reagan Justice Department.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/01/politics/parnas-firtash-giuliani-ties/index.html |access-date=January 7, 2020 |title='I'm the best-paid interpreter in the world': Indicted Giuliani associate touted windfall from Ukrainian oligarch|first1=Vicky |last1=Ward |first2=Marshall |last2=Cohen |date=November 1, 2019 |publisher=]}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' reported on October 22 that after they began representing Firtash, Toensing and diGenova secured a rare face-to-face meeting with Barr to argue the Firtash charges should be dropped.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/prosecutors-flagged-possible-ties-between-ukrainian-gas-tycoon-and-giuliani-associates/2019/10/22/4ee22e7c-f020-11e9-b648-76bcf86eb67e_story.html |date=October 22, 2019 |title=Prosecutors flagged possible ties between Ukrainian gas tycoon and Giuliani associates |first1=Matt |last1=Zapotosky |last2=Helderman |first2=Rosalind S. Helderman |newspaper=] |access-date=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> Prior to that mid-August meeting, Barr had been briefed in detail on the initial whistleblower complaint within the CIA that had been forwarded to the Justice Department, as well as on Giuliani's activities in Ukraine. Barr declined to intervene in the Firtash case.<ref name="auto4"/> | |||
| Firtash is represented by Trump and Giuliani associates ] and his wife ], having hired them on Parnas's recommendation. ''The New York Times'' reported in November that Giuliani had directed Parnas to approach Firtash with the recommendation, with the proposition that Firtash could help to provide compromising information on Biden, which Parnas's attorney described was "part of any potential resolution to extradition matter."<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/us/giuliani-ukraine-oligarchs.html|title=Why Giuliani Singled Out 2 Ukrainian Oligarchs to Help Look for Dirt|first1=Jo|last1=Becker|first2=Walt|last2=Bogdanich|first3=Maggie|last3=Haberman|first4=Ben|last4=Protess|date=November 25, 2019|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> Shokin's statement notes that it was prepared "at the request of lawyers acting for Dmitry Firtash."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/ukrainian-oligarch-firtash-linked-giuliani-pals-gas-deals-biden-dirt-n1067516 |title=Oligarch Firtash linked to Giuliani pals' gas deals and Biden research |work=NBC News |first=Ken |last=Dilanian |first2=Dan |last2=De Luce |first3=Tom |last3=Winter |date=October 16, 2019 |accessdate=October 18, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://time.com/5699201/exclusive-how-a-ukrainian-oligarch-wanted-by-u-s-authorities-helped-giuliani-attack-biden/ |first=Simon |last=Shuster |date=October 15, 2019 |title=Exclusive: How a Ukrainian Oligarch Wanted by U.S. Authorities Helped Giuliani Attack Biden |work=] |accessdate=October 18, 2019 }}</ref> ''Bloomberg News'' reported on October 18 that during the summer of 2019 Firtash associates began attempting to dig up dirt on the Bidens in an effort to solicit Giuliani's assistance with Firtash's legal matters, as well as hiring diGenova and Toensing in July. ''Bloomberg News'' also reported that its sources told them Giuliani's high-profile publicity of the Shokin statement had greatly reduced the chances of the Justice Department dropping the charges against Firtash, as it would appear to be a political ''quid pro quo''.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-18/to-win-giuliani-s-help-oligarch-s-allies-pursued-biden-dirt |work=Bloomberg News |title=To Win Giuliani's Help, Oligarch's Allies Pursued Biden Dirt |date=October 18, 2019 |first=Stephanie |last=Baker |first2=Irina |last2=Reznik |accessdate=October 19, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| Firtash made his fortune brokering Ukrainian imports of natural gas from the Russian firm ].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/01/us/paul-manafort-ukraine-donald-trump.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203070725/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/01/us/paul-manafort-ukraine-donald-trump.html |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=How Paul Manafort Wielded Power in Ukraine Before Advising Donald Trump |first1=Steven Lee |last1=Myers|first2=Andrew E.|last2=Kramer |date=July 31, 2016|work=]|access-date=January 7, 2020 }}</ref> As vice president, Joe Biden had urged the Ukrainian government to eliminate middlemen such as Firtash from the country's natural gas industry, and to reduce the country's reliance on imports of Russian natural gas. Firtash denied involvement in collecting or financing damaging information on the Bidens.<ref name="auto4"/> | |||
| Later that day, ''The New York Times'' reported that weeks earlier, before his associates Parnas and Fruman were indicted, Giuliani met with officials with the criminal and fraud divisions of the Justice Department regarding what Giuliani characterized as a "very, very sensitive" foreign bribery case involving a client of his. The ''Times'' did not name whom the case involved, but shortly after publication of the story Giuliani told a reporter it was not Firtash.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/18/us/politics/giuliani-business.html |title=Giuliani Mixes His Business With Role as Trump's Lawyer |first=Kenneth P. |last=Vogel |first2=Michael S. |last2=Schmidt |first3=Katie |last3=Benner |date=October 18, 2019 |newspaper=The New York Times |url-access=limited |accessdate=October 25, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=dfriedman33 |number=1185398172648120320 |title=Asked Giuliani if the recent meeting he had at DOJ involved Firtash or his case, as many people are speculating. Rudy texted: "It did not." |first=Dan |last=Friedman |date=October 18, 2019 |accessdate=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> Two days later, the Justice Department stated its officials would not have met with Giuliani had they known his associates were under investigation by the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/20/politics/justie-department-distances-rudy-giuliani-brian-benczkowski-meeting/index.html|title=Justice Department distances itself from Giuliani|first=Evan |last=Perez |website=CNN |date=October 21, 2019 |accessdate=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> diGenova has said he has known attorney general Bill Barr for thirty years, as they both worked in the Reagan/Bush Justice Department.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/01/politics/parnas-firtash-giuliani-ties/index.html|title='I'm the best-paid interpreter in the world': Indicted Giuliani associate touted windfall from Ukrainian oligarch|first=Vicky |last=Ward |first2=Marshall |last2=Cohen |date=November 1, 2019 |website=CNN}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' reported on October 22 that after they began representing Firtash, Toensing and diGenova secured a rare face-to-face meeting with Barr to argue the Firtash charges should be dropped.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/prosecutors-flagged-possible-ties-between-ukrainian-gas-tycoon-and-giuliani-associates/2019/10/22/4ee22e7c-f020-11e9-b648-76bcf86eb67e_story.html |date=October 22, 2019 |title=Prosecutors flagged possible ties between Ukrainian gas tycoon and Giuliani associates |first=Matt |last=Zapotosky |last2=Helderman |first2=Rosalind S. Helderman |newspaper=] |accessdate=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> Prior to that mid-August meeting, Barr had been briefed in detail on the initial whistleblower complaint within the CIA that had been forwarded to the Justice Department, as well as on Giuliani's activities in Ukraine. Barr declined to intervene in the Firtash case.<ref name="auto4"/> | |||
| Firtash made his fortune brokering Ukrainian imports of natural gas from the Russian firm ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/01/us/paul-manafort-ukraine-donald-trump.html|title=How Paul Manafort Wielded Power in Ukraine Before Advising Donald Trump|first1=Steven Lee|last1=Myers|first2=Andrew E.|last2=Kramer|date=July 31, 2016|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> As vice president, Joe Biden had urged the Ukrainian government to eliminate middlemen such as Firtash from the country's natural gas industry, and to reduce the country's reliance on imports of Russian natural gas. Firtash denied involvement in collecting or financing damaging information on the Bidens.<ref name="auto4"/> | |||
| === Kashyap Patel === | === Kashyap Patel === | ||
| ] poses for his official portrait at the Pentagon on November 17, 2020]] | |||
| ] was a national security aide for the ], under ] (R, CA.) during the first years of the Trump administration. He was the key author of a ] which was central to the Republican narrative that FBI and DOJ officials inappropriately obtained FISA warrants for several of Trump campaign staffers, including ].<ref name=patel-early>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/02/us/politics/kashyap-patel-nunes-memo.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203040308/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/02/us/politics/kashyap-patel-nunes-memo.html |archive-date=February 3, 2018 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Kashyap Patel, Main Author of Secret Memo, Is No Stranger to Quarrels |first1=Katie |last1=Rogers |first2=Matthew |last2=Rosenberg |date=February 2, 2018|work=] |access-date=October 25, 2019}}</ref><ref name=patel-ukraine>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/us/politics/kash-patel-ukraine.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023174004/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/us/politics/kash-patel-ukraine.html |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=White House Aides Feared That Trump Had Another Ukraine Back Channel |first1=Julian E. |last1=Barnes |first2=Adam |last2=Goldman |first3=Nicholas |last3=Fandos |date=October 23, 2019 |work=] |access-date=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> Weeks later, the memo was deemed biased, consisting of "cherry picked facts".<ref name=patel-ukraine/> After the leadership changeover in of the House of Representatives, Patel was hired as a staffer for President Trump's National Security Council. Within months it was suspected that he had assumed the role of an additional independent back channel for the President, which was seen as potentially detrimental to American policy in Ukraine. It was noticed that during NSC meetings Patel took few notes and was underqualified for his portfolio, the United Nations.<ref name=patel-ukraine/><ref name=protege>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/23/nunes-protege-ukraine-trump-055837 |title=Nunes protégé fed Ukraine info to Trump |first=Natasha |last=Bertrand |work=] |date=October 23, 2019 |access-date=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> Politico reports this position was actually created specifically for Patel.<ref name=protege/> Red flags were raised when President Trump referred to Patel as "one of his top Ukraine policy specialists" and as such wished "to discuss related documents with him".<ref name=patel-ukraine/> Patel's actual assignment has been counter-terrorism issues, rather than Ukraine. He was thought to have operated independently of Giuliani's irregular, informal channel. Impeachment inquiry witnesses have been asked what they know about Patel. Fiona Hill told investigators that it seems "Patel was improperly becoming involved in Ukraine policy and was sending information to Mr. Trump."<ref name=patel-ukraine/> Sondland and Kent testified they did not come across Patel in the course of their work.<ref name=patel-ukraine/> | |||
| On December 3, 2019, the House Intelligence Committee's report included phone records, acquired via subpoenas to AT&T and/or Verizon Wireless, including a 25-minute phone call between Patel and Giuliani on May 10, 2019.<ref name="Intel-Report"/>{{Rp|58}} The call occurred after Giuliani and Patel attempted to call each other for several hours, and less than an hour after a call between Giuliani and Kurt Volker.<ref name="Intel-Report"/>{{Rp|58}} Five minutes after the 25-minute call between Giuliani and Patel, an unidentified "-1" phone number called Giuliani for over 17 minutes, after which Giuliani called his now-indicted associate ] for approximately 12 minutes.<ref name="Intel-Report"/>{{Rp|58}} | |||
| Kashyap Patel was a national security aide for the ], under ] (R, CA.) during the first years of the Trump administration. He was the key author of a ] which was central to the Republican narrative that FBI and DOJ officials inappropriately obtained FISA warrants for several of Trump campaign staffers, including ].<ref name=patel-early>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/02/us/politics/kashyap-patel-nunes-memo.html |title=Kashyap Patel, Main Author of Secret Memo, Is No Stranger to Quarrels |first1=Katie |last1=Rogers |first2=Matthew |last2=Rosenberg |date=February 2, 2018|newspaper=] |accessdate=October 25, 2019}}</ref><ref name=patel-ukraine>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/us/politics/kash-patel-ukraine.html|title=White House Aides Feared That Trump Had Another Ukraine Back Channel |first1=Julian E. |last1=Barnes |first2=Adam |last2=Goldman |first3=Nicholas |last3=Fandos |date=October 23, 2019 |newspaper=] |accessdate=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> Weeks later, the memo was deemed biased, consisting of "cherry picked facts."<ref name=patel-ukraine/> After the leadership changeover in of the House of Representatives, Patel was hired as a staffer for President Trump's National Security Council. Within months it was suspected that he had assumed the role of an additional independent back channel for the President, which was seen as potentially detrimental to American policy in Ukraine. It was noticed that during NSC meetings Patel took few notes and was underqualified for his portfolio, the United Nations.<ref name=patel-ukraine/><ref name=protege>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/23/nunes-protege-ukraine-trump-055837 |title=Nunes protégé fed Ukraine info to Trump |first=Natasha |last=Bertrand |work=] |date=October 23, 2019 |accessdate=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> Politico reports this position was actually created specifically for Patel.<ref name=protege/> Red flags were raised when President Trump referred to Patel as "one of his top Ukraine policy specialists" and as such wished "to discuss related documents with him"<ref name=patel-ukraine/> Patel's actual assignment has been counter-terrorism issues, rather than Ukraine. He was thought to have operated independently of Giuliani's irregular, informal channel. Impeachment inquiry witnesses have been asked what they know about Patel. Fiona Hill told investigators that it seems "Patel was improperly becoming involved in Ukraine policy and was sending information to Mr. Trump."<ref name=patel-ukraine/> Sondland and Kent testified they did not come across Patel in the course of their work.<ref name=patel-ukraine/> | |||
| In a statement to CBS News on December 4, Patel denied being part of Giuliani's Ukraine back-channel, saying he was "never a back channel to President Trump on Ukraine matters, at all, ever",<ref>{{cite news |date=December 5, 2019 |title=CBS News Exclusive: White House staffer Kash Patel denies he was back channel to Trump on Ukraine |work=] |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/video/cbs-news-exclusive-white-house-staffer-kash-patel-denies-he-was-back-channel-to-trump-on-ukraine/|access-date=December 6, 2019}}</ref> and that his call with Giuliani was "personal".<ref>{{Cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Falconer |date=December 5, 2019 |url=https://www.axios.com/nsc-staffer-giuliani-call-personal-not-on-ukraine-60aa1078-381e-4f40-a46e-5d78b78646a7.html |title=NSC staffer tells CBS phone call with Giuliani listed in impeachment report was "personal" |work=] |access-date=December 6, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| On December 3, 2019, the House Intelligence Committee's report included phone records, acquired via subpoenas to AT&T and/or Verizon Wireless, including a 25-minute phone calls between Patel and Giuliani on May 10, 2019.<ref name="Intel-Report" />{{Rp|58}} The call occurred after Giuliani and Patel attempting to call each-other for several hours, and less than an hour after a call between Giuliani and Kurt Volker.<ref name="Intel-Report" />{{Rp|58}} 5 minutes after the 25-minute call between Giuliani and Patel, an unidentified "-1" phone number called Giuliani for over 17 minutes, after which Giuliani called his now-indicted associate ] for approximately 12 minutes.<ref name="Intel-Report" />{{Rp|58}} | |||
| After ] was named acting ] in February 2020, Patel was added as a senior adviser on February 20.<ref name="poli_NSCa">{{Cite news |title=NSC aide who worked to discredit Russia probe moves to senior ODNI post |last=Bertrand |first=Natasha |work=] |access-date=February 22, 2020 |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/20/kash-patel-odni-post-116546 |date=February 20, 2020 |quote=It's not clear what exact role Patel is playing in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the U.S. intelligence community. He started at ODNI on Thursday, according to an administration official. }}</ref> | |||
| In a statement to CBS News on December 4, Patel denied being part of Giuliani's Ukraine back-channel, saying he was "never a back channel to President Trump on Ukraine matters, at all, ever,"<ref>{{Citation|title=CBS News Exclusive: White House staffer Kash Patel denies he was back channel to Trump on Ukraine|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/video/cbs-news-exclusive-white-house-staffer-kash-patel-denies-he-was-back-channel-to-trump-on-ukraine/|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-06}}</ref> and that his call with Giuliani was "personal".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/nsc-staffer-giuliani-call-personal-not-on-ukraine-60aa1078-381e-4f40-a46e-5d78b78646a7.html|title=NSC staffer tells CBS phone call with Giuliani listed in impeachment report was "personal"|website=Axios|language=en|access-date=2019-12-06}}</ref> | |||
| Following the termination of Secretary ] in November 2020, Patel became the chief of staff for acting Defense Secretary ].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-national-security-council-aide-is-named-to-top-pentagon-post-11605037916 |title=White House National Security Council Aide Is Named to Top Pentagon Post|first1=Warren P. |last1=Strobel |first2=Nancy A. |last2=Youssef |access-date=February 23, 2023 |date=November 10, 2020 |newspaper=] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-army-christopher-miller-mark-esper-james-anderson-95f848b7cdaba116b7c09787edb4c839 |first=Lolita C. |last=Baldor |title=Trump loyalists get top Pentagon jobs after Esper firing |date=November 10, 2020 |work=] |access-date=February 23, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/indians-abroad/indian-american-kash-patel-named-chief-of-staff-to-acting-us-defence-secretary-2323673 |date=November 11, 2020 |title=Indian-American Kash Patel Named Chief Of Staff To Acting US Defence Secretary |website=NDTV.com |access-date=February 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/10/trump-loyalists-promoted-to-powerful-pentagon-roles-after-esper-firing.html |access-date=January 12, 2021 |title=Trump loyalists elevated to powerful roles at the Pentagon after firing of Defense Secretary Esper|first=Amanda|last=Macias|date=November 10, 2020|publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| == Communications with Ukrainian officials == | |||
| == Campaign against Marie Yovanovitch == | |||
| ] | |||
| As early as April 2018, ] and his associates ] and ] had apparently decided to assist President Trump's re-election efforts and they identified the ] ] as being a difficulty.<ref name="take her out"/> Yovanovitch had spent her thirty-year career working as a diplomat and was announced as the nominee for U.S. ambassador to Ukraine on May 18, 2016, to replace ].<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/05/18/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts|work=]|title=President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts |via=]|date=May 18, 2016}}</ref> Yovanovitch was respected within the national security community for her efforts to encourage Ukraine to tackle corruption,<ref>{{cite news |first1=Greg |last1=Miller |first2=Josh |last2=Dawsey |first3=Paul |last3=Sonne |first4=Ellen |last4=Nakashima |date=September 24, 2019 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/giuliani-pursued-shadow-ukraine-agenda-as-key-foreign-policy-officials-were-sidelined/2019/09/24/ee18aaec-deec-11e9-be96-6adb81821e90_story.html |title=Giuliani pursued shadow Ukraine agenda as key foreign policy officials were sidelined |newspaper=] |access-date=December 11, 2019 }}</ref> and during her tenure had sought to strengthen the Ukrainian ], which had been created to bolster efforts to fight ]. | |||
| ], former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. She was prematurely released from her post because of her anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine, and because she disagreed with the ] taking place under Giuliani and President Trump.]] | |||
| As U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Yovanovitch became the target of a ]-driven ].<ref name=Edmondson>{{cite news |first=Catie |last=Edmondson |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/30/us/politics/trump-ukraine-senate.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030192025/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/30/us/politics/trump-ukraine-senate.html |archive-date=October 30, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Top State Department Official Confirms Smear Campaign Against Ousted Ukraine Envoy |work=] |date=October 30, 2019 |access-date=February 23, 2023 }}</ref><ref name=DemirjianMorello>{{cite news |first1=Karoun |last1=Demirjian |first2=Carol |last2=Morello |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/diplomat-who-tried-to-squash-smear-campaign-against-colleague-to-testify-in-trump-impeachment-inquiry/2019/10/25/9b8361c0-f74a-11e9-ad8b-85e2aa00b5ce_story.html |title=Diplomat says top leadership of the State Department rejected his entreaties to publicly support ousted U.S. ambassador to Ukraine |newspaper=] |date=October 25, 2019 |access-date=February 22, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/smeared-fired-us-ambo-to-ukraine-says-trumps-effect-is-to-be-intimidating |title='Witness Intimidation': Trump Slimes Ambassador During Impeachment Hearing: Democrats highlighted Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch's work to fight corruption—what President Trump claims motivated his pressure on Ukraine to investigate his political opponents. |first1=Spencer |last1=Ackerman |first2=Sam |last2=Brody |work=] |date=November 15, 2019 |access-date=November 24, 2019}}</ref> Allegations against her were then made by Trump's personal attorney Giuliani, as well as conservative commentator ] of '']'' and Ukraine's then-top prosecutor, ], who accused her of being part of a conspiracy involving anti-corruption probes in Ukraine and efforts by the Trump administration to investigate ties between Ukrainian officials and the ].<ref name="LaFraniere">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/us/politics/yovanovitch-trump-ukraine-ambassador.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927001009/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/us/politics/yovanovitch-trump-ukraine-ambassador.html |archive-date=September 27, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Trump Said Ukraine Envoy Would 'Go Through Some Things.' She Has Already. |last1=LaFraniere |first1=Sharon |last2=Vogel|first2=Kenneth P. |last3=Baker |first3=Peter |author-link3=Peter Baker (journalist) |date=September 26, 2019 |work=] |access-date=September 27, 2019 }}</ref><ref name=WashingtonPost>{{cite news |last=Farhl |first=Paul |date=September 26, 2019 |title=How a conservative columnist helped push a flawed Ukraine narrative |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/how-a-conservative-columnist-helped-push-a-flawed-ukraine-narrative/2019/09/26/1654026e-dee7-11e9-8dc8-498eabc129a0_story.html |newspaper=] |access-date=September 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sonmez |first1=Felicia |title=Four ways to flatter Trump: The Ukrainian President's guide |url=https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/four-ways-to-flatter-trump-the-ukrainian-president-s-guide-20190926-p52v1g.html |access-date=September 26, 2019 |work=] |date=September 26, 2019}}</ref> Lutsenko, who has been accused by Ukrainian civil society organizations of corruption,<ref name="Inskeep">{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Inskeep |author-link=Steve Inskeep |date=October 11, 2019 |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/10/11/769193149/who-is-former-u-s-ambassador-to-ukraine-marie-yovanovitch |access-date=21 February 2023 |title=Who Is Former U.S. Ambassador To Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch? |work=] |publisher=] }}</ref> claimed that Yovanovitch, an Obama administration appointee, had interfered in Ukraine politics, had given him a "do-not-prosecute" list and was interfering in his ability to combat corruption in Ukraine.<ref name=WashingtonPost/><ref name=YovanovitchTestimony>{{cite news |first1=John |last1=Hudson |first2=Karoun |last2=Demirjian |first3=Rachael |last3=Bade |first4=Paul |last4=Sonne |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/ousted-ukraine-envoy-marie-yovanovitch-expected-to-testify-in-impeachment-inquiry-today/2019/10/11/d571830e-eba0-11e9-85c0-85a098e47b37_story.html |title=Ousted ambassador Marie Yovanovitch tells Congress Trump pressured State Dept. to remove her |newspaper=] |date=October 11, 2019 |access-date=November 16, 2019 }}</ref> The U.S. State Department said that Lutsenko's allegations against Yovanovitch were "an outright fabrication"<ref name=WashingtonPost/> and indicated that they were a "classic ]."<ref name=DemirjianMorello/> Lutsenko subsequently recanted his claims of a "do-not-prosecute" list.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukraine Prosecutor General Lutsenko admits U.S. ambassador didn't give him a do not prosecute list |url=https://www.unian.info/politics/10520715-ukraine-prosecutor-general-lutsenko-admits-u-s-ambassador-didn-t-give-him-a-do-not-prosecute-list.html |access-date=November 25, 2019 |agency=UNIAN Information Agency |date=April 18, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| In testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, George Kent, the deputy assistant secretary for the State Department's Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, described the narratives about Ukraine told by Solomon and right-wing ] personalities Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham as "entirely made up in full cloth". Their information was based on Solomon's interview(s) with a drunken Yuriy Lutsenko, the corrupt former Ukrainian prosecutor.<ref name="Whitehouse_11/7/2019">{{cite web | last=Whitehouse | first=John | title=State Department official: Right-wing narratives about Ukraine were 'entirely made up in full cloth' | website=] | date=November 7, 2019 | url=https://www.mediamatters.org/john-solomon/state-department-official-right-wing-narratives-about-ukraine-were-entirely-made-full | access-date=May 4, 2023}}</ref> Solomon's stories were nonetheless amplified by President Trump, his son ], Giuliani, Solomon, and conservative media outlets.<ref name=WashingtonPost/><ref name="Questions">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/25/politics/us-ambassador-ukraine-trump-call/index.html|title=Trump's comments on former Ukraine ambassador raise further questions|last=Hansler|first=Jennifer|date=September 25, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005081314/https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/25/politics/us-ambassador-ukraine-trump-call/index.html |archive-date=October 5, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> Ukrainians who opposed Yovanovitch were also sources for Giuliani, who "was on a months-long search for political dirt in Ukraine to help President Trump."<ref name=Inskeep/> Giuliani confirmed in a November 2019 interview that he believed he "needed Yovanovitch out of the way" because she was going to make his investigations difficult.<ref name="prosecutor behind"/> | |||
| On April 24, 2019,<ref name=Excerpts>{{cite web |url=https://intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/20191104_-_yovanovitch_transcript_excerpts_final.pdf |title=Excerpts from Joint Deposition: Marie "Masha" Yovanovitch, Former United States Ambassador to Ukraine |date=October 11, 2019 |publisher=], ], ] |access-date=January 29, 2020 |archive-date=November 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104182310/https://intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/20191104_-_yovanovitch_transcript_excerpts_final.pdf }}</ref> after complaints from Giuliani and other Trump allies that Yovanovitch was undermining and obstructing Trump's efforts to persuade Ukraine to investigate former vice president and ] candidate Joe Biden, Trump ordered Yovanovitch's recall.<ref name=WSJ>{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-ordered-ukraine-ambassador-removed-after-complaints-from-giuliani-others-11570137147 |title=Trump Ordered Ukraine Ambassador Removed After Complaints From Giuliani, Others |last1=Ballhaus |first1=Rebecca |last2=Bender |first2=Michael C. |last3=Salama |first3=Vivian |date=October 2, 2019 |work=] |access-date=October 4, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2019-09-30/ousted-u-s-diplomat-could-be-crucial-to-impeachment-inquiry |title=Ousted U.S. diplomat could be crucial to impeachment inquiry |last1=King |first1=Laura |last2=Ayres |first2=Sabra |date=September 30, 2019 |work=] |access-date=October 1, 2019 |archive-date=October 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001034721/https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2019-09-30/ousted-u-s-diplomat-could-be-crucial-to-impeachment-inquiry }}</ref> She returned to ], on April 25,<ref name=Excerpts/> with her recall becoming public knowledge on May 7,<ref name=PublicKnowledge>{{Cite news |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/05/07/us-ambassador-to-ukraine-recalled-in-political-hit-job-lawmakers-say-marie-yovanovitch-lutsenko-right-wing-media-accusations-congress-diplomats-diplomacy |first1=Robbie |last1=Gramer |first2=Amy |last2=Mackinnon |title=U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Recalled in 'Political Hit Job,' Lawmakers Say |date=May 7, 2019 |work=] |access-date=November 21, 2019}}</ref> and her mission as ambassador being terminated on May 20, 2019.<ref name="state.gov">{{cite web |url=https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/yovanovitch-marie-l |title=Marie L. Yovanovitch |publisher=Office of the Historian, United States Department of State |access-date=October 7, 2019}}</ref><ref name=TenureDates>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/15/us/politics/marie-yovanovitch-opening-statement.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115173007/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/15/us/politics/marie-yovanovitch-opening-statement.html |archive-date=November 15, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Read Marie Yovanovitch's Prepared Opening Statement From the Impeachment Hearing |date=November 15, 2019 |work=] |access-date=November 21, 2019 |quote=I arrived in Ukraine on August 22, 2016 and left Ukraine permanently on May 20, 2019.}}</ref> In a July 25, 2019, phone call with Ukrainian president ] (the contents of which became public on September 25, 2019), Trump pressured the Ukrainian government to investigate Biden and disparaged Yovanovitch to his foreign counterpart, calling her "bad news".<ref name=Questions/><ref name=MacKinnon>{{cite news|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/09/25/trump-blasts-own-ambassador-in-call-with-ukrainian-president|title=Trump Blasts Own Ambassador in Call With Ukrainian President|last1=MacKinnon|first1=Amy|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002010232/https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/09/25/trump-blasts-own-ambassador-in-call-with-ukrainian-president/|archive-date=October 2, 2019|last2=Gramer|first2=Robbie|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| Documents to the ] provided by Lev Parnas outlined text exchanges in which Lutsenko pushed for the ouster of Yovanovitch and in return offered to provide damaging information on Joe Biden.<ref name=ItkowitzHelderman>{{cite news |last1=Itkowitz |first1=Colby |last2=Helderman |first2=Rosalind S. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/01/25/trump-yovanovitch-video/ |title=Listen: Trump tells associates to 'get rid of' U.S. ambassador to Ukraine |newspaper=] |access-date=February 23, 2023 |date=January 24, 2020}}</ref><ref name="auto7">{{cite news |last1=Bump |first1=Philip |title=How Ukraine's top prosecutor went after Marie Yovanovitch, step by step |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/01/15/how-ukraines-top-prosecutor-went-after-marie-yovanovitch-step-by-step/ |newspaper=] |date=January 15, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2023 }}</ref><ref name="auto5">{{cite news |last1=Sheth |first1=Sonam |last2=Frias |first2=Lauren |title=Explosive new documents involving Rudy Giuliani and a Ukrainian associate show the shocking extent of Trump's pressure campaign |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/documents-giuliani-associate-lev-parnas-trump-pressure-campaign-2020-1 |work=] |date=January 15, 2020 |access-date=February 22, 2023 }}</ref> In ] messages, Lutsenko told Parnas that Yovanovitch—referred to as "madam"—should be ousted before he would make helpful public statements; for example, in a March 22, 2019 ] message to Parnas, Lutsenko wrote, "It's just that if you don't make a decision about Madam—you are calling into question all my declarations. Including about B."<ref name=ItkowitzHelderman/> It is thought that Lutsenko targeted Yovanovitch due to her anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Maddow |first1=Rachel |author-link=Rachel Maddow |title=Parnas: Yovanovitch's anti-corruption stance made her a target |url=https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/parnas-yovanovitch-s-anti-corruption-stance-made-her-a-target-76928581979 |work=] |date=January 17, 2020 |access-date=February 22, 2023 }}</ref> One week before an April 1, 2019, conference on anti-corruption, Parnas exchanged encrypted ] text messages with ] that indicated the ambassador was under surveillance and that her security was at risk.<ref name="attachment">{{Cite web |url=https://intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/20200114_-_hpsci_transmittal_letter_to_hjc_-_new_evidence_attachment.pdf |title=Attachment to letter of transmittal from US House Intelligence Committee to US House Judiciary Committee |date=January 14, 2020 |publisher=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114230033/https://intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/20200114_-_hpsci_transmittal_letter_to_hjc_-_new_evidence_attachment.pdf |access-date=January 24, 2020 |archive-date=January 14, 2020 }}</ref><ref name=LedermanSchecter>{{Cite news |last1=Lederman |first1=Josh |last2=Schecter |first2=Anna |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/texts-suggest-robert-hyde-passed-along-details-about-yovanovitch-movements-n1118226 |title=Trump backer from Europe says supposed Yovanovitch surveillance was a joke |work=]|date=January 18, 2020}}</ref> Hyde claimed he had merely forwarded messages received from a Belgium citizen named Anthony de Caluwe.<ref name=LedermanSchecter/> After the House Intelligence Committee released the text messages, de Caluwe initially denied any involvement, but then reversed himself, saying that he had in fact sent the messages to Hyde but that the messages were a joke and "just a part of a ridiculous banter."<ref name=LedermanSchecter/> | |||
| An audio tape from April 2018, recorded at a private dinner between Trump and top donors and made public by ABC News in January 2020, captures Trump demanding Yovanovitch's removal, saying: "Get rid of her! Get her out tomorrow. I don't care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. Okay? Do it."<ref name="take her out">{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/recording-appears-capture-trump-private-dinner-ukraine-ambassador/story?id=68506437|title=Lawmakers react to apparent recording of Trump saying Yovanovitch should be fired|first=Libby|last=Cathey|work=]|date=January 24, 2020|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref><ref name=ItkowitzHelderman/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/lawmakers-react-apparent-recording-trump-yovanovitch-fired/story?id=68509992|title=Lawmakers react to apparent recording of Trump saying Yovanovitch should be fired |first1=Katherine |last1=Faulders |first2=John |last2=Santucci |first3=Allison |last3=Percorin |first4=Olivia |last4=Rubin |work=] |date=January 24, 2020 |access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref> The recording appeared to corroborate Parnas's account that he had told Trump that night that Yovanovitch was working against him.<ref name=ItkowitzHelderman/> | |||
| Yovanovitch's abrupt ouster shocked and outraged career State Department diplomats.<ref name=YovanovitchTestimony/><ref>{{cite news |first1=Peter |last1=Baker |author-link=Peter Baker (journalist) |first2=Nicholas |last2=Fandos |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/14/us/politics/bolton-giuliani-fiona-hill-testimony.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015031111/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/14/us/politics/bolton-giuliani-fiona-hill-testimony.html |archive-date=October 15, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Bolton Objected to Ukraine Pressure Campaign, Calling Giuliani 'a Hand Grenade' |work=] |date=October 14, 2019 |quote=Career diplomats have expressed outrage at the unceremonious removal of Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch from Ukraine after she came under attack by Mr. Giuliani, Donald Trump Jr. and two associates who have since been arrested on charges of campaign violations. }}</ref><ref name=StolbergTestimony>{{cite news |first=Sheryl Gay |last=Stolberg |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/15/us/politics/marie-yovanovitch-testimony.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115200015/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/15/us/politics/marie-yovanovitch-testimony.html |archive-date=November 15, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Marie Yovanovitch, Ex-Ukraine Envoy Ousted by Trump, Says She Feels Intimidated by Him |work=] |date=November 15, 2019 |access-date=November 16, 2019 }}</ref> Acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs ], the chief diplomat for U.S. policy for Europe, testified that he had urged top State Department officials ] and ], to issue a statement expressing strong support for Yovanovitch, but that top State Department leadership rejected this proposal.<ref name=DemirjianMorello/> Former senior U.S. diplomats ] and ], who served as assistant secretaries of state for European and Eurasian Affairs and as ] staffers under presidents of both parties, praised Yovanovitch and condemned Trump's "egregious mistreatment of one of the country's most distinguished ambassadors," writing that this had demoralized the U.S. diplomatic corps and undermined U.S. foreign policy.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Philip |last1=Gordon |first2=Daniel |last2=Fried |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-other-ukraine-scandal-trumps-threats-to-our-ambassador-who-wouldnt-bend/2019/09/27/03ac9a00-e13e-11e9-8dc8-498eabc129a0_story.html |title=The other Ukraine scandal: Trump's threats to our ambassador who wouldn't bend |newspaper=] |date=September 27, 2019 |access-date=November 16, 2019 }}</ref> The ] and ], representing members of the U.S. diplomatic corps, expressed alarm at Trump's disparagement of Yovanovitch in his call with Zelenskyy.<ref name="auto6">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/26/politics/ukraine-ambassador-yovanovitch-whistleblower-complaint/index.html|title=Diplomats express alarm over Trump's treatment of former Ukraine ambassador|last=Hansler|first=Jennifer|date=September 26, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011174626/https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/26/politics/ukraine-ambassador-yovanovitch-whistleblower-complaint/index.html|archive-date=October 11, 2019 |work=] }}</ref> ], a career foreign service officer who served as ambassador to four countries and had been chief adviser to Secretary of State ], resigned in October 2019 in protest of Trump's attacks against Yovanovitch and "the State Department's unwillingness to protect career diplomats from politically motivated pressure."<ref>{{cite news |first1=Andrew |last1=Desiderio |first2=Kyle |last2=Cheney |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/16/pompeo-adviser-resigned-ukraine-yovanovitch-048443 |title=Ex-Pompeo adviser tells Congress he resigned over Trump's attacks on Yovanovitch |work=] |date=October 16, 2019 |access-date=November 16, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=David A. |last=Graham |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/10/experts-strike-back/600136/ |title=The Experts Strike Back |work=] |date=October 17, 2019 |access-date=February 22, 2023 }}</ref> Yovanovitch's ouster became one of the issues explored in the ] ];<ref name=WSJ/> her recall was termed "a political hit job" by Democratic members of Congress.<ref name=WashingtonPost/><ref name=MacKinnon/> Trump subsequently said she was "no angel" and falsely claimed that Yovanovitch had refused to hang his portrait.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-claims-marie-yovanovitch-refused-to-hang-portrait-in-embassy-in-ukraine/ |title=Trump claims Marie Yovanovitch refused to hang his portrait in the embassy in Ukraine |last=Quinn |first=Melissa |date=November 22, 2019 |access-date=November 24, 2019 | work=] }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Trump says envoy Marie Yovanovitch refused to hang his photo |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50520652 |date=November 22, 2019 |access-date=November 24, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
| == Communications with Ukrainian officials == | |||
| {{wikisource|White House memorandum of a telephone conversation between U.S. President Trump and Ukraine President Zelensky, July 25, 2019|White House memorandum of a telephone conversation between U.S. President Trump and Ukraine President Zelensky}} | |||
| ], former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, was removed from her post because of her anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine, and because she disagreed with the ] taking place under Giuliani and President Trump.]] | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| On September 20, 2019, '']'' reported that Trump had in a July 25 phone conversation repeatedly pressed Ukrainian |
On September 20, 2019, '']'' reported that Trump had in a July 25 phone conversation repeatedly pressed Ukrainian president Zelenskyy to investigate matters relating to ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-pressed-ukrainian-leader-to-investigate-bidens-son-according-to-people-familiar-with-the-matter/2019/09/20/7fa39b20-dbdc-11e9-bfb1-849887369476_story.html|title=Trump whistleblower: President pressed Ukrainian leader to investigate Biden's son, according to people familiar with the matter|last1=Zapotosky|first1=Matt|date=September 20, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190920222622/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-pressed-ukrainian-leader-to-investigate-bidens-son-according-to-people-familiar-with-the-matter/2019/09/20/7fa39b20-dbdc-11e9-bfb1-849887369476_story.html|archive-date=September 20, 2019|last2=Miller|first2=Greg|last3=Nakashima|first3=Ellen|last4=Leonnig|first4=Carol D.|author-link4=Carol D. Leonnig|url-access=limited}}</ref> '']'' reported that Trump told Zelenskyy to speak to Giuliani,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/19/us/politics/intelligence-whistle-blower-complaint-trump.html|title=Whistle-Blower's Complaint Is Said to Involve Multiple Acts by Trump|last1=Barnes|first1=Julian E.|date=September 19, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191012181610/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/19/us/politics/intelligence-whistle-blower-complaint-trump.html|archive-date=October 12, 2019|last2=Fandos|first2=Nicholas|last3=Sullivan|first3=Eileen|last4=Rosenberg|first4=Matthew|author-link2=Nicholas Fandos|author-link3=Eileen Sullivan|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/20/us/politics/trump-whistle-blower-ukraine.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920164021/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/20/us/politics/trump-whistle-blower-ukraine.html |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |url-status=live|title=Trump Pressed Ukraine's Leader as Giuliani Pushed for Biden Inquiry|last1=Barnes|first1=Julian E.|date=September 20, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|last2=Schmidt|first2=Michael S.|last3=Vogel|first3=Kenneth P.|last4=Goldman|first4=Adam|last5=Haberman|first5=Maggie|author-link2=Michael S. Schmidt|author-link3=Kenneth P. Vogel|author-link4=Adam Goldman|author-link5=Maggie Haberman|url-access=limited}}</ref> and according to ''The Wall Street Journal'', he urged Zelenskyy "about eight times" to work with Giuliani and investigate Biden's son.<ref name="repeatedly"/> On September 22, Trump acknowledged he had discussed Joe Biden during the call with Zelenskyy, and that he had said: "We don't want our people like Vice President Biden and his son creating{{sic}} to the corruption already in the Ukraine.{{sic}}"<ref name="trump acknowledges">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/22/us/politics/trump-ukraine-biden.html |title=Trump Acknowledges Discussing Biden in Call With Ukrainian Leader |last=Baker |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Baker (journalist) |date=September 22, 2019 |work=] |access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190922215508/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/22/us/politics/trump-ukraine-biden.html |archive-date=September 22, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> As of October 2019, there has been no evidence produced of any of the alleged wrongdoing by the Bidens.<ref name="noevidence"/> | ||
| ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported on September 30 that Secretary of State ] also listened in on the call.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/pompeo-took-part-in-ukraine-call-official-says-11569865002|title=Pompeo Took Part in |
''The Wall Street Journal'' reported on September 30 that Secretary of State ] also listened in on the call.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/pompeo-took-part-in-ukraine-call-official-says-11569865002|title=Pompeo Took Part in Ukraine Phone Call, Official Says|last1=McBride|first1=Courtney|date=September 30, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191001010759/https://www.wsj.com/articles/pompeo-took-part-in-ukraine-call-official-says-11569865002|archive-date=October 1, 2019|last2=Gurman|first2=Sadie|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Two days later, ''The Washington Post'' reported that Vice President Mike Pence's national security advisor ] had listened in on the call as well, and that "Pence should have had access to the transcript within hours."<ref name="involved pence">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-involved-pence-in-efforts-to-pressure-ukraines-leader-though-aides-say-vice-president-was-unaware-of-pursuit-of-dirt-on-bidens/2019/10/02/263aa9e2-e4a7-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|title=Trump involved Pence in efforts to pressure Ukraine's leader, though aides say vice president was unaware of pursuit of dirt on Bidens|last1=Miller|first1=Greg|date=October 2, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 2, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191003002753/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-involved-pence-in-efforts-to-pressure-ukraines-leader-though-aides-say-vice-president-was-unaware-of-pursuit-of-dirt-on-bidens/2019/10/02/263aa9e2-e4a7-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|archive-date=October 3, 2019|last2=Jaffe|first2=Greg|last3=Parker|first3=Ashley|url-access=limited}}</ref> Others on the line included ], the National Security Council's senior director for Europe and Russia; ], an aide to ]; and ], a Ukraine expert for the NSC.<ref name="cnn-oct8">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/08/politics/donald-trump-ukraine-call-details-aftermath/index.html|title=Inside the White House's effort to contain Ukraine call fallout |last1=Brown |first1=Pamela |date=October 8, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191009023516/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/08/politics/donald-trump-ukraine-call-details-aftermath/index.html |archive-date=October 9, 2019 |work=] |last2=Diamond |first2=Jeremy |last3=Collins |first3=Kaitlan |last4=Liptak |first4=Kevin }}</ref> | ||
| Days before Trump's July 25 call with |
Days before Trump's July 25 call with Zelenskyy, Giuliani spoke on the phone with Zelenskyy aide ] about a Biden investigation, as well as a prospective White House meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump that was sought by Ukrainian officials.<ref name="NYT Long-Held Trump Grudge">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/20/us/politics/whistle-blower-trump-grudge.html|title=Behind the Whistle-Blower Case, a Long-Held Trump Grudge Toward Ukraine|last=Vogel|first=Kenneth P.|date=September 20, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191003014601/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/20/us/politics/whistle-blower-trump-grudge.html|archive-date=October 3, 2019|author-link=Kenneth P. Vogel|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="new audio"/> According to Zelenskyy's advisor ], Trump was willing to have a phone conversation with Zelenskyy only on the precondition that they discuss the possibility of investigating the Biden family. Leshchenko later sought to backtrack his comments, saying he did not know if officials had viewed discussing Biden as a precondition for a meeting.<ref name="reevell">{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/ukrainians-understood-biden-probe-condition-trump-zelensky-phone/story?id=65863043|title=Ukrainians understood Biden probe was condition for Trump-Zelenskiy phone call: Ukrainian adviser|last1=Reevell|first1=Patrick|date=September 25, 2019|access-date=September 26, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926003144/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/ukrainians-understood-biden-probe-condition-trump-zelensky-phone/story?id=65863043|archive-date=September 26, 2019|work=]|last2=Bruggeman|first2=Lucien}}</ref> | ||
| Text messages given to Congress by special envoy to Ukraine ] in October suggest that |
Text messages given to Congress by special envoy to Ukraine ] in October suggest that Zelenskyy's aide Yermak was told that Zelenskyy would be invited for a White House visit only if he promised to carry out the requested investigations. On July 25, just before Trump's phone call, Volker texted to Yermak: "heard from White House—assuming President{{nbsp}}Z convinces trump he will investigate / 'get to the bottom of what happened' in 2016, we will nail down date for visit to Washington."<ref name="Lederman">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/u-s-ambassadors-pushed-ukraine-investigate-condition-white-house-visit-n1062306|title=U.S. ambassadors pushed Ukraine to investigate as condition for White House visit, texts show|last=Lederman|first=Josh|date=October 4, 2019|access-date=October 5, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013031028/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/u-s-ambassadors-pushed-ukraine-investigate-condition-white-house-visit-n1062306|archive-date=October 13, 2019|work=]}}</ref> | ||
| On September 25, the administration released the White House's five-page, declassified memorandum of the July 25 phone call between Trump and |
On September 25, the administration released the White House's five-page, declassified memorandum of the July 25 phone call between Trump and Zelenskyy.<ref name="ShearHaberman">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/25/us/politics/ukraine-transcript-trump.html|title='Do Us a Favor': Calls Shows Trump's Interest in Using U.S. Power for His Gain|last1=Shear|first1=Michael D.|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190925151856/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/25/us/politics/ukraine-transcript-trump.html|archive-date=September 25, 2019|last2=Haberman|first2=Maggie|author-link=Michael D. Shear|author-link2=Maggie Haberman|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="releasedWaPo">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/transcript-of-trumps-call-with-ukrainian-president-shows-him-offering-us-assistance-for-biden-investigation/2019/09/25/16aa36ca-df0f-11e9-8dc8-498eabc129a0_story.html|title=Transcript of Trump's call with Ukrainian president shows him offering U.S. assistance for Biden investigation|last1=Barrett|first1=Devlin|date=September 25, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190925190524/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/transcript-of-trumps-call-with-ukrainian-president-shows-him-offering-us-assistance-for-biden-investigation/2019/09/25/16aa36ca-df0f-11e9-8dc8-498eabc129a0_story.html|archive-date=September 25, 2019|last2=Zapotosky|first2=Matt|last3=Leonnig|first3=Carol D.|last4=Dawsey|first4=Josh|author-link3=Carol D. Leonnig|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2019/09/25/daily-202-the-ukraine-transcript-is-full-of-fresh-fodder-for-democrats-who-want-to-impeach-trump/5d8af523602ff14beb3da8cc/|title=The Daily 202: The Ukraine transcript is full of fresh fodder for Democrats who want to impeach Trump|last1=Hohmann|first1=James|date=September 25, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 25, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190925152036/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2019/09/25/daily-202-the-ukraine-transcript-is-full-of-fresh-fodder-for-democrats-who-want-to-impeach-trump/5d8af523602ff14beb3da8cc/|archive-date=September 25, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref>{{efn|The document, titled a "Memorandum of Telephone Conversation" includes a notation stating that it was "not a verbatim transcript" and was prepared based on "notes and recollections of ] duty officers" and ] staff.<ref name="ShearHaberman"/> Senior administration officials said ] was also used in preparing the memorandum.<ref name="cnn-oct8"/><ref name="ShearHaberman"/> Some sources describe the document as a "rough transcript".<ref name="releasedWaPo"/>}} In the call, Trump pressed for an investigation into the Bidens and ], saying: "I would like to have the attorney general call you or your people and I would like you to get to the bottom of it."<ref name="releasedWaPo"/> Trump falsely told Zelenskyy "Biden went around bragging that he stopped the prosecution" of his son, Hunter; Biden did not stop any prosecution, did not brag about doing so, and there is no evidence his son was ever under investigation.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/25/politics/fact-check-trump-made-false-claim-to-ukrainian-president-to-justify-his-biden-request/index.html |title=Fact check: Trump made false claim to Ukrainian president to justify his Biden request |last1=Dale |first1=Daniel |date=September 25, 2019 |access-date=September 29, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926163053/https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/25/politics/fact-check-trump-made-false-claim-to-ukrainian-president-to-justify-his-biden-request/index.html |archive-date=September 26, 2019 |work=] |last2=Cohen |first2=Marshall}}</ref> | ||
| Trump also presented Giuliani as a key U.S. contact for Ukraine, although Giuliani holds no official U.S. government position. Trump said three times that he would ask both Attorney General Barr and Giuliani to call |
Trump also presented Giuliani as a key U.S. contact for Ukraine, although Giuliani holds no official U.S. government position. Trump said three times that he would ask both Attorney General Barr and Giuliani to call Zelenskyy,<ref name="Timmons"/> and added: "So whatever you can do with the attorney general would be great."<ref name="ShearHaberman"/> In response, Zelenskyy said his candidate for Ukraine's chief prosecutor "will look into the situation, specifically to the company that you mentioned in this issue". After Zelenskyy said this, Trump offered to meet with Zelenskyy at the White House.<ref name="releasedWaPo"/> On the same call with Zelenskyy, Trump espoused the ] that Hillary Clinton's email server was in Ukraine;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/09/25/trumps-mention-crowdstrike-call-with-ukraines-president-recalls-russian-hack-dnc/|title=In call to Ukraine's president, Trump revived a favorite conspiracy theory about the DNC hack|last1=Timberg|first1=Craig|date=September 25, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190925201242/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/09/25/trumps-mention-crowdstrike-call-with-ukraines-president-recalls-russian-hack-dnc/|archive-date=September 25, 2019|last2=Harwell|first2=Drew|last3=Nakashima|first3=Ellen|author-link3=Ellen Nakashima|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/trump-promotes-conspiracy-theory-clinton-s-deleted-emails-are-ukraine-n1058726|title=Trump promotes conspiracy theory: Clinton's deleted emails are in Ukraine|last=Timm|first=Jane C.|date=September 25, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|work=]}}</ref> criticized the U.S.'s European allies (in particular ]),<ref name="Timmons"/> and disparaged the former ], ], a ] whom the Trump administration had abruptly recalled two months earlier. Trump told Zelenskyy that Yovanovitch was "going to go through some things".<ref name="Questions"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/09/25/trump-blasts-own-ambassador-in-call-with-ukrainian-president/|title=Trump Blasts Own Ambassador in Call With Ukrainian President|last1=MacKinnon|first1=Amy|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002010232/https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/09/25/trump-blasts-own-ambassador-in-call-with-ukrainian-president/|archive-date=October 2, 2019|last2=Gramer|first2=Robbie|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="new documents2">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/01/14/us/politics/ap-us-trump-impeachment-documents.html|title=Democrats Release New Documents on Eve of Impeachment Trial |work=] |first1=Michael |last1=Balsamo |first2=Lisa |last2=Mascaro |first3=Zeke |last3=Miller |date=January 14, 2020 |access-date=January 29, 2020}}</ref> | ||
| During the conversation, |
During the conversation, Zelenskyy mentioned that on his last visit to the U.S., he had stayed in ]. Ethics advocacy groups described this comment as an attempt to curry favor.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/09/26/trumps-other-ukraine-problem-new-concern-about-his-business/|title=Trump's other Ukraine problem: new concern about his business|last1=O'Connell|first1=Jonathan|date=September 26, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190926151224/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/09/26/trumps-other-ukraine-problem-new-concern-about-his-business/|archive-date=September 26, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> | ||
| Shortly after the conversation, White House aides began asking one another whether they should alert other senior officials who had not participated.<ref name="cnn-oct8"/> The first whistleblower described one White House official as being "visibly shaken by what had transpired". In a July 26 memo, the whistleblower reported, "The official stated that there was already a conversation underway with White House lawyers about how to handle the discussion because, in the official's view, the president had clearly committed a criminal act by urging a foreign power to investigate a U.S. person for the purposes of advancing his own re-election bid in 2020."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/08/us/politics/trump-ukraine-whistleblower.html|title=Trump's Ukraine Call Was 'Crazy' and 'Frightening', Official Told Whistle-Blower|last=Fandos|first=Nicholas|date=October 8, 2019|work=]| |
Shortly after the conversation, White House aides began asking one another whether they should alert other senior officials who had not participated.<ref name="cnn-oct8"/> The first whistleblower described one White House official as being "visibly shaken by what had transpired". In a July 26 memo, the whistleblower reported, "The official stated that there was already a conversation underway with White House lawyers about how to handle the discussion because, in the official's view, the president had clearly committed a criminal act by urging a foreign power to investigate a U.S. person for the purposes of advancing his own re-election bid in 2020."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/08/us/politics/trump-ukraine-whistleblower.html|title=Trump's Ukraine Call Was 'Crazy' and 'Frightening', Official Told Whistle-Blower|last=Fandos|first=Nicholas|date=October 8, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 8, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191009020331/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/08/us/politics/trump-ukraine-whistleblower.html|archive-date=October 9, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-whistleblower-complaint-read-full-text-whistleblower-memo-trump-ukraine-call-described-cbs-news-exclusive/|title=Read the whistleblower's memo about Trump's Ukraine call, as described to CBS News|last=Farhi|first=Arden|date=October 9, 2019|access-date=October 9, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013032007/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-whistleblower-complaint-read-full-text-whistleblower-memo-trump-ukraine-call-described-cbs-news-exclusive/|archive-date=October 13, 2019|work=]}}</ref> | ||
| During the period prior to and immediately after the July 25 call, at least four national security officials warned National Security Council legal adviser John Eisenberg that the Trump administration was attempting to pressure Ukraine for political purposes.<ref name="raised alarms">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/at-least-four-national-security-officials-raised-alarms-about-ukraine-policy-before-and-after-trump-call-with-ukrainian-president/2019/10/10/ffe0c88a-eb6d-11e9-9c6d-436a0df4f31d_story.html|title=At least four national security officials raised alarms about Ukraine policy before and after Trump call with Ukrainian president|last1=Miller|first1=Greg|date=October 10, 2019| |
During the period prior to and immediately after the July 25 call, at least four national security officials warned National Security Council legal adviser John Eisenberg that the Trump administration was attempting to pressure Ukraine for political purposes.<ref name="raised alarms">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/at-least-four-national-security-officials-raised-alarms-about-ukraine-policy-before-and-after-trump-call-with-ukrainian-president/2019/10/10/ffe0c88a-eb6d-11e9-9c6d-436a0df4f31d_story.html|title=At least four national security officials raised alarms about Ukraine policy before and after Trump call with Ukrainian president|last1=Miller|first1=Greg|date=October 10, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 10, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191010235520/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/at-least-four-national-security-officials-raised-alarms-about-ukraine-policy-before-and-after-trump-call-with-ukrainian-president/2019/10/10/ffe0c88a-eb6d-11e9-9c6d-436a0df4f31d_story.html|archive-date=October 10, 2019|last2=Jaffe|first2=Greg|url-access=limited}}</ref> | ||
| Days after the Trump call, Giuliani met with Yermak in Madrid. Giuliani said on September 23 that the State Department had asked him to "go on a mission for them" to speak with Yermak.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://theweek.com/speedreads/867238/rudy-giuliani-blabs-fox-news-sean-hannity-ukraine-talks-ordered-by-state-department|title=Rudy Giuliani blabs to Fox News' Sean Hannity his Ukraine talks were ordered by the State Department|last=Krawczyk|first=Kathryn|date=September 24, 2019|work=]| |
Days after the Trump call, Giuliani met with Yermak in Madrid. Giuliani said on September 23 that the State Department had asked him to "go on a mission for them" to speak with Yermak.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://theweek.com/speedreads/867238/rudy-giuliani-blabs-fox-news-sean-hannity-ukraine-talks-ordered-by-state-department|title=Rudy Giuliani blabs to Fox News' Sean Hannity his Ukraine talks were ordered by the State Department|last=Krawczyk|first=Kathryn|date=September 24, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925021930/http://theweek.com/speedreads/867477/more-than-200-representatives-now-support-impeachment-inquiry|archive-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> The State Department had said on August 22 that its Ukraine envoy Volker had connected the men, but that Giuliani was acting as a private citizen and Trump attorney,<ref>{{cite tweet |first=Kenneth P. |last=Vogel |author-link=Kenneth P. Vogel |user=kenvogel |number=1164666081501470727 |date=August 22, 2019 |title=The @StateDept, which facilitated @RudyGiuliani's communications with the Ukrainian gov't (during which he urged an investigation of @JoeBiden), says Giuliani "acts in a personal capacity as a lawyer for President TRUMP. He does not speak on behalf of the U.S. Government." |access-date=September 29, 2019 }}</ref> although he briefed the State Department after the trip.<ref name="NYT Long-Held Trump Grudge"/> Giuliani said he told Yermak, "Your country owes it to us and to your country to find out what really happened." Yermak said he was not clear if Giuliani was representing Trump, but Giuliani said he was not, and the White House referred questions about Giuliani's role to the State Department, which did not respond. Appearing on television on September 19, Giuliani first denied he had asked Ukrainian officials to investigate Joe Biden, but moments later said, "Of course I did."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/20/us/politics/giuliani-cuomo-trump.html|title=Giuliani Revels in Another Cable Dust-up Defending Trump|last1=Karni|first1=Annie|date=September 20, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190921071016/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/20/us/politics/giuliani-cuomo-trump.html|archive-date=September 21, 2019|last2=Haberman|first2=Maggie|author2-link=Maggie Haberman|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/21/us/politics/giuliani-ukraine.html|title=Giuliani Renews Push for Ukraine to Investigate Trump's Political Opponents|last1=Vogel|first1=Kenneth P.|date=August 21, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190828195710/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/21/us/politics/giuliani-ukraine.html|archive-date=August 28, 2019|last2=Kramer|first2=Andrew E.|author-link=Kenneth P. Vogel|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/21/ukraine-imbroglio-confirms-giulianis-as-trumps-most-off-kilter-advocate|title=Ukraine furore confirms Giuliani as Trump's most off-kilter advocate|last=Pilkington|first=Ed|date=September 21, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921100804/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/21/ukraine-imbroglio-confirms-giulianis-as-trumps-most-off-kilter-advocate|archive-date=September 21, 2019}}</ref> Former prosecutor Yuri Lutsenko told the '']'' Giuliani had repeatedly demanded that the Ukrainians investigate the Biden family. "I told him I could not start an investigation just for the interests of an American official," Lutsenko informed the ''Times''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2019-09-29/former-ukraine-prosecutor-says-no-wrongdoing-biden|title=Former Ukraine prosecutor says he saw no evidence of wrongdoing by Biden|last1=Wilkinson|first1=Tracy|date=September 29, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002052632/https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2019-09-29/former-ukraine-prosecutor-says-no-wrongdoing-biden|archive-date=October 2, 2019|last2=Loiko|first2=Sergei L.}}</ref> | ||
| In August, Volker and American ambassador to the EU ] drafted a statement they wanted |
In August, Volker and American ambassador to the EU ] drafted a statement they wanted Zelenskyy to read publicly that would commit Ukraine to investigate Burisma and the ] that Ukraine interfered with the 2016 election to benefit Hillary Clinton. However, Zelenskyy never made the statement.<ref name = Lederman/> Volker also provided to congressional investigators a September text message exchange between Sondland, a major Trump donor and political appointee, and ], a career diplomat who was the senior official at the Ukrainian embassy after the recall of Ambassador Yovanovitch. In the messages, Taylor wrote: "I think it's crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign." Four hours later, after speaking with Trump, Sondland responded: "Bill, I believe you are incorrect about President Trump's intentions. The president has been crystal clear: ] of any kind." He then suggested they continue discussing the matter by phone rather than text.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/us/politics/kurt-volker-impeachment.html |title=Texts from Top Diplomat Described 'Crazy' Plan to Keep Aid from Ukraine |last1=Fandos |first1=Nicholas |date=October 3, 2019 |work=] |access-date=October 5, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191004020457/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/us/politics/kurt-volker-impeachment.html |archive-date=October 4, 2019 |last2=Barnes |first2=Julian E. |last3=Baker |first3=Peter |author-link3=Peter Baker (journalist) |url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/us/politics/trump-ukraine.html |title=Trump Envoys Pushed Ukraine to Commit to Investigations |last1=Vogel |first1=Kenneth P. |date=October 3, 2019 |work=] |access-date=October 4, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191004020408/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/us/politics/trump-ukraine.html |archive-date=October 4, 2019 |last2=Schmidt |first2=Michael S. |author-link=Kenneth P. Vogel|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/428681046/Volker-Texts-on-Ukraine-Shared-With-Congress|title=Volker Texts on Ukraine Shared With Congress Uploaded by ABC News Politics|website=]|date=October 3, 2019|access-date=October 4, 2019}}</ref> | ||
| ''The Washington Post'' reported on October 12 that Sondland would tell congressional investigators the following week that he had relayed Trump's assertion of no ''quid pro quo'', but he did not know if it was actually true.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trumps-envoy-who-denied-quid-pro-quo-now-says-he-isnt-certain/2019/10/12/4abe0902-bc19-44e8-8c38-9aa35c544859_story.html|title=Trump's envoy to testify that 'no quid pro quo' came from Trump|last1=Davis|first1=Aaron C.|date=October 12, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 12, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013012939/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trumps-envoy-who-denied-quid-pro-quo-now-says-he-isnt-certain/2019/10/12/4abe0902-bc19-44e8-8c38-9aa35c544859_story.html|archive-date=October 13, 2019|last2=Hudson|first2=John|url-access=limited}}</ref> NBC News reported the night before Sondland's testimony that he told Ukrainian officials visiting the White House that a Trump–Zelenskyy meeting was conditioned on Ukraine opening an investigation, and discussed Burisma with them.<ref>{{cite news |first=Josh |last=Lederman |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/sondland-asked-ukrainian-officials-during-private-white-house-talk-about-n1067861 |title=Sondland asked Ukrainians at White House about firm linked to Hunter Biden |work=] |date=October 17, 2019 |access-date=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported in November 2019 that prior to the Trump–Zelenskyy call, Sondland had kept several administration officials apprised via email of his efforts to persuade Ukraine to open investigations.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 17, 2019 |access-date=January 7, 2020 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/lawmakers-dispute-impact-of-first-week-of-public-impeachment-hearings-11574007673 |title=Sondland Kept Trump Administration Officials Apprised of Ukraine Push |first=Rebecca |last=Ballhaus |work=] }}</ref> | |||
| American embassy officials in Kiev repeatedly expressed concerns about Giuliani's meetings, and during closed-door congressional testimony on October 4, Volker reportedly said he had warned Giuliani that Ukrainian political figures were giving him untrustworthy information about the Bidens.<ref name="wapo texts show">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/this-is-when-the-inquiry-gets-real-former-us-special-envoy-to-ukraine-testifies-in-impeachment-probe-today/2019/10/03/51365c1b-5a01-4e44-872a-299b67949a5e_story.html|title=Volker: Giuliani was warned that claims of Biden's misconduct were not credible, ex-envoy tells lawmakers|last=Demirjian|first=Karoun|date=October 4, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/jv3ST|archive-date=October 6, 2019|last2=Bade|first2=Rachael|last3=Dawsey|first3=Josh|last4=Hudson|first4=John|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="WaPo How Trump pressured" /> He also testified that Joe Biden was a "man of integrity", saying: "I have known former vice president Biden for 24 years, and the suggestion that he would be influenced in his duties as vice president by money for his son simply has no credibility to me. I know him as a man of integrity and dedication to our country."<ref name="Sonne_Jaffe_10/4/2019">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/volker-defends-biden-asman-of-integrity-in-testimony-to-congress/2019/10/04/bab8d4a2-e6ca-11e9-b7da-053c79b03db8_story.html|title=Volker defends Biden as 'man of integrity' in testimony to Congress|last=Sonne|first=Paul|date=October 4, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|last2=Jaffe|first2=Greg|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| American embassy officials in Kyiv repeatedly expressed concerns about Giuliani's meetings, and during closed-door congressional testimony on October 4, Volker reportedly said he had warned Giuliani that Ukrainian political figures were giving him untrustworthy information about the Bidens.<ref name="wapo texts show">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/this-is-when-the-inquiry-gets-real-former-us-special-envoy-to-ukraine-testifies-in-impeachment-probe-today/2019/10/03/51365c1b-5a01-4e44-872a-299b67949a5e_story.html|title=Volker: Giuliani was warned that claims of Biden's misconduct were not credible, ex-envoy tells lawmakers|last1=Demirjian|first1=Karoun|date=October 4, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191006054507/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/this-is-when-the-inquiry-gets-real-former-us-special-envoy-to-ukraine-testifies-in-impeachment-probe-today/2019/10/03/51365c1b-5a01-4e44-872a-299b67949a5e_story.html|archive-date=October 6, 2019|last2=Bade|first2=Rachael|last3=Dawsey|first3=Josh|last4=Hudson|first4=John|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="WaPo How Trump pressured"/> He also testified that Joe Biden was a "man of integrity", saying: "I have known former vice president Biden for 24 years, and the suggestion that he would be influenced in his duties as vice president by money for his son simply has no credibility to me. I know him as a man of integrity and dedication to our country."<ref name="Sonne_Jaffe_10/4/2019">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/volker-defends-biden-asman-of-integrity-in-testimony-to-congress/2019/10/04/bab8d4a2-e6ca-11e9-b7da-053c79b03db8_story.html|title=Volker defends Biden as 'man of integrity' in testimony to Congress|last1=Sonne|first1=Paul|date=October 4, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|last2=Jaffe|first2=Greg|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| == Memorandum record of the July 25 phone call == | |||
| === Memorandum record of the July 25 phone call === | |||
| The first whistleblower's report said that "senior White House officials had intervened to 'lock down' all records of the phone call," an act that indicated those officials "understood the gravity of what had transpired".{{efn|§II, p. 3}} They performed the "lock down" by placing the record of the call on a top-secret server intended for the most highly ],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/whistleblower-allegation-server-misuse-raises-alarm-bells-n1059381|title=Whistleblower allegation of server misuse raises alarm bells|last=Lee|first=Carol E.|date=September 27, 2019|access-date=September 28, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/UWXur|archive-date=October 13, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-trump-transcript-server-white-house-20190927-ngc5j2khcvf75m73k4kcaha534-story.html|title=White House admits lawyers hid transcript of damning Trump call in top-secret server|last=Goldiner|first=Dave|date=September 27, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 28, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928020437/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-trump-transcript-server-white-house-20190927-ngc5j2khcvf75m73k4kcaha534-story.html|archive-date=September 28, 2019}}</ref> under the direction of ].<ref name="cnn">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/27/politics/white-house-restricted-trump-calls-putin-saudi/index.html|title=White House restricted access to Trump's calls with Putin and Saudi crown prince|last=Brown|first=Pamela|date=September 27, 2019|accessdate=September 27, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/lrutx|archive-date=September 28, 2019|publisher=CNN|last2=Sciutto|first2=Jim|last3=Liptak|first3=Kevin}}</ref> It was later confirmed that on orders from ] attorneys, the call with Ukraine was moved from ],<ref name="nyt-comp-system-oct-2019">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/01/us/politics/white-house-classified-computer-system.html|title=The Extra-Secret White House Computer System, Explained|last1=Savage|first1=Charlie|date=October 1, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/Kw5a9|archive-date=October 2, 2019|last2=Rosenberg|first2=Matthew|last3=Goldman|first3=Adam|url-access=limited}}</ref> the regular NSC computer system, to the top-secret ] ], reserved for closely guarded secrets.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/26/biggest-bombshells-in-trump-whistleblower-complaint-cover-up.html|title=An alleged cover-up, a secret server and more bombshells in Trump whistleblower complaint|last=Mangan|first=Dan|date=September 26, 2019|access-date=September 28, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003163233/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/26/biggest-bombshells-in-trump-whistleblower-complaint-cover-up.html|archive-date=October 3, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/27/us/politics/nsc-ukraine-call.html|title=White House Classified Computer System Is Used to Hold Transcripts of Sensitive Calls|last=Barnes|first=Julian E.|date=September 27, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/y0Or5|archive-date=September 28, 2019|last2=Crowley|first2=Michael|last3=Rosenberg|first3=Matthew|last4=Mazzetti|first4=Mark|author-link2=Michael Crowley (journalist)|authorlink4=Mark Mazzetti|url-access=limited}}</ref> On September 27, it was reported that records of calls with the leaders of ] and ] had also been stored on NICE.<ref name="cnn"/> | |||
| The first whistleblower's report said that "senior White House officials had intervened to 'lock down' all records of the phone call", an act that indicated those officials "understood the gravity of what had transpired".{{efn|§II, p. 3}} They performed the "lock down" by placing the record of the call on a top-secret server intended for the most highly ],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/whistleblower-allegation-server-misuse-raises-alarm-bells-n1059381|title=Whistleblower allegation of server misuse raises alarm bells|last=Lee|first=Carol E.|date=September 27, 2019|access-date=September 28, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013040426/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/whistleblower-allegation-server-misuse-raises-alarm-bells-n1059381|archive-date=October 13, 2019|work=]}}</ref><ref name=":1"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-trump-transcript-server-white-house-20190927-ngc5j2khcvf75m73k4kcaha534-story.html|title=White House admits lawyers hid transcript of damning Trump call in top-secret server|last=Goldiner|first=Dave|date=September 27, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 28, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928020437/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-trump-transcript-server-white-house-20190927-ngc5j2khcvf75m73k4kcaha534-story.html|archive-date=September 28, 2019}}</ref> under the direction of ].<ref name="cnn">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/27/politics/white-house-restricted-trump-calls-putin-saudi/index.html|title=White House restricted access to Trump's calls with Putin and Saudi crown prince |last1=Brown |first1=Pamela |date=September 27, 2019|access-date=September 27, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190928000527/https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/27/politics/white-house-restricted-trump-calls-putin-saudi/index.html |archive-date=September 28, 2019 |work=] |last2=Sciutto |first2=Jim |last3=Liptak |first3=Kevin }}</ref> It was later confirmed that on orders from ] attorneys, the call with Ukraine was moved from ],<ref name="nyt-comp-system-oct-2019">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/01/us/politics/white-house-classified-computer-system.html |title=The Extra-Secret White House Computer System, Explained |last1=Savage |first1=Charlie |author-link=Charlie Savage (author) |date=October 1, 2019 |work=] |access-date=October 1, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191002020817/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/01/us/politics/white-house-classified-computer-system.html |archive-date=October 2, 2019 |last2=Rosenberg |first2=Matthew |last3=Goldman |first3=Adam |url-access=limited}}</ref> the regular NSC computer system, to the top-secret ] ], reserved for closely guarded secrets.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/26/biggest-bombshells-in-trump-whistleblower-complaint-cover-up.html |title=An alleged cover-up, a secret server and more bombshells in Trump whistleblower complaint |last=Mangan |first=Dan |date=September 26, 2019 |access-date=September 28, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003163233/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/26/biggest-bombshells-in-trump-whistleblower-complaint-cover-up.html |archive-date=October 3, 2019 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/27/us/politics/nsc-ukraine-call.html|title=White House Classified Computer System Is Used to Hold Transcripts of Sensitive Calls |last1=Barnes |first1=Julian E. |date=September 27, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 1, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190928023038/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/27/us/politics/nsc-ukraine-call.html |archive-date=September 28, 2019 |last2=Crowley |first2=Michael |last3=Rosenberg |first3=Matthew |last4=Mazzetti |first4=Mark |author-link2=Michael Crowley (journalist) |author-link4=Mark Mazzetti |url-access=limited}}</ref> On September 27, it was reported that records of calls with the leaders of ] and ] had also been stored on NICE.<ref name="cnn"/> | |||
| On September 27, the White House acknowledged that a record of the call between Trump and |
On September 27, the White House acknowledged that a record of the call between Trump and Zelenskyy was sealed in a highly classified system, as per the advice of National Security Council lawyers.<ref name="Brown27">{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/27/politics/donald-trump-ukraine-transcript-white-house/index.html|title=First on CNN: White House says lawyers directed moving Ukraine transcript to highly secure system|last1=Brown|first1=Pamela|date=September 27, 2019|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191012224947/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/27/politics/donald-trump-ukraine-transcript-white-house/index.html|archive-date=October 12, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref><ref name="Miller28">{{cite news|url=https://www.apnews.com/article/ec576ac2faa942d18450f7bdfac0ef24|title=Subpoenas mark first concrete steps for Trump impeachment|last1=Miller|first1=Zeke|date=September 28, 2019|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191012224337/https://www.apnews.com/ec576ac2faa942d18450f7bdfac0ef24|archive-date=October 12, 2019|work=]|last2=Tucker|first2=Eric|last3=Balsamo|first3=Michael}}</ref> | ||
| On the same day, it was reported that the records of Trump's ] meeting with Russian officials in May 2017 had been unusually closely held, with distribution limited to a few officials.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-told-russian-officials-in-2017-he-wasnt-concerned-about-moscows-interference-in-us-election/2019/09/27/b20a8bc8-e159-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html|title=Trump told Russian officials in 2017 he wasn't concerned about Moscow's interference in U.S. election|last1=Harris|first1=Shane|date=September 27, 2019| |
On the same day, it was reported that the records of Trump's ] meeting with Russian officials in May 2017 had been unusually closely held, with distribution limited to a few officials.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-told-russian-officials-in-2017-he-wasnt-concerned-about-moscows-interference-in-us-election/2019/09/27/b20a8bc8-e159-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html|title=Trump told Russian officials in 2017 he wasn't concerned about Moscow's interference in U.S. election|last1=Harris|first1=Shane|date=September 27, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190928142953/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-told-russian-officials-in-2017-he-wasnt-concerned-about-moscows-interference-in-us-election/2019/09/27/b20a8bc8-e159-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html|archive-date=September 28, 2019|last2=Dawsey|first2=Josh|last3=Nakashima|first3=Ellen|author-link=Shane Harris|author-link2=Josh Dawsey|author-link3=Ellen Nakashima|url-access=limited}}</ref> White House advisor ] said the procedure for handling records of Trump's calls with world leaders had been tightened early in 2017 because of leaks to the press about his conversations with the president of Mexico and the prime minister of Australia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.voanews.com/usa/us-politics/trump-russians-2017-not-concerned-about-election-meddling-report-says|title=Trump to Russians in 2017: Not Concerned About Election Meddling, Report Says|date=September 28, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930192137/https://www.voanews.com/usa/us-politics/trump-russians-2017-not-concerned-about-election-meddling-report-says|archive-date=September 30, 2019|publisher=]|agency=]}}</ref> | ||
| It was subsequently revealed that this placement on the top-secret server was made for political rather than for national security reasons, which are the only valid reasons to use such a server,<ref name="Subramanian_Brook_9/26/2019"/> and that it happened after the White House's top Ukraine adviser, Alexander Vindman, told White House lawyer ] that "what the president did was wrong". This conversation occurred immediately after Trump's phone call with |
It was subsequently revealed that this placement on the top-secret server was made for political rather than for national security reasons, which are the only valid reasons to use such a server,<ref name="Subramanian_Brook_9/26/2019"/> and that it happened after the White House's top Ukraine adviser, Alexander Vindman, told White House lawyer ] that "what the president did was wrong". This conversation occurred immediately after Trump's phone call with Zelenskyy, and, according to people familiar with Vindman's account, it was Eisenberg who proposed this placement and restriction of access to the "Memorandum of Telephone Conversation" (i.e., the "rough transcript" of the phone call).<ref name="Leonnig_Hamburger_Miller_10/31/2019">{{cite news | last1=Leonnig | first1=Carol | last2=Hamburger | first2=Tom | last3=Miller | first3=Greg | title=White House lawyer moved transcript of Trump call to classified server after Ukraine adviser raised alarms | newspaper=] | date=October 31, 2019 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/white-house-lawyer-moved-transcript-of-trump-call-to-classified-server-after-ukraine-adviser-raised-alarms/2019/10/30/ba0fbdb6-fb4e-11e9-8190-6be4deb56e01_story.html | access-date=October 31, 2019}}</ref> | ||
| On October 2, Trump falsely asserted that the publicly released memorandum was "an exact word-for-word transcript of the conversation". Analysts noted that its use of ] to denote omitted material was uncommon for government transcripts, and that it was surprisingly brief for a thirty-minute conversation, even allowing for the time delays due to the use of an interpreter.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/10/03/odd-markings-ellipses-fuel-doubts-about-rough-transcript-trumps-ukraine-call/|title=Odd markings, ellipses fuel doubts about the 'rough transcript' of Trump's Ukraine call|last1=Leonnig|first1=Carol D.|date=October 2, 2019| |
On October 2, Trump falsely asserted that the publicly released memorandum was "an exact word-for-word transcript of the conversation". Analysts noted that its use of ] to denote omitted material was uncommon for government transcripts, and that it was surprisingly brief for a thirty-minute conversation, even allowing for the time delays due to the use of an interpreter.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/10/03/odd-markings-ellipses-fuel-doubts-about-rough-transcript-trumps-ukraine-call/|title=Odd markings, ellipses fuel doubts about the 'rough transcript' of Trump's Ukraine call|last1=Leonnig|first1=Carol D.|date=October 2, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191010024844/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/10/03/odd-markings-ellipses-fuel-doubts-about-rough-transcript-trumps-ukraine-call/|archive-date=October 10, 2019|last2=Timberg|first2=Craig|last3=Harwell|first3=Drew|author-link1=Carol D. Leonnig|url-access=limited}}</ref> During his October 29 testimony, European Affairs Lt. Col ] said the memorandum of the call released by the White House omitted crucial words and phrases, including Trump asserting that recordings exist of Joe Biden discussing Ukraine corruption, which Trump stated in the third set of ellipses in the released memorandum. Vindman said he tried but failed to restore the omitted text.<ref name= vindman-20191029>{{Cite news |access-date=December 12, 2019 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/29/us/politics/alexander-vindman-trump-ukraine.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030010011/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/29/us/politics/alexander-vindman-trump-ukraine.html |archive-date=October 30, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=White House Ukraine Expert Sought to Correct Transcript of Trump Call|first1=Julian E.|last1=Barnes|first2=Nicholas|last2=Fandos|first3=Danny|last3=Hakim|date=October 29, 2019|work=]}}</ref> A senior White House official had asserted when the Memorandum was released that the ellipses "do not indicate missing words or phrases", but rather "a trailing off of a voice or pause".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-impeachment-inquiry-09-25-2019/h_08149725b4b299fa4849b4fd8afb3ecb|title=Here's why there are ellipses in the White House transcript|date=September 25, 2019|publisher=] |first=Pamela |last=Brown |access-date=November 5, 2019 }}</ref> ''The New York Times'' states that "There is no recording of the July 25 call by the American side."<ref name= vindman-20191029/> | ||
| Both attorney general Bill Barr and White House counsel ] had recommended Trump publicly release the memorandum, asserting it showed the president did nothing wrong. During ensuing days, Trump and his allies strongly encouraged the public to read the "transcript", even as the consensus view of legal analysts was that the memorandum implicated rather than exonerated the president. Chief of |
Both attorney general Bill Barr and White House counsel ] had recommended Trump publicly release the memorandum, asserting it showed the president did nothing wrong. During ensuing days, Trump and his allies strongly encouraged the public to read the "transcript", even as the consensus view of legal analysts was that the memorandum implicated rather than exonerated the president. Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney advised Trump that releasing the memorandum had been a mistake, causing the president to become irked by the advice Barr had given him.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/07/us/politics/trump-william-barr.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108020007/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/07/us/politics/trump-william-barr.html |archive-date=November 8, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Impeachment Inquiry Tests Ties Between Barr and Trump |first1=Peter |last1=Baker |author-link=Peter Baker (journalist) |first2=Katie |last2=Benner |first3=Maggie |last3=Haberman |date=November 7, 2019 |work=] |access-date=November 19, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/f535a9d692b747a4b1b038e5502883d9 |first1=Hope |last1=Yen |first2=Calvin |last2=Woodward |title=AP FACT CHECK: Trump's 'read the transcript' impeachment cry|date=November 9, 2019 |work=] |access-date=November 19, 2019 }}</ref> | ||
| == Withholding of Ukrainian military aid == | |||
| === Withholding of Ukrainian military aid === | |||
| {{further|United States foreign aid|Russian military intervention in Ukraine (2014–present)|Cold War II|Proxy war|Ukraine–United States relations}} | {{further|United States foreign aid|Russian military intervention in Ukraine (2014–present)|Cold War II|Proxy war|Ukraine–United States relations}} | ||
| The U.S. Congress had mandated increased military aid to Ukraine over the period of Trump's presidency.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/us-may-give-ukraine-more-lethal-weapons-tensions-rise-russia-official-says-1125072|title=U.S. May Give Ukraine More Lethal Weapons As Tensions Rise With Russia, Official Says|last=Maza|first=Cristina|date=September 17, 2018|work=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208083214/https://www.newsweek.com/us-may-give-ukraine-more-lethal-weapons-tensions-rise-russia-official-says-1125072|archive-date=February 8, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/04/13/trumps-russia-policy-is-better-than-obamas/|title=Trump's Russia Policy Is Better Than Obama's Was|last=Vajdich|first=Daniel P.|date=April 13, 2018|work=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512112906/https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/04/13/trumps-russia-policy-is-better-than-obamas/|archive-date=May 12, 2018|url-access=limited}}</ref> Congress appropriated $400{{nbsp}}million in ] for fiscal year 2019, to be used to spend on weapons and other equipment as well as programs to assist the ] in combating threats from Putin's Russia and Russian-backed separatists of the self-proclaimed ] in eastern Ukraine.<ref name="AidWithheld">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-ordered-hold-on-military-aid-days-before-calling-ukrainian-president-officials-say/2019/09/23/df93a6ca-de38-11e9-8dc8-498eabc129a0_story.html|title=Trump ordered hold on military aid days before calling Ukrainian president, officials say|last1=Demirjian|first1=Karoun|date=September 23, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190924033748/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-ordered-hold-on-military-aid-days-before-calling-ukrainian-president-officials-say/2019/09/23/df93a6ca-de38-11e9-8dc8-498eabc129a0_story.html|archive-date=September 24, 2019|last2=Dawsey|first2=Josh|last3=Nakashima|first3=Ellen|last4=Leonnig|first4=Carol D.|author-link1=Karoun Demirjian|author-link3=Ellen Nakashima|author-link4=Carol D. Leonnig|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="reinstates"/> The administration notified Congress in February 2019 and May 2019 that it intended to release this aid to Ukraine, with the Defense Department certifying that Ukraine had made sufficient progress in fighting corruption.<ref name="AidWithheld"/><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/31752745eefb4167bdcfcd10927ef2a9 |first1=Robert |last1=Burns |first2=Lolita C. |last2=Baldor |first3=Andrew |last3=Taylor |access-date=December 12, 2019 |title=Trump claim on stalled aid for Ukraine draws new scrutiny|date=September 27, 2019|work=]}}</ref> Despite the notifications to Congress, in June 2019, the Trump administration placed military aid to Ukraine on hold.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/02/politics/trump-ukraine-policy-review/index.html|title=Trump demanded a Ukraine policy review. Months later, no one will say what happened.|last=Murray|first=Sara|date=October 2, 2019|access-date=October 2, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004185719/https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/02/politics/trump-ukraine-policy-review/index.html|archive-date=October 4, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> The date of the hold was originally reported as mid-July.<ref name="AidWithheld"/><ref name="reinstates">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-ukraine-idUSKCN1VX213|title=Trump administration reinstates military aid for Ukraine|last=Zengerle|first=Patricia|date=September 12, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924084519/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-ukraine-idUSKCN1VX213|archive-date=September 24, 2019|work=]}}</ref><ref name="suggests"/> ''The Washington Post'' reported on September 23 that at least a week before his July 25 call with Zelenskyy, Trump directed his acting chief of staff ] to {{clarify span|text=withhold|explain=Perhaps the highlighted word should be changed to something like, 'continue to withhold', because the prior two sentences say that the aid was already being withheld.|date=October 2019}} $400 million in military aid to Ukraine. This directive was conveyed by the ] to the ] and ], stating Trump had concerns about whether the money should be spent, with instructions to tell lawmakers the funds were being delayed due to an "interagency process".<ref name="AidWithheld"/> ''The New York Times'' reported that "high-level Ukrainian officials" were aware that the Trump administration had purposely frozen the military aid by the first week of August 2019, and they were told to contact Mick Mulvaney to resolve the matter.<ref name="KramerVogelHoldup"/> | |||
| During an October 17 press conference, White House acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said he "was involved with the process" of the freezing of military aid. Mulvaney gave his account of why Trump decided to hold back military aid to Ukraine. One, Trump felt the other European countries were not doing enough. Two, Trump felt Ukraine was a "corrupt place" which included having "corruption related to the DNC server" with regard to "what happened in 2016". As a result, reporter ] told Mulvaney "what you just described is a ''quid pro quo''. It is: 'Funding will not flow unless the investigation into the Democratic server happens as well.'" Mulvaney replied to Karl: "We do that all the time with foreign policy{{nbsp}}... Get over it. There's going to be political influence in foreign policy." Later in the press conference, Mulvaney quoted a third reason on why military aid was frozen—they had yet to cooperate with a U.S. Justice Department investigation into alleged Ukrainian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.<ref name=becket>{{cite news |last1=Becket |first1=Stefan |last2=Segers |first2=Grace |last3=Watson |first3=Kathryn |title=Mulvaney links delay in Ukraine aid to DOJ investigation into 2016—live updates |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/trump-impeachment-inquiry-latest-kurt-volker-gordon-sondland-testimony-2019-10-17/ |access-date=October 31, 2019 |work=] |date=October 18, 2019}}</ref><ref name="getoverit">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/mulvaney-acknowledges-trump-held-ukraine-aid-political-reasons-get-over-n1068256 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |title=Mulvaney acknowledges Trump held up Ukraine aid for political reasons: 'Get over it'|last=Smith|first=Allan|date=October 17, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191024095917/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/mulvaney-acknowledges-trump-held-ukraine-aid-political-reasons-get-over-n1068256|archive-date=October 24, 2019|work=]}}</ref> | |||
| The U.S. Congress has mandated increased military aid to Ukraine over the period of Trump's presidency.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/us-may-give-ukraine-more-lethal-weapons-tensions-rise-russia-official-says-1125072|title=U.S. May Give Ukraine More Lethal Weapons As Tensions Rise With Russia, Official Says|last=Maza|first=Cristina|date=September 17, 2018|work=]|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208083214/https://www.newsweek.com/us-may-give-ukraine-more-lethal-weapons-tensions-rise-russia-official-says-1125072|archive-date=February 8, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/04/13/trumps-russia-policy-is-better-than-obamas/|title=Trump's Russia Policy Is Better Than Obama's Was|last=Vajdich|first=Daniel P.|date=April 13, 2018|work=]|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512112906/https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/04/13/trumps-russia-policy-is-better-than-obamas/|archive-date=May 12, 2018|url-access=limited}}</ref> Congress appropriated $400{{nbsp}}million in ] for fiscal year 2019, to be used to spend on weapons and other equipment as well as programs to assist the ] in combating threats from Putin's Russia and Russian-backed separatists of the self-proclaimed ] in eastern Ukraine.<ref name="AidWithheld">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-ordered-hold-on-military-aid-days-before-calling-ukrainian-president-officials-say/2019/09/23/df93a6ca-de38-11e9-8dc8-498eabc129a0_story.html|title=Trump ordered hold on military aid days before calling Ukrainian president, officials say|last=Demirjian|first=Karoun|date=September 23, 2019|newspaper=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/Ldutq|archive-date=September 24, 2019|last2=Dawsey|first2=Josh|last3=Nakashima|first3=Ellen|last4=Leonnig|first4=Carol D.|authorlink1=Karoun Demirjian|authorlink3=Ellen Nakashima|authorlink4=Carol D. Leonnig|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="reinstates"/> The administration notified Congress in February 2019 and May 2019 that it intended to release this aid to Ukraine, with the Defense Department certifying that Ukraine had made sufficient progress in fighting corruption.<ref name="AidWithheld" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/31752745eefb4167bdcfcd10927ef2a9|title=Trump claim on stalled aid for Ukraine draws new scrutiny|date=September 27, 2019|website=AP NEWS}}</ref> Despite the notifications to Congress, in June 2019, the Trump administration placed military aid to Ukraine on hold.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/02/politics/trump-ukraine-policy-review/index.html|title=Trump demanded a Ukraine policy review. Months later, no one will say what happened.|last=Murray|first=Sara|date=October 2, 2019|accessdate=October 2, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004185719/https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/02/politics/trump-ukraine-policy-review/index.html|archive-date=October 4, 2019|publisher=CNN}}</ref> The date of the hold was originally reported as mid-July.<ref name="AidWithheld" /><ref name="reinstates">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-ukraine-idUSKCN1VX213|title=Trump administration reinstates military aid for Ukraine|last=Zengerle|first=Patricia|date=September 12, 2019|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924084519/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-ukraine-idUSKCN1VX213|archive-date=September 24, 2019|agency=]}}</ref><ref name="suggests" /> ''The Washington Post'' reported on September 23 that at least a week before his July 25 call with Zelensky, Trump directed his acting chief of staff ] to {{clarify span|text=withhold|explain=Perhaps the highlighted word should be changed to something like, 'continue to withhold', because the prior two sentences say that the aid was already being withheld.|date=October 2019}} $400 million in military aid to Ukraine. This directive was conveyed by the ] to the ] and ], stating Trump had concerns about whether the money should be spent, with instructions to tell lawmakers the funds were being delayed due to an "interagency process".<ref name="AidWithheld" /> ''The New York Times'' reported that "high-level Ukrainian officials" were aware that the Trump administration had purposely frozen the military aid by the first week of August 2019, and they were told to contact Mick Mulvaney to resolve the matter.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/us/politics/ukraine-aid-freeze-impeachment.html|title=Ukraine Knew of Aid Freeze by August, Undermining Trump Defense|last1=Kramer|first1=Andrew E.|date=October 23, 2019|newspaper=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/zNCQa|archive-date=October 24, 2019|last2=Vogel|first2=Kenneth P.|author-link2=Kenneth Vogel|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| After media reports of Mulvaney's comments circulated, Republicans joined Trump's aides and legal counsel in distancing themselves from his remarks.<ref name=":18">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trumps-envoy-tells-congress-the-president-outsourced-ukraine-policy-to-giuliani/2019/10/17/484b30d0-f0ee-11e9-b648-76bcf86eb67e_story.html|title=After saying Trump held back aid to pressure Ukraine, Mulvaney tries to walk back comments|last=Demirjian|first=Karoun|date=October 17, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 20, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191018041918/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trumps-envoy-tells-congress-the-president-outsourced-ukraine-policy-to-giuliani/2019/10/17/484b30d0-f0ee-11e9-b648-76bcf86eb67e_story.html|archive-date=October 18, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name=":19">{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/35cfc12c24494af3a6f0298f4c8fd791|title=The Latest: Mulvaney says Ukraine remarks were misconstrued|date=October 18, 2019|access-date=October 20, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191024095937/https://apnews.com/35cfc12c24494af3a6f0298f4c8fd791|archive-date=October 24, 2019|work=]}}</ref> A senior official in the Justice Department stated: "If the White House was withholding aid from Ukraine with regard to any investigation by the Justice Department, that's news to us."<ref name="getoverit"/> Hours later on the same day where he had issued the press conference, Mulvaney criticized the media for their coverage of his comments and denied his earlier remarks, saying that there was "no ''quid pro quo''" regarding the withholding of aid and requests to investigate the Democrats' behavior during the 2016 election.<ref name=":18"/><ref name=":19"/> | |||
| During an October 17 press conference, White House acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said he "was involved with the process" of the freezing of military aid. Mulvaney gave his account of why Trump decided to hold back military aid to Ukraine. One, Trump felt the other European countries were not doing enough. Two, Trump felt Ukraine was a "corrupt place" which included having "corruption related to the DNC server" with regard to "what happened in 2016". As a result, reporter ] told Mulvaney "what you just described is a ''quid pro quo''. It is: 'Funding will not flow unless the investigation into the Democratic server happens as well'." Mulvaney replied to Karl: "We do that all the time with foreign policy{{nbsp}}... Get over it. There's going to be political influence in foreign policy." Later in the press conference, Mulvaney quoted a third reason on why military aid was frozen—they had yet to cooperate with a U.S. Justice Department investigation into alleged Ukrainian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.<ref name=becket>{{cite news |last1=Becket |first1=Stefan |last2=Segers |first2=Grace |last3=Watson |first3=Kathryn |title=Mulvaney links delay in Ukraine aid to DOJ investigation into 2016—live updates |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/trump-impeachment-inquiry-latest-kurt-volker-gordon-sondland-testimony-2019-10-17/ |accessdate=October 31, 2019 |work=] |date=October 18, 2019}}</ref><ref name="getoverit">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/mulvaney-acknowledges-trump-held-ukraine-aid-political-reasons-get-over-n1068256|title=Mulvaney acknowledges Trump held up Ukraine aid for political reasons: 'Get over it'|last=Smith|first=Allan|date=October 17, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/E110Q|archive-date=October 24, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| In the July 25 call with Trump, Zelenskyy thanked Trump for the U.S.'s "great support in the area of defense", an apparent reference to military aid, and expressed an interest in acquiring more missiles. Trump replied, "I would like you to do us a favor though,"<ref name="ShearHaberman"/> suggesting an investigation into ], an American ] firm that investigated the ] in 2015 and 2016. CrowdStrike was one of three firms whose analysis assisted the U.S. intelligence community in determining that ].<ref name="Timmons">{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-factbox-idUSKBN1WA2J3|title=Factbox: Six new pieces of information in memo on Trump's Ukraine call|last=Timmons|first=Heather|date=September 25, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004040648/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-factbox-idUSKBN1WA2J3|archive-date=October 4, 2019|work=]}}</ref> Trump also asked Zelenskyy to investigate Joe Biden and his son.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-transcript-read-ukraine-president-phone-call-transcript-pdf-released-today-joe-biden-crowdstrike-2019-09-25/|title=Trump call summary shows he pressed Ukrainian president to probe Biden|last1=Segers|first1=Grace|date=September 26, 2019|access-date=September 25, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005180402/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-transcript-read-ukraine-president-phone-call-transcript-pdf-released-today-joe-biden-crowdstrike-2019-09-25/|archive-date=October 5, 2019|work=]|last2=Watson|first2=Kathryn|last3=Hymes|first3=Clare|last4=Tillett|first4=Emily}}</ref> Ukraine relies on extensive American military aid to fight ] in the ], and the Trump administration's suspension of the congressionally-mandated aid was reportedly a shock to Ukrainian government officials who found out about it only "much later, and then through nonofficial channels".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/22/world/europe/ukraine-trump-military-aid.html|title=Trump's Hold on Military Aid Blindsided Top Ukrainian Officials|last=Kramer|first=Andrew E.|date=September 22, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190923024706/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/22/world/europe/ukraine-trump-military-aid.html|archive-date=September 23, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> Trump's addition of the word "though" has been interpreted as a condition made by Trump that his decisions would be based on Ukraine's compliance with his requests.<ref name="Beauchamp_9/25/2019">{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/9/25/20883420/full-transcript-trump-ukraine-zelensky-white-house|title=The Trump-Ukraine 'transcript', explained|last=Beauchamp|first=Zack|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005122411/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/9/25/20883420/full-transcript-trump-ukraine-zelensky-white-house|archive-date=October 5, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| After media reports of Mulvaney's comments circulated, Republicans joined Trump's aides and legal counsel in distancing themselves from his remarks.<ref name=":18">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trumps-envoy-tells-congress-the-president-outsourced-ukraine-policy-to-giuliani/2019/10/17/484b30d0-f0ee-11e9-b648-76bcf86eb67e_story.html|title=After saying Trump held back aid to pressure Ukraine, Mulvaney tries to walk back comments|last=Demirjian|first=Karoun|date=October 17, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 20, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/3r4tf|archive-date=October 18, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name=":19">{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/35cfc12c24494af3a6f0298f4c8fd791|title=The Latest: Mulvaney says Ukraine remarks were misconstrued|date=October 18, 2019|access-date=October 20, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/Qvi8t|archive-date=October 24, 2019|agency=]}}</ref> A senior official in the Justice Department stated: "If the White House was withholding aid from Ukraine with regard to any investigation by the Justice Department, that's news to us."<ref name="getoverit"/> Hours later on the same day where he had issued the press conference, Mulvaney criticized the media for their coverage of his comments and denied his earlier remarks, saying that there was "no ''quid pro quo''" regarding the withholding of aid and requests to investigate the Democrats' behavior during the 2016 election.<ref name=":18"/><ref name=":19" /> | |||
| On September 9, on hearing about the whistleblower complaint, three Democratic-controlled House committees—the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Oversight and Reform—announced they would investigate whether Trump and Giuliani attempted to coerce Ukraine into investigating the Bidens by withholding the military aid.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/democrats-investigate-whether-trump-giuliani-pressured-ukraine-to-aid-2020-reelection-bid/2019/09/09/fc3c39de-d31d-11e9-9610-fb56c5522e1c_story.html|title=Democrats investigate whether Trump, Giuliani pressured Ukraine to aid 2020 reelection bid|last=Demirjian|first=Karoun|date=September 9, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013044006/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/democrats-investigate-whether-trump-giuliani-pressured-ukraine-to-aid-2020-reelection-bid/2019/09/09/fc3c39de-d31d-11e9-9610-fb56c5522e1c_story.html|archive-date=October 13, 2019|author-link=Karoun Demirjian|url-access=limited}}</ref> On September 11, the Trump administration released the aid.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/11/us/politics/trump-ukraine-timeline.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112005015/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/11/us/politics/trump-ukraine-timeline.html |archive-date=November 12, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Key Dates at the Center of the Ukraine Matter|first1=Sharon|last1=LaFraniere|first2=Andrew E.|last2=Kramer|first3=Danny|last3=Hakim|date=November 11, 2019|work=] |access-date=November 19, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| In the July 25 call with Trump, Zelensky thanked Trump for the U.S.'s "great support in the area of defense", an apparent reference to military aid, and expressed an interest in acquiring more missiles. Trump replied, "I would like you to do us a favor though,"<ref name="ShearHaberman"/> suggesting an investigation into ], an American ] firm that investigated the ] in 2015 and 2016. CrowdStrike was one of three firms whose analysis assisted the U.S. intelligence community in determining that ].<ref name="Timmons">{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-factbox-idUSKBN1WA2J3|title=Factbox: Six new pieces of information in memo on Trump's Ukraine call|last=Timmons|first=Heather|date=September 25, 2019|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004040648/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-factbox-idUSKBN1WA2J3|archive-date=October 4, 2019|agency=]}}</ref> Trump also asked Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden and his son.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-transcript-read-ukraine-president-phone-call-transcript-pdf-released-today-joe-biden-crowdstrike-2019-09-25/|title=Trump call summary shows he pressed Ukrainian president to probe Biden|last=Segers|first=Grace|date=September 26, 2019|access-date=September 25, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005180402/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-transcript-read-ukraine-president-phone-call-transcript-pdf-released-today-joe-biden-crowdstrike-2019-09-25/|archive-date=October 5, 2019|publisher=]|last2=Watson|first2=Kathryn|last3=Hymes|first3=Clare|last4=Tillett|first4=Emily}}</ref> Ukraine relies on extensive American military aid to fight ] in the ], and the Trump administration's suspension of the Congressionally-mandated aid was reportedly a shock to Ukrainian government officials who found out about it only "much later, and then through nonofficial channels."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/22/world/europe/ukraine-trump-military-aid.html|title=Trump's Hold on Military Aid Blindsided Top Ukrainian Officials|last=Kramer|first=Andrew E.|date=September 22, 2019|newspaper=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/bAB70|archive-date=September 23, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> Trump's addition of the word "though" has been interpreted as a condition made by Trump that his decisions would be based on Ukraine's compliance with his requests.<ref name="Beauchamp_9/25/2019">{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/9/25/20883420/full-transcript-trump-ukraine-zelensky-white-house|title=The Trump-Ukraine 'transcript', explained|last=Beauchamp|first=Zack|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005122411/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/9/25/20883420/full-transcript-trump-ukraine-zelensky-white-house|archive-date=October 5, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| In a September 20 tweet, Giuliani appeared to confirm suspicion that there was a connection between the withholding of military assistance funds and the investigation he and Trump wanted Ukraine to undertake.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/2019/9/20/20875471/rudy-giuliani-chris-cuomo-cnn-meltdown-trump-ukraine-cnn|title=Rudy Giuliani's viral CNN meltdown over Trump and Ukraine, briefly explained|last=Rupar|first=Aaron|date=September 20, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 20, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920201949/https://www.vox.com/2019/9/20/20875471/rudy-giuliani-chris-cuomo-cnn-meltdown-trump-ukraine-cnn|archive-date=September 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/20/whistleblower-inquiry-may-have-sparked-trump-asking-ukrainians/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/20/whistleblower-inquiry-may-have-sparked-trump-asking-ukrainians/ |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Whistleblower complaint may have been sparked by Donald Trump asking Ukrainians for dirt on Biden|last1=Riley-Smith|first1=Ben|date=September 20, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 24, 2019|last2=Lowell|first2=Hugo}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He said: "The reality is that the President of the United States, whoever he is, has every right to tell the president of another country you better straighten out the corruption in your country if you want me to give you a lot of money. If you're so damn corrupt that you can't investigate allegations—our money is going to get squandered."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/20/politics/donald-trump-whistleblower/index.html|title=New revelations deepen scandal over Trump whistleblower complaint|last=Collinson|first=Stephen|date=September 12, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925013345/https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/20/politics/donald-trump-whistleblower/index.html|archive-date=September 25, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> Trump himself appeared to make a similar connection on September 23, telling reporters: "We want to make sure that country is honest. It's very important to talk about corruption. If you don't talk about corruption, why would you give money to a country that you think is corrupt?"<ref name="suggests">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/giuliani-says-he-can-t-be-100-percent-sure-trump-n1057561|title=Trump suggests he tied Ukraine funding to corruption, cites Biden allegations|last1=Pettypiece|first1=Shannon|date=September 23, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013042114/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/giuliani-says-he-can-t-be-100-percent-sure-trump-n1057561|archive-date=October 13, 2019|work=]|last2=Smith|first2=Allan}}</ref> Trump later denied pressuring Ukraine.<ref name="suggests"/> | |||
| On September 9, on hearing about the whistleblower complaint, three Democratic-controlled House committees—the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Oversight and Reform—announced they would investigate whether Trump and Giuliani attempted to coerce Ukraine into investigating the Bidens by withholding the military aid.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/democrats-investigate-whether-trump-giuliani-pressured-ukraine-to-aid-2020-reelection-bid/2019/09/09/fc3c39de-d31d-11e9-9610-fb56c5522e1c_story.html|title=Democrats investigate whether Trump, Giuliani pressured Ukraine to aid 2020 reelection bid|last=Demirjian|first=Karoun|date=September 9, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/dom9t|archive-date=October 13, 2019|authorlink=Karoun Demirjian|url-access=limited}}</ref> On September 11, the Trump administration released the aid.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/11/us/politics/trump-ukraine-timeline.html|title=Key Dates at the Center of the Ukraine Matter|first1=Sharon|last1=LaFraniere|first2=Andrew E.|last2=Kramer|first3=Danny|last3=Hakim|date=November 11, 2019|newspaper=] |accessdate=November 19, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| While the aid was restored in time to prevent any military setbacks, Trump's withholding of military aid took a heavy psychological toll on the Ukraine soldiers.<ref name="toll on Ukraine">{{cite news |last1=Kramer |first1=Andrew E. |title=The Cost of Trump's Aid Freeze in the Trenches of Ukraine's War |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/24/world/europe/ukraine-war-impeachment.html |work=] |date=October 24, 2019 |access-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101094603/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/24/world/europe/ukraine-war-impeachment.html |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |url-access=limited}}</ref> Trump has offered inconsistent justifications for withholding the aid.<ref name=":0"/> He originally said that the aid was withheld due to "corruption" in the country and that the topic of conversation with ] was about "the fact that we don't want our people, like vice-president Biden and his son, to the corruption already in the Ukraine".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/edd1469c-dd3a-11e9-b112-9624ec9edc59|title=Trump admits raising Biden case with Ukraine president|last=Stacey|first=Kiran|date=September 24, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190923020733/https://www.ft.com/content/edd1469c-dd3a-11e9-b112-9624ec9edc59|archive-date=September 23, 2019|url-access=subscription}}</ref> He later disputed his original statement and said the aid was initially held back due to a lack of similar contribution from other European nations.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/24/donald-trump-ukraine-military-aid-1509070|title=Trump changes story on withholding Ukraine aid|last=Forgey|first=Quint|date=September 24, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924220150/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/24/donald-trump-ukraine-military-aid-1509070|archive-date=September 24, 2019}}</ref><ref name="trump wrong"/> | |||
| Republican senator ] told ''The Wall Street Journal'' in October that American ambassador ] told him in August that military aid to Ukraine was linked to the desire of Trump and his allies for the Ukrainian government to investigate matters related to the 2016 American elections.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-administration-used-potential-meeting-to-pressure-ukraine-on-biden-texts-indicate-11570205661|title=Trump, in August Call With GOP Senator, Denied Official's Claim on Ukraine Aid|last1=Hughes|first1=Siobhan|date=October 4, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 5, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191004174141/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-administration-used-potential-meeting-to-pressure-ukraine-on-biden-texts-indicate-11570205661|archive-date=October 4, 2019|last2=Ballhaus|first2=Rebecca|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Sondland told a State department diplomat in September via text message that there was no ''quid pro quo''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/us/politics/kurt-volker-impeachment.html|title=Texts From Top Diplomat Described 'Crazy' Plan to Keep Aid From Ukraine|last1=Fandos|first1=Nicholas|date=October 3, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 5, 2019|last2=Barnes|first2=Julian E.|last3=Baker|first3=Peter|author-link=Nicholas Fandos|author-link3=Peter Baker (journalist)|url-access=limited}}</ref> On October 12, however, ''The Washington Post'' reported that, according to a person familiar with Sondland's testimony, Sondland plans to testify to Congress that the content of that text message "was relayed to him directly by President Trump in a phone call" and that he did not know if the claim denying ''quid pro quo'' was actually true.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trumps-envoy-who-denied-quid-pro-quo-now-says-he-isnt-certain/2019/10/12/4abe0902-bc19-44e8-8c38-9aa35c544859_story.html|title=Trump's envoy to testify that 'no quid pro quo' came from Trump|last1=Davis|first1=Aaron C.|date=October 12, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 12, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013034032/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trumps-envoy-who-denied-quid-pro-quo-now-says-he-isnt-certain/2019/10/12/4abe0902-bc19-44e8-8c38-9aa35c544859_story.html|archive-date=October 13, 2019|last2=Hudson|first2=John|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| While the aid was restored in time to prevent any military setbacks, Trump's withholding of military aid took a heavy psychological toll on the Ukraine soldiers.<ref name="toll on Ukraine">{{cite news |last1=Kramer |first1=Andrew E. |title=The Cost of Trump's Aid Freeze in the Trenches of Ukraine's War |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/24/world/europe/ukraine-war-impeachment.html |newspaper=] |date=October 24, 2019 |accessdate=October 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101094603/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/24/world/europe/ukraine-war-impeachment.html |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |url-access=limited}}</ref> Trump has offered inconsistent justifications for withholding the aid.<ref name=":0" /> He originally said that the aid was withheld due to "corruption" in the country and that the topic of conversation with ] was about "the fact that we don't want our people, like vice-president Biden and his son, to the corruption already in the Ukraine".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/edd1469c-dd3a-11e9-b112-9624ec9edc59|title=Trump admits raising Biden case with Ukraine president|last=Stacey|first=Kiran|date=September 24, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/dXfiv|archive-date=September 23, 2019|url-access=subscription}}</ref> He later disputed his original statement and said the aid was initially held back due to a lack of similar contribution from other European nations.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/24/donald-trump-ukraine-military-aid-1509070|title=Trump changes story on withholding Ukraine aid|last=Forgey|first=Quint|date=September 24, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924220150/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/24/donald-trump-ukraine-military-aid-1509070|archive-date=September 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.factcheck.org/2019/09/trump-wrong-on-european-aid-to-ukraine/|title=Trump Wrong on European Aid to Ukraine|last=Robertson|first=Lori|date=September 26, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927054341/https://www.factcheck.org/2019/09/trump-wrong-on-european-aid-to-ukraine/|archive-date=September 27, 2019|accessdate=October 1, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported on October 10 that career civil servants at the ] were concerned about the legality of freezing the aid funds, and that the White House granted a political appointee, Michael Duffey, the authority to keep the aid on hold.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-shifted-authority-over-ukraine-aid-amid-legal-concerns-11570717571|title=White House Shifted Authority Over Ukraine Aid Amid Legal Concerns|last1=Duehren|first1=Andrew|date=October 10, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 10, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191010160510/https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-shifted-authority-over-ukraine-aid-amid-legal-concerns-11570717571|archive-date=October 10, 2019|last2=Lubold|first2=Gordon|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Partially redacted OMB emails released to the ] on December 20 showed that Duffey initiated action to freeze the Ukrainian aid about 90 minutes after the July 25 Trump–Zelenskyy call, writing to OMB and Pentagon officials, "given the sensitive nature of the request, I appreciate your keeping that information closely held to those who need to know to execute direction."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/21/politics/emails-ukraine-aid-timeline/index.html |access-date=January 7, 2020 |title=Newly released emails offer more details in timeline of pause to Ukraine aid |first1=Sara |last1=Murray |first2=Katelyn |last2=Polantz |first3=Tammy |last3=Kupperman |date=December 24, 2019 |publisher=]}}</ref> Unredacted versions of the emails subsequently acquired by ''Just Security'' showed that the Pentagon repeatedly pushed back against the hold, citing legal concerns, but Duffey stated, "clear direction from POTUS to continue to hold". ''Just Security'' reported that the original redactions had been made by the Justice Department.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.justsecurity.org/67863/exclusive-unredacted-ukraine-documents-reveal-extent-of-pentagons-legal-concerns/ |access-date=January 7, 2020 |title=Exclusive: Unredacted Ukraine Documents Reveal Extent of Pentagon's Legal Concerns |first=Kate |last=Brannen |date=January 2, 2020|website=Just Security}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kalmbacher |first1=Colin |title=Legal Experts React to DOJ's Ukraine Redactions |url=https://lawandcrime.com/impeachment/somebody-should-go-to-the-slammer-for-this-legal-experts-shocked-and-appalled-by-dojs-ukraine-redactions/ |work=] |date=January 2, 2020 |access-date=February 22, 2023 }}</ref> Another series of heavily redacted emails released on January 21, 2020, showed that the OMB was laying the groundwork to freeze the Ukraine aid on the night of July 24, prior to the July 25 Trump–Zelenskyy call. An enclosed "Ukraine Prep Memo" was redacted in its entirety.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/22/politics/new-omb-ukraine-documents-american-oversight/index.html |access-date=February 22, 2023 |title=White House budget officials laid groundwork to freeze Ukraine aid before July 25 call, heavily redacted emails show |first1=Sara |last1=Murray |first2=Marshall |last2=Cohen |first3=Katelyn |last3=Polantz |date=January 22, 2020 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.americanoversight.org/omb-releases-ukraine-documents-to-american-oversight |newspaper=American Oversight |title=OMB Releases 192 Pages of Ukraine Records to American Oversight|date=January 22, 2020|last1=Teuscher |first1=Amanda |access-date=February 22, 2023 }}</ref> | |||
| Republican senator ] told ''The Wall Street Journal'' in October that American ambassador ] told him in August that military aid to Ukraine was linked to the desire of Trump and his allies for the Ukrainian government to investigate matters related to the 2016 American elections.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-administration-used-potential-meeting-to-pressure-ukraine-on-biden-texts-indicate-11570205661|title=Trump, in August Call With GOP Senator, Denied Official's Claim on Ukraine Aid|last=Hughes|first=Siobhan|date=October 4, 2019|newspaper=]|accessdate=October 5, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/f4PNF|archive-date=October 4, 2019|last2=Ballhaus|first2=Rebecca|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Sondland told a State department diplomat in September via text message that there was no ''quid pro quo''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/us/politics/kurt-volker-impeachment.html|title=Texts From Top Diplomat Described 'Crazy' Plan to Keep Aid From Ukraine|last1=Fandos|first1=Nicholas|date=October 3, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 5, 2019|url-status=live|last2=Barnes|first2=Julian E.|last3=Baker|first3=Peter|author-link=Nicholas Fandos|author-link3=Peter Baker (journalist)|url-access=limited}}</ref> On October 12, however, ''The Washington Post'' reported that, according a person familiar with Sondland's testimony, Sondland plans to testify to Congress that the content of that text message "was relayed to him directly by President Trump in a phone call" and that he did not know if the claim denying ''quid pro quo'' was actually true.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trumps-envoy-who-denied-quid-pro-quo-now-says-he-isnt-certain/2019/10/12/4abe0902-bc19-44e8-8c38-9aa35c544859_story.html|title=Trump's envoy to testify that 'no quid pro quo' came from Trump|last=Davis|first=Aaron C.|date=October 12, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 12, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/NeS0H|archive-date=October 13, 2019|last2=Hudson|first2=John|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| {{wikisource|Withholding of Ukraine Security Assistance|GAO Report: Decision on the Withholding of Ukraine Security Assistance}} | |||
| ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported on October 10 that career civil servants at the ] were concerned about the legality of freezing the aid funds, and that the White House granted a political appointee, Michael Duffey, the authority to keep the aid on hold.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-shifted-authority-over-ukraine-aid-amid-legal-concerns-11570717571|title=White House Shifted Authority Over Ukraine Aid Amid Legal Concerns|last1=Duehren|first1=Andrew|date=October 10, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 10, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/TFRAV|archive-date=October 10, 2019|last2=Lubold|first2=Gordon|url-access=subscription}}</ref> | |||
| On January 16, 2020, the ] (GAO), a non-partisan watchdog agency, concluded that the White House broke federal law by withholding of Congress-approved military aid to Ukraine. The agency concluded that the ] had been violated because Congress' legislated policy had been supplanted by President Trump's own policy. The agency also concluded that the withholding "was not a programmatic delay", in spite of the Trump administration's claim that it was so.<ref name="NYT-Cochrane">{{cite news |last1=Cochrane |first1=Emily |last2=Lipton |first2=Eric |last3=Cameron |first3=Chris |title=G.A.O. Report Says Trump Administration Broke Law in Withholding Ukraine Aid |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/16/us/politics/gao-trump-ukraine.html |access-date=January 20, 2020 |work=] |date=January 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200120074710/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/16/us/politics/gao-trump-ukraine.html |archive-date=January 20, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.gao.gov/products/b-331564 |id=B-331564 |title=Office of Management and Budget—Withholding of Ukraine Security Assistance |website=] |date=January 16, 2020 |access-date=January 21, 2021}}</ref> | |||
| As the second week of the Trump impeachment trial was set to begin in January 2020, ''The New York Times'' reported that Bolton wrote in his forthcoming book that the president had told him in August 2019 that he wanted to continue freezing the Ukraine aid until officials there pursued investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens.<ref name=Schmidt/> | |||
| == Withholding of White House visit == | |||
| === Withholding of White House visit === | |||
| In a May 2019 letter congratulating Zelensky on his election, Trump raised the possibility of a White House visit. However, during the next few months as Giuliani and some State Department officials pressed Zelensky to investigate Burisma and the 2016 election, a White House visit became one of the inducements offered or withheld depending on Zelensky's cooperation.<ref name="grauniad-diplomats-zelenskiy">{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/04/us-diplomats-told-zelenskiy-ukraine-trump-visit-was-dependent-on-biden-statement-text-investigation |title=U.S. diplomats told Zelenskiy Trump visit was dependent on Biden statement |last=Borger |first=Julian |date=October 4, 2019 |work=The Guardian |access-date=November 11, 2019 |last2=Gambino |first2=Lauren |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> | |||
| In a May 2019 letter congratulating Zelenskyy on his election, Trump raised the possibility of a White House visit. However, during the next few months as Giuliani and some State Department officials pressed Zelenskyy to investigate Burisma and the 2016 election, a White House visit became one of the inducements offered or withheld depending on Zelenskyy's cooperation.<ref name="grauniad-diplomats-zelenskiy">{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/04/us-diplomats-told-zelenskiy-ukraine-trump-visit-was-dependent-on-biden-statement-text-investigation |title=U.S. diplomats told Zelenskiy Trump visit was dependent on Biden statement |last1=Borger |first1=Julian |date=October 4, 2019 |work=] |access-date=November 11, 2019 |last2=Gambino |first2=Lauren }}</ref> | |||
| ], the United States' senior diplomatic official in ], testified in a |
], the United States' senior diplomatic official in ], testified in a congressional hearing that he learned in mid-July 2019 that a potential White House meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy "was conditioned on the investigations of Burisma and alleged Ukrainian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections".<ref name=bade/> | ||
| ], the U.S. ambassador to the European Union who became Trump's primary connection to Ukraine, testified that Trump had told him he was "skeptical that Ukraine was serious about reforms and anti-corruption" and directed him to speak to Giuliani about his concerns. Sondland began working with Giuliani and conveyed the message about investigations to the Ukrainians.<ref name="grauniad-diplomats-zelenskiy" |
], the U.S. ambassador to the European Union who became Trump's primary connection to Ukraine, testified that Trump had told him he was "skeptical that Ukraine was serious about reforms and anti-corruption" and directed him to speak to Giuliani about his concerns. Sondland began working with Giuliani and conveyed the message about investigations to the Ukrainians.<ref name="grauniad-diplomats-zelenskiy"/> In August, Sondland texted that the White House visit would be scheduled just as soon as Zelenskyy confirmed that he would issue a public statement about investigations into the Bidens and the 2016 election.<ref name="wapo texts show"/> In his November 20 testimony before the ], Sondland testified that the White House visit was conditioned on a public Ukrainian announcement of investigation into Burisma and the 2016 election, which he described as a ''quid pro quo''.<ref name="Edelman">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/6-things-we-learned-gordon-sondland-s-impeachment-testimony-so-n1086841|title=6 things we learned from Gordon Sondland's impeachment testimony|last=Edelman|first=Adam|date=November 20, 2019|publisher=]|access-date=November 20, 2019}}</ref> | ||
| In testimony before |
In testimony before congressional committees, the National Security Council's head of European Affairs, Lieutenant Colonel ], testified that Sondland had told Ukrainian officials in his presence that they would have to launch investigations into the Bidens in order to get a meeting with Trump. He said Sondland indicated that "everything"—including the military aid and the White House visit—was on the table pending Zelenskyy's public announcement of such an investigation.<ref name="nbc vindman">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/read-national-security-official-alexander-s-vindman-s-prepared-remarks-n1073156 |date=October 29, 2019 |title=Read national security official Alexander S. Vindman's prepared remarks to Congress|publisher=]|access-date=October 29, 2019}}</ref> | ||
| == Whistleblower complaints == | == Whistleblower complaints == | ||
| === First whistleblower complaint === | === First whistleblower complaint === | ||
| ==== Submission of complaint and withholding from Congress ==== | |||
| ==== Submission of complaint and withholding from Congress ==== | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| On August 12, 2019, an unnamed ] officer<ref name="Detailed">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/us/politics/who-is-whistleblower.html|title=Whistle-Blower Is a C.I.A. Officer Who Was Detailed to the White House|last1=Barnes|first1=Julian E.|date=September 26, 2019| |
On August 12, 2019, an unnamed ] officer<ref name="Detailed">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/us/politics/who-is-whistleblower.html|title=Whistle-Blower Is a C.I.A. Officer Who Was Detailed to the White House|last1=Barnes|first1=Julian E.|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190930195850/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/us/politics/who-is-whistleblower.html|archive-date=September 30, 2019|last2=Schmidt|first2=Michael S.|last3=Goldman|first3=Adam|last4=Benner|first4=Katie|author-link2=Michael S. Schmidt|author-link3=Adam Goldman|url-access=limited}}</ref> filed a ] complaint with ], the ] (ICIG),<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/23/politics/ic-ig-michael-atkinson-whistleblower-complaint/index.html|title=Whistleblower controversy thrusts little-known Trump appointee into the limelight|last=Cohen|first=Zachary|date=September 23, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005070218/https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/23/politics/ic-ig-michael-atkinson-whistleblower-complaint/index.html|archive-date=October 5, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> under the provisions of the ] (ICWPA).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.justsecurity.org/66211/qa-on-whistleblower-complaint-being-withheld-from-congressional-intelligence-committees/|title=Q&A on Whistleblower Complaint Being Withheld from Congressional Intelligence Committees|last=McClanahan|first=Kel|date=September 17, 2019|work=Just Security|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923191155/https://www.justsecurity.org/66211/qa-on-whistleblower-complaint-being-withheld-from-congressional-intelligence-committees/|archive-date=September 23, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019}}</ref> Atkinson looked into the complaint and interviewed several government officials whom the whistleblower identified as having information to substantiate his claims.<ref name=Detailed/> On August 26, having found the complaint to be both "credible" and "of urgent concern" (as defined by the ICWPA), and noting the "subject matter expertise" of the whistleblower, Atkinson transmitted the complaint to ], the acting ] (DNI).<ref name="cnn-cohen-sep30"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/409e6ec741cc437bbca374861c751f9a|title=Key dates in the Trump impeachment investigation|date=October 1, 2019|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013052354/https://apnews.com/409e6ec741cc437bbca374861c751f9a|archive-date=October 13, 2019|work=]}}</ref> Prior to the whistleblower filing the formal ICIG complaint, the individual notified the CIA of his/her concerns, which were then relayed to the White House and Justice Department.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/sep/26/how-the-white-house-doj-learned-about-the-whistleb/ |access-date=December 12, 2019 |title=How the White House and Justice learned about whistleblower |first1=Eric |last1=Tucker |work=] |agency=] |first2=Michael |last2=Balsamo |first3=Zeke |last3=Miller |date=September 26, 2019 }}</ref> ''The New York Times'' reported in November that Trump was told of the whistleblower complaint in late August, before it was known by Congress and before the Ukraine aid was released.<ref name="trump knew">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/26/us/politics/trump-whistle-blower-complaint-ukraine.html |title=Trump Knew of Whistle-Blower Complaint When He Released Aid to Ukraine |first1=Michael S. |last1=Schmidt |first2=Julian E. |last2=Barnes |first3=Maggie |last3=Haberman |date=November 26, 2019 |work=] |access-date=December 12, 2019}}</ref> | ||
| Maguire withheld the complaint from congressional intelligence committees, citing the ]'s ]'s rationale that the whistleblower complaint did not relate to an "intelligence activity within the responsibility and authority" of the acting DNI.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/whistleblower-sought-informal-guidance-from-schiffs-committee-before-filing-complaint-against-trump/2019/10/02/e5124b8a-e543-11e9-a6e8-8759c5c7f608_story.html|title=Whistleblower sought informal guidance from Schiff's committee before filing complaint against Trump|last=Nakashima|first=Ellen|date=October 2, 2019| |
Maguire withheld the complaint from congressional intelligence committees, citing the ]'s ]'s rationale that the whistleblower complaint did not relate to an "intelligence activity within the responsibility and authority" of the acting DNI.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/whistleblower-sought-informal-guidance-from-schiffs-committee-before-filing-complaint-against-trump/2019/10/02/e5124b8a-e543-11e9-a6e8-8759c5c7f608_story.html |title=Whistleblower sought informal guidance from Schiff's committee before filing complaint against Trump |last=Nakashima |first=Ellen |date=October 2, 2019 |newspaper=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013054538/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/whistleblower-sought-informal-guidance-from-schiffs-committee-before-filing-complaint-against-trump/2019/10/02/e5124b8a-e543-11e9-a6e8-8759c5c7f608_story.html|archive-date=October 13, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> Maguire also testified that the whistleblower "followed the law every step of the way".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/intelligence-chief-maguire-will-testify-to-congress-about-whistleblower-complaint/2019/09/25/ee98ae7c-dfb4-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html|title=Acting intelligence chief Maguire defends his handling of whistleblower complaint in testimony before Congress|last1=Harris|first1=Shane|date=September 26, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013054127/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/intelligence-chief-maguire-will-testify-to-congress-about-whistleblower-complaint/2019/09/25/ee98ae7c-dfb4-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html|archive-date=October 13, 2019|last2=Demirjian|first2=Karoun|last3=Nakashima|first3=Ellen|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-idUSKBN1WB0E5|title=Whistleblower report complains of White House cover-up on Trump-Ukraine scandal|last1=Zengerle|first1=Patricia|date=September 27, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003124159/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-idUSKBN1WB0E5|archive-date=October 3, 2019|work=]|last2=Morgan|first2=David|last3=Chiacu|first3=Doina}}</ref> In an October 2019 letter, about 70 inspectors general from the ] sharply criticized the Justice Department's decision to withhold the complaint from Congress, recommending the OLC memo be withdrawn or amended because it "effectively overruled the determination by the ICIG regarding an 'urgent concern' complaint" that the ICIG concluded was "credible and therefore needed to be transmitted to Congress".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/25/politics/inspectors-general-olc-letter-whistleblower-opinion/index.html |date=October 25, 2019 |title=Coalition of Inspectors General slam DOJ opinion on whistleblower complaint |first1=Zachary |last1=Cohen |first2=David |last2=Shortell |work=] |access-date=October 26, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.dni.gov/files/ICIG/Documents/News/ICIG%20News/2019/October%2025%20-%20ICIG%20Statement%20on%20CIGIE%20Letter/ICIG%20Statement%20on%20CIGIE%20Letter.pdf |title=Office of the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community's Statement on the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency's Letter to the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel |date=October 25, 2019 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |work=] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ignet.gov/sites/default/files/files/CIGIE_Letter_to_OLC_Whistleblower_Disclosure.pdf |title=Letter to Steven A. Engel |website=ignet.gov |date=October 22, 2019 |author=Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency |access-date=October 26, 2019 }}</ref> | ||
| {{external media| float = right| video1 = , ]}} | {{external media| float = right| video1 = , ]}} | ||
| Under ICWPA, the DNI "shall" within seven days of receipt forward the complaint to the Senate and House Intelligence Committees. Maguire did not do so, and the deadline passed on September 2. On September{{nbsp}}9 Atkinson wrote to several lawmakers, telling them about the existence of the whistleblower report, which Maguire had not forwarded to Congress.<ref |
Under ICWPA, the DNI "shall" within seven days of receipt forward the complaint to the Senate and House Intelligence Committees. Maguire did not do so, and the deadline passed on September 2. On September{{nbsp}}9 Atkinson wrote to several lawmakers, telling them about the existence of the whistleblower report, which Maguire had not forwarded to Congress.<ref name="earlyaccess"/> On September 10, ] (HPSCI) chairman ] wrote to Maguire, asking why he had not provided it. According to Schiff, Maguire said he had been told to withhold it on direction from a "higher authority" because it involved an "issue of privileged communications". Schiff said he was also told "the complaint concerns conduct by someone outside of the ]."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/19/politics/white-house-justice-department-dni-whistleblower/index.html|title=White House also involved in advising DNI not to share whistleblower complaint|last1=Brown|first1=Pamela|date=September 19, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008065405/https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/19/politics/white-house-justice-department-dni-whistleblower/index.html|archive-date=October 8, 2019|publisher=]|last2=Perez|first2=Evan|last3=Liptak|first3=Kevin|last4=Raju|first4=Manu}}</ref> The Trump administration withheld the complaint on the basis of the Justice Department's assertion that the complaint was not within the purview of the ICWPA.{{Efn|On September 3, 2019, the Justice Department's ] (OLC) issued a classified memorandum, written by the office's head, ], stating that the acting DNI did not need to give the complaint to Congress because, in his view, the complaint was not related to "an intelligence activity" under the acting DNI's authority.<ref name=WeeksAfter/> Engel's letter said the whistleblower's complaint should instead be referred to the Justice Department.<ref name=WeeksAfter/> A declassified version of the OLC's memo was released on September 24, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |first=Steven A. |last=Engel |author-link=Steven Engel |url=https://www.justice.gov/olc/opinion/file/1205711/download |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930185542/https://www.justice.gov/olc/opinion/file/1205711/download |archive-date=September 30, 2019 |url-status=live |title=Memorandum Opinion for the General Counsel Office of the Director of National Intelligence |work=] |via=justice.gov |date=September 26, 2019 |access-date=November 12, 2019}}</ref>}} On September 13, Schiff subpoenaed Maguire to appear before the HPSCI,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/13/schiff-maguire-intelligence-1496135|title=Schiff accuses top intel official of illegally withholding 'urgent' whistleblower complaint|last=Cheney|first=Kyle|date=September 13, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922092557/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/13/schiff-maguire-intelligence-1496135|archive-date=September 22, 2019}}</ref> and Maguire agreed to testify on September 26.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/25/politics/whistleblower-agrees-to-testify/index.html|title=Whistleblower tentatively agrees to testify, attorneys say, as long as they get appropriate clearances to attend hearing|last1=Cohen|first1=Zachary|date=September 25, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005111020/https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/25/politics/whistleblower-agrees-to-testify/index.html|archive-date=October 5, 2019 |work=] |last2=Brown |first2=Pamela |last3=LeBlanc |first3=Paul |last4=Raju |first4=Manu}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' reported that Maguire threatened to resign if the White House sought to constrain his testimony, although Maguire later denied he had contemplated resigning.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/acting-director-of-national-intelligence-threatened-to-resign-if-he-couldnt-speak-freely-before-congress/2019/09/25/b1deb71e-dfbf-11e9-be96-6adb81821e90_story.html|title=Acting director of national intelligence threatened to resign if he couldn't speak freely before Congress|last1=Miller|first1=Greg|date=September 25, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190925194708/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/acting-director-of-national-intelligence-threatened-to-resign-if-he-couldnt-speak-freely-before-congress/2019/09/25/b1deb71e-dfbf-11e9-be96-6adb81821e90_story.html|archive-date=September 25, 2019|last2=Harris|first2=Shane|last3=Demirjian|first3=Karoun|author-link3=Karoun Demirjian|url-access=limited}}</ref> | ||
| On September 18, ''The Washington Post'' broke the story of the whistleblower report, saying the complaint concerned a "promise" Trump had made during communication with an unnamed foreign leader. White House records showed Trump had made communications or interactions with five foreign leaders during the five weeks before the whistleblower complaint was filed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trumps-communications-with-foreign-leader-are-part-of-whistleblower-complaint-that-spurred-standoff-between-spy-chief-and-congress-former-officials-say/2019/09/18/df651aa2-da60-11e9-bfb1-849887369476_story.html|title=Trump's communications with foreign leader are part of whistleblower complaint that spurred standoff between spy chief and Congress, former officials say| |
On September 18, ''The Washington Post'' broke the story of the whistleblower report, saying the complaint concerned a "promise" Trump had made during communication with an unnamed foreign leader. White House records showed Trump had made communications or interactions with five foreign leaders during the five weeks before the whistleblower complaint was filed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trumps-communications-with-foreign-leader-are-part-of-whistleblower-complaint-that-spurred-standoff-between-spy-chief-and-congress-former-officials-say/2019/09/18/df651aa2-da60-11e9-bfb1-849887369476_story.html|title=Trump's communications with foreign leader are part of whistleblower complaint that spurred standoff between spy chief and Congress, former officials say|last1=Miller|first1=Greg|date=September 18, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190921163831/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trumps-communications-with-foreign-leader-are-part-of-whistleblower-complaint-that-spurred-standoff-between-spy-chief-and-congress-former-officials-say/2019/09/18/df651aa2-da60-11e9-bfb1-849887369476_story.html|archive-date=September 21, 2019|last2=Nakashima|first2=Ellen|last3=Harris|first3=Shane|author-link3=Shane Harris|url-access=limited}}</ref> During a previously scheduled closed-door hearing before the HPSCI on September 19, Atkinson told lawmakers the complaint referred to a series of events,<ref name=repeatedly/> and that he disagreed with the position that the complaint lay outside the scope of the ICWPA, but declined to provide details.<ref name="WaPo Whistleblower complaint involves Ukraine">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/whistleblower-complaint-about-president-trump-involves-ukraine-according-to-two-people-familiar-with-the-matter/2019/09/19/07e33f0a-daf6-11e9-bfb1-849887369476_story.html|title=Whistleblower complaint about President Trump involves Ukraine, according to two people familiar with the matter|last1=Nakashima|first1=Ellen|date=September 19, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190920110853/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/whistleblower-complaint-about-president-trump-involves-ukraine-according-to-two-people-familiar-with-the-matter/2019/09/19/07e33f0a-daf6-11e9-bfb1-849887369476_story.html|archive-date=September 20, 2019|last2=Harris|first2=Shane|last3=Miller|first3=Greg|last4=Leonnig|first4=Carol D.|author-link4=Carol D. Leonnig|url-access=limited}}</ref> On September 19, ''The Washington Post'' reported that the complaint related to Ukraine.<ref name="WaPo Whistleblower complaint involves Ukraine"/> | ||
| After the ICIG found that the call was a possible violation of ], which prohibits the solicitation of foreign contributions, the ICIG referred the matter to the ], and the DNI referred the matter to the ] for a possible criminal investigation of Trump's actions.<ref name="ShearHaberman"/> ], general counsel for the CIA, became aware of the whistleblower's complaint through a colleague and, on August 14, made what she considered a criminal referral of the matter during a conference call with the top national security lawyer at the White House and the chief of the Justice Department's National Security Division.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/cia-s-top-lawyer-made-criminal-referral-whistleblower-s-complaint-n1062481|title=CIA's top lawyer made 'criminal referral' on whistleblower's complaint| |
After the ICIG found that the call was a possible violation of ], which prohibits the solicitation of foreign contributions, the ICIG referred the matter to the ], and the DNI referred the matter to the ] for a possible criminal investigation of Trump's actions.<ref name="ShearHaberman"/> ], general counsel for the CIA, became aware of the whistleblower's complaint through a colleague and, on August 14, made what she considered a criminal referral of the matter during a conference call with the top national security lawyer at the White House and the chief of the Justice Department's National Security Division.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/cia-s-top-lawyer-made-criminal-referral-whistleblower-s-complaint-n1062481|title=CIA's top lawyer made 'criminal referral' on whistleblower's complaint|last1=Dilanian|first1=Ken|date=October 4, 2019|access-date=October 5, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191006033210/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/cia-s-top-lawyer-made-criminal-referral-whistleblower-s-complaint-n1062481|archive-date=October 6, 2019|work=]|last2=Ainsley|first2=Julia}}</ref> A Justice Department official said the ICIG suspected the call could have broken federal law if Trump's request to the Ukrainian government to investigate a political opponent constituted the solicitation of campaign contribution from a foreign government.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-asked-ukrainian-president-to-investigate-biden-call-shows-1.5296506|title=Trump says he put 'no pressure' on Ukrainian president during phone call|date=September 25, 2019|access-date=September 25, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190926042907/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-asked-ukrainian-president-to-investigate-biden-call-shows-1.5296506|archive-date=September 26, 2019|publisher=]|agency=]}}</ref> According to a Justice Department spokeswoman, the department's ] reviewed "the official record of the call" and determined there was no campaign finance violation.<ref name=releasedWaPo/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://time.com/5685980/justice-department-trump-ukraine-campaign-finance/|title=Justice Department Says Trump's Ukraine Call Doesn't Constitute Campaign Finance Violation|last=Balsamo|first=Michael|date=September 25, 2019|magazine=]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190926024630/https://time.com/5685980/justice-department-trump-ukraine-campaign-finance/|archive-date=September 26, 2019|access-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> The Justice Department's determination to not launch an investigation took only weeks; the department did not conduct interviews or take steps beyond reviewing the call record.<ref name="WeeksAfter">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/justice-dept-rejected-investigation-of-trump-phone-call-just-weeks-after-it-began-examining-the-matter/2019/09/25/6f7977ce-dfb5-11e9-8dc8-498eabc129a0_story.html|title=Justice Dept. rejected investigation of Trump phone call just weeks after it began examining the matter|last1=Zapotosky|first1=Matt|date=September 25, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190927042722/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/justice-dept-rejected-investigation-of-trump-phone-call-just-weeks-after-it-began-examining-the-matter/2019/09/25/6f7977ce-dfb5-11e9-8dc8-498eabc129a0_story.html|archive-date=September 27, 2019|last2=Barrett|first2=Devlin|url-access=limited}}</ref> A senior Justice Department official told ''The Washington Post'' the Justice Department had determined Trump's conduct did not constitute the solicitation of a quantifiable "thing of value" subject to the campaign finance laws.<ref name=WeeksAfter/><ref name=releasedWaPo/> The Justice Department's review looked into whether there was evidence of a campaign violation law, and did not look into possible violations of federal corruption statutes.<ref name=WeeksAfter/> Some legal experts said there seemed to be evidence warranting an investigation into both; for example, ], an election-law scholar, believes the provision of ], e.g., valuable information about a political rival, could be considered a contribution ] under campaign finance law.<ref name=WeeksAfter/> | ||
| ==== Release and substance of the complaint ==== | ==== Release and substance of the complaint ==== | ||
| On September 24, 2019, the top Democrats of the House and Senate intelligence committees said an attorney for the whistleblower had contacted the committees about providing testimony.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/24/joseph-maguire-intelligence-senate-1509552|title=Whistleblower wants to appear before Congress, Dems say |last1=Bertrand |first1=Natasha |date=September 24, 2019 |work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926124257/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/24/joseph-maguire-intelligence-senate-1509552|archive-date=September 26, 2019 |last2=Matishak |first2=Martin |last3=Everett |first3=Burgess }}</ref> Members and staff of congressional intelligence committees were allowed to examine the whistleblower complaint on September 25.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/d4204c450b9542058f0d7764e982dcb0 |title=Lawmakers, staff view secret Trump whistleblower complaint|last=Jalonick|first=Mary Clare|date=September 25, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013054841/https://apnews.com/d4204c450b9542058f0d7764e982dcb0|archive-date=October 13, 2019|work=]}}</ref> After the release of the whistleblower complaint to congressional committees, Republican senators ] and ] called the complaint contents "really troubling" and "troubling in the extreme", respectively.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/23/politics/mitt-romney-donald-trump-investigation-ukraine-whistleblower/index.html|title=Romney: If Trump pressured Ukrainian president 'it would be troubling in the extreme'|last=Cole|first=Devan|date=September 23, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002162608/https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/23/politics/mitt-romney-donald-trump-investigation-ukraine-whistleblower/index.html|archive-date=October 2, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ben-sasse-republicans-should-recognize-troubling-nature-of-complaint-2019-9|title=GOP Sen. Ben Sasse calls whistleblower complaint 'troubling' and says Republicans should not rush to 'circle the wagons' and protect Trump|last=Frias|first=Lauren|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929174929/https://www.businessinsider.com/ben-sasse-republicans-should-recognize-troubling-nature-of-complaint-2019-9|archive-date=September 29, 2019}}</ref> That same day, the complaint itself was declassified with "minimal redactions".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/26/whistleblower-complaint-against-trump-declassified.html|title=Whistleblower complaint against Trump declassified, could be released Thursday|last=Helsel|first=Phil|date=September 26, 2019|access-date=September 28, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001191204/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/26/whistleblower-complaint-against-trump-declassified.html|archive-date=October 1, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> The ] released the declassified, redacted version of the complaint on September 26.<ref name="WapoComplaintReleased">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/house-intelligence-committee-releases-whistleblowers-complaint-citing-trumps-call-with-ukraines-president/2019/09/26/402052ee-e056-11e9-be96-6adb81821e90_story.html|title=Whistleblower claimed Trump abused his office and that White House officials tried to cover it up|last=Barrett|first=Devlin|date=September 26, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190926143727/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/house-intelligence-committee-releases-whistleblowers-complaint-citing-trumps-call-with-ukraines-president/2019/09/26/402052ee-e056-11e9-be96-6adb81821e90_story.html|archive-date=September 26, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| In the complaint, the whistleblower said Trump ] of his office for personal gain and put national security in danger, and that ] officials engaged in a ].<ref name=WapoComplaintReleased/><ref name="NYTComplaintReleased">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/us/politics/whistleblower-complaint-released.html|title=Whistle-Blower's Complaint Says White House Tried to 'Lock Down' Ukraine Call Records|last=Shear|first=Michael D.|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190927052755/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/us/politics/whistleblower-complaint-released.html|archive-date=September 27, 2019|author-link=Michael D. Shear|url-access=limited}}</ref> The whistleblower wrote: | |||
| On September 24, the top Democrats of the House and Senate intelligence committees said an attorney for the whistleblower had contacted the committees about providing testimony.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/24/joseph-maguire-intelligence-senate-1509552|title=Whistleblower wants to appear before Congress, Dems say|last1=Bertr|first1=Natasha|date=September 24, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926124257/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/24/joseph-maguire-intelligence-senate-1509552|archive-date=September 26, 2019|last2=Matishak|first2=Martin|last3=Everett|first3=Burgess}}</ref> Members and staff of congressional intelligence committees were allowed to examine the whistleblower complaint on September 25.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/d4204c450b9542058f0d7764e982dcb0|title=Lawmakers, staff view secret Trump whistleblower complaint|last=Jalonick|first=Mary Clare|date=September 25, 2019|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/6rExj|archive-date=October 13, 2019|agency=]}}</ref> After the release of the whistleblower complaint to congressional committees, Republican Senators ] and ] called the complaint contents "really troubling" and "troubling in the extreme", respectively.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/23/politics/mitt-romney-donald-trump-investigation-ukraine-whistleblower/index.html|title=Romney: If Trump pressured Ukrainian president 'it would be troubling in the extreme'|last=Cole|first=Devan|date=September 23, 2019|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002162608/https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/23/politics/mitt-romney-donald-trump-investigation-ukraine-whistleblower/index.html|archive-date=October 2, 2019|publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ben-sasse-republicans-should-recognize-troubling-nature-of-complaint-2019-9|title=GOP Sen. Ben Sasse calls whistleblower complaint 'troubling' and says Republicans should not rush to 'circle the wagons' and protect Trump|last=Frias|first=Lauren|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929174929/https://www.businessinsider.com/ben-sasse-republicans-should-recognize-troubling-nature-of-complaint-2019-9|archive-date=September 29, 2019}}</ref> That same day, the complaint itself was declassified with "minimal redactions".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/26/whistleblower-complaint-against-trump-declassified.html|title=Whistleblower complaint against Trump declassified, could be released Thursday|last=Helsel|first=Phil|date=September 26, 2019|access-date=September 28, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001191204/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/26/whistleblower-complaint-against-trump-declassified.html|archive-date=October 1, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> The ] released the declassified, redacted version of the complaint on September 26.<ref name="WapoComplaintReleased">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/house-intelligence-committee-releases-whistleblowers-complaint-citing-trumps-call-with-ukraines-president/2019/09/26/402052ee-e056-11e9-be96-6adb81821e90_story.html|title=Whistleblower claimed Trump abused his office and that White House officials tried to cover it up|last=Barrett|first=Devlin|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/Dazeo|archive-date=September 26, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| In the complaint, the whistleblower said Trump ] of his office for personal gain and put national security in danger, and that ] officials engaged in a ].<ref name=WapoComplaintReleased/><ref name="NYTComplaintReleased">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/us/politics/whistleblower-complaint-released.html|title=Whistle-Blower's Complaint Says White House Tried to 'Lock Down' Ukraine Call Records|last=Shear|first=Michael D.|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/sKJqD|archive-date=September 27, 2019|authorlink=Michael D. Shear|url-access=limited}}</ref> The whistleblower wrote: | |||
| <blockquote>In the course of my official duties, I have received information from multiple U.S. government officials that the President of the United States is using the power of his office to solicit ]. This interference includes, among other things, pressuring a foreign country to investigate one of the President's main domestic political rivals.<ref name=WapoComplaintReleased/></blockquote> | <blockquote>In the course of my official duties, I have received information from multiple U.S. government officials that the President of the United States is using the power of his office to solicit ]. This interference includes, among other things, pressuring a foreign country to investigate one of the President's main domestic political rivals.<ref name=WapoComplaintReleased/></blockquote> | ||
| In addition to the July 25 phone call between Trump and the Ukrainian president |
In addition to the July 25 phone call between Trump and the Ukrainian president Zelenskyy, the whistleblower alleged that Giuliani, Trump's personal attorney, had engaged in a campaign to pressure Ukrainian authorities to pursue Joe Biden, including in an August{{nbsp}}2 meeting in ] between Giuliani and Zelenskyy aide as "a direct followup" to the July 25 call and contact with a number of other officials in Zelenskyy's government. These officials included Zelenskyy's ], ], and the then-acting ], ].<ref name=WapoComplaintReleased/> The whistleblower further alleged in the complaint that White House officials had tried to limit access to the record of Trump's telephone conversation with Zelenskyy, writing: | ||
| <blockquote>In the days following the phone call, I learned from multiple U.S. officials that senior White House officials had intervened to "lock down" all records of the phone call, especially the word-for-word transcript of the call that was produced—as is customary—by the White House Situation Room. This set of actions underscored to me that White House officials understood the gravity of what had transpired in the call.<ref name=WapoComplaintReleased/></blockquote> | <blockquote>In the days following the phone call, I learned from multiple U.S. officials that senior White House officials had intervened to "lock down" all records of the phone call, especially the word-for-word transcript of the call that was produced—as is customary—by the White House Situation Room. This set of actions underscored to me that White House officials understood the gravity of what had transpired in the call.<ref name=WapoComplaintReleased/></blockquote> | ||
| ==== Confirmation ==== | ==== Confirmation ==== | ||
| By the end of October the bulk of the whistleblower complaint had been confirmed by other sources, including the memorandum record of the July 25 call which the White House released, testimony before congressional committees, and independent reporting.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/11/09/776173492/the-whistleblower-complaint-has-largely-been-corroborated-heres-how|title=The Whistleblower Complaint Has Largely Been Corroborated. Here's How.|last=Keith|first=Tamara|date=November 9, 2019|publisher=]|access-date=November 10, 2019}}</ref> According to a ''New York Times'' editorial titled "Thanks, Whistle-Blower, Your Work Is Done", only one minor item reported in the whistleblower complaint has not yet been confirmed: that ], the ], also listened to the call.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/10/26/opinion/trump-whistleblower-letter.html |title=Thanks, Whistle-Blower, Your Work Is Done |author=Editorial Board |work=] |date=October 26, 2019 |access-date=October 31, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| By the end of October the bulk of the whistleblower complaint had been confirmed by other sources, including the memorandum record of the July 25 call which the White House released, testimony before Congressional committees, and independent reporting.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/11/09/776173492/the-whistleblower-complaint-has-largely-been-corroborated-heres-how|title=The Whistleblower Complaint Has Largely Been Corroborated. Here's How.|last=Keith|first=Tamara|date=November 9, 2019|work=NPR|accessdate=November 10, 2019}}</ref> According to a ''The New York Times'' editorial titled "Thanks, Whistle-Blower, Your Work Is Done", only one minor item reported in the whistleblower complaint has not yet been confirmed: that ], the ], also listened to the call.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/10/26/opinion/trump-whistleblower-letter.html |title=Thanks, Whistle-Blower, Your Work Is Done |author=Editorial Board |work=] |date=October 26, 2019 |accessdate=October 31, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| ==== Identity ==== | ==== Identity ==== | ||
| Trump has repeatedly called for the identity of the whistleblower to be revealed,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50350011 |title=Trump wants whistleblower named despite 'danger' |date=November 8, 2019 |access-date=November 11, 2019 |work=] }}</ref> as have some Republican congress members, particularly Senator ], who blocked a Senate resolution reaffirming protection for whistleblowers,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/469303-rand-paul-blocks-resolution-backing-protection-for-whistleblowers|title=Rand Paul blocks Senate resolution backing protection for whistleblowers|last=Carney|first=Jordain|date=November 6, 2019|work=]|access-date=November 10, 2019}}</ref> and has demanded that the media print the person's name.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/11/04/rand-paul-demands-media-reveal-whistleblowers-name-do-your-job/4162211002/|title='Do your job': Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul demands media reveal whistleblower's identity|last=Behrmann|first=Savannah|date=November 5, 2019|work=]|access-date=November 10, 2019}}</ref> Around November 1, an alleged identity began to circulate on right-wing publications and social media. Major news outlets have refused to publish the rumored identity of the whistleblower,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/05/rand-paul-whistleblower-identity-media-outlets-066033|title=Media outlets reject Rand Paul's demand that they identify Trump's whistleblower|last=Calderone|first=Michael|date=November 5, 2019|work=]|access-date=November 10, 2019}}</ref> and ] and ] announced plans to delete all mentions of the name.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/facebook-whistleblower-trump-site-deleting-mention-of-suspected-whistleblowers-name-2019-11-08/|title=Facebook is deleting "any and all" mentions of suspected whistleblower's name |work=] |date=November 8, 2019 |access-date=November 10, 2019}}</ref> ] is allowing posts containing the alleged whistleblower's name, and ] was criticized for publishing such posts on his account on November 6.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelsandler/2019/11/06/donald-trump-jr-slammed-for-outing-alleged-whistleblower-as-major-news-outlets-decline-to-publish-name/|title=Donald Trump Jr. Slammed For Outing Alleged Whistleblower, As Major News Outlets Decline To Publish Name |last=Sandler |first=Rachel |website=]|date=November 6, 2019 |access-date=November 10, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| Publicly identifying the whistleblower's name may contravene provisions of the ], the ], the ], the ], and a Presidential Policy Directive dated 2012.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/08/politics/legal-question-out-whistleblower/index.html|title=Is it illegal to out the whistleblower? |last=Subramaniam |first=Tara |work=] |date=November 8, 2019 |access-date=November 10, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/08/whistleblower-trump-ukraine-legal-protection|title=Trump's attacks on whistleblower could do lasting damage to system, experts say |last=Bekiempis |first=Victoria |date=November 8, 2019 |work=] |access-date=November 10, 2019}}</ref> Senator ] and Trump Jr. both argued that naming the whistleblower is not a crime, and ], former general counsel for the ], said that members of ] would be "absolutely immune" from prosecution under the ], although they could be subject to congressional sanctions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Allyn |first1=Bobby |title=Can Trump Legally Out The Whistleblower? Experts Say It Would Not Violate Any Laws |work=] |date=November 6, 2019 |url=https://whro.org/news/4849-can-trump-legally-out-the-whistleblower-experts-say-it-would-not-violate-any-laws |access-date=November 10, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| Trump has repeatedly called for the identity of the whistleblower to be revealed,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50350011 |title=Trump wants whistleblower named despite 'danger' |date=November 8, 2019 |access-date=November 11, 2019 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> as have some Republican congress members, particularly Senator ], who blocked a Senate resolution reaffirming protection for whistleblowers,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/469303-rand-paul-blocks-resolution-backing-protection-for-whistleblowers|title=Rand Paul blocks Senate resolution backing protection for whistleblowers|last=Carney|first=Jordain|date=November 6, 2019|work=The Hill|accessdate=November 10, 2019}}</ref> and has demanded that the media print the person's name.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/11/04/rand-paul-demands-media-reveal-whistleblowers-name-do-your-job/4162211002/|title='Do your job': Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul demands media reveal whistleblower's identity|last=Behrmann|first=Savannah|date=November 5, 2019|work=USA Today|accessdate=November 10, 2019}}</ref> Around November 1, an alleged identity began to circulate on right-wing publications and social media. Major news outlets have refused to publish the rumored identity of the whistleblower,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/05/rand-paul-whistleblower-identity-media-outlets-066033|title=Media outlets reject Rand Paul's demand that they identify Trump's whistleblower|last=Calderone|first=Michael|date=November 5, 2019|work=Politico|accessdate=November 10, 2019}}</ref> and ] and ] announced plans to delete all mentions of the name.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/facebook-whistleblower-trump-site-deleting-mention-of-suspected-whistleblowers-name-2019-11-08/|title=Facebook is deleting "any and all" mentions of suspected whistleblower's name |website=] |date=November 8, 2019 |access-date=November 10, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2019/11/09/facebook-youtube-censor-mentions-of-whistleblower-in-trump-ukraine-scandal/|title=Facebook, YouTube censor mentions of 'whistleblower' in Trump-Ukraine scandal|last=Levine|first=Jon|date=November 9, 2019|website=New York Post|language=en|access-date=November 10, 2019}}</ref> ] is allowing posts containing the alleged whistleblower's name, and ] was criticized for publishing such posts on his account on November 6.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelsandler/2019/11/06/donald-trump-jr-slammed-for-outing-alleged-whistleblower-as-major-news-outlets-decline-to-publish-name/|title=Donald Trump Jr. Slammed For Outing Alleged Whistleblower, As Major News Outlets Decline To Publish Name |last=Sandler |first=Rachel |website=Forbes |date=November 6, 2019 |access-date=November 10, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| Due to threats against him, the whistleblower spent several months guarded by the CIA's Security Protective Service, living in hotels and traveling with armed officers in an unmarked vehicle. The CIA observed that "violent messages surged each time the analyst was targeted in tweets or public remarks by the president," according to a ''Washington Post'' report.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/threats-follow-trump-poliical-attacks/2020/10/28/c6dbce02-1792-11eb-82db-60b15c874105_story.html |title=Trump's attacks on political adversaries are often followed by threats to their safety |newspaper=] |date=October 28, 2020 |access-date=October 29, 2020 |first1=Greg |last1=Miller |first2=Isaac |last2=Stanley-Becker}}</ref> | |||
| Publicly identifying the whistleblower's name may contravene provisions of the ], the ], the ], the ], and a Presidential Policy Directive dated 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/08/politics/legal-question-out-whistleblower/index.html|title=Is it illegal to out the whistleblower? |last=Subramaniam |first=Tara |website=CNN |date=November 8, 2019 |access-date=November 10, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/08/whistleblower-trump-ukraine-legal-protection|title=Trump's attacks on whistleblower could do lasting damage to system, experts say |last=Bekiempis |first=Victoria |date=November 8, 2019 |work=The Guardian |access-date=November 10, 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Senator ] and Trump Jr. both argued that naming the whistleblower is not a crime, and ], former General Counsel for the ], said that members of ] would be "absolutely immune" from prosecution under the ], although they could be subject to congressional sanctions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Allyn |first1=Bobby |title=Can Trump Legally Out The Whistleblower? Experts Say It Would Not Violate Any Laws |work=] |date=November 6, 2019 |url=https://whro.org/news/4849-can-trump-legally-out-the-whistleblower-experts-say-it-would-not-violate-any-laws |accessdate=November 10, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| === Second whistleblower complaint === | === Second whistleblower complaint === | ||
| A second whistleblower, also an intelligence official, came forward on October 5, 2019, with "first-hand knowledge of allegations" associated with the phone call between Trump and Zelenskyy, according to ], a lawyer on the team representing both whistleblowers.<ref name="abc-oct6"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49953225|title=Trump impeachment: Second whistleblower emerges|date=October 5, 2019|access-date=October 6, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008054118/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49953225|archive-date=October 8, 2019|work=]}}</ref> Zaid stated that the second whistleblower had been interviewed by the ICIG but had not at that time filed a written complaint.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/10/06/767675638/second-whistleblower-with-direct-knowledge-of-ukraine-call-steps-forward-lawyer-|title=2nd Whistleblower With Direct Knowledge Of Ukraine Call Steps Forward, Lawyer Says|last=Allyn|first=Bobby|date=October 6, 2019|access-date=October 6, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008012511/https://www.npr.org/2019/10/06/767675638/second-whistleblower-with-direct-knowledge-of-ukraine-call-steps-forward-lawyer-|archive-date=October 8, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> Nor, as of October 6, had the second whistleblower communicated with any committee in the House of Representatives.<ref name="abc-oct6"/>{{Update inline|date=August 2020|reason=}} | |||
| As of October 6, it is not known whether this intelligence official is the same individual mentioned in a ''New York Times'' report from October{{nbsp}}4 about an intelligence official who was then weighing the possibility of filing an ICIG complaint and testifying before Congress.<ref name="abc-oct6"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/04/us/politics/second-trump-whistleblower.html|title=2nd Official Is Weighing Whether to Blow the Whistle on Trump's Ukraine Dealings|last1=Schmidt|first1=Michael S.|date=October 4, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 6, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191005033952/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/04/us/politics/second-trump-whistleblower.html|archive-date=October 5, 2019|last2=Goldman|first2=Adam|author-link1=Michael S. Schmidt|author-link2=Adam Goldman|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| As of October 6, it is not known whether this intelligence official is the same individual mentioned in a ''New York Times'' report from October{{nbsp}}4 about an intelligence official who was then weighing the possibility of filing an ICIG complaint and testifying before Congress.<ref name="abc-oct6"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/04/us/politics/second-trump-whistleblower.html|title=2nd Official Is Weighing Whether to Blow the Whistle on Trump's Ukraine Dealings|last1=Schmidt|first1=Michael S.|date=October 4, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 6, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/XUMLo|archive-date=October 5, 2019|last2=Goldman|first2=Adam|authorlink1=Michael S. Schmidt|authorlink2=Adam Goldman|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| == Communications with other governments == | |||
| === Australia === | |||
| On October 1, 2019, it was reported that the transcript of a call with Australia Prime Minister ] had been placed on the same top-secret server as the other transcripts. Trump was reported to have requested Morrison's aid in William Barr's investigation of the ].<ref name="scomo call">{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-01/donald-trump-asked-scott-morrison-for-help-mueller-report/11562604|title=Donald Trump reportedly pressed Scott Morrison for help to discredit Mueller inquiry|last1=Probyn|first1=Andrew|date=October 1, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004085229/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-01/donald-trump-asked-scott-morrison-for-help-mueller-report/11562604|archive-date=October 4, 2019|publisher=]|last2=Connor|first2=Duffy|last3=Greene|first3=Andrew|last4=Worthington|first4=Brett}}</ref> Trump's request focused on the origins of the Mueller inquiry as a conversation between Australia's former foreign minister ] and Trump campaign team member ] led to the investigation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/30/us/politics/how-fbi-russia-investigation-began-george-papadopoulos.html|title=How the Russia Inquiry Began: A Campaign Aide, Drinks and Talk of Political Dirt|last=LaFraniere|first=Sharon|date=December 30, 2017|work=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/yx63w|archive-date=May 17, 2018|last2=Mazzetti|first2=Mark|issn=0362-4331|last3=Apuzzo|first3=Matt|url-access=limited}}</ref> The Australian government confirmed the call had taken place and that Morrison had articulated to the President that "the Australian Government has always been ready to assist and cooperate with efforts that help shed further light on the matters under investigation," but did not elaborate on what, if any, assistance had been offered.<ref name="scomo call"/> In a letter to William Barr dated May 28, ], Australia's ambassador to the U.S., pledged that the Australian government would "use its best endeavours" to support Barr's investigation.<ref name="scomo call"/> Hockey later rejected claims that Downer had been part of a conspiracy among intelligence agencies around the world to prevent Trump's election and undermine his eventual presidency.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-04/donald-trump-mueller-inquiry-alexander-downer-conspiracy-theory/11573476|title=Donald Trump-Mueller inquiry conspiracy theory about Alexander Downer rejected by Joe Hockey|last=Duffy|first=Connor|date=October 4, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004081946/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-04/donald-trump-mueller-inquiry-alexander-downer-conspiracy-theory/11573476|archive-date=October 4, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| The White House responded by dismissing the reports, claiming it was part of a routine request to grant Australian authorities access to Department of Justice resources to facilitate an investigation that had been open for several months.<ref name="scomo call" /> When questioned by a journalist, Morrison rejected Opposition Leader ]'s accusation that he had jeopardized Australia's national security for the sake of a personal relationship with the President and instead insisted that cooperating with Barr's investigation was in the national interest. Morrison claimed that no specific request had been made of his government, but refused to go into detail as to what support had been provided, citing national security concerns.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-02/scott-morrison-defends-call-with-donald-trump/11568296|title=Scott Morrison insists he's acting in Australia's interest helping Donald Trump with inquiry|last=Worthington|first=Brett|date=October 2, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 2, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004120621/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-02/scott-morrison-defends-call-with-donald-trump/11568296|archive-date=October 4, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| === Italy === | |||
| On September 30, it was reported that William Barr had travelled to ] to enlist the support of Italian authorities in his investigation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/attorney-general-barr-personally-asked-foreign-officials-to-aid-inquiry-into-cia-fbi-activities-in-2016/2019/09/30/d50cd5c4-e3a5-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|title=Barr personally asked foreign officials to aid inquiry into CIA, FBI activities in 2016|last1=Barrett|first1=Devlin|date=September 30, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/58NJX|archive-date=October 1, 2019|last2=Harris|first2=Shane|last3=Zapotosky|first3=Matt|url-access=limited}}</ref> Barr sought information related to a conspiracy theory that ] was a Western intelligence operative who allegedly entrapped Trump campaign advisor George Papadopoulos in order to establish a false predicate for the FBI to open an investigation into ]. Contrary to the conspiracy theory, that investigation was actually initiated after the Australian government notified American authorities that its diplomat ] had a chance encounter with Papadopoulos, who boasted about possible access to Hillary Clinton emails held by the Russian government. Mifsud was last known to be in Rome in 2017, but had since disappeared.<ref name="trump pressed">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/30/us/politics/trump-australia-barr-mueller.html|title=Trump Pressed Australian Leader to Help Barr Investigate Mueller Inquiry's Origins|last1=Mazzetti|first1=Mark|date=September 30, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.fo/5cpCu|archive-date=October 3, 2019|last2=Benner|first2=Katie|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/10/01/barrs-probing-australia-great-britain-italy-suggest-conspiratorial-focus/|title=Barr's probing of Australia, Britain and Italy suggests a conspiracy focus|last=Blake|first=Aaron|date=October 1, 2019|newspaper=]|accessdate=October 6, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/2vY0f|archive-date=October 3, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' reported on November 22, 2019, that the Justice Department inspector general had aggressively investigated the allegation that Mifsud had been directed to entrap Papadopoulos, but found it was without merit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/justice-dept-watchdog-finds-political-bias-did-not-taint-top-officials-running-the-fbis-russia-probe-but-documents-other-errors/2019/11/22/4b2f51de-0d48-11ea-97ac-a7ccc8dd1ebc_story.html|title=Justice Dept. watchdog finds political bias did not taint top officials running the FBI's Russia probe but documents errors|first1=Ellen|last1=Nakashima|website=Washington Post}}</ref> | |||
| === China === | |||
| On October 3, Trump publicly called upon ] to investigate Hunter Biden's business activities there while his father was vice president.<ref name="Wagner">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-whistleblower/2019/10/02/80df829a-e494-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|title=Live updates: Trump calls for China to investigate Bidens; former Ukraine envoy testifies on Capitol Hill|last1=Wagner|first1=John|date=October 3, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/us6JC|archive-date=October 2, 2019|last2=Sonmez|first2=Felicia|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/03/trump-biden-china-investigation-demand|title=Trump calls on China to investigate Biden in extraordinary demand|last=Borger|first=Julian|date=October 3, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 5, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004142600/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/03/trump-biden-china-investigation-demand|archive-date=October 4, 2019|last2=Gambino|first2=Lauren|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In 2013, Biden, ], and Chinese businessman Jonathan Li founded ], a business focused on investing Chinese capital in companies based outside of China.<ref name="entous1">{{cite news|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/08/will-hunter-biden-jeopardize-his-fathers-campaign|title=Will Hunter Biden Jeopardize His Father's Campaign?|last1=Entous|first1=Adam|date=July 1, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/UjUvY|archive-date=September 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-hunterbiden-c/explainer-trumps-claims-and-hunter-bidens-dealings-in-china-idUSKBN1WI2HK|title=Explainer: Trump's claims and Hunter Biden's dealings in China|last=Layne|first=Nathan|date=October 4, 2019|accessdate=October 6, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007072223/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-hunterbiden-c/explainer-trumps-claims-and-hunter-bidens-dealings-in-china-idUSKBN1WI2HK|archive-date=October 7, 2019|agency=]|last2=Ruwitch|first2=John|last3=Shen|first3=Samuel|last4=Tham|first4=Engen|last5=Zhai|first5=Keith}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/us/politics/hunter-biden-china.html|title=What We Know About Hunter Biden's Business in China|last=LaFraniere|first=Sharon|date=October 3, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 5, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/jg6li|archive-date=October 5, 2019|last2=Forsythe|first2=Michael|authorlink=Sharon LaFraniere|url-access=limited}}</ref> In September, Trump falsely claimed Biden "walk out of China with $1.5 billion in a fund" and earned "millions" of dollars from the BHR deal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/27/politics/fact-check-trump-bidens-china/index.html|title=Fact-checking Trump's claims about the Bidens in China|last=Subramaniam|first=Tara|date=October 3, 2019|accessdate=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008001538/https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/27/politics/fact-check-trump-bidens-china/index.html|archive-date=October 8, 2019|publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref name="kessler092619">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/26/trumps-false-claims-about-hunter-bidens-china-dealings/|title=A quick guide to Trump's false claims about Ukraine and the Bidens|last=Kessler|first=Glenn|date=September 26, 2019|newspaper=]|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/UtDBv|archive-date=October 13, 2019|authorlink=Glenn Kessler (journalist)|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| Trump discussed the political prospects of Biden—as well as Senator ], another political rival—during a June 18 phone call with Chinese leader ]. The record of the call was stored on the same highly restricted computer system used for the Trump–Zelensky call record. According to two people familiar with the discussion, Trump told Xi on the same call that "he would remain quiet on ] as trade talks progressed."<ref name="raised biden">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/03/politics/trump-biden-call-xi-secure-server/index.html|title=Trump raised Biden with Xi in June call housed in highly secure server|last=Atwood|first=Kylie|date=October 4, 2019|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/7KTRA|archive-date=October 12, 2019|publisher=CNN|last2=Liptak|first2=Kevin|last3=Brown|first3=Pamela|last4=Sciutto|first4=Jim|last5=Borger|first5=Gloria}}</ref> The day after Trump's call for China to investigate Hunter Biden, Senator Mitt Romney said: "it strains credulity to suggest that is anything other than politically motivated."<ref name="gregorian">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/romney-blasts-trump-wrong-appalling-call-china-probe-bidens-n1062536|title=Romney blasts Trump over 'wrong and appalling' call for China to probe Bidens|last=Gregorian|first=Dareh|date=October 4, 2019|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/h3psz|archive-date=October 13, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> The Chinese foreign ministry said that the Chinese government had "no intention of intervening in the domestic affairs of the United States."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3032042/china-rejects-us-president-donald-trumps-call-investigate|title=China rejects Donald Trump's call to investigate Democrat rival Joe Biden and son|last=Ng|first=Teddy|date=October 8, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| ], a China scholar at the ] and a Trump advisor on trade negotiations with China, was quoted by the '']'' on October 10: "I got quite a bit of background on Hunter Biden from the Chinese."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/d4b9b0a8-eb14-11e9-a240-3b065ef5fc55|title=Trump adviser says China provided information about Hunter Biden|last=Sevastopulo|first=Demetri|date=October 10, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 13, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/n3h76|archive-date=October 11, 2019|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Pillsbury denied the quote on ] hours later, asserting: "I haven't spoken to the ''Financial Times'' for a month." The ''Financial Times'' released an email showing Pillsbury made the statement on October 9. Pillsbury later told ''The Washington Post'', "most everything I learned was already public or well-known" and that the Chinese "really, really didn't want to talk about it".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/trump-advisor-gives-conflicting-accounts-on-whether-chinese-offered-information-about-hunter-biden/2019/10/10/35f32a14-eb80-11e9-9306-47cb0324fd44_story.html|title=Trump advisor Michael Pillsbury says Chinese offered information about Hunter Biden, then claims it didn't|last=Lynch|first=David J.|date=October 10, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 13, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013230052/https://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/trump-advisor-gives-conflicting-accounts-on-whether-chinese-offered-information-about-hunter-biden/2019/10/10/35f32a14-eb80-11e9-9306-47cb0324fd44_story.html|archive-date=October 12, 2019|last2=Dawsey|first2=Josh|author-link2=Josh Dawsey|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| == Impeachment inquiry proceedings == | == Impeachment inquiry proceedings == | ||
| {{Main| |
{{Main|First impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump}}{{Empty section|date=January 2022}} | ||
| == Subsequent developments == | |||
| On September 24, 2019, a formal impeachment inquiry by the House of Representatives into President Trump was announced by House Speaker Pelosi, who said "The actions of the Trump presidency have revealed the dishonorable fact of the president's betrayal of his ], betrayal of our national security and betrayal of the integrity of our elections."<ref name = formal>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/pelosi-top-democrats-privately-discuss-creation-of-select-committee-for-impeachment/2019/09/24/af6f735a-dedf-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html |first=Rachael |last=Bade |first2=Mike |last2=DeBonis |first3=Karoun |last3=Demirjian |date=September 24, 2019 |title=House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces formal impeachment inquiry of Trump, says his actions were a 'betrayal of national security' |newspaper=] |accessdate=September 24, 2019}}</ref> Six House committees (], ], ], ], ], and ]) began or continued their formal inquiries.<ref name = formal/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/pelosi-announces-formal-impeachment-inquiry |work=] |title=Pelosi announces formal impeachment inquiry, but leaves some questions|last=McPherson|first=Lindsey|date=September 24, 2019|access-date=September 28, 2019|last2=McPherson|first2=Lindsey }}</ref> | |||
| === Involvement of Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman === | |||
| The impeachment inquiry came in the wake of a ] complaint alleging a widespread ] and a ] by Trump.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/26/politics/whistleblower-complaint-released/index.html|title=Whistleblower says White House tried to cover up Trump's abuse of power|last1=Cohen|first1=Marshall|date=September 26, 2019|access-date=September 26, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/5U7wd|archive-date=October 12, 2019|publisher=CNN|last2=Polantz|first2=Katelyn|last3=Shortell|first3=David}}</ref><ref name="ShearHaberman"/><ref name="politico cheney">{{Cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/26/congress-releases-whistleblower-complaint-alleging-trump-abused-his-office-1514008 |title=Whistleblower says White House officials tried to 'lock down' details of Trump's Ukraine call |last=Cheney |first=Kyle |authorlink=Kyle Cheney (journalist) |work=] |date=September 26, 2019 |accessdate=October 1, 2019 }}</ref> Concurrently, the Trump administration released a memorandum of the July phone call between Trump and Zelensky, confirming that Trump had asked Zelensky to "look into" the Biden controversy as a favor.<ref name="press secretary">{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-81/|title=Statement from the Press Secretary|author=White House Press Secretary|author-link=White House Press Secretary|date=September 25, 2019|website=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925150004/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-81/|archive-date=September 25, 2019|accessdate=October 1, 2019}}</ref> The whistleblower complaint also implicated Giuliani and U.S. Attorney General William Barr as part of a wider pressure campaign directed towards the Ukrainian government.<ref name="Balsamo-190926">{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-cb-trump-ukraine-whistleblower-complaint-takeaways-20190926-eirgv5vjvrhu3ebacfzp5qxh7i-story.html|title=6 takeaways from the whistleblower complaint, including Rudy Giuliani's central role|last=Balsamo|first=Michael|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 27, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930201643/https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-cb-trump-ukraine-whistleblower-complaint-takeaways-20190926-eirgv5vjvrhu3ebacfzp5qxh7i-story.html|archive-date=September 30, 2019|agency=]|last2=Long|first2=Colleen|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Document: Read the Whistle-Blower Complaint |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/09/26/us/politics/whistle-blower-complaint.html |work=] |date=September 26, 2019 |accessdate=October 1, 2019 |url-access=limited}}</ref> Within days, Ukraine envoy ] resigned and three House committees issued a subpoena to Secretary of State ] to schedule depositions for Volker and four other State Department employees, and to compel the release of documents.<ref name=Toosi-190927>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/09/27/trump-ukraine-kurt-volker-rudy-giuliani-007212 |title=Ukraine envoy resigns amid scandal consuming Trump's presidency |work=] |date=September 27, 2019 |accessdate=September 28, 2019 |first=Nahal |last=Toosi}}</ref><ref name=Frazin-190927>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/463436-pompeo-subpoenaed-by-house-committees-over-ukraine-documents |title=Democrats subpoena Pompeo for Ukraine documents |work=] |date=September 27, 2019 |accessdate=September 28, 2019 |first1=Rachel |last1=Frazin |first2=Scott |last2=Wong |first3=Mike |last3=Lillis}}</ref> In a letter to ] chairman ], Pompeo declined to allow the depositions until "we obtain further clarity on these matters", asserting the demand was "an attempt to intimidate, bully, and treat improperly, the distinguished professionals of the Department of State".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/pompeo-says-state-dept-officials-wont-show-up-for-scheduled-impeachment-depositions-this-week/2019/10/01/b350f8a2-e459-11e9-a331-2df12d56a80b_story.html |date=October 1, 2019 |first=Karen |last=DeYoung |accessdate=October 1, 2019 |title=Pompeo says State Dept. officials won't show up for scheduled impeachment depositions this week |work=]}}</ref> In response to Pompeo's letter, the chairmen of the House Intelligence, Oversight and Foreign Affairs committees wrote to deputy secretary of state ] that because Pompeo took part in the Trump–Zelensky call, he was now considered a witness with a conflict of interest that should preclude him from making such decisions. The congressmen also warned that witness intimidation and withholding of documents could constitute obstruction of the impeachment inquiry.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.axios.com/house-chairmen-suggest-pompeo-conflict-of-interest-1384cc6b-c971-4b1b-a57d-29955973a1a9.html|title=House chairmen suggest Pompeo conflict of interest, warn against witness intimidation|work=] |date=October 2, 2019 |accessdate=October 4, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/01/us/politics/trump-impeachment-pompeo.html|title=As Impeachment Fights Begin, Administration and Congress Clash Over Deposition|first1=Nicholas|last1=Fandos|first2=Lara|last2=Jakes|date=October 1, 2019|newspaper=] |accessdate=October 4, 2019 |url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| {{main|Lev Parnas|Igor Fruman}} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] and ] are associates of Rudy Giuliani who aided him in his politically-motivated investigation into Joe Biden. They had previously worked for ], a Ukrainian oligarch being indicted by the Justice Department and believed to be involved at high levels of Russian organized crime.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-firtash-idUSKBN1WQ2H5 |title=Indicted Giuliani associate worked on behalf of Ukrainian oligarch Firtash |date=October 11, 2019 |work=] |first1=Aram |last1=Roston |first2=Karen |last2=Freifeld |first3=Polina |last3=Ivanova |access-date=October 24, 2019 }}</ref> Their attorney ], who previously represented Trump during the ], told Congress in October 2019 the men were assisting Giuliani in his work on behalf of Trump.<ref name="Helderx"/> Both are Soviet-born Florida real estate businessmen and naturalized American citizens.<ref name="ap-naftogaz"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/U.S.v.LevParnasetalIndictment.pdf|title=United States of America v. Lev Parnas, Igor Fruman, David Correia, and Andrey Kukushkin|last=Berman|first=Geoffrey S.|author-link=Geoffrey Berman|publisher=]|page=5|type=Sealed indictment|via=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012045123/https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/U.S.v.LevParnasetalIndictment.pdf|archive-date=October 12, 2019|access-date=October 12, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| Roughly an hour after Pompeo's letter was received, the ] ] requested an "urgent" meeting with several House committees the next day, relating to documents on Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-impeachment-inquiry-10-01-2019/index.html|title=The latest on the Trump impeachment inquiry|date=October 1, 2019|work=] |first=Meg |last=Wagner |first2=Mike |last2=Hayes |first3=Veronica |last3=Rocha |accessdate=October 4, 2019 }}</ref> After the meeting, Democrats said Linick had provided a "package of disinformation, debunked conspiracy theories and baseless allegations in an envelope marked 'White House' and containing folders labeled "Trump Hotel{{'"}}. Pompeo's ] ] told Linick the package presumably came from the White House. A cover sheet addressed to Pompeo indicated it was from the White House. Among the allegations in the documents was that ], the American ambassador to Ukraine who was recalled in May 2019, had been installed by George Soros. The materials had reportedly arrived at the State department in spring 2019 and Linick had passed them on to the FBI. Giuliani later admitted he had sent some of the materials, saying, "They told me they were going to investigate it."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/464124-dems-say-state-watchdog-gave-us-packet-of-propaganda|title=Dems say State watchdog turned over 'packet of propaganda'|first=Ian|last=Swanson|date=October 2, 2019|work=] |accessdate=October 4, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-state-idUSKBN1WH1WA|title=Democrats say Trump administration used misinformation to attack U.S. diplomat|date=October 3, 2019|first=Jonathan |last=Landay |first2=Mark |last2=Hosenball |newspaper=Reuters |accessdate=October 4, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/464150-giuliani-says-some-documents-turned-over-by-state-watchdog-came-from|title=Giuliani says some documents turned over by State watchdog came from him|first=Jordain|last=Carney|date=October 2, 2019|work=] |accessdate=October 4, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |url=https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/2019/10/three-chairs-statement-on-state-ig-briefing|title=Three Chairs Statement on State IG Briefing |website=] |date=October 2, 2019 |accessdate=October 4, 2019 }}</ref> A subpoena was also issued to Giuliani for production of documents.<ref name=Pramuk-190930>{{cite news | url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/30/house-democrats-subpoena-trump-lawyer-rudy-giuliani-in-impeachment-probe.html | title=House Democrats subpoena Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani in impeachment probe | work=] | date=September 30, 2019 | accessdate=September 30, 2019 | first=Jacob | last=Pramuk}}</ref> | |||
| The two were arrested on the evening of October 9, 2019, and charged with planning to direct funds from a foreign government "to U.S. politicians while trying to influence U.S.-Ukraine relations". They were arrested at ] while trying to leave the U.S. en route to Vienna, Austria. Rudy Giuliani was also scheduled to fly to Vienna the following night.<ref name=wsj24oct2019>{{cite news |date=October 10, 2019 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/two-foreign-born-men-who-helped-giuliani-on-ukraine-arrested-on-campaign-finance-charges-11570714188 |title=Two Giuliani Associates Who Helped Him on Ukraine Charged With Campaign-Finance Violations|first1=Aruna |last1=Viswanatha |first2=Rebecca |last2=Ballhaus |first3=Sadie |last3=Gurman |first4=Byron |last4=Tau |work=] |access-date=October 24, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/10/politics/rudy-giuliani-vienna-flight-associates-arrested/index.html |title=Rudy Giuliani said he was flying to Vienna just before associates were arrested before reportedly trying to go to Vienna |first=Paul |last=LeBlanc |date=October 11, 2019 |publisher=] |access-date=October 24, 2019 }}</ref> Their arrest, the first in the Trump–Ukraine scandal, was described as a "complex web of financial and political interactions linking diplomacy to alleged violations of campaign finance law".<ref name="Helderx">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/two-business-associates-of-trumps-personal-lawyer-giuliani-have-been-arrested-and-are-in-custody/2019/10/10/9f9c101a-eb63-11e9-9306-47cb0324fd44_story.html|title=Two business associates of Trump's personal attorney Giuliani have been arrested on campaign finance charges|last1=Barrett|first1=Devlin|date=October 10, 2018|newspaper=]|access-date=October 10, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191012042904/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/two-business-associates-of-trumps-personal-lawyer-giuliani-have-been-arrested-and-are-in-custody/2019/10/10/9f9c101a-eb63-11e9-9306-47cb0324fd44_story.html|archive-date=October 12, 2019|last2=Wagner|first2=John|last3=Helderman|first3=Rosalind S.|url-access=limited}}</ref> The head of the New York's FBI office described the investigation as "about corrupt behavior, deliberate lawbreaking".<ref name=Helderx/> Parnas and Fruman both pleaded not guilty. Parnas's attorney said some evidence against his client could be subject to presidential ], as Giuliani had represented both Trump and Parnas.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/nyregion/lev-parnas-igor-fruman-campaign-finance.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023183014/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/nyregion/lev-parnas-igor-fruman-campaign-finance.html |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Indicted Giuliani Associate Ties Case to Trump|first1=Nicole|last1=Hong|first2=William K.|last2=Rashbaum|date=October 23, 2019|work=] |access-date=November 19, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| The House also sought testimony from ], the ambassador to the European Union, whose text messages revealed his involvement with Ukrainian officials in arranging a meeting with Trump. The Trump administration blocked Sondland from testifying, claiming that the process would be a "totally compromised ]" and that "Republican's{{sic}} rights have been taken away and true facts are not allowed out for the public."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-09/trump-admin-blocks-us-ambassador-to-eu-from-testifying/11584462|title=Donald Trump blocks U.S. ambassador to European Union from testifying in impeachment inquiry|date=October 9, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 9, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009140526/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-09/trump-admin-blocks-us-ambassador-to-eu-from-testifying/11584462|archive-date=October 9, 2019|publisher=]|agency=]}}</ref> | |||
| On October 8, the ] Pat Cipollone sent an eight-page letter to Pelosi and other Democratic leaders, saying the Trump administration would refuse to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry. The letter asserted that the inquiry was "constitutionally invalid" and "violates the Constitution, the rule of law, and every past precedent" and objected to the inquiry's procedure. Pelosi responded that "The White House should be warned that continued efforts to hide the truth of the president's abuse of power from the American people will be regarded as further evidence of obstruction."<ref>{{cite news |title=READ: White House Letter Declares Impeachment Inquiry Unconstitutional |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2019-10-08/read-white-house-letter-declares-impeachment-inquiry-unconstitutional |first=Lisa |last=Hagen |date=October 8, 2019 |accessdate=October 9, 2019 |newspaper=] }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=White House Declares War on Impeachment Inquiry, Claiming Effort to Undo Trump's Election |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/08/us/politics/sondland-trump-ukraine-impeach.html |first=Nicholas |last=Fandos |first2=Peter |last2=Baker |first3=Michael S. |last3=Schmidt |first4=Maggie |last4=Haberman |date=October 8, 2019 |accessdate=October 9, 2019 |newspaper=] |url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| The charges have also directly connected Parnas and Fruman to the campaign to oust the United States ambassador to Ukraine, ], from her post and have her recalled.<ref name="fruman-press">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/10/us/politics/lev-parnas-igor-fruman-arrested-giuliani.html|title=2 Giuliani Associates Tied to Ukraine Scandal Arrested on Campaign Finance Charges|last1=Mazzetti|first1=Mark|date=October 10, 2019|work=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191011032751/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/10/us/politics/lev-parnas-igor-fruman-arrested-giuliani.html|archive-date=October 11, 2019|last2=Sullivan|first2=Eileen|last3=Goldman|first3=Adam|last4=Rashbaum|first4=William K.|url-access=limited|access-date=October 11, 2019}}</ref> This occurred over many months.<ref name="ap-naftogaz"/> In 2018, the operation included Parnas and Fruman donating funds and pledging later additional money to an unnamed Congressman, who was recruited for the "campaign to oust her".<ref name=fruman-press/> Some of the funds violated campaign limits. Parnas and Fruman were also charged with unlawful campaign contributions. Former congressional representative ] (R-Texas) correlates with campaign finance filings, identifying him as the unnamed congressman. At the time, as the chairman of the influential House Rules Committee, he wrote a May 9, 2018, letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "saying that Ms. Yovanovitch should be fired for privately expressing 'disdain' for the current administration".<ref name=fruman-press/> Earlier that day, Parnas and his business partner David Correia visited Sessions in his Capitol Hill office.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/pete-sessions-appears-to-be-congressman-1-ensnared-in-guiliani-associates-indictment|title=Pete Sessions appears to be 'Congressman 1' ensnared in Guiliani associates' indictment|last1=Biesecker|first1=Michael|date=October 11, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 12, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013005800/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/pete-sessions-appears-to-be-congressman-1-ensnared-in-guiliani-associates-indictment|archive-date=October 13, 2019|agency=]|last2=Butler|first2=Desmond}}</ref> Correia was arrested by the FBI at ] on October 16 on charges of using foreign money for political influence to advance a marijuana scheme.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/fourth-defendant-in-giuliani-associates-case-arrested-at-new-york-airport/2019/10/16/2c3ea19e-f024-11e9-89eb-ec56cd414732_story.html |title=Fourth defendant in Giuliani associates' case arrested at New York airport |date=October 16, 2019 |first=Devlin |last=Barrett |newspaper=] |access-date=November 19, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| On October 13, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Schiff announced that the initial whistleblower at the heart of the impeachment inquiry might not testify. Schiff cited concerns that the whistleblower's identity might be revealed, placing his or her personal safety at risk, and additionally said that sufficient amounts of evidence are already gathered.<ref>{{cite news |title=Adam Schiff says whistleblower may not testify in impeachment probe |date=October 13, 2019 |url=https://www.politico.com/amp/news/2019/10/13/schiff-whistleblower-impeachment-probe-045910|first=Heather|last=Caygle|accessdate=October 14, 2019 |newspaper=]}}</ref> | |||
| In 2018, Parnas and Fruman were sent by Giuliani to Ukraine to extract damaging information on Trump's U.S. political rivals. "Their mission was to find people and information that could be used to undermine the ], and also to damage former vice president Joseph R. Biden."<ref name="lev-igor">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/10/us/politics/rudy-giuliani-ukraine-associates.html |access-date=December 12, 2019 |title=Giuliani's Ukraine Team: In Search of Influence, Dirt and Money|last=Vogel|first=Kenneth P.|date=October 10, 2019|work=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191011125733/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/10/us/politics/rudy-giuliani-ukraine-associates.html|archive-date=October 11, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> Both were also at the center of the pro-Trump forces' push to remove the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine because her loyalty to President Trump was deemed deficient "as he pursued his agenda there".<ref name=lev-igor/> Also, over the course of a year beginning in 2018, the two brought Giuliani to Ukrainians who were amenable to promoting "a largely unsubstantiated narrative about the Bidens".<ref name=lev-igor/> These willing Ukrainians included ], a former ], who was essential to aiding Giuliani's efforts to produce damaging information. In an interview published in December 2019, Giuliani stated, "I believed that I needed Yovanovitch out of the way. She was going to make the investigations difficult for everybody."<ref name="prosecutor behind">{{Cite news |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/12/23/the-ukrainian-prosecutor-behind-trumps-impeachment |title=The Ukrainian Prosecutor Behind Trump's Impeachment |first=Adam |last=Entous |date=December 16, 2019 |magazine=] |access-date=January 7, 2020 }}</ref> | |||
| The House of Representatives approved guidelines for the next phase of the impeachment inquiry on October 31, 2019.<ref name=Demirjian-191031>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/house-to-vote-on-rules-governing-next-phase-of-trump-impeachment-inquiry/2019/10/31/bc2f5e7a-fbcc-11e9-ac8c-8eced29ca6ef_story.html | title=A divided House backs impeachment probe of Trump | work=] | date=October 31, 2019 | accessdate=October 31, 2019 | first=Karoun | last=Demirjian | first2=Rachael | last2=Bade | first3=Mike | last3=DeBonis}}</ref> | |||
| Giuliani's relationship with Parnas and Fruman is the subject of a criminal investigation by the FBI's New York field office and ] prosecutors.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rudy-giulianis-relationship-arrested-men-subject-criminal-investigation/story?id=66212654|title=Rudy Giuliani's relationship with arrested men is subject of criminal investigation: Sources|last1=Katersky|first1=Aaron|date=October 11, 2019|access-date=October 11, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011164943/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rudy-giulianis-relationship-arrested-men-subject-criminal-investigation/story?id=66212654|archive-date=October 11, 2019|work=]|last2=Margolin|first2=Josh}}</ref> His business activities in Ukraine and potential violation of lobbying laws are under federal investigation,<ref name=":3">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/11/us/politics/rudy-giuliani-investigation.html|title=Giuliani Is Said to Be Under Investigation for Ukraine Work|last1=Schmidt|first1=Michael S.|date=October 11, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 12, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013024624/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/11/us/politics/rudy-giuliani-investigation.html|archive-date=October 13, 2019|last2=Protess|first2=Ben|last3=Vogel|first3=Kenneth P.|last4=Rashbaum|first4=William K.|author-link1=Michael S. Schmidt|author-link3=Kenneth P. Vogel|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="rudy-finances">{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/federal-prosecutors-scrutinize-rudy-giuliani-s-ukraine-business-dealings-finances-11571092100 |title=Federal Prosecutors Scrutinize Rudy Giuliani's Ukraine Business Dealings, Finances |first1=Aruna |last1=Viswanatha |first2=Rebecca |last2=Davis O'Brien |first3=Rebecca|last3=Ballhaus|work=] |date=October 14, 2019 |access-date=October 29, 2019 }}</ref> by FBI counterintelligence.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 15, 2019 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/10/15/trump-lawyer-rudy-giuliani-ukraine-business-investigation/3986079002/ |access-date=December 12, 2019 |title=Federal investigators have been looking into Giuliani's dealings in Ukraine since early 2019|first1=Kevin|last1=McCoy|first2=Kevin|last2=Johnson|work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/16/politics/giuliani-counterintelligence-probe/index.html |access-date=December 12, 2019 |title=Federal investigation of Rudy Giuliani includes counterintelligence probe |first1=Evan |last1=Perez |first2=Sara |last2=Murray |first3=Shimon |last3=Prokupecz |work=] |date=October 16, 2019 }}</ref> SDNY prosecutors have examined Giuliani's bank statements. They are also investigating his finances, as well as meetings with and work for a Ukrainian city mayor.<ref name=rudy-finances/> SDNY investigators have been questioning witnesses about Giuliani since August 2019, gathering information about his relationship to Parnas and Fruman.<ref name="rudy-finances"/> ''Bloomberg News'' reported in November 2019 that the Giuliani investigation could include charges of bribing foreign officials or conspiracy.<ref name="Bloomberg 2019-11-15">{{cite news |agency=] |title=Giuliani Faces U.S. Probe on Campaign Finance, Lobbying Breaches |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-15/giuliani-faces-u-s-probe-on-campaign-finance-lobbying-breaches |access-date=December 12, 2019 |first1=Chris |last1=Strohm |first2=Jordan |last2=Fabian |date=November 15, 2019 |url-access=limited }}</ref> | |||
| === Closed-door hearings === | |||
| Referring to Parnas and Fruman, on October 10 Trump said, "I don't know those gentlemen," although that day ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported Trump had dinner with the men in the White House in early May 2018.<ref name=wsj24oct2019/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry-live-updates/2019/10/10/e46ddd94-eace-11e9-9c6d-436a0df4f31d_story.html|title=House Democrats subpoena Perry, Giuliani associates; Trump to hold first campaign rally since impeachment inquiry launch|last1=Sonmez|first1=Felicia|date=October 10, 2019|newspaper=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191012044719/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry-live-updates/2019/10/10/e46ddd94-eace-11e9-9c6d-436a0df4f31d_story.html|archive-date=October 12, 2019|last2=Itkowitz|first2=Colby|last3=Wagner|first3=John|url-access=limited|access-date=October 12, 2019}}</ref> '']'' featured photos of Lev Parnas posing with President Trump and both Parnas and Fruman posing with other Republicans in Washington, DC.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/mikesallah/ukraine-spending-trump-parnas-fruman|title=Two Key Players In The Ukraine Controversy Spent Lavishly As They Dug For Dirt on Biden|last1=Sallah|first1=Michael|date=October 9, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 12, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012050905/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/mikesallah/ukraine-spending-trump-parnas-fruman|archive-date=October 12, 2019|last2=Loop|first2=Emma}}</ref> Trump was photographed with Parnas as early as April 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/12/trump-lev-parnas-photo-giuliani-045137|title=2014 photograph shows earlier ties between Trump and indicted Giuliani associate|last=Schreckinger|first=Ben|date=October 12, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 12, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013000243/https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/12/trump-lev-parnas-photo-giuliani-045137|archive-date=October 13, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| ] in March 2018. ] testified that Bolton told her, "Giuliani's a hand grenade who's going to blow everybody up."<ref name="mccarthy-oct14">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/14/fiona-hill-testimony-trump-impeachment-inquiry|title=Trump-Ukraine: John Bolton 'sounded alarm about Giuliani's actions'|last1=McCarthy|first1=Tom|date=October 14, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 15, 2019|last2=Borger|first2=Julian|authorlink2=Julian Borger}}</ref>]] | |||
| On October 15, 2019, it was reported that a New York grand jury had subpoenaed former congressman ] (R-Texas) for documents and other information about his intercommunications and cooperation with Giuliani, Parnas, and Fruman. The subpoena demonstrated that the investigation into Giuliani's relationship to Parnas and Fruman remained active, as prosecutors determine whether Giuliani engaged in any illegal behavior. Giuliani seems to be the focal point of the subpoena.<ref name=focus-wsj>{{cite news |date=October 15, 2019 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ex-rep-sessions-subpoenaed-over-interactions-with-giuliani-giuliani-associates-11571176908|title=Ex-Rep. Sessions Subpoenaed Over Interactions With Giuliani, Giuliani Associates|first=Rebecca|last=Ballhaus|work=] |access-date=October 29, 2019 }}</ref> Sought after documents pertain to Giuliani's business affairs in Ukraine and his connection to the ouster of the former U.S. ambassador.<ref name=focus-wsj/> The unsealed indictment against Parnas says he sought the help of the congressman to dismiss the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine while sourcing the money to the congressman on behalf of "one or more Ukrainian government officials".<ref name=sess-subpoena>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/former-rep-pete-sessions-subpoenaed-by-grand-jury-investigating-giuliani-and-associates/2019/10/15/c7fb9204-ef98-11e9-8693-f487e46784aa_story.html |date=October 15, 2019 |title=Former Rep. Pete Sessions subpoenaed by grand jury investigating Giuliani and associates|first1=Matt|last1=Zapotosky|first2=Devlin |last2=Barrett |newspaper=] |access-date=October 24, 2019 }}</ref> Sessions followed up with a letter to the secretary of state requesting the ouster of the ambassador. | |||
| ==== Marie Yovanovitch ==== | |||
| On November 4, 2019, Parnas's new attorney Joseph Bondy said his client would cooperate with congressional investigators in their Trump impeachment inquiry.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-impeachment-parnas-exclusiv-idUSKBN1XE297 |first=Aram |last=Roston|title=Exclusive: Giuliani associate now willing to comply with Trump impeachment inquiry—lawyer|date=November 4, 2019|work=] |access-date=November 5, 2019 }}</ref> Bondy later told ''The New York Times'' that shortly before Zelenskyy's May 20 inauguration, Parnas traveled to Kyiv to tell the incoming government that American military aid was contingent upon Ukraine's announcing an investigation of Joe Biden.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/04/nyregion/lev-parnas-giuliani-associate.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104235010/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/04/nyregion/lev-parnas-giuliani-associate.html |archive-date=November 4, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=December 12, 2019 |title=Lev Parnas, Giuliani Associate, Opens Talks With Impeachment Investigators |first1=Ben |last1=Protess |first2=Michael |last2=Rothfeld |first3=William K. |last3=Rashbaum |date=November 4, 2019 |work=] }}</ref> | |||
| ], the former ] with 30 years of foreign service, has surfaced as a key person in the impeachment inquiry. She was recalled in May 2019. On October 11, 2019, Yovanovitch told ] she had been informed by Deputy Secretary of State ] that Trump had been pressuring the State Department to remove her from her post in Ukraine since the summer of 2018. When notified of her removal, Sullivan assured her that she had done nothing wrong and was not being recalled for cause. Yovanovitch testified that the U.S. government had removed her from office based on groundless and fabricated assertions by individuals with discernibly dubious intentions.<ref name=rosza-yano>{{cite news |first=Shira |last=Tarlo |url=https://www.salon.com/2019/10/11/former-ukraine-ambassador-marie-yovanovitch-says-trump-pressured-state-department-to-remove-her/|title=Trump had ex-Ukraine ambassador removed on "false claims"|date=October 11, 2019|website=]}}</ref> She told the committee that she was dismissed because she had candidly disapproved of Giuliani and the office of former prosecutor general ]. "She also noted that Lutsenko's claim that she had given him a 'do not prosecute' list was false, and that Lutsenko himself had walked it back."<ref name=fiona-rosza>{{cite news |first=Matthew |last=Rozsa |url=https://www.salon.com/2019/10/14/former-presidential-aide-fiona-hill-testifies-in-closed-door-hearing-for-impeachment-inquiry/|title=Fiona Hill testifies before Congress|date=October 14, 2019|website=] |accessdate=November 19, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| On January 14, 2020, the House Intelligence Committee released documents provided by Parnas, including text messages between Parnas and ], a Republican congressional candidate, in which Hyde described surveillance of Yovanovitch in Kyiv before she was recalled, including Hyde stating that she was under heavy security and "we have a person inside," adding, "they are willing to help if we/you would like a price" and "guess you can do anything in Ukraine with money."<ref name="new documents2"/><ref name="attachment"/> Two days later, Ukraine announced it was opening an investigation into the matter, while the State Department remained silent as the FBI visited Hyde's home and office.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Matthew |last=Lee |url=https://apnews.com/article/6d06e9acc3de3030ceb77f8cc7e6944f|title=State Dept chided for silence over alleged threats to envoy |date=January 16, 2020 |work=] |access-date=January 29, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first1=Allan |last1=Smith |first2=Tom |last2=Winter |date=January 16, 2020 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/fbi-visits-robert-hyde-s-home-office-after-he-s-n1117181|title=FBI visits Robert Hyde's home and office after he's swept into Ukraine scheme |work=] |access-date=23 February 2023 }}</ref> The documents also outlined text exchanges with then Ukrainian Prosecutor General ] in which he pushed for the ouster of Yovanovitch and offered information related to former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in return.<ref name="auto7"/><ref name="auto5"/> | |||
| ==== Fiona Hill ==== | |||
| On January 15, 2020, Parnas stated in an interview that "President Trump knew exactly what was going on. He was aware of all my movements. I wouldn't do anything without the consent of Rudy Giuliani or the president" about the effort to push Ukraine to investigate the Bidens.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/us/politics/lev-parnas-ukraine-trump-giuliani.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116040011/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/us/politics/lev-parnas-ukraine-trump-giuliani.html |archive-date=January 16, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Lev Parnas, Key Player in Ukraine Affair, Completes Break With Trump and Giuliani|last1=Vogel|first1=Kenneth P.|date=January 15, 2020|work=]|access-date=January 16, 2020|last2=Protess|first2=Ben}}</ref> The next day, Trump again asserted that he knew nothing about Parnas.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 16, 2020 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/16/politics/donald-trump-lev-parnas-ukraine/index.html |access-date=January 29, 2020 |title=Trump continues to insist he doesn't know Giuliani associate Parnas |first1=Kevin |last1=Liptak |first2=Erica |last2=Orden |publisher=] |archive-date=February 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209190910/https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/16/politics/donald-trump-lev-parnas-ukraine/index.html }}</ref> | |||
| ], the former top Russia advisor in the Trump White House, testified in a closed-door hearing on October 14, 2019, telling investigators that Giuliani ran a "shadow" foreign policy in Ukraine that circumvented normal diplomatic channels for Trump's personal benefit.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trumps-former-top-russia-adviser-to-testify-in-house-impeachment-probe/2019/10/14/e6015c1c-ee34-11e9-8693-f487e46784aa_story.html|title=Trump's ex-Russia adviser told impeachment investigators of Giuliani's efforts in Ukraine|first1=Karoun|last1=Demirjian|first2=Shane|last2=Harris|authorlink2=Shane Harris|first3=Rachael |last3=Bade|work=] |date=October 14, 2019}}</ref> According to Hill, ], who at the time was Trump's ], found the attempts to pressure Ukraine into investigating Trump's political rivals sufficiently alarming that he told her to report the operation to the National Security Council's lawyer. Bolton instructed her to inform the attorney, "I am not part of whatever drug deal Sondland and Mulvaney are cooking up." Hill told her Bolton characterized Giuliani as, in effect, "a hand grenade who's going to blow everybody up."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/14/us/politics/bolton-giuliani-fiona-hill-testimony.html|title=Bolton Objected to Ukraine Pressure Campaign, Calling Giuliani "a Hand Grenade'|last=Baker|first=Peter|date=October 14, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 15, 2019|last2=Fandos|first2=Nicholas|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|url-access=limited}}</ref> On November 21, Hill testified in open session of the ], cautioning it by declaring, "Right now, Russia's security services and their proxies have geared up to repeat their interference," in the 2020 election, as they had in 2016. Hill definitively stated, regarding the U.S. response to the ] cyberattacks, "We are running out of time to stop them. In the course of this investigation, I would ask that you please not promote politically driven falsehoods that so clearly advance Russian interests."<ref name=Hill>, '']'', November 21, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2019/11/21/world/europe/21reuters-usa-trump-impeachment-quotes-factbox.html|title='Politically Driven Falsehoods': Quotes From Trump Impeachment Hearing|date=November 21, 2019|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> Hill also urged other insiders with knowledge of illegalities or improprieties to come forth, saying, "Those who have information that the Congress deems relevant have a legal and moral obligation to provide it."<ref>, '']'', November 21, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2019.</reF> | |||
| In an audio recording reportedly made by Fruman during a small dinner in April 2018, after Parnas and Fruman tell Trump that Yovanovitch was bad-mouthing him, Trump is apparently heard to say "Get rid of her! Get her out tomorrow. I don't care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. Okay? Do it."<ref name="take her out"/> | |||
| ==== George Kent ==== | |||
| === Communications with other governments === | |||
| ], overseeing policy towards ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/biographies/george-p-kent/|title=George P. Kent}}. United States State Department. Retrieved October 23, 2019</ref>]] | |||
| ==== Australia ==== | |||
| ], a career United States diplomat, met with impeachment investigators on October 15, 2019, even though the State Department ordered him not to testify and tried to limit his testimony. He is currently the number two diplomat in the ] and has much experience in the U.S. State Department's anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine dating back to 2014. Beginning in March 2019, Kent expressed misgivings to colleagues about the pressure being applied to Ukraine by President Trump and Giuliani to carry out official inquiries into Mr. Trump's political adversaries.<ref name=vogel-kent/> Kent also directed attention to Giuliani's "disinformation" operation which planned to enroll a Ukrainian prosecutor to slander Trump opponents: Joseph Biden, Marie Yovanovitch, and Ukrainians believed to have circulated harmful information about ], Trump's campaign chairman, during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign.<ref name="vogel-kent">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/15/us/politics/impeachment-george-kent-state.html|title=Senior State Dept. Ukraine Expert Says White House Sidelined Him|first1=Nicholas|last1=Fandos|first2=Kenneth P.|last2=Vogel|first3=Michael D.|last3=Shear|date=October 15, 2019|newspaper=] }}</ref><ref name=welland-kent>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/15/us/politics/impeachment-news.html|title=The Trump Impeachment Inquiry: What Happened Today|first=Noah|last=Weiland|date=October 15, 2019|newspaper=]|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| On October 1, 2019, it was reported that the transcript of a Trump call with Australian prime minister ] had been placed on the same top-secret server as the other transcripts. Trump was reported to have requested Morrison's aid in William Barr's investigation of the ].<ref name="scomo call">{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-01/donald-trump-asked-scott-morrison-for-help-mueller-report/11562604|title=Donald Trump reportedly pressed Scott Morrison for help to discredit Mueller inquiry|last1=Probyn|first1=Andrew|date=October 1, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004085229/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-01/donald-trump-asked-scott-morrison-for-help-mueller-report/11562604|archive-date=October 4, 2019|publisher=]|last2=Connor|first2=Duffy|last3=Greene|first3=Andrew|last4=Worthington|first4=Brett}}</ref> Trump's request focused on the origins of the Mueller inquiry as a conversation between Australia's former foreign minister ] and Trump campaign team member ] led to the investigation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/30/us/politics/how-fbi-russia-investigation-began-george-papadopoulos.html|title=How the Russia Inquiry Began: A Campaign Aide, Drinks and Talk of Political Dirt|last1=LaFraniere|first1=Sharon|date=December 30, 2017|work=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180517044352/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/30/us/politics/how-fbi-russia-investigation-began-george-papadopoulos.html|archive-date=May 17, 2018|last2=Mazzetti|first2=Mark|last3=Apuzzo|first3=Matt|url-access=limited}}</ref> The Australian government confirmed the call had taken place and that Morrison had articulated to the President that "the Australian Government has always been ready to assist and cooperate with efforts that help shed further light on the matters under investigation," but did not elaborate on what, if any, assistance had been offered.<ref name="scomo call"/> In a letter to William Barr dated May 28, ], Australia's ambassador to the U.S., pledged that the Australian government would "use its best endeavours" to support Barr's investigation.<ref name="scomo call"/> Hockey later rejected claims that Downer had been part of a conspiracy among intelligence agencies around the world to prevent Trump's election and undermine his eventual presidency.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-04/donald-trump-mueller-inquiry-alexander-downer-conspiracy-theory/11573476|title=Donald Trump-Mueller inquiry conspiracy theory about Alexander Downer rejected by Joe Hockey|last=Duffy|first=Connor|date=October 4, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004081946/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-04/donald-trump-mueller-inquiry-alexander-downer-conspiracy-theory/11573476|archive-date=October 4, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| The White House responded by dismissing the reports, claiming it was part of a routine request to grant Australian authorities access to Department of Justice resources to facilitate an investigation that had been open for several months.<ref name="scomo call"/> When questioned by a journalist, Morrison rejected Opposition Leader ]'s accusation that he had jeopardized Australia's national security for the sake of a personal relationship with the president and instead insisted that cooperating with Barr's investigation was in the national interest. Morrison claimed that no specific request had been made of his government, but refused to go into detail as to what support had been provided, citing national security concerns.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-02/scott-morrison-defends-call-with-donald-trump/11568296|title=Scott Morrison insists he's acting in Australia's interest helping Donald Trump with inquiry|last=Worthington|first=Brett|date=October 2, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 2, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004120621/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-02/scott-morrison-defends-call-with-donald-trump/11568296|archive-date=October 4, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| Internal emails submitted by the State Department's Inspector General show Kent criticizing a "fake news smear" about Ms. Yovanovitch, which were touted by conservative broadcasting commentators linked with Mr. Trump. In another email, he disapproved of the Ukrainian prosecutor who was circulating allegations about Ms. Yovanovitch and said they were "complete poppycock."<ref name=vogel-kent/> He also testified that, after a May 2019 meeting arranged by ], he was mostly excluded from decisions about Ukraine policymaking, calling his exclusion by President Trump's insiders—Gordon Sondland, Kurt Volker, and ]—as "wrong." The three "declared themselves the three people now responsible for Ukraine policy."<ref name="vogel-kent"/> At certain times, Kent was told to "lay low" on matters regarding Ukraine. | |||
| ==== Italy ==== | |||
| In reference to Joe and Hunter Biden, those familiar with his testimony said Kent told investigators that as early as 2015 he had attempted to voice concerns about the then-Vice President's son sitting on the board of the Ukrainian energy company ]. Joe Biden's advisers discussed the possible conflict of interest among themselves, and one former adviser "had been concerned enough to mention it to Biden, though the conversation was brief".<ref name=alarms>{{cite news |first=John |last=Hudson |first2=Rachael |last2=Bade |first3=Matt |last3=Viser |date=October 18, 2019 |title=Diplomat tells investigators he raised alarms in 2015 about Hunter Biden's Ukraine work but was rebuffed |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/diplomat-tells-investigators-he-raised-alarms-in-2015-about-hunter-bidens-ukraine-work-but-was-rebuffed/2019/10/18/81e35be9-4f5a-4048-8520-0baabb18ab63_story.html |accessdate=October 19, 2019 |work=Washington Post}}</ref> | |||
| On September 30, it was reported that Attorney General William Barr had travelled to ] to enlist the support of Italian authorities in his investigation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/attorney-general-barr-personally-asked-foreign-officials-to-aid-inquiry-into-cia-fbi-activities-in-2016/2019/09/30/d50cd5c4-e3a5-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|title=Barr personally asked foreign officials to aid inquiry into CIA, FBI activities in 2016|last1=Barrett|first1=Devlin|date=September 30, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191001001624/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/attorney-general-barr-personally-asked-foreign-officials-to-aid-inquiry-into-cia-fbi-activities-in-2016/2019/09/30/d50cd5c4-e3a5-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|archive-date=October 1, 2019|last2=Harris|first2=Shane|last3=Zapotosky|first3=Matt|url-access=limited}}</ref> Barr sought information related to a conspiracy theory that ] was a Western intelligence operative who allegedly entrapped Trump campaign advisor George Papadopoulos in order to establish a false predicate for the FBI to open an investigation into ]. Contrary to the conspiracy theory, that investigation was actually initiated after the Australian government notified American authorities that its diplomat ] had a chance encounter with Papadopoulos, who boasted about possible access to Hillary Clinton emails held by the Russian government. Mifsud was last known to be in Rome in 2017, but had since disappeared.<ref name="trump pressed">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/30/us/politics/trump-australia-barr-mueller.html|title=Trump Pressed Australian Leader to Help Barr Investigate Mueller Inquiry's Origins|last1=Mazzetti|first1=Mark|date=September 30, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191003014641/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/30/us/politics/trump-australia-barr-mueller.html|archive-date=October 3, 2019|last2=Benner|first2=Katie|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/10/01/barrs-probing-australia-great-britain-italy-suggest-conspiratorial-focus/|title=Barr's probing of Australia, Britain and Italy suggests a conspiracy focus|last=Blake|first=Aaron|date=October 1, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 6, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191003002909/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/10/01/barrs-probing-australia-great-britain-italy-suggest-conspiratorial-focus/|archive-date=October 3, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' reported on November 22, 2019, that the Justice Department inspector general had aggressively investigated the allegation that Mifsud had been directed to entrap Papadopoulos, but found it was without merit.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/justice-dept-watchdog-finds-political-bias-did-not-taint-top-officials-running-the-fbis-russia-probe-but-documents-other-errors/2019/11/22/4b2f51de-0d48-11ea-97ac-a7ccc8dd1ebc_story.html |date=November 22, 2019 |title=Justice Dept. watchdog finds political bias did not taint top officials running the FBI's Russia probe but documents errors |first=Ellen |last=Nakashima |newspaper=] |access-date=December 12, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| ==== China ==== | |||
| Kent also testified that the storylines of four Ukraine-related articles by ] and featured on the Fox News programs of ] and ] were misleading, in some cases "entirely made up in full cloth."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediamatters.org/john-solomon/state-department-official-right-wing-narratives-about-ukraine-were-entirely-made-full|title=State Department official: Right-wing narratives about Ukraine were "entirely made up in full cloth"|first=John|last=Whitehouse|website=Media Matters for America |date=November 7, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| On October 3, Trump publicly called upon ] to investigate Hunter Biden's business activities there while his father was vice president.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/03/trump-biden-china-investigation-demand|title=Trump calls on China to investigate Biden in extraordinary demand|last1=Borger|first1=Julian|date=October 3, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 5, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004142600/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/03/trump-biden-china-investigation-demand|archive-date=October 4, 2019|last2=Gambino|first2=Lauren}}</ref><ref name="Wagner">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-whistleblower/2019/10/02/80df829a-e494-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|title=Live updates: Trump calls for China to investigate Bidens; former Ukraine envoy testifies on Capitol Hill|last1=Wagner|first1=John|date=October 3, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191002213736/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-whistleblower/2019/10/02/80df829a-e494-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|archive-date=October 2, 2019|last2=Sonmez|first2=Felicia|url-access=limited}}</ref> In 2013, Biden, ], and Chinese businessman Jonathan Li founded ], a business focused on investing Chinese capital in companies based outside of China.<ref name="entous1">{{cite news|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/08/will-hunter-biden-jeopardize-his-fathers-campaign|title=Will Hunter Biden Jeopardize His Father's Campaign?|last1=Entous|first1=Adam|date=July 1, 2019|magazine=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190922160831/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/08/will-hunter-biden-jeopardize-his-fathers-campaign|archive-date=September 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-hunterbiden-c/explainer-trumps-claims-and-hunter-bidens-dealings-in-china-idUSKBN1WI2HK|title=Explainer: Trump's claims and Hunter Biden's dealings in China|last1=Layne|first1=Nathan|date=October 4, 2019|access-date=October 6, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007072223/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-hunterbiden-c/explainer-trumps-claims-and-hunter-bidens-dealings-in-china-idUSKBN1WI2HK|archive-date=October 7, 2019|work=]|last2=Ruwitch|first2=John|last3=Shen|first3=Samuel|last4=Tham|first4=Engen|last5=Zhai|first5=Keith}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/us/politics/hunter-biden-china.html|title=What We Know About Hunter Biden's Business in China|last1=LaFraniere|first1=Sharon|date=October 3, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 5, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191005014723/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/03/us/politics/hunter-biden-china.html|archive-date=October 5, 2019|last2=Forsythe|first2=Michael|author-link=Sharon LaFraniere|url-access=limited}}</ref> In September, Trump falsely claimed Biden "walk out of China with $1.5 billion in a fund" and earned "millions" of dollars from the BHR deal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/27/politics/fact-check-trump-bidens-china/index.html|title=Fact-checking Trump's claims about the Bidens in China|last=Subramaniam|first=Tara|date=October 3, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008001538/https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/27/politics/fact-check-trump-bidens-china/index.html|archive-date=October 8, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref><ref name="kessler092619">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/26/trumps-false-claims-about-hunter-bidens-china-dealings/|title=A quick guide to Trump's false claims about Ukraine and the Bidens|last=Kessler|first=Glenn|date=September 26, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013062852/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/26/trumps-false-claims-about-hunter-bidens-china-dealings/|archive-date=October 13, 2019|author-link=Glenn Kessler (journalist)|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| Trump discussed the political prospects of Biden, as well as former candidate ], another political rival, during a June 18 phone call with Chinese leader ]. The record of the call was stored on the same highly restricted computer system used for the Trump–Zelenskyy call record. According to two people familiar with the discussion, Trump told Xi on the same call that "he would remain quiet on ] as trade talks progressed."<ref name="raised biden">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/03/politics/trump-biden-call-xi-secure-server/index.html|title=Trump raised Biden with Xi in June call housed in highly secure server|last1=Atwood|first1=Kylie|date=October 4, 2019|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191012233246/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/03/politics/trump-biden-call-xi-secure-server/index.html|archive-date=October 12, 2019 |work=]|last2=Liptak |first2=Kevin |last3=Brown |first3=Pamela |last4=Sciutto |first4=Jim |last5=Borger |first5=Gloria }}</ref> The day after Trump's call for China to investigate Hunter Biden, Senator Mitt Romney said: "it strains credulity to suggest that is anything other than politically motivated."<ref name="gregorian">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/romney-blasts-trump-wrong-appalling-call-china-probe-bidens-n1062536|title=Romney blasts Trump over 'wrong and appalling' call for China to probe Bidens|last=Gregorian|first=Dareh|date=October 4, 2019|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013060406/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/romney-blasts-trump-wrong-appalling-call-china-probe-bidens-n1062536|archive-date=October 13, 2019|work=]}}</ref> The Chinese foreign ministry said that the Chinese government had "no intention of intervening in the domestic affairs of the United States".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3032042/china-rejects-us-president-donald-trumps-call-investigate|title=China rejects Donald Trump's call to investigate Democrat rival Joe Biden and son|last=Ng|first=Teddy|date=October 8, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 8, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| ==== Michael McKinley ==== | |||
| ], a China scholar at the ] and a Trump advisor on trade negotiations with China, was quoted by the '']'' on October 10: "I got quite a bit of background on Hunter Biden from the Chinese."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/d4b9b0a8-eb14-11e9-a240-3b065ef5fc55|title=Trump adviser says China provided information about Hunter Biden|last=Sevastopulo|first=Demetri|date=October 10, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 13, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191011094821/https://www.ft.com/content/d4b9b0a8-eb14-11e9-a240-3b065ef5fc55|archive-date=October 11, 2019|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Pillsbury denied the quote on ] hours later, asserting: "I haven't spoken to the ''Financial Times'' for a month." The ''Financial Times'' released an email showing Pillsbury made the statement on October 9. Pillsbury later told ''The Washington Post'', "most everything I learned was already public or well-known" and that the Chinese "really, really didn't want to talk about it".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/trump-advisor-gives-conflicting-accounts-on-whether-chinese-offered-information-about-hunter-biden/2019/10/10/35f32a14-eb80-11e9-9306-47cb0324fd44_story.html|title=Trump advisor Michael Pillsbury says Chinese offered information about Hunter Biden, then claims it didn't|last1=Lynch|first1=David J.|date=October 10, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 13, 2019|last2=Dawsey|first2=Josh|author-link2=Josh Dawsey|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| ] testified on October 16, 2019. He served directly under Mike Pompeo and his function was as a connection between Pompeo and the rest of the Foreign Service.<ref name=McKinley-Wapo-testify/> McKinley told investigators he had resigned in early October because career U.S. Diplomats were being mistreated and that there were distressing charges about efforts to coerce the Ukrainian president into conducting investigations for President Trump. He also quit due to the ramifications of collecting damaging information on domestic political opponents, the probable significant effects "on Foreign Service morale and the integrity of our work overseas",<ref name=McKinley-Wapo-testify>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/pompeo-adviser-to-decry-politicization-of-state-dept-in-impeachment-probe-testimony/2019/10/16/a43eec04-ffa5-4189-9845-dc8ad3be190b_story.html |date=October 16, 2019 |title=Ex-Pompeo adviser tells impeachment investigators he was 'disturbed' by attempts to enlist foreigners to hurt Trump's political opponents|first1=Carol|last1=Morello|first2=John |last2=Hudson |newspaper=The Washington Post |accessdate=October 29, 2019 }}</ref><ref name=McKinley-NYT-testify/> as well as the influence of career diplomats having no effect, and the lack of protection and support for career Foreign Service workers during the impeachment inquiry. The culmination of his perturbation was the recall of Ambassador Yovanovitch, which he and numerous other career diplomats saw as unjustifiable and punitive.<ref name=McKinley-Wapo-testify/><ref name=McKinley-NYT-testify>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/16/us/mckinley-impeachment-ukraine.html|title=Former Top State Dept. Aide Tells Impeachment Investigators He Quit Over Ukraine|first1=Nicholas|last1=Fandos|first2=Julian E.|last2=Barnes|first3=Michael D.|last3=Shear|date=October 16, 2019|newspaper=]|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| === Release of John Bolton's manuscript === | |||
| On January 26, ''The New York Times'' reported that former national security advisor John Bolton had written in a draft of his forthcoming book, '']'', that the president told him in August 2019 that he wanted to continue freezing $391 million in aid to Ukraine until officials there pursued investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens.<ref name=Schmidt>{{cite news|last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |last2=Schmidt |first2=Michael S. |author-link1=Maggie Haberman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/26/us/politics/trump-bolton-book-ukraine.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126231013/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/26/us/politics/trump-bolton-book-ukraine.html |archive-date=January 26, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Trump Tied Ukraine Aid to Inquiries He Sought, Bolton Book Says |work=] |date=January 26, 2020 |access-date=January 26, 2020}}</ref> Trump denied Bolton's claim.<ref name=Re>{{cite news |last1=Re |first1=Gregg |last2=Turner |first2=Gillian |title=Bolton's manuscript leaks as memoir pre-orders begin on Amazon; Trump fires back |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/john-bolton-trump-ukraine-aid-ny-times-manuscript |access-date=January 27, 2020 |work=] |date=January 26, 2020 |quote=I NEVER told John Bolton that the aid to Ukraine was tied to investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens. In fact, he never complained about this at the time of his very public termination. If John Bolton said this, it was only to sell a book.}}</ref> The manuscript was released after the first week of the impeachment trial, prompting House impeachment managers to call for the Senate to call Bolton as a witness.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Seung Min |first1=Kim |last2=Felicia |first2=Sonmez |last3=Dawsey |first3=Josh |title=Democrats call for Bolton to testify in Trump impeachment trial after new report on aid to Ukraine |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/democrats-call-for-bolton-to-testify-in-trump-impeachment-trial-after-new-report-on-aid-to-ukraine/2020/01/26/de234402-409a-11ea-b503-2b077c436617_story.html |access-date=January 27, 2020 |date=January 26, 2020 |newspaper=]}}</ref> Bolton also claimed to have discussed the suspension of aid with Attorney General William Barr, and that the two had shared concerns over Trump offering personal favours to the leaders of autocratic regimes around the world, including ] in Turkey and Xi Jinping in China. The ''Times'' later reported that Bolton's manuscript described a May 2019 Oval Office meeting during which Trump directed Bolton to call Zelenskyy to ask him to meet with Giuliani about getting damaging information on the Bidens. Bolton reportedly wrote that Giuliani, Mulvaney and White House counsel ]—who, at the time of the report, was representing Trump in the impeachment trial—attended the meeting. Trump denied telling Bolton this, and Giuliani denied Mulvaney or Cipollone attended meetings related to Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/us/politics/trump-bolton-ukraine.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131170654/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/us/politics/trump-bolton-ukraine.html |archive-date=January 31, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Trump Told Bolton to Help His Ukraine Pressure Campaign, Book Says |first1=Maggie |last1=Haberman |first2=Michael S. |last2=Schmidt |date=January 31, 2020 |work=] |access-date=February 1, 2020 }}</ref> Cipollone previously stated he never attended Ukraine-related meetings, and Mulvaney said he avoided Trump–Giuliani meetings so as to not jeopardize their attorney-client privilege.<ref>{{Cite news |magazine=] |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/bolton-manuscript-trump-ukraine-946451/ |first=Peter |last=Wade |title=Bolton Says Trump Directed Him to Take Part in Ukraine Scheme |date=January 31, 2020 |access-date=22 February 2023 }}</ref> | |||
| === Other federal investigations === | |||
| ] | |||
| In a January 2020 memo to all ]s, department component heads and law enforcement agency heads,<ref>{{cite tweet |user=NatashaBertrand |number=1229820889669259267 |title=Just in: DOJ says in letter to Nadler that US attorney for EDNY has been assigned to coordinate "several open matters" related to Ukraine, and the US attorney in Pittsburgh will be receiving new Ukraine info from the public (i.e. Giuliani). Here's the memo DOJ sent out on Jan 17 |date=February 18, 2020 |author-link=Natasha Bertrand |first=Natasha |last=Bertrand |access-date=November 12, 2020}}</ref> deputy attorney general ] stated there "currently are several distinct open investigations being handled by different U.S. attorney's offices and/or department components that in some way potentially relate to Ukraine." Rosen advised the addressees that ], the U.S. attorney for ] (EDNY), had been assigned to coordinate these cases and "any and all new matters relating to Ukraine shall be directed exclusively to EDNY for investigation and proper handling." The memo stated that existing investigations would continue to be managed by the original investigators, but that any widening or expansion of those investigations required approval by Rosen and Donoghue.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/18/justice-department-ukraine-inquiries-115793 |access-date=September 6, 2021 |work=] |first=Josh |last=Gerstein |date=February 18, 2020 |title=DOJ taps U.S. Attorney to 'coordinate' Ukraine inquiries}}</ref> Federal prosecutors had indicated in December 2019 that it was likely new charges would be brought against Parnas, Fruman and two others,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/02/nyregion/parnas-fruman-guiliani-ukraine.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203001023/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/02/nyregion/parnas-fruman-guiliani-ukraine.html |archive-date=December 3, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=New Charges 'Likely' in Case Against Giuliani Associates |newspaper=] |date=December 3, 2019 |last1=Hong |first1=Nicole |access-date=February 23, 2023 }}</ref> as the ] continued to investigate Giuliani into February and the Justice Department created an "intake process" to accept and scrutinize information from him about Joe Biden. That intake process was being managed by the ], headed by ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/as-impeachment-trial-ended-federal-prosecutors-took-new-steps-in-probe-related-to-giuliani-according-to-people-familiar-with-case/2020/02/14/7893bfb0-4e8a-11ea-bf44-f5043eb3918a_story.html |title=Federal prosecutors took new steps in Giuliani-related probe |date=February 14, 2020 |newspaper=] |first1=Rosalind S. |last1=Helderman |first2=Tom |last2=Hamburger |access-date=April 7, 2021 }}</ref> | |||
| ''The New York Times'' reported in May 2021 that federal investigators in ] began a criminal investigation late in the Trump administration into possible efforts by several current and former Ukrainian officials to spread unsubstantiated allegations about corruption by Joe Biden. Investigators were examining whether the Ukrainians used Giuliani as a channel for the allegations, though he was not a specific subject of the investigation, in contrast to a long-running investigation of Giuliani by the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/27/nyregion/trump-ukraine-rudy-giuliani-2020-presidential-election.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527230653/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/27/nyregion/trump-ukraine-rudy-giuliani-2020-presidential-election.html |archive-date=May 27, 2021 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Prosecutors Investigating Whether Ukrainians Meddled in 2020 Election|first1=William K. |last1=Rashbaum |first2=Ben |last2=Protess |first3=Kenneth P. |last3=Vogel |first4=Nicole |last4=Hong |newspaper=] |date=May 27, 2021 |access-date=February 21, 2023 }}</ref> | |||
| ], the United States ambassador to Europe.<ref name=vogel-kent/> is believed by some to have been at the heart of efforts to pressure Ukraine. He met with impeachment investigators on October 17. In his testimony, Sondland criticized Trump's efforts to pressure Ukraine into investigating a political rival. He testified that Trump had delegated Ukraine foreign policy to Giuliani, which Sondland asserted he objected to but accepted as Trump's prerogative as president, although other witnesses had testified Sondland willfully participated even though Ukraine is not within the purview of his ambassadorship.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/17/us/politics/gordon-sondland-testimony.html|title=Gordon Sondland, E.U. Envoy, Testifies Trump Delegated Ukraine Policy to Giuliani|first1=Nicholas|last1=Fandos|first2=Michael S.|last2=Schmidt|date=October 17, 2019|newspaper=] }}</ref> Days after Sondland's testimony, his attorney ] said Sondland had acknowledged in his testimony that he believed efforts by Trump and his associates to pressure Ukraine into opening investigations in exchange for a Trump-Zelensky White House meeting constituted a ''quid pro quo''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 26, 2019 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/sondland-told-house-panels-trumps-ukraine-pressure-was-quid-pro-quo-11572135674|title=Sondland Told House Panels Trump's Ukraine Pressure Was Quid Pro Quo|first=Rebecca|last=Ballhaus|newspaper=] |accessdate=November 5, 2019 }}</ref><ref name=Fraszin-191026>{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/467607-sondland-told-house-there-was-a-ukraine-quid-pro-quo-report |title=WSJ: Sondland told the House that Trump's Ukraine pressure was a quid pro quo |work=] |date=October 26, 2019 | accessdate=October 29, 2019 | first=Rachel | last=Fraszin}}</ref> Sondland later acknowledged in supplemental written testimony that the ''quid pro quo'' also extended to the military aid, stating he had discussed the matter with Zelensky aide Andriy Yermak.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/05/us/politics/impeachment-trump.html|title=Sondland Updates Impeachment Testimony, Describing Ukraine Quid Pro Quo|first=Michael S.|last=Schmidt|date=November 5, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
| == Reactions == | |||
| === Congress === | |||
| ] |date=October 22, 2019 |accessdate=October 22, 2019}}</ref>]] | |||
| On September 22, 2019, House speaker ] said if the administration continued to withhold the whistleblower complaint from Congress, "they will be entering a grave new chapter of lawlessness which will take us into a whole new stage of investigation." House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff, stating he had previously been "very reluctant" to initiate impeachment proceedings against Trump, said, "we may very well have ] here."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/impeachment-pressure-escalates-democrats-demand-release-whistleblower-s-trump-complaint-n1057551|title=Impeachment pressure escalates as Democrats demand release of whistleblower's Trump complaint|last=Shabad|first=Rebecca|date=September 23, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013063634/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/impeachment-pressure-escalates-democrats-demand-release-whistleblower-s-trump-complaint-n1057551|archive-date=October 13, 2019|work=]}}</ref> The vast majority of Republicans did not comment on the matter, with notable exceptions of senators ] and ], both of whom suggested Trump should release information to resolve the situation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/22/us/politics/trump-impeachment-whistle-blower.html|title=As Trump Confirms He Discussed Biden With Ukraine, Pressure to Impeach Builds|last1=Fandos|first1=Nicholas|date=September 22, 2019|work=]|url-status=live|access-date=September 29, 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190923142612/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/22/us/politics/trump-impeachment-whistle-blower.html|archive-date=September 23, 2019|last2=Martin|first2=Jonathan|last3=Haberman|first3=Maggie|author-link=Nicholas Fandos|author-link2=Jonathan Martin (journalist)|author-link3=Maggie Haberman|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| On September 24, the Senate adopted by ] a ] resolution calling for the whistleblower complaint to be immediately transmitted to the ].<ref name="SRes325">{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/325/actions|title=S.Res.325—A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the whistleblower complaint received on August 12, 2019, by the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community should be transmitted immediately to the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives|date=September 24, 2019|series=116th Congress (2019–2020)|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925161817/https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/325/actions|archive-date=September 25, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| On October 22, 2019, ], the United States' senior diplomatic official in ], testified to Congressional investigators. Taylor testified that he had learned in mid-July 2019 that a potential White House meeting between Trump and Zelensky "was conditioned on the investigations of Burisma and alleged Ukrainian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections", and that he later was told, in September 2019, that U.S. military aid to Ukraine was also dependent on such investigations—including into the Bidens.<ref name=bade>{{Cite news |last1=Bade |first1=Rachel |last2=Gearan |first2=Anne |last3=Demirjan |first3=Karoun |last4=DeBonis |first4=Mike |title=Trump made Ukraine aid contingent on public pledge to investigate Bidens and 2016 election, U.S. envoy says he was told |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/diplomat-who-raised-alarm-about-withholding-aid-to-ukraine-testifies-in-impeachment-probe/2019/10/22/086fb850-f436-11e9-8cf0-4cc99f74d127_story.html |accessdate=October 28, 2019 |date=October 22, 2019 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wu |first1=Nicholas |last2=Jansen |first2=Bart |title=Key takeaways from Ukraine diplomat Bill Taylor's 'explosive' opening statement |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/10/22/impeachment-takeaways-ukraine-diplomat-bill-taylors-testimony/2450332001/ |accessdate=October 24, 2019 |work=] |date=October 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Faulders |first1=Katherine |title=Top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine tells Congress investigating Bidens and election interference tied to aid money |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/top-us-diplomat-ukraine-tells-congress-investigating-bidens/story?id=66451155 |accessdate=October 24, 2019 |agency=] |date=October 22, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| Following the release of the memorandum of the conversation between Trump and Zelenskyy, Senator Romney called the memorandum "deeply troubling" and asked for more information to be made public.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2019/sep/25/trump-ukraine-news-today-live-impeachment-democrats-pelosi-latest|title=Romney reiterates that he finds the Ukraine call memo 'troubling'|last=Smith|first=David|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 25, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008001001/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2019/sep/25/trump-ukraine-news-today-live-impeachment-democrats-pelosi-latest|archive-date=October 8, 2019}}</ref> Pelosi said the memorandum "confirms that the President engaged in behavior that undermines the integrity of our elections, the dignity of the office he holds and our national security".<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/92519 |title=Pelosi Statement on Notes of Call Between President Trump and Ukrainian President |date=September 25, 2019 |publisher=Office of the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|access-date=September 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927002733/https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/92519 |archive-date=September 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-impeachment-inquiry-09-25-2019/h_1861dc7d03e3da9b94ccef049172c962 |title=Pelosi says rough transcript confirms Trump 'engaged in behavior that undermines the integrity of our elections' |last=Byrd |first=Haley |date=September 25, 2019 |access-date=September 29, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013064211/https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-impeachment-inquiry-09-25-2019/h_1861dc7d03e3da9b94ccef049172c962 |archive-date=October 13, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
| Taylor testified that other than the "regular, formal diplomatic processes" to Ukraine led by himself, there was a "highly irregular", "informal channel of U.S. policy-making" with regard to Ukraine. The informal channel began in May 2019, being "guided" by Rudy Giuliani, and also involving Kurt Volker, Gordon Sondland and Rick Perry. Taylor said that by August 2019 he had realized that the informal channel "was running contrary to the goals of longstanding U.S. policy", while the formal channel wanted "a strong U.S.–Ukraine partnership". According to Taylor, the informal channel had "driven" the idea of a White House meeting between the presidents being conditional on the investigations.<ref name=":3b"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jaffe |first1=Greg |last2=Miller |first2=Greg |title='Alarming circumstances': A distressed diplomat tells a tale of venal intrigue |date=October 23, 2019 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/alarming-circumstances-a-distressed-diplomat-tells-a-tale-of-venal-intrigue/2019/10/22/935b23c6-f500-11e9-ad8b-85e2aa00b5ce_story.html |accessdate=October 24, 2019 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
| Some Republican senators dismissed the credibility of the whistleblower complaint as ], but legal analysts subsequently found that assertions the whistleblower made in the complaint were verified by the memorandum record of Trump's telephone call.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/27/republicans-question-credibility-of-whistleblower-1516963|title=Republican senators accuse whistleblower of 'hearsay'|last1=Levine|first1=Marianne|date=September 27, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005174611/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/27/republicans-question-credibility-of-whistleblower-1516963|archive-date=October 5, 2019|last2=Everett|first2=Burgess}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lambe |first1=Jerry |title=Legal Experts Demolish Lindsey Graham's 'Hearsay' Trump Defense |url=https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/legal-experts-demolish-lindsey-grahams-hearsay-defense-of-trump/ |work=] |date=September 28, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| Taylor noted that for a June 2019 call between himself, Zelensky, Sondland, Volker and Perry, Sondland had said that "he did not wish to include most of the regular interagency participants" and that "he wanted to make sure no one was transcribing or monitoring". As for Trump's July 2019 call with Zelensky, Taylor said he did not receive any report regarding the call from the White House even though he was scheduled to meet Zelensky a day later.<ref name=":3b"/> | |||
| On September 26, during a House hearing, Representative Adam Schiff gave a summary of the "essence" and the "character" of the Trump–Zelenskyy call. One part of Schiff's retelling was not represented in the non-verbatim memorandum of the call provided by the White House, when Schiff stated: "And I'm going to say this only seven times so you better listen good. I want you to make up dirt on my political opponent, understand. Lots of it. On this and on that." After Representative ] accused Schiff of "just making it up", Schiff responded that his summary "was meant to be at least part in parody" and acknowledged that "the president never said if you don't understand me, I'm going to say it seven more times." However, Schiff argued: "That's the message that the Ukraine president was receiving in not so many words."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.factcheck.org/2019/10/schiffs-parody-and-trumps-response/|title=Schiff's 'Parody' and Trump's Response|last1=Robertson|first1=Lori|date=October 1, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002152405/https://www.factcheck.org/2019/10/schiffs-parody-and-trumps-response/|archive-date=October 2, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| Taylor said he heard from National Security Council aide Tim Morrison that on September 1, Sondland told Zelensky aide Andriy Yermak that the military aid to Ukraine was dependent on Zelensky's pursuit of the Burisma investigation. Taylor cited Sondland's telling him in a call that Trump wanted Zelensky to publicly announce he would order the two investigations, thus placing Zelensky "in a public box". Taylor quoted Sondland stating "everything" including military aid and a Trump–Zelensky meeting was contingent on that announcement.<ref name=":3b">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/22/us/politics/william-taylor-testimony.html |title=6 Key Revelations of Taylor's Opening Statement to Impeachment Investigators |last=LaFraniere |first=Sharon |authorlink=Sharon LaFraniere |date=October 22, 2019 |work=] |access-date=October 23, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Blake |first1=Aaron |title=5 takeaways from William Taylor's huge opening statement |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/10/22/takeaways-bill-taylors-crucial-opening-statement/ |accessdate=October 24, 2019 |work=] |date=October 23, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| Trump supporters on television, radio, and the Internet have pressured Republicans to continue supporting Trump. Republicans who have spoken out against Trump, expressed concern, or defended the whistleblower, such as senators Mitt Romney, Charles Grassley, Ben Sasse and Representative ], have come under criticism online by right-wing websites, with Romney becoming the target of baseless conspiracy theories and ] spread ].<ref name="Romn">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-removal-would-require-republican-dissidents-but-those-who-speak-out-become-targets-of-viral-disinformation/2019/10/03/35c35ad0-e394-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|title=Trump's removal would require Republican dissidents. But those who speak out become targets of viral disinformation.|last1=Stanley-Becker|first1=Issac|date=October 3, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 5, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191003185251/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-removal-would-require-republican-dissidents-but-those-who-speak-out-become-targets-of-viral-disinformation/2019/10/03/35c35ad0-e394-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|archive-date=October 3, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| ==== Laura Cooper ==== | |||
| An October 21 political fact sheet release by Nancy Pelosi divided the scandal into three categories, according to the evidence, that "show Trump violated his oath of office": "The Shakedown", "The Pressure Campaign", and "The Cover-Up".<ref name="Alter_10/24/2019">{{cite news | last=Alter | first=Jonathan | title=The Anti-Shakedown Law That Could Finally Bring Down Trump | work=] | date=October 24, 2019 | url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-anti-shakedown-law-that-could-finally-bring-down-trump | access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Pelosi_10/21/2019">{{cite web |last=Pelosi |first=Nancy |author-link=Nancy Pelosi |date=October 21, 2019 |title=Truth Exposed: Trump Shakedown and Coverup |website=speaker.gov |url=https://www.speaker.gov/sites/speaker.house.gov/files/Trump%20Shakedown%20and%20Coverup.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022165933/https://www.speaker.gov/sites/speaker.house.gov/files/Trump%20Shakedown%20and%20Coverup.pdf |access-date=October 26, 2019 |archive-date=October 22, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| On October 23, 2019, ], the ] for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/Our-Story/Biographies/Biography/Article/1568391/laura-k-cooper/|title=Laura K. Cooper: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, Eurasia |website=] |access-date=October 24, 2019}}</ref> testified in closed session before three Congressional committees.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2019/oct/23/trump-news-today-live-impeachment-inquiry-biden-2020-democrats-latest-updates|title=Trump impeachment inquiry: key testimony finally begins despite Republican sit-in—as it happened|first=Maanvi |last=Singh |first2=Joan E. |last2=Greve |date=October 24, 2019|work=The Guardian |access-date=October 24, 2019 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Cooper's testimony, originally scheduled for that morning, was delayed for roughly five hours when a group of House Republicans led by ] (R-FL) stormed the ] (SCIF) where impeachment inquiry committee meetings are being held,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/467168-gop-lawmaker-shares-audio-of-phone-call-he-made-from-highly-classified-scif|title=GOP lawmaker shares audio of phone call he made from highly classified SCIF room|last=Folley|first=Aris|date=October 23, 2019|website=TheHill|language=en|access-date=October 24, 2019}}</ref> and refused to leave, at one point ordering pizza.<ref>{{cite web |first=John |last=Gage |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/brave-freedom-fighters-having-pizza-republicans-storming-closed-hearing-order-dominos|title='Brave freedom fighters having pizza': Republicans storming closed hearing order Domino's|date=October 23, 2019|website=Washington Examiner|language=en|access-date=October 24, 2019}}</ref> The group protested what they asserted were secret Democratic hearings closed to Republicans,<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=SteveScalise |number=1187045316316536834|title=Democrats are trying to deny Republican Members of Congress access to Schiff's secret impeachment proceedings. What are they hiding?? Enough is enough! The American people deserve transparency! This Democrat scheme to impeach @realDonaldTrump behind closed doors cannot continue. pic.twitter.com/ernM1x73m9|last=Scalise|first=Steve|date=October 23, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> although 48 Republicans who are members of the three committees jointly holding the hearings were entitled to attend the hearings and some had done so. Thirteen of those members participated in the protest.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/10/23/heres-why-matt-gaetz-sit-in-stunt-was-particularly-weird/ |title=Here's why the Matt Gaetz sit-in stunt was particularly weird|first=Philip |last=Bump |newspaper=] |date=October 23, 2019 |accessdate=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> Subsequent releases of testimony transcripts showed that Republicans had been given equal time to question witnesses.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/05/us/politics/inside-the-impeachment-testimony-dry-questions-and-flares-of-drama.html|title=Inside the Impeachment Testimony: Dry Questions and Flares of Drama|first=Michael D.|last=Shear|date=November 5, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> Democrats responded with criticism over the interruption and accused the Republicans of violating the rules governing the SCIF, which prohibit cell phones in the area.<ref name="auto3">{{cite news |date=October 24, 2019 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/23/politics/republicans-storm-impeachment-inquiry-deposition-laura-cooper/index.html|title=After Republicans storm hearing room, Defense official testifies in impeachment inquiry |first=Manu |last=Raju |first2=Jeremy |last2=Herb |website=CNN |access-date=October 24, 2019 }}</ref> After the protest ended, Cooper completed her testimony which lasted approximately 3.5 hours.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 24, 2019 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/10/23/impeachment-defense-official-laura-cooper-summoned-ukraine-aid/4064408002/|title=GOP protest temporarily halts House Democratic impeachment deposition of Defense official Laura Cooper|last=Wu|first=Nicholas|last2=Jansen|first2=Bart|website=USA TODAY|language=en|access-date=October 24, 2019}}</ref> She was expected to speak about how the process works for transferring military aid to Ukraine.<ref name="auto3"/> She is believed to have tried to get the aid released.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/23/laura-cooper-ukraine-military-aid-056015|title=Pentagon official testifies about withheld military aid to Ukraine|last1=Cheney|first1=Kyle|last2=Desiderio|first2=Andrew|last3=Morgan|first3=Wesley|date=October 23, 2019|work=Politico|accessdate=October 24, 2019}}</ref> The next day it was revealed that her attorney had received a letter from the Pentagon telling her not to testify, citing an administration-wide policy against cooperating with the probe.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/pentagon-told-impeachment-inquiry-witness-not-to-testify|title=Pentagon told impeachment inquiry witness not to testify|last=Tucker|first=Eric|date=October 24, 2019|work=Associated Press|publisher=PBS|accessdate=October 24, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| Despite President Trump and his allies insisting there had been no ''quid pro quo'', mounting evidence from witness testimony indicated there had been, leading a growing number of Senate Republicans to accept there was a ''quid pro quo'', while maintaining it was not illegal and did not justify impeachment.<ref>{{Cite news |access-date=January 7, 2020 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/growing-number-of-gop-senators-consider-acknowledgingtrumps-quid-pro-quo-on-ukraine/2019/11/01/72084a3e-fcc4-11e9-9534-e0dbcc9f5683_story.html |title=Growing number of GOP senators consider acknowledging Trump's quid pro quo on Ukraine |first1=Rachael |last1=Bade |newspaper=] |date=November 1, 2019 |first2=Seung Min |last2=Kim }}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' reported that House Republicans were considering portraying Giuliani, Sondland and Mulvaney as freelancers who had acted in their own self-interests without Trump's involvement.<ref>{{Cite news |access-date=January 7, 2020 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/house-gop-looks-to-protect-trump-by-raising-doubts-about-motives-of-his-deputies/2019/11/07/aaa14efa-0173-11ea-8bab-0fc209e065a8_story.html |title=House GOP looks to protect Trump by raising doubts about motives of his deputies |first1=Karoun |last1=Demirjian |first2=Rachael |last2=Bade |newspaper=] |date=November 7, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| ==== Philip Reeker ==== | |||
| === President Trump and the White House === | |||
| Philip Reeker, a 27-year veteran of the ], testified on October 26, 2019.<ref>{{cite news|quote=On Saturday Philip Reeker, acting assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, met the committees behind closed doors at the Capitol. The Trump administration directed him not to testify, a person familiar with the situation told Reuters, but Reeker appeared after receiving a subpoena. |title=Trump hits out at former chief of staff John Kelly's warning about impeachment |first=Martin |last=Pengelly |work=] |date=October 26, 2019 |accessdate=October 29, 2019 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/26/impeachment-state-official-philip-reeker-donald-trump}}</ref> He is the acting assistant head of the ], which oversees Ukraine.<ref name=Reeker-quash/><ref name=Reeker-defend/> Reeker has been nominally in charge of America's ]. However, previous impeachment inquiry testimony shows that policy was actually directed by Giuliani and political appointees. Reeker's record shows that he is "unassailable" as an apolitical diplomat and is known for his "professionalism".<ref name=Reeker-quash/> Reeker alerted top State Department officials that "lies were being spread about Yovanovitch]]."<ref name=Reeker-quash/> George Kent, who worked under Reeker overseeing Ukraine policy, emailed colleagues that Yovanovitch was the scapegoat of a "classic disinformation campaign."<ref name=Reeker-quash/> Reeker passed this warning onto "], the third-highest ranking official at the State Department, and to ], the closest confidant and longtime friend of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo."<ref name=Reeker-quash>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/diplomat-who-tried-to-squash-smear-campaign-against-colleague-to-testify-in-trump-impeachment-inquiry/2019/10/25/9b8361c0-f74a-11e9-ad8b-85e2aa00b5ce_story.html|title=Diplomat says top leadership of the State Department rejected his entreaties to publicly support ousted U.S. ambassador to Ukraine |work=] |date=October 26, 2019 |accessdate=October 29, 2019 |first=Karoun |last=Demirjian |first2=Carol |last2=Morello }}</ref> The ] provided these emails to impeachment investigators.<ref name=Reeker-quash/><ref name=Reeker-defend>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/26/us/philip-reeker-testimony.html|title=Official Who Defended Ukraine Envoy Set to Testify in Impeachment Inquiry|first1=Nicholas|last1=Fandos|first2=Sharon|last2=LaFraniere|date=October 26, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times |accessdate=November 5, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| In his initial comments to reporters on September 20, Trump characterized the whistleblower as "partisan", but added, "I do not know the identity of the whistleblower" and called the story "just another political hack job".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-denies-knowing-whistleblowers-identity-calls-controversy-political/story?id=65744704|title=Trump denies knowing whistleblower's identity, calls controversy 'political hack job'|last1=Faulders|first1=Katherine|date=September 20, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923070239/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-denies-knowing-whistleblowers-identity-calls-controversy-political/story?id=65744704|archive-date=September 23, 2019|work=]|last2=Parkinson|first2=John}}</ref>{{Efn|Michael Atkinson, the ICIG who found the whistleblower complaint credible and urgent, was appointed during the Trump administration.<ref>{{cite news |first=Debra J. |last=Groom |url=https://www.nny360.com/news/trump-nominates-pulaski-grad-to-intelligence-post/article_57315ce4-d954-52b0-b24d-8a2215946980.html |title=Trump nominates Pulaski grad to intelligence post |work=] |date=November 12, 2017 |access-date=October 5, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/115th-congress/1252 |title=PN1252—Michael K. Atkinson—Office of the Director of National Intelligence, 115th Congress (2017-2018) |work=] |access-date=October 5, 2019 |date=May 14, 2018 }}</ref>}} Trump also said: "Somebody ought to look into Joe Biden's statement because it was disgraceful where he talked about billions of dollars that he's not giving to a certain country unless a certain prosecutor is taken off the case. So somebody ought to look into that," suggesting the press was not reporting it. The press has reported on the Joe Biden matter for months but found no evidence of wrongdoing.<ref name="Bloomberg No Evidence"/><ref name="Fact-checking Joe Biden"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/23/fact-checking-trumps-latest-claims-biden-ukraine/|title=Analysis: Fact-checking Trump's latest claims on Biden and Ukraine|last1=Kessler|first1=Glenn|date=September 23, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190924203132/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/23/fact-checking-trumps-latest-claims-biden-ukraine/|archive-date=September 24, 2019|last2=Rizzo|first2=Salvador|url-access=limited}}</ref> On September 23, Trump asserted: "If a Republican ever did what Joe Biden did, if a Republican ever said what Joe Biden said, they'd be getting the electric chair right now."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbc-2.com/story/41088189/trump-outrageously-claims-republicans-would-get-electric-chair-if-they-did-what-he-wrongly-claims-biden-did|title=Trump outrageously claims Republicans would get 'electric chair' if they did what he wrongly claims Biden did|last=Vazquez|first=Maegan|date=September 23, 2019|publisher=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929174546/http://www.nbc-2.com/our-apologies|archive-date=September 29, 2019|agency=]}}</ref> Before the White House released a rough transcript, Trump claimed that his call with Zelenskyy was "largely congratulatory" and "largely corruption". However, the White House's rough transcript showed only a short congratulatory comment and no mentions of corruption.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/25/where-trumps-giulianis-claims-about-ukraine-call-dont-match-rough-transcript/|title=Where Trump's and Giuliani's claims about the Ukraine call don't match the rough transcript|last1=Bump|first1=Philip|date=September 25, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> On September 25, during a meeting with Ukrainian president Zelenskyy, Trump said: "I want to do whatever he can. Biden's son walks out of Ukraine with millions and millions of dollars. I think it's a horrible thing."<ref name="rollingstone"/> Trump also denied explicitly tying U.S. military aid to Ukraine's corruption investigation involving ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 16, 2019 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/white-house-press-secretary-noncommittal-about-releasing-transcript-of-trump-call-with-ukrainian-president/2019/09/23/fec1be30-ddeb-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html |title=Trump denies explicitly tying U.S. military aid to demand for Ukrainian probe of Biden |newspaper=] |last1=Kim |first1=Seung Min |access-date=November 10, 2019 |last2=Sonmez |first2=Felicia |last3=Wagner |first3=John }}</ref> Within six hours of the impeachment inquiry being announced on September 24, Trump and his campaign team started a fundraising drive for an "Impeachment Defense Team". Forty-eight hours later, they had raised in excess of $13 million and signed up 50,000 new donors.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-04/donald-trump-impeachment-popularity-fundraising/11573240|title=Trump's impeachment could backfire on the Democrats. Here's why.|last1=Daniel|first1=Zoe|date=October 4, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007114017/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-04/donald-trump-impeachment-popularity-fundraising/11573240|archive-date=October 7, 2019|publisher=]|last2=Olson|first2=Emily}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-raises-13-million-after-pelosi-announces-impeachment-inquiry |title=Trump raises $13 million after Pelosi announces impeachment inquiry |date=September 26, 2019 |first=Brian |last=Slodysko |work=] |access-date=October 25, 2019 |agency=] }}</ref> | |||
| ==== Alexander S. Vindman ==== | |||
| On September 27, Trump characterized the person who provided the whistleblower with information on the call as "close to a spy", adding: "you know what we used to do in the old days when we were smart? Right? With spies and treason, right? We used to handle them a little differently than we do now."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/almost-a-spy-transcript-of-trumps-remarks-at-private-un-event-about-whistleblower/2019/09/26/f85477fe-e0bb-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html|title='Almost a spy': Transcript and video of Trump's remarks at private U.N. event about whistleblower|last1=Itkowitz|first1=Colby|date=September 27, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013104055/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/almost-a-spy-transcript-of-trumps-remarks-at-private-un-event-about-whistleblower/2019/09/26/f85477fe-e0bb-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html|archive-date=October 13, 2019|last2=Thebault|first2=Reis|url-access=limited}}</ref> On September 29, Trump requested to meet the whistleblower, saying that he and the American people "deserved" to meet them. He later said the White House was trying to learn the identity of the whistleblower. He also demanded that Adam Schiff be arrested and questioned "at the highest level" for fraud and treason.<ref name="abc au sept 30">{{cite news|url=https://www.afp.com/en/news/15/trump-i-want-meet-my-accuser-doc-1kt4vy4|title=Trump: I want to meet my accuser|date=September 30, 2019|access-date=September 30, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004025113/https://www.afp.com/en/news/15/trump-i-want-meet-my-accuser-doc-1kt4vy4|archive-date=October 4, 2019|agency=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/30/us/politics/trump-schiff-treason.html|title=Trump Seeks Whistle-Blower's Identity|last1=Karni|first1=Annie|date=September 30, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191001020128/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/30/us/politics/trump-schiff-treason.html|archive-date=October 1, 2019|last2=Sullivan|first2=Eileen|author-link=Annie Karni|author-link2=Eileen Sullivan|url-access=limited}}</ref> A letter from the whistleblower's lawyers, addressed to the director of national intelligence, said that the whistleblower was afraid for their safety.<ref name="abc au sept 30"/> On November{{nbsp}}7 the whistleblower's lawyer sent a letter to the White House warning Trump to "cease and desist" calling for the public disclosure of the whistleblower's identity and "engaging in rhetoric and activity that places and their family in physical danger". The lawyer said the president would be legally and morally liable if anyone were to be "physically harmed as a result of his, or his surrogates', behavior".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/07/politics/ukraine-whistleblower-trump-cease-and-desist/index.html|title=Lawyer for Ukraine whistleblower sends White House cease and desist letter to stop Trump's attacks|last=LeBlanc|first=Paul|date=November 7, 2019|publisher=]|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| On October 1, Trump claimed that any attempt to remove him from office would result in a "Civil War-like fracture". He also called for Schiff to be arrested for treason,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-01/donald-trump-tweets-warning-of-civil-war-adam-schiff-treason/11562084|title=Donald Trump retweets pastor's warning of 'civil war-like fracture' as impeachment talks intensify|date=October 1, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|publisher=]|agency=] / ]}}</ref> and later claimed that Nancy Pelosi was "every bit as guilty as Liddle'{{sic}} Adam Schiff for High Crimes and Misdemeanours, and even Treason" before calling for both Schiff and Pelosi to be impeached themselves as they had "evilly 'Colluded{{'"}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-07/lawyer-says-second-whistleblower-backs-complaint-against-trump/11578328|title=Lawyer says second whistleblower backs complaint against U.S. President Donald Trump|date=October 7, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 7, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007113328/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-07/lawyer-says-second-whistleblower-backs-complaint-against-trump/11578328|archive-date=October 7, 2019|publisher=]|agency=]}}</ref> | |||
| Lieutenant Colonel ] served on the National Security Council. On October 29, 2019, he testified before a closed session of the ], ], and ] Committees. In his opening statement, he said, "In Spring of 2019, I became aware of outside influencers promoting a false and alternative narrative of Ukraine inconsistent with the consensus views of the interagency" that was "harmful to U.S. national security" and which "undermined U.S. government efforts to expand cooperation with Ukraine."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/read-national-security-official-alexander-s-vindman-s-prepared-remarks-n1073156 |date=October 29, 2019 |title=Read national security official Alexander S. Vindman's prepared remarks to Congress|website=NBC News|language=en|access-date=October 29, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| ] and U.S. delegation meet with President ] in Warsaw on September 1, 2019]] | |||
| On October 3, after stating that the U.S. has "tremendous power" and "many options" in the trade war with China "if they don't do what we want", Trump was asked by a reporter on what he hoped Zelenskyy would do after his phone call. Trump responded by publicly urging both Ukraine and China to investigate the Bidens.<ref name="tremendous">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-publicly-calls-on-china-to-investigate-bidens/2019/10/03/2ae94f6a-e5f2-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|title=Trump publicly calls on China to investigate Bidens|last1=Rucker|first1=Philip|date=October 4, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191012225550/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-publicly-calls-on-china-to-investigate-bidens/2019/10/03/2ae94f6a-e5f2-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|archive-date=October 12, 2019|last2=Bade|first2=Rachael|last3=Itkowitz|first3=Colby|url-access=limited}}</ref> Later in the day, Vice President ] voiced his support of Trump's comments, saying: "I think the American people have a right to know if the vice president of the United States or his family profited from his position."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/464246-pence-defends-trumps-calls-for-ukraine-to-investigate-biden|title=Pence defends Trump's calls for Ukraine to investigate Biden|last=Samuels|first=Brett|date=October 3, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005171720/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/464246-pence-defends-trumps-calls-for-ukraine-to-investigate-biden|archive-date=October 5, 2019}}</ref> Pence said the activities of the Biden family were "worth looking into".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-pence-idUSKBN1WI232 |title=Pence Says Biden, Son Should Be Investigated for Ukraine Dealings |date=October 3, 2019 |work=] |access-date=October 5, 2019 |first1=Makini |last1=Brice |first2=Tim |last2=Ahmann }}</ref> Trump later claimed that when he called upon China to investigate the Bidens, his only interest was in thwarting corruption. Mitt Romney was critical of this, saying: "When the only American citizen President Trump singles out for China's investigation is his political opponent in the midst of the Democratic nomination process, it strains credulity to suggest that this is anything other than politically motivated."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-05/white-house-ordered-to-turn-over-documents-in-trump-probe/11576392|title=White House ordered to turn over documents to support Donald Trump impeachment probe |agency=ABC/wires |date=October 5, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007152312/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-05/white-house-ordered-to-turn-over-documents-in-trump-probe/11576392|archive-date=October 7, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| Vindman also said that he was concerned by two events he found objectionable and which he mentioned to senior officials at the time, as well as to the National Security Council's lead attorney.{{cn|date=November 2019}} | |||
| ] and ], May 2019]] | |||
| On October 4, Trump told congressional Republican leaders the only reason he had called Zelenskyy was at the urging of Energy Secretary ], saying Perry wanted him to discuss a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant and that Trump had not even wanted to make the call. However, there is no mention of LNG in the publicly released summary of the conversation, and text messages exchanged among aides who were setting up the phone call made no mention of Perry, instead suggesting that Giuliani was the primary mover.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.axios.com/trump-blamed-rick-perry-call-ukraine-zelensky-8178447a-0374-4ac6-b321-a9454b0565d4.html|title=Scoop: Trump pins Ukraine call on Energy Secretary Rick Perry|last1=Treene|first1=Alayna|date=October 5, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 6, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191006021720/https://www.axios.com/trump-blamed-rick-perry-call-ukraine-zelensky-8178447a-0374-4ac6-b321-a9454b0565d4.html|archive-date=October 6, 2019|last2=Swan|first2=Jonathan}}</ref> Perry had been the administration's official representative at Zelenskyy's inauguration in May. During that trip; he pressured Zelenskyy to fire board members of ], the ] of Ukraine, and informed government and industry officials that the Trump administration wanted the entirety of Naftogaz's supervisory board replaced.<ref name="ap-naftogaz"/> Perry denied pressing for change at Naftogaz in a press conference on October 7, describing that as "a totally dreamed up story".<ref name=":2"/> On October 10, however, Perry was issued a subpoena by the ], the ], and the ], partially concerning his interactions with Naftogaz.<ref name="CNBCPerry">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/10/rick-perry-hit-with-subpoena-in-trump-impeachment-probe.html|title=Energy Secretary Rick Perry hit with subpoena in Trump impeachment probe|last=Higgins|first=Tucker|date=October 10, 2019|access-date=October 12, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013034821/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/10/rick-perry-hit-with-subpoena-in-trump-impeachment-probe.html|archive-date=October 13, 2019 |work=]}}</ref><ref name="PerryJointCover">{{cite web|url=https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/documents/2019-10-10.EEC%20Engel%20Schiff%20to%20Perry-DOE%20Joint%20Cover%20Letter%20re%20Subpoena.pdf |title=Joint Cover Letter re Subpoena |last1=Engel |first1=Eliot L. |author-link=Eliot Engel |last2=Schiff |first2=Adam B. |author-link2=Adam Schiff |date=October 10, 2019 |publisher=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013022734/https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/documents/2019-10-10.EEC%20Engel%20Schiff%20to%20Perry-DOE%20Joint%20Cover%20Letter%20re%20Subpoena.pdf |archive-date=October 13, 2019 |access-date=October 12, 2019 |last3=Cummings |first3=Elijah E. |author-link3=Elijah Cummings}}</ref><ref name="PerrySubpoenaSchedule">{{cite web|url=https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/documents/Perry%20Subpoena%20Schedule-FINAL.pdf |title=Schedule |date=October 10, 2019 |publisher=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013023808/https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/documents/Perry%20Subpoena%20Schedule-FINAL.pdf |archive-date=October 13, 2019 |access-date=October 12, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| The first event occurred at a July 10 meeting between Ukraine's then ] ], and then ] ], which Ambassadors ] and ], and Energy Secretary ] attended. At this meeting, Sondland asked Ukraine to launch investigations into the Bidens as a condition of meeting with President Trump. Vindman said Bolton cut the meeting short, and that both he and Fiona Hill told Ambassador Sondland his comments were inappropriate and that he reported his concerns to the NSC's lead counsel.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/28/us/politics/Alexander-Vindman-trump-impeachment.html|title=Army Officer Who Heard Trump's Ukraine Call Reported Concerns|last=Hakim|first=Danny|date=October 28, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 29, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> | |||
| ] developed a ] that repeated unsubstantiated claims about Biden, asserting that "when President Trump asks Ukraine to investigate corruption, the Democrats want to impeach him and their media lapdogs fall in line." CNN refused to broadcast the ads because Trump's claims had already been debunked and for disparaging its journalists.<ref name="abc news explained">{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-09/trump-claims-biden-ukraine-china-explained/11576508|title=Donald Trump made big claims about Joe and Hunter Biden in Ukraine. Here's what you need to know|last1=Duffy|first1=Conor|date=October 9, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 9, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013075058/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-09/trump-claims-biden-ukraine-china-explained/11576508|archive-date=October 13, 2019|publisher=]|last2=Olson|first2=Emily}}</ref> | |||
| The second event occurred on a July 25 phone call between Trump and Zelensky when Trump directly asked Zelensky to investigate the Bidens in exchange for military aid. Vindman said, "I was concerned by the call. I did not think it was proper to demand that a foreign government investigate a U.S. citizen, and I was worried about the implications for the U.S. Government's support of Ukraine, and the potential to undermine U.S. national security."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/white-house-official-to-tell-impeachment-investigators-he-feared-trumps-demands-of-ukraine-would-undermine-national-security/2019/10/28/0fc8ab46-f9f1-11e9-ac8c-8eced29ca6ef_story.html|title=White House official to tell impeachment investigators he feared Trump's demands of Ukraine would undermine national security|last=Jaffe|first=Greg|date=October 28, 2019|website=Washington Post|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=October 29, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| === Ukraine === | |||
| Three days after Vindman's testimony, ''Politico'' reported he had testified that ], the top National Security Council attorney, instructed him to not discuss his concerns about the content of the Trump-Zelensky call with anyone.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/01/white-house-vindman-ukraine-call-063892 |date=November 1, 2019 |title=Testimony: White House lawyer told Vindman not to discuss Ukraine call|first=Natasha|last=Bertr|website=] |accessdate=November 5, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| On September 20, Roman Truba, head of the ], told '']'' that his agency had not investigated the Biden–Burisma connection and there were no signs of illegality there. ], a senior advisor to the ], told ''The Daily Beast'' that Ukraine will open such an investigation if there is an official request, along with details of why an investigation is needed and what to look for. Trump's requests have come through unofficial representatives such as Giuliani.<ref name="CNBC-eight-times"/> | |||
| ==== Tim Morrison ==== | |||
| However, according to interviews and documents obtained by '']'', senior Ukrainian officials were aware that military aid was being withheld by the first week in August,<ref name="KramerVogelHoldup">{{cite news |last1=Kramer |first1=Andrew E |last2=Vogel |first2=Kenneth P |title=Ukraine Knew of Aid Freeze by Early August, Undermining Trump Defense |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/us/politics/ukraine-aid-freeze-impeachment.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023152044/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/us/politics/ukraine-aid-freeze-impeachment.html |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=November 11, 2019 |work=] |date=October 23, 2019}}</ref> and after initially having difficulty ascertaining what was holding up the aid,<ref name="KramerVogelHoldup"/> by September Trump's envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker was in negotiations with Zelenskyy's senior aide Andriy Yermak over the wording of the proposed public statement.<ref name="Kramer2019">{{cite news |last1=Kramer |first1=Andrew E|title=Ukraine's Zelensky Bowed to Trump's Demands, Until Luck Spared Him |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/07/world/europe/ukraine-trump-zelensky.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107052015/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/07/world/europe/ukraine-trump-zelensky.html |archive-date=November 7, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=]|access-date=November 11, 2019 |date=November 7, 2019}}</ref> Volker pressed for wording explicitly confirming investigations into Joe Biden's alleged pressure campaign for the removal of the Ukrainian prosecutor who was allegedly investigating ], and into accusations that Ukraine had been involved in interference with the 2016 U.S. presidential election in favor of Hillary Clinton, while Yermak attempted to negotiate less explicit language.<ref name="Kramer2019"/> | |||
| Tim Morrison, an official on the National Security Council, testified in a closed-door session on October 31. Morrison corroborated previous testimony by William Taylor, stating that Taylor had been "accurate" on the "substance" of their conversations, but there were two differences in the details, the first being a location of a meeting. Regarding the second difference, Morrison testified that in his September 1, 2019, conversation with Sondland, he learned that Sondland had proposed to Ukrainian presidential advisor Andriy Yermak that military aid to Ukraine was "conditioned on a public statement" by the new Ukrainian prosecutor general reopening an investigation into Burisma (Taylor's testimony was that Zelensky should make the announcement).<ref name=Leonnig-191031/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Fandos |first1=Nicholas |title=White House Aide Confirms He Saw Signs of a Quid Pro Quo on Ukraine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/us/politics/morrison-testimony-impeachment.html |accessdate=November 3, 2019 |work=] |date=October 31, 2019 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/iozPu |archivedate=October 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=House |first1=Billy |title=White House Aide Tells House of Concerns Over Trump and Ukraine |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2019-11-01/white-house-aide-tells-house-of-concerns-over-trump-and-ukraine |accessdate=November 3, 2019 |work=] |date=October 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Treene |first1=Alayna |last2=Ayesh |first2=Rashaan |title=Former White House official confirms top Ukraine diplomat's testimony |url=https://www.axios.com/white-house-tim-morrison-diplomat-testimony-c77aa24b-ccf6-46f0-bad5-199d45e434e7.html |accessdate=November 3, 2019 |work=] |date=November 1, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| George Kent, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, testified to the congressional impeachment inquiry that "Zelenskyy needed to go to a microphone and basically there needed to be three words in the message": investigations, Biden, 2016 (or synonymously, Hillary Clinton).<ref name="JalonickMascaroTucker">{{cite news |first1=Mary Clare |last1=Jalonick |first2=Lisa |last2=Mascaro |first3=Eric |last3=Tucker |title=Impeachment transcripts: Trump wanted to hear 3 words from Ukraine's president: 'investigations, Biden and Clinton', said State Department official |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-trump-impeachment-inquiry-george-kent-transcript-20191107-avpl35b6yvbozmzqt6n6ubepha-story.html |access-date=November 11, 2019 |work=] |agency=] |date=November 7, 2019}}</ref> Diplomat Bill Taylor testified that Trump insisted that the public declaration be made on ], and ''Times'' reporting found that Zelenskyy's staff finally capitulated to this demand, and arranged for him to appear on ]'s CNN program on September 13 to make the statement. The appearance was canceled after the Ukraine aid was released on September 11.<ref name="Kramer2019"/> | |||
| Morrison also discussed the July 2019 Trump–Zelensky call, having listened to the call himself. He told lawmakers he "promptly" brought concerns about the call to White House lawyers because he worried a summary would be leaked with negative consequences, but he said he did not necessarily think anything illegal was discussed.<ref name=Leonnig-191031>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/national-security-council-official-set-to-testify-in-impeachment-inquiry-is-leaving-his-post/2019/10/30/261285c6-fb62-11e9-8190-6be4deb56e01_story.html | title=White House official corroborates diplomat's account that Trump appeared to seek quid pro quo | work=] | date=October 31, 2019 | accessdate=October 31, 2019 | first=Carol | last=Leonnig | first2=John | last2=Hudson | first3=Karoun | last3=Demirjian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|website=CBS News|date=Oct 31, 2019|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/trump-impeachment-house-resolution-vote-latest-today-2019-10-31-live-updates/|title=White House official wasn't concerned "anything illegal" occurred on Trump's Ukraine call|last1=Segers|first1=Grace|last2=Watson|first2=Kathryn|last3=Stefan|first3=Becket}}</ref> | |||
| ] ] told a Ukrainian news outlet on September 21: "I know what the conversation was about and I think there was no pressure. This conversation was long, friendly, and it touched on many questions, sometimes requiring serious answers."<ref name="ReutersMinister">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-ukraine/ukraine-minister-denies-trump-put-pressure-on-zelenskiy-during-call-report-idUSKBN1W60HU|title=Ukraine minister denies Trump put pressure on Zelenskiy during call: report|last=Williams|first=Matthias|date=September 21, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003131325/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-ukraine/ukraine-minister-denies-trump-put-pressure-on-zelenskiy-during-call-report-idUSKBN1W60HU|archive-date=October 3, 2019|work=] |editor-last=Babington |editor-first=Deepa |editor2-last=Russell |editor2-first=Ros}}</ref> Prystaiko was also quoted as saying: "I want to say that we are an independent state, we have our secrets."<ref name="ReutersMinister"/> On September 22, Senator ] said Zelenskyy told him he had no intention to get involved with an American election.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/462505-democratic-senator-ukraine-said-they-have-no-intention-to|title=Democratic senator: Ukrainian president said he has 'no intention' to interfere with U.S. election|last=Klar|first=Rebecca|date=September 22, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 22, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004160337/https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/462505-democratic-senator-ukraine-said-they-have-no-intention-to|archive-date=October 4, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| === Public testimony === | |||
| ==== November 19, 2019 ==== | |||
| In an interview released on September 24, Ukrainian diplomat and politician ] told ''The Daily Beast'' that Ukrainian authorities would be reopening corruption investigations into multiple individuals and organizations including, potentially, Burisma, Trump campaign manager ], TV host ], and former prosecutor ]. King was suspected of receiving ] payments recorded in the "black ledger" that also named Manafort. Nalyvaichenko accused Lutsenko of having been in communication with associates of Trump "for vindictive purposes".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/ukraine-likely-to-reopen-probe-of-hunter-biden-firm-sources|title=Ukraine Likely to Reopen Probe of Hunter Biden Firm: Sources|last=Nemtsova|first=Anna|date=September 24, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190925021823/https://www.thedailybeast.com/ukraine-likely-to-reopen-probe-of-hunter-biden-firm-sources|archive-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| ] said he made a report to an intelligence official about what he heard during Trump's call with the Ukrainian President and felt what the President mentioned during the phone conversation was "improper."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/18/who-is-alexander-vindman-why-does-his-public-testimony-matter/|title=Analysis | Who is Alexander Vindman and why does his public testimony matter?|website=Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/19/impeachment-hearings-live-highlights-and-updates-071459|title=Election meddling, an 'improper' call, and twins: What we learned in Vindman's and Williams' testimony|website=POLITICO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/lt-col-alexander-vindman-reveals-in-testimony-that-he-told-an-intelligence-official-about-trumps-call-with-ukrainian-leader/2019/11/19/61c46b16-0ae4-11ea-8397-a955cd542d00_story.html|title=Trump said his Ukraine call was 'perfect'. Impeachment witnesses testified otherwise.|first1=Karoun|last1=Demirjian|first2=closeKaroun DemirjianCongressional reporter focusing on national securityEmailEmailBioBioFollowFollowMike|last2=DeBonis|first3=closeMike DeBonisCongressional reporter covering the House of RepresentativesEmailEmailBioBioFollowFollowMatt Zapotosky closeMatt ZapotoskyNational security reporter covering the Justice|last3=DepartmentEmailEmailBioBioFollowFollow|website=Washington Post}}</ref> | |||
| During the joint press conference on September 25 with Trump for reporters gathered at the ], President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters: "We had I think good phone call. It was normal. We spoke about many things. So, I think, and you read it, that nobody pushed me."<ref name="rollingstone">{{cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-sitting-ukraine-zelensky-united-nations-889491/|title='No Pressure', Trump Insists, While Sitting With Ukraine's Zelensky at U.N.|last=Stuart|first=Tessa|date=September 25, 2019|magazine=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927033744/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-sitting-ukraine-zelensky-united-nations-889491/|archive-date=September 27, 2019}}</ref><ref name="CNBC Zelensky">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/25/ukraine-president-on-trump-call-nobody-pushed-me.html|title=Ukraine's president on Trump call: 'Nobody pushed me'|last=MacDonald|first=Jordan|date=September 26, 2019|access-date=September 26, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001191010/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/25/ukraine-president-on-trump-call-nobody-pushed-me.html|archive-date=October 1, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> The next day, Zelenskyy said President Trump had not pressured anyone nor made any promises, and that the ] ] would investigate all domestic cases without prejudice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.hromadske.ua/posts/ukraines-zelenskyy-avoids-singling-out-biden-case|title=Ukraine's Zelenskyy Denies Singling Out "Biden Case"|last=Romanenko|first=Maria|date=September 26, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004031228/https://en.hromadske.ua/posts/ukraines-zelenskyy-avoids-singling-out-biden-case|archive-date=October 4, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref> On September 30, Zelenskyy made it clear that he was not going to interfere with the intra-American party confrontation.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/zelensky-rebuffs-trumps-request-to-investigate-biden.html|title=Zelensky rebuffs Trump's request to investigate Biden|last=Sukhov|first=Oleg|date=September 30, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 30, 2019}}</ref> Subsequently, at an all-day press conference on October 10, Zelenskyy said he only learned about the blockage of the military aid after the July 25 phone call. "We didn't speak about this. There was no blackmail."<ref name="pbs.noblankmail">{{cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/ukraine-president-says-there-was-no-blackmail-in-call-with-trump |title=Ukraine president says there was 'no blackmail' in call with Trump |agency=] |date=October 10, 2019 |work=] |first=Yuras |last=Karmanau |access-date=November 1, 2019}}</ref><ref name="kyivpost.allday">{{cite news |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/zelensky-holds-6-hour-press-conference-live.html |title=Zelensky holds all-day press conference |author=<!-- Not stated --> |date=October 10, 2019 |work=] |access-date=November 1, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| Vice President Mike Pence's chief European security adviser ] testified that she listened in on the phone conversion as well.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/19/us/politics/jennifer-williams.html|title=Who Is Jennifer Williams? Pence Aide Listened to Trump-Zelensky Call|first=Michael D.|last=Shear|date=November 19, 2019|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> Both acknowledged the Trump administration's interest in obtaining knowledge of the ] controversy as well.<ref name=penceukraine>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/19/early-takeaways-alexander-vindmans-jennifer-williamss-testimony/|title=Analysis | 7 takeaways from Tuesday's impeachment hearings|first1=Aaron Blake closeAaron BlakeSenior political|last1=reporter|first2=writing for The|last2=FixEmailEmailBioBioFollowFollow|website=Washington Post}}</ref> | |||
| === European Union === | |||
| In his public testimony, ] amended his earlier private comments, saying that since then "I have learned many things that I did not know at the time of the events in question." He said he did not realize there was any linkage between the military hold and the request for investigations by Ukraine, but that the information which was presented by the cascade of witnesses who testified before the House later resulted in him gaining a different perspective. He also says he didn't understand that talk about investigating Burisma was actually intended to target the Bidens. He added, "In retrospect, I should have seen that connection differently, and had I done so, I would have raised my own objections."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/kurt-volker-citing-biden-link-becomes-latest-witness-revise-testimony-n1086316|title=Kurt Volker, citing Biden link, becomes latest witness to revise testimony|last=Lederman|first=Josh|date=November 19, 2019|work=NBC News|accessdate=20 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/11/19/kurt-volker-public-impeachment-hearing-071566|title=I have learned many things: Kurt Volker revises Ukraine testimony|last=Cheney|first=Kyle|publisher=Politico|date=November 19, 2019|accessdate=November 25, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-impeachment-witness-ukraine-military-aid-biden-kurt-volker-a9210466.html|title=Trump impeachment witness admits Ukraine knew military aid was withheld during push for Biden investigation|last=Duncan|first=Conrad|publisher=The Independent|date=November 20, 2019|accessdate=November 25, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| During the conversation, Zelenskyy and Trump criticized ] ] and ] for a lack of support toward Ukraine.<ref name="zelensky-more-heat">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/09/26/why-ukraines-zelensky-isnt-taking-more-heat-his-fawning-call-with-trump/|title=Why Ukraine's Zelenskyy isn't taking more heat for his fawning call with Trump|last1=O'Grady|first1=Siobhán|date=September 27, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 30, 2019|last2=Noack|first2=Rick|url-access=limited}}</ref> Elmar Brok, special adviser on Ukraine for President ], refuted the criticism, pointing to the economic boost provided by the European Union through a free trade agreement. In addition, he claimed the U.S. has not signed a similar agreement with Ukraine.<ref name=zelensky-more-heat/> The conversation prompted Europeans to calculate the amount of aid given to Ukraine since 2014, and by approximate estimates, the EU and European financial institutions have provided assistance to more than $16 billion in grants and loans.<ref name="trump wrong">{{cite web|url=https://www.factcheck.org/2019/09/trump-wrong-on-european-aid-to-ukraine/|title=Trump Wrong on European Aid to Ukraine|last=Robertson|first=Lori|date=September 26, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927012027/https://www.factcheck.org/2019/09/trump-wrong-on-european-aid-to-ukraine/|archive-date=September 27, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| In the overall ranking in 2016–2017, the European Union is the leader in terms of aid, the U.S. the second, and Germany is the third.<ref name=tableau>{{cite web |url=https://public.tableau.com/views/OECDDACAidataglancebyrecipient_new/Recipients?:showVizHome=no |title=OECD DAC Aid at a glance by recipient_new|publisher=]|via=]|access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref> However, Ukrainian media analyzed the data and found that from 2014, Germany provided aid of €1.4 billion: €500 million is a loan that will be repaid, €200 million is a share of Germany from European Union assistance, and the rest is really full-fledged assistance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://texty.org.ua/fragments/96736/Zelenskyj_na_dogodu_Trampu_krytykuje_Nimechchynu_-96736/ |title=Зеленський на догоду Трампу критикує Німеччину—й німці вже рахують, скільки грошей дали Україні |date=September 26, 2019 |website=ТЕКСТИ |language=uk |trans-title=Zelenskyy criticizes Germany for Trump's sake—and Germans already count how much money they gave Ukraine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927031931/http://texty.org.ua/pg/news/textynewseditor/read/96736/Zelenskyyj_na_dogodu_Trampu_krytykuje_Nimechchynu_ |archive-date=September 27, 2019 |access-date=October 1, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2019-09/ukraine-krise-deutschland-zahlungen-bundesregierung-donald-trump |title=Ukraine-Krise: Deutschland hat der Ukraine mit fast 1,4 Milliarden Euro geholfen|date=September 26, 2019 |work=] |access-date=October 1, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003220508/https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2019-09/ukraine-krise-deutschland-zahlungen-bundesregierung-donald-trump |archive-date=October 3, 2019 |language=de-DE |trans-title=Ukraine Crisis: Germany has given Ukraine nearly 1.4 billion euros in aid }}</ref> ] has stated that its attitude towards Ukraine has not changed.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/2789071-berlin-not-to-change-attitude-to-kyiv-despite-trumpzelensky-call.html |title=Berlin not to change attitude to Kyiv despite Trump-Zelenskyy call |date=September 27, 2019 |access-date=September 30, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002050938/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/2789071-berlin-not-to-change-attitude-to-kyiv-despite-trumpzelensky-call.html |archive-date=October 2, 2019 |agency=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://eng.uatv.ua/berlin-maintains-warm-relations-kyiv-despite-controversial-trump-zelensky-phone-call/ |title=Berlin Maintains Warm Relations With Kyiv Despite Controversial Trump-Zelenskyy Phone Call |date=September 27, 2019 |website=UATV |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001183424/https://eng.uatv.ua/berlin-maintains-warm-relations-kyiv-despite-controversial-trump-zelensky-phone-call/ |archive-date=October 1, 2019 |access-date=September 30, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| During his testimony, ] detailed a quid pro quo, stating that Sondland had told him that when Sondland had discussed the U.S. aid with a Ukrainian official Andriy Yermak on September{{nbsp}}1, he told Yermak Ukraine "would have to have the prosecutor general make a statement with respect to the investigations as a condition of having the aid lifted".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/11/19/20973157/impeachment-hearings-morrison-quid-pro-quo-ukraine|first=Alex|last=Ward|title=One of the Republicans' witnesses confirmed a quid pro quo on TV|work=Vox.com|date=November 19, 2019|accessdate=November 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://theweek.com/speedreads/879534/former-nsc-official-tim-morrison-confirms-ukraine-quid-pro-quo-during-public-testimony|title=Former NSC official Tim Morrison confirms Ukraine quid pro quo during public testimony|publisher=The Week|date=November 19, 2019|accessdate=November 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/gop-witness-confirms-quid-pro-quo-impeachment-inquiry-testimony-1472926|title=GOP Witness Tim Morrison Says There Was Quid Pro Quo At Impeachment Inquiry Testimony|first=James|last=Walker|publisher=Newsweek|date=November 20, 2019|accessdate=November 20, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| === Russia === | |||
| Former Ukrainian prime minister ] expressed support for an investigation into Hunter Biden. Azarov fled to Russia in 2014 following the ] protests and is currently in exile in Moscow. He has called for a pro-Russian 'regime change' in Ukraine,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-ex-pm-azarov-forms-salvation-committee/27167032.html|title=Ex-Ukraine PM Forms 'Salvation Committee'|date=August 3, 2015|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930203557/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-ex-pm-azarov-forms-salvation-committee/27167032.html|archive-date=September 30, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> is wanted for prosecution in Ukraine for abuse of power and embezzlement, has set up a ], and is widely seen as a pro-Russian puppet.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-ukraine-idUSKBN1WD0PK|title=Ukraine must investigate Joe Biden's son, says ex-Ukrainian PM|last1=Zverev|first1=Anton|date=September 28, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004064343/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-ukraine-idUSKBN1WD0PK|archive-date=October 4, 2019|work=]|last2=Zhegulev|first2=Ilya}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/463532-ex-ukrainian-prime-minister-says-joe-bidens-son-must-be-investigated|title=Ex-Ukrainian prime minister says Joe Biden's son must be investigated|last=Wise|first=Justin|date=September 29, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002024137/https://thehill.com/policy/international/463532-ex-ukrainian-prime-minister-says-joe-bidens-son-must-be-investigated|archive-date=October 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/putins-latest-ukraine-gambit-puppet-government-exile-364473|title=Putin's Latest Ukraine Gambit: A Puppet Government in Exile|last=Korewa|first=Aaron|date=August 20, 2015|work=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211102631/https://www.newsweek.com/putins-latest-ukraine-gambit-puppet-government-exile-364473|archive-date=February 11, 2018}}</ref> | |||
| President ]'s spokesman ] said, "You have to admit, the publication of a full transcript of a conversation—be it by phone or face-to-face—is uncommon in interstate diplomatic practice. At least, uncommon until now."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/09/26/anti-russian-and-dirty-russia-reacts-to-trump-zelenskiy-call-a67464|title='Anti-Russian and Dirty': Russia Reacts to Trump-Zelenskiy Call|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004032837/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/09/26/anti-russian-and-dirty-russia-reacts-to-trump-zelenskiy-call-a67464|archive-date=October 4, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-reacts-humiliating-donald-trump-ukraine-call-scandal-u-s-laughing-stock-1461744|title=Russia reacts to 'humiliating' Trump Ukraine call, says scandal is making U.S. a 'laughing stock'|last=Brennan|first=David|date=September 27, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003000315/https://www.newsweek.com/russia-reacts-humiliating-donald-trump-ukraine-call-scandal-u-s-laughing-stock-1461744|archive-date=October 3, 2019}}</ref> Speaking at an energy conference in Moscow, Putin said: "I didn't see during the telephone conversation that Trump demanded some compromising information from Zelenskyy at all costs, and threatened that he would not provide assistance to Ukraine."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/putin-no-longer-opposes-releasing-transcripts-of-his-meetings-with-trump-11570033302|title=Putin Wouldn't Oppose Releasing Transcripts of His Meetings With Trump|last=Simmons|first=Ann M.|date=October 2, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 12, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013001330/https://www.wsj.com/articles/putin-no-longer-opposes-releasing-transcripts-of-his-meetings-with-trump-11570033302|archive-date=October 13, 2019|url-access=subscription}}</ref> | |||
| Ambassador to the European Union ] testified that he conducted his work with Giuliani at the "express direction of the president" and that he believed Giuliani was assigned to lead the Ukrainian quid pro quo scheme on Trump's behalf.<ref name="Edelman">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry/6-things-we-learned-gordon-sondland-s-impeachment-testimony-so-n1086841|title=6 things we learned from Gordon Sondland's impeachment testimony|last=Edelman|first=Adam|date=November 20, 2019|work=NBC News|accessdate=20 November 2019}}</ref> He also said everyone in the administration "was in the loop", specifically naming John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, ] and Mike Pence, saying "they knew what they were doing and why".<ref name=":29">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/20/politics/public-impeachment-hearing-day-4/index.html|title=Ambassador says 'everyone was in the loop' on pushing Ukrainians to investigate Bidens|last=CNN|first=Jeremy Herb and Manu Raju|website=CNN|access-date=2019-11-20}}</ref> Sondland also said Trump had never directly told him the aid package to Ukraine was related to the announcement of investigations, but that Sondland nevertheless believed it was and that he understood a potential White House invitation for Zelensky to be contingent on Ukraine announcing investigations into the 2016 elections and Burisma.<ref name="Edelman"/><ref name="FT1">{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/30e68c3b-31fd-3736-a55a-b23189da2db1|title=Trump seeks to distance himself from Sondland|date=20 November 2019|work=Financial Times|accessdate=20 November 2019}}</ref> | |||
| === Former U.S. officials === | |||
| The same day, ], the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, testified that Ukrainian officials knew about the hold on military aid by July 25, the day of the Trump–Zelensky call, undercutting an assertion that there could not have been a ''quid pro quo'' because Ukraine was not aware of the hold.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/impeachment-hearing-11-20-19/h_6caf4ca5223af63c44890ac182311825|title=Pentagon official reveals Ukrainians asked about stalled aid as early as July|date=November 20, 2019|work=CNN}}</ref> ], who serves as the ], testified that he found out from an ] official that aid to Ukraine was being withheld at the direction of Trump.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/20/takeaways-laura-coopers-david-hales-testimony-about-military-aid-ukraine/|title=Analysis | 3 takeaways from Laura Cooper's and David Hale's testimony|website=Washington Post}}</ref> | |||
| More than 300 former U.S. foreign policy and national security officials who had served under both Democratic and Republican administrations signed an open letter on September 27, supporting a congressional impeachment inquiry into Trump's conduct relating to Ukraine. The officials, who formerly served in the ], ], and departments of ], ], and ], wrote that Trump's actions raised "a profound national security concern" and that "President Trump appears to have leveraged the authority and resources of the highest office in the land to invite additional foreign interference into our democratic processes. If we fail to speak up—and act—now our foreign policy and national security will officially be on offer to those who can most effectively fulfill the President's personal prerogatives."<ref name="DeYoung300">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/nearly-300-former-officials-call-trumps-actions-concerning-ukraine-profound-national-security-concern/2019/09/27/254c09ac-e09e-11e9-8dc8-498eabc129a0_story.html|title=More than 300 former officials call Trump's actions concerning Ukraine 'profound national security concern'|last=DeYoung|first=Karen|date=September 27, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190927142428/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/nearly-300-former-officials-call-trumps-actions-concerning-ukraine-profound-national-security-concern/2019/09/27/254c09ac-e09e-11e9-8dc8-498eabc129a0_story.html|archive-date=September 27, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="NatSecActionLtr">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/context/statement-from-national-security-professionals/07f4f1e1-f393-4e11-97e5-1361dcbc6fc3/|title=Statement from National Security Professionals|date=September 27, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|publisher=National Security Action|via=]}}</ref> | |||
| The ] and ], representing members of the U.S. diplomatic corps, expressed alarm at Trump's disparagement of the former ] in his call with Zelenskyy.<ref name="auto6"/> | |||
| ==== November 21, 2019 ==== | |||
| Ten former ], who served under both Republican and Democratic presidents{{efn|The chiefs of staff were from the ], ], ], ], and ] administrations.<ref name=AbsolutelyCouldNot/>}} described it as unprecedented for an incumbent president to "personally apply pressure to foreign powers to damage political opponents".<ref name="AbsolutelyCouldNot">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/06/us/politics/trump-foreign-influence.html|title='We Absolutely Could Not Do That': When Seeking Foreign Help Was Out of the Question|last=Baker|first=Peter|date=October 6, 2019|work=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191008014356/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/06/us/politics/trump-foreign-influence.html|archive-date=October 8, 2019|author-link=Peter Baker (journalist)|url-access=limited|access-date=October 25, 2019}}</ref> When the ten were interviewed, "none recalled any circumstance under which the White House had solicited or accepted political help from other countries, and all said they would have considered the very idea out of bounds."<ref name=AbsolutelyCouldNot/> | |||
| ]—who until August 2019 was the top Russia expert on the National Security Council—criticized Republicans for promulgating the "fictional narrative" that Ukraine rather than Russia interfered in the 2016 election, asserting the theory was planted by Russia and played into its hands.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/us/politics/impeachment-hearing.html|title=Impeachment Inquiry Live Updates: Fiona Hill Denounces 'Fictional' Claim of Ukraine Meddling in 2016|first=Michael D.|last=Shear|date=November 21, 2019|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> Testifying alongside Hill was the current head of political affairs in the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, ], who said he was concerned about Giuliani's role and described Sondland, Volker and U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry as "The Three Amigos" who ran the Ukraine campaign with Trump and Giulani.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/witness-david-holmes-expresses-concerns-about-giulianis-role-in-ukraine|author=Associated Press|publisher=PBS NewsHour|date=November 21, 2019|accessdate=November 21, 2019</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/21/david-holmes-made-clear-how-pressure-was-applied-ukraine-how-that-pressure-continues/|title=Analysis | David Holmes made clear how pressure was applied to Ukraine—and how that pressure continues|first=Philip Bump closePhilip BumpNational correspondent focused largely on the numbers behind|last=politicsEmailEmailBioBioFollowFollow|website=Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/20/who-is-david-holmes-why-does-his-public-testimony-matter/|title=Analysis | Who is David Holmes and why does his public testimony matter?|website=Washington Post}}</ref> | |||
| In an op-ed in ''The Washington Post'', 17 former members of the ] special prosecutor force{{Efn|Including ], ], and others.<ref name=FmrWatergate/>}} wrote that "there exists compelling ''prima facie'' evidence that President Trump has committed impeachable offenses," specifically serious and persistent ], and the Congress "should not allow any refusal by the president to cooperate in its process to frustrate the performance of its constitutional duties."<ref name=FmrWatergate>{{cite news |author=Seventeen former Watergate special prosecutors |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/we-investigated-the-watergate-scandal-we-believe-trump-should-be-impeached/2019/10/10/5cf0c2ce-eb72-11e9-9306-47cb0324fd44_story.html |title=We investigated the Watergate scandal. We believe Trump should be impeached. |newspaper=] |date=October 10, 2019 |access-date=October 26, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| == Subsequent developments == | |||
| === Arrest of Lev Parnas, Igor Fruman and David Correia === | |||
| === American editorials and commentary === | |||
| {{main|Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman}} | |||
| The ''Washington Post'' and ''New York Times'' editorial boards supported the impeachment inquiry against Trump arising from the scandal.<ref name=Stonewall>{{cite news |author=Editorial Board |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/trumps-ukraine-stone-wall-has-begun-to-crack/2019/10/11/1e343984-ec45-11e9-85c0-85a098e47b37_story.html |title=Trump's Ukraine stone wall has begun to crack |newspaper=] |date=October 11, 2019 |access-date=October 25, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/27/reader-center/impeachment-editorial-board.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927092006/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/27/reader-center/impeachment-editorial-board.html |archive-date=September 27, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Why the Times Editorial Board Supports an Impeachment Inquiry| work=]| date=September 27, 2019| last1=Bennet| first1=James |access-date=November 5, 2019 }}</ref> The ''Post'' editorial board criticized the administration and its allies for defying congressional subpoenas and stonewalling the investigation,<ref name=Stonewall/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/giulianis-foreign-policy-is-all-about-his-clients--and-trump/2019/10/16/d41c795c-f030-11e9-8693-f487e46784aa_story.html |title=There's enough evidence for Congress to compel Giuliani's cooperation on impeachment |newspaper=] |date=October 16, 2019 |author=The Washington Post Editorial Board |access-date=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> and called upon congressional Republicans to "have the moral courage" to recognize the Trump administration's Ukraine pressure campaign as corrupt and a ''quid pro quo''.<ref>{{cite news |author=Editorial Board |access-date=January 7, 2020 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/heres-the-quid-pro-quo-proof-lindsey-graham/2019/10/22/549ef41a-f4e1-11e9-8cf0-4cc99f74d127_story.html |title=Here's the quid pro quo proof, Lindsey Graham |newspaper=] |date=October 22, 2019 }}</ref> Another ''Washington Post'' editorial criticized the Trump administration for attacking ], the acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, and other career civil servants who have testified before Congress, writing that it was "vile" to attack "honest and courageous public servants" in an attempt to discredit them.<ref>{{cite news |author=Editorial Board |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/the-white-house-resorts-to-character-assassination-of-courageous-public-servants/2019/10/23/ec7c6f5a-f5a5-11e9-ad8b-85e2aa00b5ce_story.html |title=The White House resorts to character assassination of courageous public servants |newspaper=] |date=October 23, 2019 |access-date=October 25, 2019}}</ref> Some newspaper editorial boards called upon Trump to resign from office over the Ukraine scandal, including the editorial board of Hearst Connecticut Media, which owns eight daily newspapers in ].<ref>{{cite news |first=Benjamin |last=Fearnow |url=https://www.newsweek.com/connecticut-editorial-board-calls-donald-trump-resign-step-down-leave-president-office-1461946 |title=Largest Connecticut Newspaper Group Demands Donald Trump Step Down as President |work=] |date=September 28, 2019 |access-date=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> A '']'' editorial urged congressional Republicans to call for Trump's resignation.<ref>{{cite news |author=Editorial Board |url=https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-trump-is-exhausting-the-nation-s-and-his-party/article_42f06c92-e445-5fcf-98be-dee8bf25d7f3.html|title=Editorial: Trump is exhausting the nation's and his party's patience. Time to dump him. |date=September 25, 2019 |work=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002050821/https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-trump-is-exhausting-the-nation-s-and-his-party/article_42f06c92-e445-5fcf-98be-dee8bf25d7f3.html |archive-date=October 2, 2019 |access-date=September 30, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| Pro-Trump media outlets and commentators, such as ], ], and ], responded by defending Trump and promoting an alternative narrative of the Ukraine affair that omitted significant facts.<ref name=Peters>{{cite news |first=Jeremy W. |last=Peters |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/us/politics/impeachment-conservatives-republicans.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926200010/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/us/politics/impeachment-conservatives-republicans.html |archive-date=September 26, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title='Everything You're Seeing Is Deception': How Right-Wing Media Talks About Impeachment |work=] |date=September 26, 2019 |access-date=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> Echoing Trump's own rhetoric, the president's defenders in the media often attacked the whistleblower,<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Folkenflik |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/09/27/765186518/how-conservative-media-outlets-are-reacting-to-the-trump-ukraine-news |title=How Conservative Media Outlets Are Reacting To The Trump-Ukraine News |work=] |publisher=] |date=September 27, 2019 |access-date=October 25, 2019}}</ref> and characterized the investigation as not only a political attack against Trump, but also "a culture war" against his supporters.<ref name=Peters/> Fox News anchor ] characterized the ] by Trump allies in the aftermath of the whistleblower complaint becoming public as "astonishing" and "deeply misleading".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mediaite.com/tv/foxs-chris-wallace-demolishes-astonishing-and-deeply-misleading-spin-from-trump-defenders/|title=Chris Wallace Demolishes 'Misleading' Trump-Ukraine Spin|last=McLaughlin|first=Aidan|date=September 27, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190928160858/https://www.mediaite.com/tv/foxs-chris-wallace-demolishes-astonishing-and-deeply-misleading-spin-from-trump-defenders/|archive-date=September 28, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| Lev Parnas and ] are associates of Rudy Giuliani who aided him in his politically-motivated investigation into Joe Biden. They had previously worked for ], a Ukrainian oligarch being indicted by the Justice Department and believed to be involved at high levels of Russian organized crime.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-firtash-idUSKBN1WQ2H5 |title=Indicted Giuliani associate worked on behalf of Ukrainian oligarch Firtash |date=October 11, 2019 |work=] |first=Aram |last=Roston |first2=Karen |last2=Freifeld |first3=Polina |last3=Ivanova |accessdate=October 24, 2019 }}</ref> Their attorney ], who previously represented Trump during the ], told Congress in October 2019 the men were assisting Giuliani in his work on behalf of Trump.<ref name="Helderx"/> Both are Soviet-born Florida real estate businessmen and naturalized American citizens.<ref name="ap-naftogaz"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/U.S.v.LevParnasetalIndictment.pdf|title=United States of America v. Lev Parnas, Igor Fruman, David Correia, and Andrey Kukushkin|last=Berman|first=Geoffrey S.|authorlink=Geoffrey Berman|publisher=]|page=5|type=Sealed indictment|via=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012045123/https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/U.S.v.LevParnasetalIndictment.pdf|archive-date=October 12, 2019|access-date=October 12, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| === Public opinion === | |||
| The two were arrested on the evening of October 9, 2019, and charged with planning to direct funds from a foreign government "to U.S. politicians while trying to influence U.S.-Ukraine relations". They were arrested at ] while trying to leave the U.S. en route to Vienna, Austria. Rudy Giuliani was also scheduled to fly to Vienna the following night.<ref name=wsj24oct2019>{{cite news |date=October 10, 2019 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/two-foreign-born-men-who-helped-giuliani-on-ukraine-arrested-on-campaign-finance-charges-11570714188 |title=Two Giuliani Associates Who Helped Him on Ukraine Charged With Campaign-Finance Violations|first=Aruna |last=Viswanatha |first2=Rebecca |last2=Ballhaus |first3=Sadie |last3=Gurman |first4=Byron |last4=Tau |website=] |accessdate=October 24, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/10/politics/rudy-giuliani-vienna-flight-associates-arrested/index.html |title=Rudy Giuliani said he was flying to Vienna just before associates were arrested before reportedly trying to go to Vienna |first=Paul |last=LeBlanc |date=October 11, 2019 |website=] |accessdate=October 24, 2019 }}</ref> Their arrest, the first in the Trump-Ukraine scandal, was described as a "complex web of financial and political interactions linking diplomacy to alleged violations of campaign finance law".<ref name="Helderx">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/two-business-associates-of-trumps-personal-lawyer-giuliani-have-been-arrested-and-are-in-custody/2019/10/10/9f9c101a-eb63-11e9-9306-47cb0324fd44_story.html|title=Two business associates of Trump's personal attorney Giuliani have been arrested on campaign finance charges|last=Barrett|first=Devlin|date=October 10, 2018|newspaper=]|access-date=October 10, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.fo/gKoIR|archive-date=October 12, 2019|last2=Wagner|first2=John|last3=Helderman|first3=Rosalind S.|url-access=limited}}</ref> The head of the New York's FBI office described the investigation as "about corrupt behavior, deliberate lawbreaking".<ref name=Helderx/> Parnas and Freeman both pleaded not guilty. Parnas's attorney said some evidence against his client could be subject to presidential ], as Giuliani had represented both Trump and Parnas.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/nyregion/lev-parnas-igor-fruman-campaign-finance.html|title=Indicted Giuliani Associate Ties Case to Trump|first1=Nicole|last1=Hong|first2=William K.|last2=Rashbaum|date=October 23, 2019|newspaper=] |accessdate=November 19, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| {{see also|First impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump#Public opinion}} | |||
| In the days after the scandal arose, multiple polls showed a surge in support for an impeachment inquiry, or impeachment itself.{{By how much|date=October 2019}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/01/us/politics/impeachment-monmouth-poll.html|title=Support for Impeachment Is Rising, Polls Show|last=Russonello|first=Giovanni|date=October 1, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191001171433/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/01/us/politics/impeachment-monmouth-poll.html|archive-date=October 1, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-impeachment-inquiry-poll-cbs-news-poll-finds-majority-of-americans-and-democrats-approve/|title=CBS News poll: Majority of Americans and Democrats approve of Trump impeachment inquiry|last1=De Pinto|first1=Jennifer|date=September 29, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004142334/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-impeachment-inquiry-poll-cbs-news-poll-finds-majority-of-americans-and-democrats-approve/|archive-date=October 4, 2019|work=]|last2=Salvanto|first2=Anthony|last3=Backus|first3=Fred|last4=Khanna|first4=Kabir}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/26/poll-support-impeachment-trump-1515012|title=Support for impeachment jumps in new poll|last=Shepard|first=Steven|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004154210/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/26/poll-support-impeachment-trump-1515012|archive-date=October 4, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| The charges have also directly connected Parnas and Fruman to the campaign to oust the United States ambassador to Ukraine, ], from her post and have her recalled.<ref name="fruman-press">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/10/us/politics/lev-parnas-igor-fruman-arrested-giuliani.html|title=2 Giuliani Associates Tied to Ukraine Scandal Arrested on Campaign Finance Charges|last1=Mazzetti|first1=Mark|date=October 10, 2019|work=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.fo/OKDZK|archive-date=October 11, 2019|last2=Sullivan|first2=Eileen|last3=Goldman|first3=Adam|last4=Rashbaum|first4=William K.|url-access=limited}}</ref> This occurred over many months.<ref name="ap-naftogaz"/> In 2018, the operation included Parnas and Fruman donating funds and pledging later additional money to an unnamed Congressman, who was recruited for the "campaign to oust her".<ref name=fruman-press/> Some of the funds violated campaign limits. Parnas and Fruman were also charged with unlawful campaign contributions. Former congressional Representative ] (R-Texas) correlates with campaign finance filings, identifying him as the unnamed Congressman. At the time, as the chairman of the influential House Rules Committee, he wrote a May 9, 2018 letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "saying that Ms. Yovanovitch should be fired for privately expressing 'disdain' for the current administration."<ref name=fruman-press/> Earlier that day, Parnas and his business partner David Correia visited Sessions in his Capitol Hill office.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/pete-sessions-appears-to-be-congressman-1-ensnared-in-guiliani-associates-indictment|title=Pete Sessions appears to be 'Congressman 1' ensnared in Guiliani associates' indictment|last=Biesecker|first=Michael|date=October 11, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 12, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013005800/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/pete-sessions-appears-to-be-congressman-1-ensnared-in-guiliani-associates-indictment|archive-date=October 13, 2019|agency=]|last2=Butler|first2=Desmond}}</ref> Correia was arrested by the FBI at ] on October 16 on charges of using foreign money for political influence to advance a marijuana scheme.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/fourth-defendant-in-giuliani-associates-case-arrested-at-new-york-airport/2019/10/16/2c3ea19e-f024-11e9-89eb-ec56cd414732_story.html |title=Fourth defendant in Giuliani associates' case arrested at New York airport |date=October 16, 2019 |first=Devlin |last=Barrett |newspaper=The Washington Post |accessdate=November 19, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| === Resignations === | |||
| In 2018, Parnas and Fruman were sent by Giuliani to Ukraine to extract damaging information on Trump's U.S. political rivals. "Their mission was to find people and information that could be used to undermine the ], and also to damage former Vice President Joseph R. Biden."<ref name="lev-igor">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/10/us/politics/rudy-giuliani-ukraine-associates.html|title=Giuliani's Ukraine Team: In Search of Influence, Dirt and Money|last=Vogel|first=Kenneth P.|date=October 10, 2019|work=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/qHgbx|archive-date=October 11, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> Both were also at the center of the pro-Trump forces' push to remove the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine because her loyalty to President Trump was deemed deficient "as he pursued his agenda there".<ref name=lev-igor/> Also, over the course of a year beginning in 2018, the two brought Giuliani to Ukrainians who were amenable to promoting "a largely unsubstantiated narrative about the Bidens".<ref name=lev-igor/> These willing Ukrainians included ], a former ], who was essential to aiding Giuliani's efforts to produce damaging information. | |||
| The American special envoy to Ukraine, ], resigned one day after the complaint was released. The whistleblower complaint alleges Volker "sought to 'contain the damage' from Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani's outreach to Ukraine's government about the Biden family".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-joe-biden-kurt-volker-giuliani-impeachment-ukraine-corruption-a9142361.html |title=Trump's Ukraine envoy 'warned Giuliani that Biden corruption claims were not credible' |date=October 3, 2019 |access-date=November 10, 2019 |work=] |first=Andrew |last=Buncombe }}</ref> On October 10, Michael McKinley, a senior advisor to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, resigned over disappointment in Pompeo's lack of public support for those named in the scandal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/senior-adviser-to-pompeo-resigns/2019/10/10/0d771aa2-ebb5-11e9-85c0-85a098e47b37_story.html|title=Senior adviser to Pompeo resigns|last=DeYoung|first=Karen|date=October 10, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 13, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191011010846/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/senior-adviser-to-pompeo-resigns/2019/10/10/0d771aa2-ebb5-11e9-85c0-85a098e47b37_story.html|archive-date=October 11, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| === Internet communities === | |||
| Giuliani's relationship with Parnas and Fruman is the subject of a criminal investigation by the FBI's New York field office and ] prosecutors.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rudy-giulianis-relationship-arrested-men-subject-criminal-investigation/story?id=66212654|title=Rudy Giuliani's relationship with arrested men is subject of criminal investigation: Sources|last1=Katersky|first=Aaron|date=October 11, 2019|accessdate=October 11, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011164943/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rudy-giulianis-relationship-arrested-men-subject-criminal-investigation/story?id=66212654|archive-date=October 11, 2019|publisher=]|last2=Margolin|first2=Josh}}</ref> His business activities in Ukraine and potential violation of lobbying laws are under federal investigation,<ref name=":3">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/11/us/politics/rudy-giuliani-investigation.html|title=Giuliani Is Said to Be Under Investigation for Ukraine Work|last1=Schmidt|first1=Michael S.|date=October 11, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 12, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/qiGji|archive-date=October 13, 2019|last2=Protess|first2=Ben|last3=Vogel|first3=Kenneth P.|last4=Rashbaum|first4=William K.|authorlink1=Michael S. Schmidt|authorlink3=Kenneth Vogel|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="rudy-finances">{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/federal-prosecutors-scrutinize-rudy-giuliani-s-ukraine-business-dealings-finances-11571092100 |title=Federal Prosecutors Scrutinize Rudy Giuliani's Ukraine Business Dealings, Finances |first=Aruna |last=Viswanatha |first2=Rebecca |last2=Davis O'Brien |first3=Rebecca|last3=Ballhaus|newspaper=] |date=October 14, 2019 |accessdate=October 29, 2019 }}</ref> by FBI counterintelligence.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 15, 2019 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/10/15/trump-lawyer-rudy-giuliani-ukraine-business-investigation/3986079002/|title=Federal investigators have been looking into Giuliani's dealings in Ukraine since early 2019|first1=Kevin|last1=McCoy|first2=Kevin|last2=Johnson|website=USA TODAY}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/16/politics/giuliani-counterintelligence-probe/index.html|title=Federal investigation of Rudy Giuliani includes counterintelligence probe|first=Evan |last=Perez |first2=Sara |last2=Murray |first3=Shimon |last3=Prokupecz |work=CNN |date=October 16, 2019 }}</ref> SDNY prosecutors have examined Giuliani's bank statements. They are also investigating his finances, as well as meetings with and work for a Ukrainian city mayor.<ref name=rudy-finances/> SDNY investigators have been questioning witnesses about Giuliani since August 2019, gathering information about his relationship to Parnas and Fruman.<ref name="rudy-finances"/> ''Bloomberg News'' reported in November 2019 that the Giuliani investigation could include charges of bribing foreign officials or conspiracy.<ref>{{cite news |work=Bloomberg News |title=Giuliani Faces U.S. Probe on Campaign Finance, Lobbying Breaches |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-15/giuliani-faces-u-s-probe-on-campaign-finance-lobbying-breaches |first=Chris |last=Strohm |first2=Jordan |last2=Fabian |date=November 15, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| After the whistleblower complaint was publicized, users on pro-Trump ]s tried to identify its author. These attempts at "]" were marked by disorganized speculation, racism and misogyny.<ref name="timberg-harwell"/> In October 2019, pro-Trump writer ] published on the web what he asserted was the identity of the whistleblower. During ensuing days, Trump and his allies asserted major news outlets were covering for the whistleblower because they had declined to repeat the whistleblower's alleged identity in their reporting.<ref name="wapo-online-campaign-nov7">{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/07/trumps-allies-turned-online-campaign-quest-unmask-ukraine-whistleblower/|title=Trump's allies turned to online campaign in quest to unmask Ukraine whistleblower|first1=Isaac|last1=Stanley-Becker|newspaper=] |date=November 7, 2019 |access-date=November 7, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet|user=TrumpWarRoom |number=1192118977436229633|title=CNN, MSNBC, NBC, CBS, ABC ... they ALL know the name of Adam Schiff's anti-Trump "whistleblower". They ALL are refusing to report it. Why? Because its the Democrat media's job to cover up the Democrats' attempted coup!|author=Trump War Room |date=November 6, 2019 |access-date=January 7, 2020 }}</ref> However, the generally pro-Trump Fox News—including close Trump confidant ]—also declined to repeat the alleged identity, on instructions from Fox News management.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/06/media/fox-news-whistleblower/index.html |title=Fox News brass to network hosts and personalities: Do not identify the whistleblower |first1=Oliver |last1=Darcy |first2=Brian |last2=Stelter |publisher=] |date=November 6, 2019 |access-date=November 8, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| Trump supporters paid for ] advertisements to spread the purported name of the whistleblower. These ads were viewed by potentially "hundreds of thousands of users" before Facebook removed them.<ref name="wapo-online-campaign-nov7"/> | |||
| Referring to Parnas and Fruman, on October 10 Trump said, "I don't know those gentlemen," although that day ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported Trump had dinner with the men in the White House in early May 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-impeachment-inquiry-live-updates/2019/10/10/e46ddd94-eace-11e9-9c6d-436a0df4f31d_story.html|title=House Democrats subpoena Perry, Giuliani associates; Trump to hold first campaign rally since impeachment inquiry launch|last=Sonmez|first=Felicia|date=October 10, 2019|work=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.fo/B2POI|archive-date=October 12, 2019|last2=Itkowitz|first2=Colby|last3=Wagner|first3=John|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name=wsj24oct2019/> '']'' featured photos of Lev Parnas posing with President Trump and both Parnas and Fruman posing with other Republicans in Washington, DC.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/mikesallah/ukraine-spending-trump-parnas-fruman|title=Two Key Players In The Ukraine Controversy Spent Lavishly As They Dug For Dirt on Biden|last=Sallah|first=Michael|date=October 9, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 12, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012050905/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/mikesallah/ukraine-spending-trump-parnas-fruman|archive-date=October 12, 2019|last2=Loop|first2=Emma}}</ref> Trump was photographed with Parnas as early as April 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/12/trump-lev-parnas-photo-giuliani-045137|title=2014 photograph shows earlier ties between Trump and indicted Giuliani associate|last=Schreckinger|first=Ben|date=October 12, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 12, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013000243/https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/12/trump-lev-parnas-photo-giuliani-045137|archive-date=October 13, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| ==Aftermath== | |||
| On October 15, 2019, it was reported that a New York grand jury had subpoenaed former congressman ] (R-Texas) for documents and other information about his intercommunications and cooperation with Giuliani, Parnas, and Freeman. The subpoena demonstrated that the investigation into Giuliani's relationship to Parnas and Freeman remained active, as prosecutors determine whether Giuliani engaged in any illegal behavior. Giuliani seems to be the focal point of the subpoena.<ref name=focus-wsj>{{cite news |date=October 15, 2019 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ex-rep-sessions-subpoenaed-over-interactions-with-giuliani-giuliani-associates-11571176908|title=Ex-Rep. Sessions Subpoenaed Over Interactions With Giuliani, Giuliani Associates|first=Rebecca|last=Ballhaus|website=] |accessdate=October 29, 2019 }}</ref> Sought after documents pertain to Giuliani's business affairs in Ukraine and his connection to the ouster of the former U.S. ambassador.<ref name=focus-wsj/> The unsealed indictment against Parnas says he sought the help of the congressman to dismiss the former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine while sourcing the money to the congressman on behalf of "one or more Ukrainian government officials."<ref name=sess-subpoena>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/former-rep-pete-sessions-subpoenaed-by-grand-jury-investigating-giuliani-and-associates/2019/10/15/c7fb9204-ef98-11e9-8693-f487e46784aa_story.html |date=October 15, 2019 |title=Former Rep. Pete Sessions subpoenaed by grand jury investigating Giuliani and associates|first1=Matt|last1=Zapotosky|first2=Devlin |last2=Barrett |website=Washington Post |accessdate=October 24, 2019 }}</ref> Sessions followed up with a letter to the Secretary of State requesting the ouster of the ambassador. | |||
| ===Impeachment and senate trial=== | |||
| On November 4, 2019 Parnas's new attorney Joseph Bondy said his client would cooperate with congressional investigators in their Trump impeachment inquiry.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-impeachment-parnas-exclusiv-idUSKBN1XE297 |first=Aram |last=Roston|title=Exclusive: Giuliani associate now willing to comply with Trump impeachment inquiry—lawyer|date=November 4, 2019|newspaper=] |accessdate=November 5, 2019 }}</ref> Bondy later told ''The New York Times'' that shortly before Zelensky's May 20 inauguration, Parnas traveled to Kiev to tell the incoming government that American military aid was contingent upon Ukraine's announcing an investigation of Joe Biden.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/04/nyregion/lev-parnas-giuliani-associate.html|title=Lev Parnas, Giuliani Associate, Opens Talks With Impeachment Investigators|first1=Ben|last1=Protess|first2=Michael|last2=Rothfeld|first3=William K.|last3=Rashbaum|date=November 4, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times }}</ref> | |||
| {{further|First impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump|First impeachment of Donald Trump|First impeachment trial of Donald Trump}} | |||
| President Trump was impeached by Congress on charges of abuse of power and obstructing Congress.<ref name="NYT-20191218"/> The articles of impeachment were referred to the Senate, which ] over twenty days from January 16 to February 5, 2020. Trump was acquitted on both charges by the Republican-controlled Senate, with the vote split along party lines.<ref name="acquit"/>{{efn|Utah senator ] was the only senator to break with his party, voting in favour of removing Trump from office on the charge of abusing the power of his office.}} Maine senator ], who emerged as a key figure during the impeachment trial owing to her perceived willingness to break with her party,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/31/murkowski-to-vote-against-calling-witnesses-in-impeachment-trial-109997 |first1=Kyle |last1=Cheney |first2=John |last2=Bresnahan |first3=Andrew |last3=Desiderio |date=January 31, 2020 |title=Republicans defeat Democratic bid to hear witnesses in Trump trial|work=]|access-date=January 31, 2020}}</ref> defended the acquittal as she believed Trump had learned from the trial and would not attempt to solicit foreign interference in future.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} | |||
| === House Intelligence Committee Report === | |||
| ===Resignations and firings of witnesses=== | |||
| On November 25, 2019, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff published a letter stating that the next steps towards impeachment will be taken when a committee report regarding the impeachment inquiry will be sent to the House Judiciary Committee when Congress returns from the Thanksgiving recess.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/25/politics/adam-schiff-letter-impeachment-timeline/index.html|title=READ: Adam Schiff letter to lawmakers laying out path forward for impeachment inquiry|publisher=CNN|date=November 25, 2019|accessdate=November 25, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/live-impeachment-inquiry-updates/2019/11/25/0eabfc32-0f71-11ea-b0fc-62cc38411ebb_story.html|title=Impeachment inquiry live updates: Schiff says report will be forwarded to Judiciary Committee soon after Congress returns next week|first1=John|last1=Wagner|first2=closeJohn WagnerNational reporter leading The Post's breaking political news teamEmailEmailBioBioFollowFollowFelicia|last2=Sonmez|first3=closeFelicia SonmezNational reporter on The Washington Post's breaking political news teamEmailEmailBioBioFollowFollowBrittany Shammas closeBrittany ShammasGeneral assignment|last3=reporterEmailEmailBioBioFollowFollow|website=Washington Post}}</ref> | |||
| Marie Yovanovitch and Bill Taylor resigned from their positions in the State Department.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/key-impeachment-witness-marie-yovanovitch-retires-from-state-department-2020-1 |title=Key witness in the impeachment inquiry Marie Yovanovitch retires from the State Department after being ousted following an apparent smear campaign|author=Frias, Lauren|date=January 31, 2020|work=]|access-date=January 31, 2020}}</ref> Jennifer Williams left her position to take up a new post.<ref name="abc au 0802">{{cite news|url=https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-08/donald-trump-ousts-alex-sondland-alexander-vindman-impeachment/11946280|title=Donald Trump ousts Gordon Sondland and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, who testified at impeachment probe|work=]|access-date=February 8, 2020|date=February 8, 2020}}</ref> Alexander Vindman was dismissed from his position in the White House following Trump's acquittal by the Senate.<ref name="Fired2020"/> Vindman's twin brother Yevgeny—who was not involved in the case—was also dismissed. Both Vindman brothers were reported to have been physically escorted from the White House. Gordon Sondland was also recalled from his position as ambassador.<ref name="Fired2020">{{Cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Peter |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/07/us/politics/alexander-vindman-gordon-sondland-fired.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207235017/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/07/us/politics/alexander-vindman-gordon-sondland-fired.html |archive-date=February 7, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Trump Fires Gordon Sondland Hours After Dismissing Impeachment Witness Alexander Vindman |date=February 7, 2020 |work=] |access-date=February 7, 2020 |last2=Haberman |first2=Maggie |last3=Hakim |first3=Danny |last4=Schmidt |first4=Michael S. |author-link2=Maggie Haberman}}</ref> The White House claimed that the dismissals were necessary, but Trump was criticized for seeking revenge against those who had testified against him.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rampton |first1=Roberta |last2=Kelly |first2=Amitaz |last3=Ordoñez |first3=Franco |title=Vindman, Sondland Removed As Trump Purges Impeachment Witnesses |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/02/07/803904417/lt-col-alexander-vindman-escorted-out-of-the-white-house-his-lawyer-says |access-date=February 8, 2020 |publisher=] |date=February 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Santucci |first1=Jeanine |title=Nancy Pelosi: Trump impeachment witness Vindman's 'shameful' firing a 'brazen act of retaliation' |date=February 8, 2020 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/02/08/trump-firing-impeachment-witness-alexander-vindman-brazen-act-retaliation-pelosi/4700103002/ |work=] |access-date=February 23, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nakamura|first1=David|last2=Miller|first2=Greg|date=February 8, 2020|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/not-just-chilling-but-frightening-inside-vindmans-ouster-amid-fears-of-further-retaliation-by-trump/2020/02/08/7d5ae666-4a90-11ea-bdbf-1dfb23249293_story.html |title=Inside Vindman's ouster amid fears of further retaliation by Trump|newspaper=]|access-date=February 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Zachary |last2=LeBlanc |first2=Paul |title=Schumer calls on 74 inspectors general to investigate witness retaliation after Vindman ouster |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/10/politics/schumer-letter-retaliation-protected-disclosures/index.html |date=February 10, 2020 |work=] |access-date=February 11, 2020}}</ref> Trump was also reported to have labelled Williams and Alexander Vindman as ].<ref name="abc au 0802"/> Trump suggested that the Pentagon should seek disciplinary action against Vindman, but the Army declined to investigate.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/482638-trump-suggests-military-should-consider-additional-discipline-for/ |access-date=February 23, 2023 |title=Trump suggests military should consider additional discipline for Vindman |first=Ian |last=Swanson |date=February 11, 2020 |work=] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-hints-that-vindman-may-face-disciplinary-action-from-pentagon |access-date=April 7, 2021 |title=Trump hints that Vindman may face disciplinary action from Pentagon|date=February 12, 2020 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pentagon-mum-trumps-suggestion-vindman-face-disciplinary-action/story?id=68939412 |date=February 12, 2020 |first=Luis |last=Martinez |title=Pentagon officially mum on Trump's suggestion Vindman could face disciplinary action|work=] |access-date=February 23, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/14/alexander-vindman-no-army-investigation-115286 |date=February 14, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2021 |title=Army won't investigate Vindman over impeachment testimony, top leader says |first=Jacqueline |last=Feldscher |work=]}}</ref> ], the top Pentagon policy advisor who, on July 25, 2019, warned Defense Secretary ] against withholding military aid to Ukraine, was forced to resign on February 19, 2020. In May 2019 he had certified to Congress that Ukraine was eligible for the aid.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-19/pentagon-official-involved-in-certifying-ukraine-aid-leaves-post |title=Pentagon Policy Chief in Ukraine-Aid Case Exits Under Pressure |first1=Jennifer |last1=Jacobs |first2=Jordan |last2=Fabian |work=] |date=February 19, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2023 }}</ref> | |||
| Subsequently, during a panel discussion held on February 11, 2020, at the ], the president's ], ] said that it was his decision to transfer both Vindman brothers back to the Army for re-assignment and denied that the move was ordered by Trump in retaliation for Vindman's testimony. "I can absolutely tell you that they were not retaliated against", O'Brien told the panel. O'Brien also disputed the move as being characterized as "fired" since both brothers remain on active duty. O'Brien noted that their transfer was part of a larger NSA staff reduction.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Restuccia |first1=Andrew |title=Official Defends Vindman Removal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/obrien-says-vindman-removal-wasnt-retaliation-for-impeachment-inquiry-comments-11581469686 |access-date=February 15, 2020 |issue=Page A6 |work=] |date=February 12, 2020}}</ref> It was later reported that the firings and dismissals were part of a wider purge of the Trump administration that targeted people who were perceived as not being loyal enough to Trump and his agenda,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/22/us/politics/trump-disloyalty-turnover.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222190003/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/22/us/politics/trump-disloyalty-turnover.html |archive-date=February 22, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Trump's Efforts to Remove the Disloyal Heightens Unease Across His Administration |first=Peter |last=Baker |author-link=Peter Baker (journalist) |work=] |date=February 22, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2023 }}</ref> including intelligence officials who might be part of Trump's claims of a ] conspiracy against him.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.axios.com/trump-memos-deep-state-white-house-ce5be95f-2418-433d-b036-2bf41c9700c3.html |date=February 23, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2021 |title=Exclusive: Trump's "Deep State" hit list|first=Jonathan|last=Swan|work=]}}</ref> | |||
| On December 3, the House Intelligence Committee voted 13–9 along party lines to adopt and also send it to the House Judiciary Committee.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/03/politics/house-intelligence-committee-report/index.html|title=House Democrats vote to send impeachment report to Judiciary Committee|last1=Raju|first1=Manu|date=December 3, 2019|accessdate=December 4, 2019|publisher=CNN|last2=Herb|first2=Jeremy}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-intel-committee-trump-impeachment-report-vote|title=House Democrats vote to adopt Trump impeachment report, blast scheme to 'solicit foreign interference' in 2020 race|last1=Blitzer|first1=Ronn|date=December 3, 2019|accessdate=December 4, 2019|publisher=Fox News|last2=Re|first2=Gregg}}</ref><ref name="Intel-Report" /> | |||
| ] was fired from his position as ] in April 2020. The White House issued a statement that Trump had lost confidence in Atkinson's ability to perform his duties.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-04/donald-trump-fires-inspector-general-who-sparked-impeachment/12122012 |first1= Mary Clare |last1=Jalonick |first2=Deb |last2=Riechmann |agency=] |access-date=April 7, 2021 |title=Donald Trump fires Inspector-General who sparked US President's impeachment|date=April 4, 2020|work=]}}</ref> The decision to fire Atkinson was criticized because his role as Inspector General was supposed to be independent and because Trump chose to fire him during ], which led to claims that Trump had tried to use the pandemic to distract from Atkinson's firing.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/04/donald-trump-fires-intelligence-watchdog-michael-atkinson-impeachment |title=Donald Trump fires intelligence watchdog who sparked impeachment process |work=] |last=Smith |first=David |date=April 4, 2020 |access-date=April 4, 2020}}</ref> | |||
| The report's preface states:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://intelligence.house.gov/report/|title=The Trump-Ukraine Impeachment Inquiry Report|last=Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence|first=U.S. House of Representatives|date=2019-12-03|website=intelligence.house.gov|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-06}}</ref> | |||
| ===Giuliani's activities in Ukraine=== | |||
| <blockquote>he impeachment inquiry has found that President Trump, personally and acting through agents within and outside of the U.S. government, solicited the interference of a foreign government, Ukraine, to benefit his reelection. In furtherance of this scheme, President Trump conditioned official acts on a public announcement by the new Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, of politically-motivated investigations, including one into President Trump’s domestic political opponent. In pressuring President Zelensky to carry out his demand, President Trump withheld a White House meeting desperately sought by the Ukrainian President, and critical U.S. military assistance to fight Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine. | |||
| As the impeachment hearings and trial unfolded, Rudy Giuliani returned to Ukraine to conduct his own investigation into Joe and Hunter Biden. This was widely criticized as a further attempt to undermine Biden's election campaign,{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} for promoting widely debunked conspiracy theories about the Bidens,<ref name="Cohen_2/14/2020"/> for Giuliani being a likely target for misinformation spread by ],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/14/lindsey-graham-rudy-giuliani-ukraine-085061|title=Lindsey Graham invites Rudy Giuliani to Judiciary panel to discuss recent Ukraine visit|first=Burgess|last=Everett|work=]|access-date=December 31, 2019|date=December 14, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/gop-senators-are-avoiding-rudy-giuliani-ahead-of-impeachment-trial|title=Graham: Rudy Should Scrub Evidence for Russian Propaganda|first1=Erin |last1=Banco |first2=Asawin|last2=Suebsaeng|date=December 29, 2019|work=]|access-date=December 31, 2019}}</ref> and because Giuliani is himself under investigation by American authorities.<ref name="Bloomberg 2019-11-15"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/federal-prosecutors-probe-giulianis-links-to-ukrainian-energy-projects-11573837576 |title=Federal Prosecutors Probe Giuliani's Links to Ukrainian Energy Projects |date=November 15, 2019 |work=] |first=Rebecca Davis |last=O'Brien |access-date=November 25, 2019 }}</ref> Giuliani went on to claim that he had found evidence that ] and Joe Biden had previously contacted Ukrainian officials looking to open an investigation into ],{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} the chair of Trump's ], who had lobbied to American lawmakers on behalf of former Ukrainian president ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2016-04-13/trump-just-hired-his-next-scandal-lobbyist-paul-manafort|title=Trump Just Hired His Next Scandal|last=Lake|first=Eli|date=April 13, 2016|newspaper=]|access-date=July 24, 2016}}</ref> | |||
| In February 2020, Attorney General William Barr announced that the Justice Department would receive any information gathered by Giuliani.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/barr-acknowledges-justice-dept-has-created-intake-process-to-vet-giulianis-information-on-bidens/2020/02/10/0fba553a-4c1e-11ea-bf44-f5043eb3918a_story.html |date=February 10, 2020 |title=Barr acknowledges Justice Dept. has created 'intake process' to vet Giuliani's information on Bidens|first1=Matt|last1=Zapotosky|first2=Devlin|last2=Barrett |newspaper=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/02/10/804518735/barr-door-is-open-to-giuliani-tips-on-ukraine-though-they-d-be-scrutinized |access-date=September 6, 2021 |first1=Ryan |last1=Lucas |first2=Philip |last2=Ewing |date=February 10, 2020 |title=Barr: 'Door Is Open' To Giuliani Tips On Ukraine, Though They'd Be Scrutinized |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/09/us/politics/justice-department-giuliani-bidens-ukraine.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209221010/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/09/us/politics/justice-department-giuliani-bidens-ukraine.html |archive-date=February 9, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Justice Dept. Reviewing Information From Giuliani on the Bidens, Graham Says|first=Catie|last=Edmondson|date=June 10, 2020|work=] |access-date=September 6, 2021 }}</ref> Barr had previously announced that all investigations into foreign donations and interference into the 2020 presidential elections would require his personal approval.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} | |||
| The President engaged in this course of conduct for the benefit of his own presidential reelection, to harm the election prospects of a political rival, and to influence our nation’s upcoming presidential election to his advantage. In doing so, the President placed his own personal and political interests above the national interests of the United States, sought to undermine the integrity of the U.S. presidential election process, and endangered U.S. national security. | |||
| During the impeachment process, Trump denied having sent Giuliani to Ukraine, but in an interview that aired on February 13, 2020, he reversed his prior denials and openly admitted sending Giuliani to Ukraine, praising him as a "crime fighter" and "the best prosecutor."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/13/politics/trump-rudy-giuliani-ukraine-interview/index.html|title=Trump contradicts past denials, admits sending Giuliani to Ukraine|last=Cohen|first=Marshall|date=February 13, 2020|publisher=]|access-date=February 14, 2020}}</ref> | |||
| At the center of this investigation is the memorandum prepared following President Trump’s July 25, 2019, phone call with Ukraine’s President, which the White House declassified and released under significant public pressure. The call record alone is stark evidence of misconduct; a demonstration of the President’s prioritization of his personal political benefit over the national interest. In response to President Zelensky’s appreciation for vital U.S. military assistance, which President Trump froze without explanation, President Trump asked for “a favor though”: two specific investigations designed to assist his reelection efforts.<ref name="Intel-Report" />{{Rp|8-9}}</blockquote> | |||
| == Reactions == | |||
| === Congress === | |||
| ===Place in the Russia investigation counter-narrative=== | |||
| On September 22, House speaker ] said if the administration continued to withhold the whistleblower complaint from Congress, "they will be entering a grave new chapter of lawlessness which will take us into a whole new stage of investigation." House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, stating he had previously been "very reluctant" to initiate impeachment proceedings against Trump, said, "we may very well have ] here."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/impeachment-pressure-escalates-democrats-demand-release-whistleblower-s-trump-complaint-n1057551|title=Impeachment pressure escalates as Democrats demand release of whistleblower's Trump complaint|last=Shabad|first=Rebecca|date=September 23, 2019|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/tV7Y5|archive-date=October 13, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> The vast majority of Republicans did not comment on the matter, with notable exceptions of senators ] and ], both of whom suggested Trump should release information to resolve the situation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/22/us/politics/trump-impeachment-whistle-blower.html|title=As Trump Confirms He Discussed Biden With Ukraine, Pressure to Impeach Builds|last1=Fandos|first1=Nicholas|date=September 22, 2019|newspaper=]|url-status=live|accessdate=September 29, 2019|archive-url=https://archive.is/9SFYc|archive-date=September 23, 2019|last2=Martin|first2=Jonathan|last3=Haberman|first3=Maggie|authorlink=Nicholas Fandos|author-link2=Jonathan Martin (journalist)|author-link3=Maggie Haberman|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| {{main|Russia investigation origins counter-narrative}} | |||
| In February 2020, United States attorney ] was appointed to lead an investigation into the origins of the ]. It was reported that the investigation was focusing on former CIA director and Trump critic ] and whether he had mishandled evidence during the early stages of the inquiry into ].{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} ] linked Durham's investigation to the Ukraine scandal, stating that Durham had sought help from Ukraine and interviewed Ukrainian citizens.<ref name="Review of Russia Inquiry Grows...">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/19/us/politics/durham-review-fbi-witnesses.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019121004/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/19/us/politics/durham-review-fbi-witnesses.html |archive-date=October 19, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Review of Russia Inquiry Grows as F.B.I. Witnesses Are Questioned |last1=Goldman |first1=Adam |date=October 19, 2019 |work=] |access-date=October 23, 2019 |last2=Rashbaum |first2=William K. }}</ref> The Durham inquiry has been described as an "inquiry into its own Russia investigation"<ref name=NYT20191024>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/24/us/politics/john-durham-criminal-investigation.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025000026/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/24/us/politics/john-durham-criminal-investigation.html |archive-date=October 25, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Justice Dept. Is Said to Open Criminal Inquiry Into Its Own Russia Investigation |last1=Benner|first1=Katie |last2=Goldman|first2=Adam |date=October 24, 2019 |work=]|access-date=October 25, 2019}}</ref> and "investigating the investigators" of the Russian interference.<ref name="Sullivan_10/2/2019">{{Cite news | last=Sullivan | first=Andy | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-barr-explaine-idUSKBN1WG4QZ | title=Explainer: Barr gives top priority to investigating the investigators of Russian meddling | date=October 2, 2019 | work=] | access-date=October 21, 2019 }}</ref><ref name="Berenson_10/4/2019">{{cite news | last=Berenson | first=Tessa | title=Meet John Durham, The Man Tasked With 'Investigating the Investigators' | magazine=] | date=October 4, 2019 | url=https://time.com/5693083/john-durham-justice-department-investigation/ | access-date=October 25, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| On September 24, the Senate adopted by ] a ] resolution calling for the whistleblower complaint to be immediately transmitted to the ].<ref name="SRes325">{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/325/actions|title=S.Res.325—A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the whistleblower complaint received on August 12, 2019, by the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community should be transmitted immediately to the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives|date=September 24, 2019|series=116th Congress (2019-2020)|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925161817/https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/325/actions|archive-date=September 25, 2019|accessdate=September 29, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| ==Impact on Ukraine-Russia relations== | |||
| Following the release of the memorandum of the conversation between Trump and Zelensky, Senator Romney called the memorandum "deeply troubling" and asked for more information to be made public.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2019/sep/25/trump-ukraine-news-today-live-impeachment-democrats-pelosi-latest|title=Romney reiterates that he finds the Ukraine call memo 'troubling'|last=Smith|first=David|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 25, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008001001/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2019/sep/25/trump-ukraine-news-today-live-impeachment-democrats-pelosi-latest|archive-date=October 8, 2019}}</ref> Pelosi said the memorandum "confirms that the President engaged in behavior that undermines the integrity of our elections, the dignity of the office he holds and our national security."<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/92519|title=Pelosi Statement on Notes of Call Between President Trump and Ukrainian President|date=September 25, 2019|publisher=Office of the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|accessdate=September 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927002733/https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/92519|url-status=live|archive-date=September 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-impeachment-inquiry-09-25-2019/h_1861dc7d03e3da9b94ccef049172c962|title=Pelosi says rough transcript confirms Trump "engaged in behavior that undermines the integrity of our elections"|last=Byrd|first=Haley|date=September 25, 2019|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/WoIma|archive-date=October 13, 2019|publisher=CNN}}</ref> | |||
| ], the former Director for European Affairs who supported the whistleblower's testimony, claimed Trump's intervention weakened Ukrainian efforts to counteract Russian aggression in a number of ways in an interview with ], saying "It's because of Trump's corruption that we have a less capable, less prepared Ukraine".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/n7n9dq/alexander-vindman-russia-ukraine-invasion|title=Lt. Col. Vindman: Trump 'Absolutely' at Fault for Russia's Ukraine Invasion |website=]|date=February 26, 2022 |access-date=March 2, 2022}}</ref> | |||
| Some Republican senators dismissed the credibility of the whistleblower complaint as ], but legal analysts subsequently found that assertions the whistleblower made in the complaint were verified by the memorandum record of Trump's telephone call.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/27/republicans-question-credibility-of-whistleblower-1516963|title=Republican senators accuse whistleblower of 'hearsay'|last1=Levine|first1=Marianne|date=September 27, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005174611/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/27/republicans-question-credibility-of-whistleblower-1516963|archive-date=October 5, 2019|last2=Everett|first2=Burgess}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/legal-experts-demolish-lindsey-grahams-hearsay-defense-of-trump/|title=Legal Experts Demolish Lindsey Graham's 'Hearsay' Defense of Trump|last=Lambe|first=Jerry|date=September 28, 2019|website=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004231027/https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/legal-experts-demolish-lindsey-grahams-hearsay-defense-of-trump/|archive-date=October 4, 2019|accessdate=September 29, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| On September 26, during a House hearing, Representative Adam Schiff gave a summary of the "essence" and the "character" of the Trump–Zelensky call. One part of Schiff's retelling was not represented in the non-verbatim memorandum of the call provided by the White House, when Schiff stated: "And I'm going to say this only seven times so you better listen good. I want you to make up dirt on my political opponent, understand. Lots of it. On this and on that." After Representative ] accused Schiff of "just making it up", Schiff responded that his summary "was meant to be at least part in parody" and acknowledged that "the president never said if you don't understand me, I'm going to say it seven more times." However, Schiff argued: "That's the message that the Ukraine president was receiving in not so many words."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.factcheck.org/2019/10/schiffs-parody-and-trumps-response/|title=Schiff's 'Parody' and Trump's Response|last1=Robertson|first1=Lori|date=October 1, 2019|accessdate=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002152405/https://www.factcheck.org/2019/10/schiffs-parody-and-trumps-response/|archive-date=October 2, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| Trump supporters on television, radio, and the Internet have pressured Republicans to continue supporting Trump. Republicans who have spoken out against Trump, expressed concern, or defended the whistleblower, such as Senators Mitt Romney, Charles Grassley, Ben Sasse and Representative Adam Kinzinger, have come under criticism online by right-wing websites, with Romney becoming the target of baseless conspiracy theories and ] spread ].<ref name="Romn">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-removal-would-require-republican-dissidents-but-those-who-speak-out-become-targets-of-viral-disinformation/2019/10/03/35c35ad0-e394-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|title=Trump's removal would require Republican dissidents. But those who speak out become targets of viral disinformation.|last1=Stanley-Becker|first1=Issac|date=October 3, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 5, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/ZzKnB|archive-date=October 3, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| An October 21 political fact sheet release by Nancy Pelosi divided the scandal into three categories, according to the evidence, that "show Trump violated his oath of office": "The Shakedown", "The Pressure Campaign", and "The Cover-Up".<ref name="Alter_10/24/2019">{{cite news | last=Alter | first=Jonathan | title=The Anti-Shakedown Law That Could Finally Bring Down Trump | newspaper=] | date=October 24, 2019 | url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-anti-shakedown-law-that-could-finally-bring-down-trump | access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Pelosi_10/21/2019">{{cite web |last=Pelosi |first=Nancy |date=October 21, 2019 |title=Truth Exposed: Trump Shakedown and Coverup |website=speaker.gov |url=https://www.speaker.gov/sites/speaker.house.gov/files/Trump%20Shakedown%20and%20Coverup.pdf |accessdate=October 26, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| Despite Trump and his allies insisting there had been no ''quid pro quo'', mounting evidence from witness testimony indicated there had been, leading a growing number of Senate Republicans to accept there was a ''quid pro quo'', while maintaining it was not illegal and did not justify impeachment.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/growing-number-of-gop-senators-consider-acknowledgingtrumps-quid-pro-quo-on-ukraine/2019/11/01/72084a3e-fcc4-11e9-9534-e0dbcc9f5683_story.html |title=Growing number of GOP senators consider acknowledging Trump's quid pro quo on Ukraine |first=Rachael |last=Bade |website=The Washington Post |date=November 1, 2019 |first2=Seung Min |last2=Kim }}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' reported that House Republicans were considering portraying Giuliani, Sondland and Mulvaney as freelancers who had acted in their own self-interests without Trump's involvement.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/house-gop-looks-to-protect-trump-by-raising-doubts-about-motives-of-his-deputies/2019/11/07/aaa14efa-0173-11ea-8bab-0fc209e065a8_story.html |title=House GOP looks to protect Trump by raising doubts about motives of his deputies |first=Karoun |last=Demirjian |first2=Rachel |last2=Bade |newspaper=] |date=November 7, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| === Trump and the White House === | |||
| ] | |||
| In his initial comments to reporters on September 20, Trump characterized the whistleblower as "partisan", but added, "I do not know the identity of the whistleblower" and called the story "just another political hack job".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-denies-knowing-whistleblowers-identity-calls-controversy-political/story?id=65744704|title=Trump denies knowing whistleblower's identity, calls controversy 'political hack job'|last=Faulders|first=Katherine|date=September 20, 2019|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923070239/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-denies-knowing-whistleblowers-identity-calls-controversy-political/story?id=65744704|archive-date=September 23, 2019|publisher=]|last2=Parkinson|first2=John}}</ref>{{Efn|Michael Atkinson, the ICIG who found the whistleblower complaint credible and urgent, was appointed during the Trump administration.<ref>{{cite news |first=Debra J. |last=Groom |url=https://www.nny360.com/news/trump-nominates-pulaski-grad-to-intelligence-post/article_57315ce4-d954-52b0-b24d-8a2215946980.html |title=Trump nominates Pulaski grad to intelligence post |work=Watertown Daily Times |date=November 12, 2017 |accessdate=October 5, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/115th-congress/1252 |title=PN1252—Michael K. Atkinson—Office of the Director of National Intelligence, 115th Congress (2017-2018) |work=] |accessdate=October 5, 2019 |date=May 14, 2018 }}</ref>}} Trump also said: "Somebody ought to look into Joe Biden's statement because it was disgraceful where he talked about billions of dollars that he's not giving to a certain country unless a certain prosecutor is taken off the case. So somebody ought to look into that," suggesting the press was not reporting it. The press has reported on the Joe Biden matter for months but found no evidence of wrongdoing.<ref name="Fact-checking Joe Biden" /><ref name="Bloomberg No Evidence" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/23/fact-checking-trumps-latest-claims-biden-ukraine/|title=Analysis: Fact-checking Trump's latest claims on Biden and Ukraine|last=Kessler|first=Glenn|date=September 23, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/Yw0rz|archive-date=September 24, 2019|last2=Rizzo|first2=Salvador|url-access=limited}}</ref> On September 23, Trump asserted: "If a Republican ever did what Joe Biden did, if a Republican ever said what Joe Biden said, they'd be getting the electric chair right now."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbc-2.com/story/41088189/trump-outrageously-claims-republicans-would-get-electric-chair-if-they-did-what-he-wrongly-claims-biden-did|title=Trump outrageously claims Republicans would get 'electric chair' if they did what he wrongly claims Biden did|last=Vazquez|first=Maegan|date=September 23, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929174546/http://www.nbc-2.com/our-apologies|archive-date=September 29, 2019|agency=]}}</ref> Before the White House released a rough transcript, Trump claimed that his call with Zelensky was "largely congratulatory" and "largely corruption". However, the White House's rough transcript showed only a short congratulatory comment and no mentions of corruption.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/25/where-trumps-giulianis-claims-about-ukraine-call-dont-match-rough-transcript/|title=Where Trump's and Giuliani's claims about the Ukraine call don't match the rough transcript|last1=Bump|first1=Philip|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|url-access=limited}}</ref> On September 25, during a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky, Trump said: "I want to do whatever he can. Biden's son walks out of Ukraine with millions and millions of dollars. I think it's a horrible thing."<ref name="rollingstone"/> Trump also denied explicitly tying U.S. military aid to Ukraine's corruption investigation involving ].<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 16, 2019 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/white-house-press-secretary-noncommittal-about-releasing-transcript-of-trump-call-with-ukrainian-president/2019/09/23/fec1be30-ddeb-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html |title=Trump denies explicitly tying U.S. military aid to demand for Ukrainian probe of Biden |newspaper=] |last=Kim |first=Seung Min |access-date=November 10, 2019 |last2=Sonmez |first2=Felicia |last3=Wagner |first3=John }}</ref> Within six hours of the impeachment inquiry being announced on September 24, Trump and his campaign team started a fundraising drive for an "Impeachment Defense Team". Forty-eight hours later, they had raised in excess of $13 million dollars and signed up 50,000 new donors.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-04/donald-trump-impeachment-popularity-fundraising/11573240|title=Trump's impeachment could backfire on the Democrats. Here's why.|last1=Daniel|first1=Zoe|date=October 4, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007114017/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-04/donald-trump-impeachment-popularity-fundraising/11573240|archive-date=October 7, 2019|publisher=]|last2=Olson|first2=Emily}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-raises-13-million-after-pelosi-announces-impeachment-inquiry |title=Trump raises $13 million after Pelosi announces impeachment inquiry |date=September 26, 2019 |first=Brian |last=Slodysko |work=] |access-date=October 25, 2019 |url-status=live |agency=] }}</ref> | |||
| On September 27, Trump characterized the whistleblower as "close to a spy", adding: "you know what we used to do in the old days when we were smart? Right? With spies and treason, right? We used to handle them a little differently than we do now."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/almost-a-spy-transcript-of-trumps-remarks-at-private-un-event-about-whistleblower/2019/09/26/f85477fe-e0bb-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html|title='Almost a spy': Transcript and video of Trump's remarks at private U.N. event about whistleblower|last=Itkowitz|first=Colby|date=September 27, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/A5AaB|archive-date=October 13, 2019|last2=Thebault|first2=Reis|url-access=limited}}</ref> On September 29, Trump requested to meet the whistleblower, saying that he and the American people "deserved" to meet them. He later said the White House was trying to learn the identity of the whistleblower. He also demanded that Adam Schiff be arrested and questioned "at the highest level" for fraud and treason.<ref name="abc au sept 30">{{cite news|url=https://www.afp.com/en/news/15/trump-i-want-meet-my-accuser-doc-1kt4vy4|title=Trump: I want to meet my accuser|date=September 30, 2019|accessdate=September 30, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004025113/https://www.afp.com/en/news/15/trump-i-want-meet-my-accuser-doc-1kt4vy4|archive-date=October 4, 2019|agency=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/30/us/politics/trump-schiff-treason.html|title=Trump Seeks Whistle-Blower's Identity|last1=Karni|first1=Annie|date=September 30, 2019|newspaper=]|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/0N5gf|archive-date=October 1, 2019|last2=Sullivan|first2=Eileen|author-link=Annie Karni|author-link2=Eileen Sullivan|url-access=limited}}</ref> A letter from the whistleblower's lawyers, addressed to the Director of National Intelligence, said that the whistleblower was afraid for their safety.<ref name="abc au sept 30"/> On November{{nbsp}}7 the whistleblower's lawyer sent a letter to the White House warning Trump to "cease and desist" calling for the public disclosure of the whistleblower's identity and "engaging in rhetoric and activity that places and their family in physical danger." The lawyer said the president would be legally and morally liable if anyone were to be "physically harmed as a result of his, or his surrogates', behavior."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/07/politics/ukraine-whistleblower-trump-cease-and-desist/index.html|title=Lawyer for Ukraine whistleblower sends White House cease and desist letter to stop Trump's attacks|last=LeBlanc|first=Paul|date=November 7, 2019|work=CNN|accessdate=November 11, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| On October 1, Trump claimed that any attempt to remove him from office would result in a "Civil War-like fracture". He also called for Schiff to be arrested for treason,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-01/donald-trump-tweets-warning-of-civil-war-adam-schiff-treason/11562084|title=Donald Trump retweets pastor's warning of 'civil war-like fracture' as impeachment talks intensify|date=October 1, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 1, 2019|publisher=]|agency=] / ]}}</ref> and later claimed that Nancy Pelosi was "every bit as guilty as Liddle'{{sic}} Adam Schiff for High Crimes and Misdemeanours, and even Treason" before calling for both Schiff and Pelosi to be impeached themselves as they had "evilly 'Colluded{{'"}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-07/lawyer-says-second-whistleblower-backs-complaint-against-trump/11578328|title=Lawyer says second whistleblower backs complaint against U.S. President Donald Trump|date=October 7, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 7, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007113328/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-07/lawyer-says-second-whistleblower-backs-complaint-against-trump/11578328|archive-date=October 7, 2019|publisher=]|agency=]}}</ref> | |||
| ] and U.S. delegation meet with President ] in Warsaw on September 1, 2019]] | |||
| On October 3, after stating that the U.S. has "tremendous power" and "many options" in the trade war with China "if they don't do what we want", Trump was asked by a reporter on what he hoped Zelensky would do after his phone call. Trump responded by publicly urging both Ukraine and China to investigate the Bidens.<ref name="tremendous">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-publicly-calls-on-china-to-investigate-bidens/2019/10/03/2ae94f6a-e5f2-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|title=Trump publicly calls on China to investigate Bidens|last1=Rucker|first1=Philip|date=October 4, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/ZDnYX|archive-date=October 12, 2019|last2=Bade|first2=Rachael|last3=Itkowitz|first3=Colby|url-access=limited}}</ref> Later in the day, Vice President ] voiced his support of Trump's comments, saying: "I think the American people have a right to know if the vice president of the United States or his family profited from his position."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/464246-pence-defends-trumps-calls-for-ukraine-to-investigate-biden|title=Pence defends Trump's calls for Ukraine to investigate Biden|last=Samuels|first=Brett|date=October 3, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005171720/https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/464246-pence-defends-trumps-calls-for-ukraine-to-investigate-biden|archive-date=October 5, 2019}}</ref> Pence said the activities of the Biden family were "worth looking into".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-pence-idUSKBN1WI232 |title=Pence Says Biden, Son Should Be Investigated for Ukraine Dealings |date=October 3, 2019 |work=] |accessdate=October 5, 2019 |url-status=live |first=Makini |last=Brice |first2=Tim |last2=Ahmann }}</ref> Trump later claimed that when he called upon China to investigate the Bidens, his only interest was in thwarting corruption. Mitt Romney was critical of this, saying: "When the only American citizen President Trump singles out for China's investigation is his political opponent in the midst of the Democratic nomination process, it strains credulity to suggest that this is anything other than politically motivated."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-05/white-house-ordered-to-turn-over-documents-in-trump-probe/11576392|title=White House ordered to turn over documents to support Donald Trump impeachment probe|author=ABC/wires|date=October 5, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007152312/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-05/white-house-ordered-to-turn-over-documents-in-trump-probe/11576392|archive-date=October 7, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| ] and ], May 2019]] | |||
| On October 4, Trump told Congressional Republican leaders the only reason he had called Zelensky was at the urging of Energy Secretary ], saying Perry wanted him to discuss a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant and that Trump had not even wanted to make the call. However, there is no mention of LNG in the publicly released summary of the conversation, and text messages exchanged among aides who were setting up the phone call made no mention of Perry, instead suggesting that Giuliani was the primary mover.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.axios.com/trump-blamed-rick-perry-call-ukraine-zelensky-8178447a-0374-4ac6-b321-a9454b0565d4.html|title=Scoop: Trump pins Ukraine call on Energy Secretary Rick Perry|last1=Treene|first1=Alayna|date=October 5, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 6, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/TjJTD|archive-date=October 6, 2019|last2=Swan|first2=Jonathan}}</ref> Perry had been the administration's official representative at Zelensky's inauguration in May. During that trip; he pressured Zelensky to fire board members of ], the ] of Ukraine, and informed government and industry officials that the Trump administration wanted the entirety of Naftogaz's supervisory board replaced.<ref name="ap-naftogaz"/> Perry denied pressing for change at Naftogaz in a press conference on October 7, describing that as "a totally dreamed up story".<ref name=":2" /> On October 10, however, Perry was issued a subpoena by the ], the ], and the ], partially concerning his interactions with Naftogaz.<ref name="CNBCPerry">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/10/rick-perry-hit-with-subpoena-in-trump-impeachment-probe.html|title=Energy Secretary Rick Perry hit with subpoena in Trump impeachment probe|last=Higgins|first=Tucker|date=October 10, 2019|access-date=October 12, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013034821/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/10/rick-perry-hit-with-subpoena-in-trump-impeachment-probe.html|archive-date=October 13, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref><ref name="PerryJointCover">{{cite web|url=https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/documents/2019-10-10.EEC%20Engel%20Schiff%20to%20Perry-DOE%20Joint%20Cover%20Letter%20re%20Subpoena.pdf|title=Joint Cover Letter re Subpoena|last=Engel|first=Eliot L.|authorlink=Eliot Engel|last2=Schiff|first2=Adam B.|authorlink2=Adam Schiff|date=October 10, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013022734/https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/documents/2019-10-10.EEC%20Engel%20Schiff%20to%20Perry-DOE%20Joint%20Cover%20Letter%20re%20Subpoena.pdf|archive-date=October 13, 2019|access-date=October 12, 2019|last3=Cummings|first3=Elijah E.|authorlink3=Elijah Cummings}}</ref><ref name="PerrySubpoenaSchedule">{{cite web|url=https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/documents/Perry%20Subpoena%20Schedule-FINAL.pdf|title=Schedule|date=October 10, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013023808/https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/documents/Perry%20Subpoena%20Schedule-FINAL.pdf|archive-date=October 13, 2019|access-date=October 12, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| ] developed a ] that repeated unsubstantiated claims about Biden, asserting that "when President Trump asks Ukraine to investigate corruption, the Democrats want to impeach him and their media lapdogs fall in line." CNN refused to broadcast the ads because Trump's claims had already been debunked and for disparaging its journalists.<ref name="abc news explained">{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-09/trump-claims-biden-ukraine-china-explained/11576508|title=Donald Trump made big claims about Joe and Hunter Biden in Ukraine. Here's what you need to know|last1=Duffy|first1=Conor|date=October 9, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 9, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013075058/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-09/trump-claims-biden-ukraine-china-explained/11576508|archive-date=October 13, 2019|publisher=]|last2=Olson|first2=Emily}}</ref> | |||
| === Ukraine === | |||
| ] | |||
| On September 20, Roman Truba, head of the ], told '']'' that his agency had not investigated the Biden–Burisma connection and there were no signs of illegality there. ], a senior advisor to the ], told ''The Daily Beast'' that Ukraine will open such an investigation if there is an official request, along with details of why an investigation is needed and what to look for. Trump's requests have come through unofficial representatives such as Giuliani.<ref name="CNBC-eight-times"/> | |||
| However, according to interviews and documents obtained by '']'', senior Ukrainian officials were aware that military aid was being withheld by the first week in August,<ref name="KramerVogelHoldup">{{cite news |last1=Kramer |first1=Andrew E |last2=Vogel |first2=Kenneth P |title=Ukraine Knew of Aid Freeze by Early August, Undermining Trump Defense |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/us/politics/ukraine-aid-freeze-impeachment.html |accessdate=November 11, 2019 |work=] |date=October 23, 2019}}</ref> and after initially having difficulty ascertaining what was holding up the aid,<ref name="KramerVogelHoldup"/> by September Trump's envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker was in negotiations with Zelensky's senior aide Andriy Yermak over the wording of the proposed public statement.<ref name="Kramer2019">{{cite news |last1=Kramer |first1=Andrew E|title=Ukraine's Zelensky Bowed to Trump's Demands, Until Luck Spared Him |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/07/world/europe/ukraine-trump-zelensky.html |work=]|accessdate=November 11, 2019 |date=November 7, 2019}}</ref> Volker pressed for wording explicitly confirming investigations into Joe Biden's alleged pressure campaign for the removal of the Ukrainian prosecutor who was allegedly investigating ], and into accusations that Ukraine had been involved in interference with the 2016 U.S. Presidential election in favor of Hillary Clinton, while Yermak attempted to negotiate less explicit language.<ref name="Kramer2019"/> George Kent, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, testified to the Congressional impeachment inquiry that "Zelenskyy needed to go to a microphone and basically there needed to be three words in the message": investigations, Biden, 2016 (or synonymously, Hillary Clinton).<ref name="JalonickMascaroTucker">{{cite news |first=Mary Clare |last=Jalonick |first2=Lisa |last2=Mascaro |first3=Eric |last3=Tucker |title=Impeachment transcripts: Trump wanted to hear 3 words from Ukraine's president: 'investigations, Biden and Clinton,' said State Department official |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-trump-impeachment-inquiry-george-kent-transcript-20191107-avpl35b6yvbozmzqt6n6ubepha-story.html |accessdate=November 11, 2019 |work=] |agency=] |date=November 7, 2019}}</ref> Diplomat Bill Taylor testified that Trump insisted that the public declaration be made on ], and ''Times'' reporting found that Zelensky's staff finally capitulated to this demand, and arranged for him to appear on ]'s CNN program on September 13 to make the statement. The appearance was canceled after the Ukraine aid was released on September 11.<ref name="Kramer2019"/> | |||
| ] ] told a Ukrainian news outlet on September 21: "I know what the conversation was about and I think there was no pressure. This conversation was long, friendly, and it touched on many questions, sometimes requiring serious answers."<ref name="ReutersMinister">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-ukraine/ukraine-minister-denies-trump-put-pressure-on-zelenskiy-during-call-report-idUSKBN1W60HU|title=Ukraine minister denies Trump put pressure on Zelenskiy during call: report|last=Williams|first=Matthias|date=September 21, 2019|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003131325/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-ukraine/ukraine-minister-denies-trump-put-pressure-on-zelenskiy-during-call-report-idUSKBN1W60HU|archive-date=October 3, 2019|agency=] |editor-last=Babington |editor-first=Deepa |editor-last2=Russell |editor-first2=Ros}}</ref> Prystaiko was also quoted as saying: "I want to say that we are an independent state, we have our secrets."<ref name="ReutersMinister" /> On September 22, Senator ] said Zelensky told him he had no intention to get involved with an American election.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/462505-democratic-senator-ukraine-said-they-have-no-intention-to|title=Democratic senator: Ukrainian president said he has 'no intention' to interfere with U.S. election|last=Klar|first=Rebecca|date=September 22, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 22, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004160337/https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/462505-democratic-senator-ukraine-said-they-have-no-intention-to|archive-date=October 4, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| In an interview released on September 24, Ukrainian diplomat and politician ] told ''The Daily Beast'' that Ukrainian authorities would be reopening corruption investigations into multiple individuals and organizations including, potentially, Burisma, Trump campaign manager ], TV host ], and former prosecutor ]. King was suspected of receiving ] payments recorded in the "black ledger" that also named Manafort. Nalyvaichenko accused Lutsenko of having been in communication with associates of Trump "for vindictive purposes".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/ukraine-likely-to-reopen-probe-of-hunter-biden-firm-sources|title=Ukraine Likely to Reopen Probe of Hunter Biden Firm: Sources|last=Nemtsova|first=Anna|date=September 24, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/LzTa5|archive-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| During the joint press conference on September 25 with Trump for reporters gathered at the ], ] told reporters: "We had I think good phone call. It was normal. We spoke about many things. So, I think, and you read it, that nobody pushed me."<ref name="rollingstone">{{cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-sitting-ukraine-zelensky-united-nations-889491/|title='No Pressure', Trump Insists, While Sitting With Ukraine's Zelensky at U.N.|last=Stuart|first=Tessa|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927033744/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-sitting-ukraine-zelensky-united-nations-889491/|archive-date=September 27, 2019}}</ref><ref name="CNBC Zelensky">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/25/ukraine-president-on-trump-call-nobody-pushed-me.html|title=Ukraine's president on Trump call: 'Nobody pushed me'|last=MacDonald|first=Jordan|date=September 26, 2019|access-date=September 26, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001191010/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/25/ukraine-president-on-trump-call-nobody-pushed-me.html|archive-date=October 1, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> The next day, Zelensky said President Trump had not pressured anyone nor made any promises, and that the ] ] would investigate all domestic cases without prejudice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.hromadske.ua/posts/ukraines-zelenskyy-avoids-singling-out-biden-case|title=Ukraine's Zelenskyy Denies Singling Out "Biden Case"|last=Romanenko|first=Maria|date=September 26, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004031228/https://en.hromadske.ua/posts/ukraines-zelenskyy-avoids-singling-out-biden-case|archive-date=October 4, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref> On September 30, Zelensky made it clear that he was not going to interfere with the intra-American party confrontation.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/zelensky-rebuffs-trumps-request-to-investigate-biden.html|title=Zelensky rebuffs Trump's request to investigate Biden|last=Sukhov|first=Oleg|date=September 30, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequently, at an all-day press conference on October 10, Zelensky said he only learned about the blockage of the military aid after the July 25 phone call. "We didn't speak about this. There was no blackmail."<ref name="pbs.noblankmail">{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/ukraine-president-says-there-was-no-blackmail-in-call-with-trump |title=Ukraine president says there was 'no blackmail' in call with Trump |agency=Associated Press |date=October 10, 2019 |website=] |first=Yuras |last=Karmanau |access-date=November 1, 2019}}</ref><ref name="kyivpost.allday">{{cite web |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/zelensky-holds-6-hour-press-conference-live.html |title=Zelensky holds all-day press conference |author=<!-- Not stated --> |date=October 10, 2019 |website=www.kyivpost.com |publisher=Kyiv Post |access-date=November 1, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| === European Union === | |||
| During the conversation, Zelensky and Trump criticized ] ] and ] for a lack of support toward Ukraine.<ref name="zelensky-more-heat">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/09/26/why-ukraines-zelensky-isnt-taking-more-heat-his-fawning-call-with-trump/|title=Why Ukraine's Zelensky isn't taking more heat for his fawning call with Trump|last=O'Grady|first=Siobhán|date=September 27, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 30, 2019|url-status=live|last2=Noack|first2=Rick|url-access=limited}}</ref> Elmar Brok, special adviser on Ukraine for President ], refuted the criticism, pointing to the economic boost provided by the European Union through a free trade agreement. In addition, he claimed the U.S. has not signed a similar agreement with Ukraine.<ref name=zelensky-more-heat /> The conversation prompted Europeans to calculate the amount of aid given to Ukraine since 2014, and by approximate estimates, the EU and European financial institutions have provided assistance to more than $16 billion in grants and loans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.factcheck.org/2019/09/trump-wrong-on-european-aid-to-ukraine/|title=Trump Wrong on European Aid to Ukraine|last=Robertson|first=Lori|date=September 26, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927012027/https://www.factcheck.org/2019/09/trump-wrong-on-european-aid-to-ukraine/|archive-date=September 27, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| In the overall ranking in 2016–2017, the European Union is the leader in terms of aid, the U.S. the second, and Germany is the third.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://public.tableau.com/views/OECDDACAidataglancebyrecipient_new/Recipients?:embed=y&:display_count=yes&:showTabs=y&:toolbar=no?&:showVizHome=no|title=OECD DAC Aid at a glance by recipient_new|publisher=]|via=]|url-status=live|access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref> However, Ukrainian media analyzed the data and found that from 2014, Germany provided aid of 1.4 billion euros: 500 million euros is a loan that will be repaid, 200 million euros is a share of Germany from European Union assistance, and the rest is really full-fledged assistance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://texty.org.ua/pg/news/textynewseditor/read/96736/Zelenskyj_na_dogodu_Trampu_krytykuje_Nimechchynu_|title=Зеленський на догоду Трампу критикує Німеччину—й німці вже рахують, скільки грошей дали Україні|date=September 26, 2019|website=ТЕКСТИ|language=uk|trans-title=Zelensky criticizes Germany for Trump's sake—and Germans already count how much money they gave Ukraine|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927031931/http://texty.org.ua/pg/news/textynewseditor/read/96736/Zelenskyj_na_dogodu_Trampu_krytykuje_Nimechchynu_|archive-date=September 27, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2019-09/ukraine-krise-deutschland-zahlungen-bundesregierung-donald-trump|title=Ukraine-Krise: Deutschland hat der Ukraine mit fast 1,4 Milliarden Euro geholfen|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003220508/https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2019-09/ukraine-krise-deutschland-zahlungen-bundesregierung-donald-trump|archive-date=October 3, 2019|language=de-DE|trans-title=Ukraine Crisis: Germany has given Ukraine nearly 1.4 billion euros in aid|issn=0044-2070}}</ref> ] has stated that its attitude towards Ukraine has not changed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/2789071-berlin-not-to-change-attitude-to-kyiv-despite-trumpzelensky-call.html|title=Berlin not to change attitude to Kyiv despite Trump-Zelensky call|date=September 27, 2019|access-date=September 30, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002050938/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/2789071-berlin-not-to-change-attitude-to-kyiv-despite-trumpzelensky-call.html|archive-date=October 2, 2019|agency=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://eng.uatv.ua/berlin-maintains-warm-relations-kyiv-despite-controversial-trump-zelensky-phone-call/|title=Berlin Maintains Warm Relations With Kyiv Despite Controversial Trump-Zelensky Phone Call|date=September 27, 2019|website=UATV|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001183424/https://eng.uatv.ua/berlin-maintains-warm-relations-kyiv-despite-controversial-trump-zelensky-phone-call/|archive-date=October 1, 2019|access-date=September 30, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| === Russia === | |||
| Former Ukrainian Prime Minister ] expressed support for an investigation into Hunter Biden. Azarov fled to Russia in 2014 following the ] protests; he is currently in exile in Moscow, has called for a pro-Russian 'regime change' in Ukraine,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-ex-pm-azarov-forms-salvation-committee/27167032.html|title=Ex-Ukraine PM Forms 'Salvation Committee'|date=August 3, 2015|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930203557/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-ex-pm-azarov-forms-salvation-committee/27167032.html|archive-date=September 30, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> is wanted for prosecution in Ukraine for abuse of power and embezzlement, and has set up a ] that is widely seen as a pro-Russian puppet.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-ukraine-idUSKBN1WD0PK|title=Ukraine must investigate Joe Biden's son, says ex-Ukrainian PM|last=Zverev|first=Anton|date=September 28, 2019|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004064343/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-ukraine-idUSKBN1WD0PK|archive-date=October 4, 2019|agency=]|last2=Zhegulev|first2=Ilya}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/463532-ex-ukrainian-prime-minister-says-joe-bidens-son-must-be-investigated|title=Ex-Ukrainian prime minister says Joe Biden's son must be investigated|last=Wise|first=Justin|date=September 29, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002024137/https://thehill.com/policy/international/463532-ex-ukrainian-prime-minister-says-joe-bidens-son-must-be-investigated|archive-date=October 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/putins-latest-ukraine-gambit-puppet-government-exile-364473|title=Putin's Latest Ukraine Gambit: A Puppet Government in Exile|last=Korewa|first=Aaron|date=August 20, 2015|work=]|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211102631/https://www.newsweek.com/putins-latest-ukraine-gambit-puppet-government-exile-364473|archive-date=February 11, 2018}}</ref> | |||
| Russian President ]'s spokesman ] said, "You have to admit, the publication of a full transcript of a conversation—be it by phone or face-to-face—is uncommon in interstate diplomatic practice. At least, uncommon until now."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/09/26/anti-russian-and-dirty-russia-reacts-to-trump-zelenskiy-call-a67464|title='Anti-Russian and Dirty': Russia Reacts to Trump-Zelenskiy Call|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004032837/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/09/26/anti-russian-and-dirty-russia-reacts-to-trump-zelenskiy-call-a67464|archive-date=October 4, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-reacts-humiliating-donald-trump-ukraine-call-scandal-u-s-laughing-stock-1461744|title=Russia reacts to 'humiliating' Trump Ukraine call, says scandal is making U.S. a 'laughing stock'|last=Brennan|first=David|date=September 27, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003000315/https://www.newsweek.com/russia-reacts-humiliating-donald-trump-ukraine-call-scandal-u-s-laughing-stock-1461744|archive-date=October 3, 2019}}</ref> Speaking at an energy conference in Moscow, Putin said: "I didn't see during the telephone conversation that Trump demanded some compromising information from Zelensky at all costs, and threatened that he would not provide assistance to Ukraine."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/putin-no-longer-opposes-releasing-transcripts-of-his-meetings-with-trump-11570033302|title=Putin Wouldn't Oppose Releasing Transcripts of His Meetings With Trump|last=Simmons|first=Ann M.|date=October 2, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 12, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/BMiYM|archive-date=October 13, 2019|url-access=subscription}}</ref> | |||
| === Former U.S. officials === | |||
| More than 300 former U.S. foreign policy and national security officials who had served under both Democratic and Republican administrations signed an open letter on September 27, supporting a congressional impeachment inquiry into Trump's conduct relating to Ukraine. The officials, who formerly served in the ], ], and departments of ], ], and ], wrote that Trump's actions raised "a profound national security concern" and that "President Trump appears to have leveraged the authority and resources of the highest office in the land to invite additional foreign interference into our democratic processes. If we fail to speak up—and act—now our foreign policy and national security will officially be on offer to those who can most effectively fulfill the President's personal prerogatives."<ref name="DeYoung300">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/nearly-300-former-officials-call-trumps-actions-concerning-ukraine-profound-national-security-concern/2019/09/27/254c09ac-e09e-11e9-8dc8-498eabc129a0_story.html|title=More than 300 former officials call Trump's actions concerning Ukraine 'profound national security concern'|last=DeYoung|first=Karen|date=September 27, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/0k0DR|archive-date=September 27, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="NatSecActionLtr">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/context/statement-from-national-security-professionals/07f4f1e1-f393-4e11-97e5-1361dcbc6fc3/|title=Statement from National Security Professionals|date=September 27, 2019|accessdate=September 29, 2019|publisher=National Security Action|via=]}}</ref> | |||
| The ] and ], representing members of the U.S. diplomatic corps, expressed alarm at Trump's disparagement of the former ] in his call with Zelensky.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/26/politics/ukraine-ambassador-yovanovitch-whistleblower-complaint/index.html|title=Diplomats express alarm over Trump's treatment of former Ukraine ambassador|last=Hansler|first=Jennifer|date=September 26, 2019|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011174626/https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/26/politics/ukraine-ambassador-yovanovitch-whistleblower-complaint/index.html|archive-date=October 11, 2019|publisher=CNN}}</ref> | |||
| Ten former ], who served under both Republican and Democratic presidents{{efn|The chiefs of staff were from the ], ], ], ], and ] administrations.<ref name=AbsolutelyCouldNot/>}} described it as unprecedented for an incumbent president to "personally apply pressure to foreign powers to damage political opponents".<ref name="AbsolutelyCouldNot">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/06/us/politics/trump-foreign-influence.html|title='We Absolutely Could Not Do That': When Seeking Foreign Help Was Out of the Question|last=Baker|first=Peter|date=October 6, 2019|newspaper=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/V3zON|archive-date=October 8, 2019|authorlink=Peter Baker (journalist)|url-access=limited |accessdate=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> When the ten were interviewed, "none recalled any circumstance under which the White House had solicited or accepted political help from other countries, and all said they would have considered the very idea out of bounds."<ref name=AbsolutelyCouldNot/> | |||
| In an op-ed in the ''Washington Post'', 17 former members of the ] special prosecutor force{{Efn|Including ], ], and others.<ref name=FmrWatergate/>}} wrote that "there exists compelling ''prima facie'' evidence that President Trump has committed impeachable offenses," specifically serious and persistent ], and the Congress "should not allow any refusal by the president to cooperate in its process to frustrate the performance of its constitutional duties."<ref name=FmrWatergate>{{cite news |author=Seventeen former Watergate special prosecutors |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/we-investigated-the-watergate-scandal-we-believe-trump-should-be-impeached/2019/10/10/5cf0c2ce-eb72-11e9-9306-47cb0324fd44_story.html |title=We investigated the Watergate scandal. We believe Trump should be impeached. |work=] |date=October 10, 2019 |accessdate=October 26, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| === American editorials and commentary === | |||
| The ''Washington Post'' and ''New York Times'' editorial boards supported the impeachment inquiry against Trump arising from the scandal.<ref name=Stonewall>{{cite news |author=Editorial Board |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/trumps-ukraine-stone-wall-has-begun-to-crack/2019/10/11/1e343984-ec45-11e9-85c0-85a098e47b37_story.html |title=Trump's Ukraine stone wall has begun to crack |work=] |date=October 11, 2019 |accessdate=October 25, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/27/reader-center/impeachment-editorial-board.html |title=Why the Times Editorial Board Supports an Impeachment Inquiry| newspaper=The New York Times| date=September 27, 2019| last1=Bennet| first1=James |accessdate=November 5, 2019 }}</ref> The ''Post'' editorial board criticized the administration and its allies for defying congressional subpoenas and stonewalling the investigation,<ref name=Stonewall/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/giulianis-foreign-policy-is-all-about-his-clients--and-trump/2019/10/16/d41c795c-f030-11e9-8693-f487e46784aa_story.html |title=There's enough evidence for Congress to compel Giuliani's cooperation on impeachment |work=] |date=October 16, 2019 |author=Washington Post Editorial Board |accessdate=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> and called upon congressional Republicans to "have the moral courage" to recognize the Trump administration's Ukraine pressure campaign as corrupt and a ''quid pro quo''.<ref>{{cite news |author=Editorial Board |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/heres-the-quid-pro-quo-proof-lindsey-graham/2019/10/22/549ef41a-f4e1-11e9-8cf0-4cc99f74d127_story.html |title=Here's the quid pro quo proof, Lindsey Graham |work=] |date=October 22, 2019 }}</ref> Another ''Washington Post'' editorial criticized the Trump administration for attacking ], the acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, and other career civil servants who have testified before Congress, writing that it was "vile" to attack "honest and courageous public servants" in an attempt to discredit them.<ref>{{cite news |author=Editorial Board |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/the-white-house-resorts-to-character-assassination-of-courageous-public-servants/2019/10/23/ec7c6f5a-f5a5-11e9-ad8b-85e2aa00b5ce_story.html |title=The White House resorts to character assassination of courageous public servants |work=] |date=October 23, 2019 |accessdate=October 25, 2019}}</ref> Some newspaper editorial boards called upon Trump to resign from office over the Ukraine scandal, including the editorial board of Hearst Connecticut Media, which owns eight daily newspapers in ].<ref>{{cite news |first=Benjamin |last=Fearnow |url=https://www.newsweek.com/connecticut-editorial-board-calls-donald-trump-resign-step-down-leave-president-office-1461946 |title=Largest Connecticut Newspaper Group Demands Donald Trump Step Down as President |work=] |date=September 28, 2019 |accessdate=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> A '']'' editorial urged congressional Republicans to call for Trump's resignation.<ref>{{cite web |author=Editorial Board |url=https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-trump-is-exhausting-the-nation-s-and-his-party/article_42f06c92-e445-5fcf-98be-dee8bf25d7f3.html|title=Editorial: Trump is exhausting the nation's and his party's patience. Time to dump him. |date=September 25, 2019 |website=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002050821/https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-trump-is-exhausting-the-nation-s-and-his-party/article_42f06c92-e445-5fcf-98be-dee8bf25d7f3.html |archive-date=October 2, 2019 |access-date=September 30, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| Pro-Trump media outlets and commentators, such as ], ], and ], responded by defending Trump and promoting an alternative narrative of the Ukraine affair that omitted significant facts.<ref name=Peters>{{cite news |first=Jeremy W. |last=Peters |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/26/us/politics/impeachment-conservatives-republicans.html |title='Everything You're Seeing Is Deception': How Right-Wing Media Talks About Impeachment |work=] |date=September 26, 2019 |accessdate=October 25, 2019 }}</ref> Echoing Trump's own rhetoric, the president's defenders in the media often attacked the whistleblower,<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Folkenflik |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/09/27/765186518/how-conservative-media-outlets-are-reacting-to-the-trump-ukraine-news |title=How Conservative Media Outlets Are Reacting To The Trump-Ukraine News |work=] |publisher=] |date=September 27, 2019 |accessdate=October 25, 2019}}</ref> and characterized the investigation as not only a political attack against Trump, but also "a culture war" against his supporters.<ref name=Peters/> Fox News anchor ] characterized the ] by Trump allies in the aftermath of the whistleblower complaint becoming public as "astonishing" and "deeply misleading".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaite.com/tv/foxs-chris-wallace-demolishes-astonishing-and-deeply-misleading-spin-from-trump-defenders/|title=Chris Wallace Demolishes 'Misleading' Trump-Ukraine Spin|last=McLaughlin|first=Aidan|date=September 27, 2019|website=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/822YV|archive-date=September 28, 2019|accessdate=September 29, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| === Public opinion === | |||
| {{see also|Impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump#Public opinion}} | |||
| In the days after the scandal arose, multiple polls showed a surge in support for an impeachment inquiry, or impeachment itself.{{By how much|date=October 2019}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/01/us/politics/impeachment-monmouth-poll.html|title=Support for Impeachment Is Rising, Polls Show|last=Russonello|first=Giovanni|date=October 1, 2019|newspaper=]|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/ezQJW|archive-date=October 1, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-impeachment-inquiry-poll-cbs-news-poll-finds-majority-of-americans-and-democrats-approve/|title=CBS News poll: Majority of Americans and Democrats approve of Trump impeachment inquiry|last=De Pinto|first=Jennifer|date=September 29, 2019|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004142334/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-impeachment-inquiry-poll-cbs-news-poll-finds-majority-of-americans-and-democrats-approve/|archive-date=October 4, 2019|publisher=]|last2=Salvanto|first2=Anthony|last3=Backus|first3=Fred|last4=Khanna|first4=Kabir}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/26/poll-support-impeachment-trump-1515012|title=Support for impeachment jumps in new poll|last=Shepard|first=Steven|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004154210/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/26/poll-support-impeachment-trump-1515012|archive-date=October 4, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| === Resignations === | |||
| The American special envoy to Ukraine, ], resigned one day after the complaint was released. The whistleblower complaint alleges Volker "sought to 'contain the damage' from Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani's outreach to Ukraine's government about the Biden family."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-joe-biden-kurt-volker-giuliani-impeachment-ukraine-corruption-a9142361.html |title=Trump's Ukraine envoy 'warned Giuliani that Biden corruption claims were not credible' |date=October 3, 2019 |access-date=November 10, 2019 |work=The Independent |first=Andrew |last=Buncombe }}</ref> On October 10, Michael McKinley, a senior advisor to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, resigned over disappointment in Pompeo's lack of public support for those named in the scandal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/senior-adviser-to-pompeo-resigns/2019/10/10/0d771aa2-ebb5-11e9-85c0-85a098e47b37_story.html|title=Senior adviser to Pompeo resigns|last=DeYoung|first=Karen|date=October 10, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 13, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/ZOPgl|archive-date=October 11, 2019|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| === Internet communities === | |||
| After the whistleblower complaint was publicized, users on pro-Trump ]s tried to identify its author. These attempts at "]" were marked by disorganized speculation, racism and misogyny.<ref name="timberg-harwell"/> In October 2019, pro-Trump writer Paul Sperry published on the web what he asserted was the identity of the whistleblower. During ensuing days, Trump and his allies asserted major news outlets were covering for the whistleblower because they had declined to repeat the whistleblower's alleged identity in their reporting.<ref name="wapo-online-campaign-nov7">{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/11/07/trumps-allies-turned-online-campaign-quest-unmask-ukraine-whistleblower/|title=Trump's allies turned to online campaign in quest to unmask Ukraine whistleblower|first1=Isaac|last1=Stanley-Becker|website=] |date=November 7, 2019 |accessdate=November 7, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet|user=TrumpWarRoom |number=1192118977436229633|title=CNN, MSNBC, NBC, CBS, ABC ... they ALL know the name of Adam Schiff's anti-Trump "whistleblower." They ALL are refusing to report it. Why? Because its the Democrat media's job to cover up the Democrats' attempted coup!|author=Trump War Room |date=November 6, 2019}}</ref> However, the generally pro-Trump Fox News—including close Trump confidant ]—also declined to repeat the alleged identity, on instructions from Fox News management.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/06/media/fox-news-whistleblower/index.html |title=Fox News brass to network hosts and personalities: Do not identify the whistleblower |first=Oliver |last=Darcy |first2=Brian |last2=Stelter |website=CNN |date=November 6, 2019 |accessdate=November 8, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| Trump supporters paid for ] advertisements to spread the purported name of the whistleblower. These ads were viewed by potentially "hundreds of thousands of users" before Facebook removed them.<ref name="wapo-online-campaign-nov7"/> | |||
| == Conspiracy theories == | == Conspiracy theories == | ||
| {{see also|Conspiracy theories related to the Trump–Ukraine scandal}} | {{see also|Conspiracy theories related to the Trump–Ukraine scandal}} | ||
| Trump and his allies had since 2017 promoted a conspiracy theory that Ukraine, rather than Russia, had interfered with the 2016 election, which American intelligence believes has been promoted by Russia in order to frame Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite |
Trump and his allies had since 2017 promoted a conspiracy theory that Ukraine, rather than Russia, had interfered with the 2016 election, which American intelligence believes has been promoted by Russia in order to frame Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite news |access-date=January 7, 2020 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/us/politics/ukraine-russia-interference.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122184813/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/us/politics/ukraine-russia-interference.html |archive-date=November 22, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Charges of Ukrainian Meddling? A Russian Operation, U.S. Intelligence Says|first1=Julian E.|last1=Barnes|first2=Matthew|last2=Rosenberg|date=November 22, 2019 |work=] }}</ref> Some speculate ] at ] was the source of this campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 30, 2019 |url=https://www.dailykos.com/story/2019/11/29/1902631/-Russia-not-Ukraine-Interfered-in-Our-2016-Presidential-Election|title=Russia, not Ukraine, Interfered in Our 2016 Presidential Election|website=Daily Kos|access-date=December 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/mikercarpenter/status/1197608738921811968?lang=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308081126/https://twitter.com/mikercarpenter/status/1197608738921811968?lang=en|archive-date=March 8, 2021|title=The very first reference to Ukraine's alleged "interference" in the 2016 US election (the GOP's favorite conspiracy theory) is Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova on November 30, 2016 (less than a month after the election) ...|last=Carpenter|first=Michael|date=November 21, 2019|website=@mikercarpenter|access-date=December 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/russia-ukraine-trump-manafort-232101|title=Russia accuses Ukraine of sabotaging Trump|last1=Vogel|first1=Kenneth P.|last2=Ioffe|first2=Julia|date=December 1, 2016|work=]|access-date=December 31, 2019}}</ref> The conspiracy theory included allegations that Democrats, CrowdStrike and the FBI had conspired to frame Russia in the 2016 hacking of a Democratic National Committee server. Trump has repeatedly insisted without evidence that an unnamed Ukrainian oligarch was behind the conspiracy to frame Russia and that Ukraine is in possession of the DNC server.<ref name=fringe/> | ||
| Shortly before Trump took office, top American intelligence officials briefed him on their evidence—including from their hacking of Russian intelligence networks and information provided by a high-level Kremlin mole—that Russia was behind the hacking and other election interference, on the personal orders and orchestration of Vladimir Putin.<ref>{{Cite news |access-date=January 7, 2020 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/world/europe/trump-intelligence-russian-election-meddling-.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719021920/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/world/europe/trump-intelligence-russian-election-meddling-.html |archive-date=July 19, 2018 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=From the Start, Trump Has Muddied a Clear Message: Putin Interfered|first1=David E.|last1=Sanger|first2=Matthew|last2=Rosenberg|date=July 18, 2018|work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |access-date=January 7, 2020 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/09/us/politics/cia-informant-russia.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909235009/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/09/us/politics/cia-informant-russia.html |archive-date=September 9, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=C.I.A. Informant Extracted From Russia Had Sent Secrets to U.S. for Decades|first1=Julian E.|last1=Barnes|first2=Adam|last2=Goldman|first3=David E.|last3=Sanger|date=September 9, 2019 |work=] }}</ref> In December 2019, the Trump-appointed FBI director ] stated, "we have no information that indicates that Ukraine interfered with the 2016 presidential election," adding, "there's all kinds of people saying all kinds of things out there. I think it's important for the American people to be thoughtful consumers of information and to think about the sources of it and to think about the support and predication for what they hear."<ref>{{Cite news |access-date=January 7, 2020 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/12/10/christopher-wray-basically-dont-listen-trumps-ukraine-conspiracy-theories/ |date=December 10, 2019 |title=Christopher Wray, basically: Don't listen to Trump's Ukraine conspiracy theories|first1=Aaron|last1=Blake|newspaper=]}}</ref> | |||
| === CrowdStrike === | === CrowdStrike === | ||
| ] |date=September 29, 2019 |access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>]] | |||
| During the July 25, 2019, phone call between Trump and Zelenskyy, Trump referred to a far-right ] pushed by ]s, right-wing blogs, right-wing news websites and Russian state media.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelsandler/2019/09/26/the-crowdstrike-conspiracy-heres-why-trump-keeps-referencing-the-cybersecurity-firm/|title=The CrowdStrike Conspiracy: Here's Why Trump Keeps Referencing The Cybersecurity Firm|last=Sandler|first=Rachel|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013070640/https://www.forbes.com/|archive-date=October 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://slate.com/technology/2019/09/trump-ukraine-call-crowdstrike-server-2016-dnc-hack.html|title=What "Server" Is Trump Babbling About?|last=Wolff|first=Josephine|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005015551/https://slate.com/technology/2019/09/trump-ukraine-call-crowdstrike-server-2016-dnc-hack.html|archive-date=October 5, 2019}}</ref><ref name="buzzfeed-crowdstrike">{{cite news|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanhatesthis/crowdstrike-4chan-qanon-conspiracy-theory|title=Here's How Donald Trump Ended Up Referencing A Russian-Promoted 4chan Conspiracy Theory In His Call To The Ukrainian President|last=Broderick|first=Ryan|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008031915/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanhatesthis/crowdstrike-4chan-qanon-conspiracy-theory|archive-date=October 8, 2019}}</ref> This conspiracy theory concerns ], the ] and ] firm that first investigated the 2015–2016 hacking of the ] (DNC) network and determined that ] (GRU) was behind ]. | |||
| ] |date=September 29, 2019 |accessdate=October 26, 2019}}</ref>]] | |||
| {{main|Russia investigation origins conspiracy theory|Conspiracy theories related to the Trump–Ukraine scandal}} | |||
| ], Trump's former ], said in an interview with ]' ] that Trump was repeatedly warned by his staff that the CrowdStrike conspiracy theory was "completely debunked". Bossert blamed Giuliani for Trump's fixation upon the conspiracy theory.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-trumps-national-security-advisor-deeply-disturbed-ukraine/story?id=65925477|title=President Trump's former national security advisor 'deeply disturbed' by Ukraine scandal: 'Whole world is watching'|last=Francescani|first=Chris|date=September 29, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007144415/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-trumps-national-security-advisor-deeply-disturbed-ukraine/story?id=65925477|archive-date=October 7, 2019|work=]|quote=It's not only a conspiracy theory. It is completely debunked. I don't want to be glib about this matter but last year, retired former Senator Judd Gregg wrote in The Hill magazine Five Ways or Three Ways to Impeach Oneself and the third way was to hire Rudy Giuliani.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/29/us/politics/tom-bossert-trump-ukraine.html|title=Former Trump Security Adviser Says He's 'Deeply Disturbed' by Ukraine Call|last=Stolberg|first=Sheryl Gay|date=September 29, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191001014646/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/29/us/politics/tom-bossert-trump-ukraine.html|archive-date=October 1, 2019|author-link=Sheryl Gay Stolberg|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| During the July 25, 2019, phone call between Trump and Zelensky, Trump referred to a far-right ] pushed by ]s, right-wing blogs, and right-wing news websites.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelsandler/2019/09/26/the-crowdstrike-conspiracy-heres-why-trump-keeps-referencing-the-cybersecurity-firm/|title=The CrowdStrike Conspiracy: Here's Why Trump Keeps Referencing The Cybersecurity Firm|last=Sandler|first=Rachel|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/bgV68|archive-date=October 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://slate.com/technology/2019/09/trump-ukraine-call-crowdstrike-server-2016-dnc-hack.html|title=What "Server" Is Trump Babbling About?|last=Wolff|first=Josephine|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005015551/https://slate.com/technology/2019/09/trump-ukraine-call-crowdstrike-server-2016-dnc-hack.html|archive-date=October 5, 2019}}</ref><ref name="buzzfeed-crowdstrike">{{cite news|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanhatesthis/crowdstrike-4chan-qanon-conspiracy-theory|title=Here's How Donald Trump Ended Up Referencing A Russian-Promoted 4chan Conspiracy Theory In His Call To The Ukrainian President|last=Broderick|first=Ryan|date=September 26, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008031915/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanhatesthis/crowdstrike-4chan-qanon-conspiracy-theory|archive-date=October 8, 2019}}</ref> This conspiracy theory concerns ], the ] and ] firm that first investigated the 2015–2016 hacking of the ] (DNC) network and determined that ] (GRU) was behind ]. | |||
| The overarching theme of the CrowdStrike conspiracy theory is that the DNC fabricated evidence to implicate Russia in the cyber attacks.<ref name="kevin">{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/crowdstrike-the-truth-about-trumps-insane-ukraine-server-conspiracy|title=The Truth About Trump's Insane Ukraine 'Server' Conspiracy|last=Poulsen|first=Kevin|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 27, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191011184709/https://www.thedailybeast.com/crowdstrike-the-truth-about-trumps-insane-ukraine-server-conspiracy|archive-date=October 11, 2019|author-link=Kevin Poulsen}}</ref> CrowdStrike's co-founder, ], is a naturalized American citizen born in the Soviet Union.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/09/25/crowdstrike-trump-mentions-tech-company-call-ukraines-zelensky/2446889001/|title=What to know about CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity company mentioned in Trump's phone call with Zelensky|last=Reilly|first=Steve|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013071329/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/09/25/crowdstrike-trump-mentions-tech-company-call-ukraines-zelensky/2446889001/|archive-date=October 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/what-crowdstrike-us-company-trump-asked-ukrainian-president-volodymyr-look-1461427|title=What is CrowdStrike, the U.S. Company Trump Asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr to Look Into?|last=McDonald|first=Scott|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004032901/https://www.newsweek.com/what-crowdstrike-us-company-trump-asked-ukrainian-president-volodymyr-look-1461427|archive-date=October 4, 2019}}</ref> According to the hoax, Alperovitch is a Ukrainian who was ordered by the DNC to discredit Russia for the ], and he was personally motivated to get even with ]. Also, according to the theory, CrowdStrike is owned by a rich Ukrainian, and the actual server involved in the cyber attack is in Ukraine.<ref name="auto"/> | |||
| ], Trump's former ], said in an interview with ]' ] that Trump was repeatedly warned by his staff that the CrowdStrike conspiracy theory was "completely debunked". Bossert blamed Giuliani for Trump's fixation upon the conspiracy theory.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-trumps-national-security-advisor-deeply-disturbed-ukraine/story?id=65925477|title=President Trump's former national security advisor 'deeply disturbed' by Ukraine scandal: 'Whole world is watching'|last=Francescani|first=Chris|date=September 29, 2019|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007144415/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-trumps-national-security-advisor-deeply-disturbed-ukraine/story?id=65925477|archive-date=October 7, 2019|publisher=]|quote=It's not only a conspiracy theory. It is completely debunked. I don't want to be glib about this matter but last year, retired former Senator Judd Gregg wrote in The Hill magazine Five Ways or Three Ways to Impeach Oneself and the third way was to hire Rudy Giuliani.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/29/us/politics/tom-bossert-trump-ukraine.html|title=Former Trump Security Adviser Says He's 'Deeply Disturbed' by Ukraine Call|last=Stolberg|first=Sheryl Gay|date=September 29, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/OK7s0|archive-date=October 1, 2019|author-link=Sheryl Gay Stolberg|author-link2=Maggie Haberman|author-link3=Peter Baker (journalist)|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| CrowdStrike is actually a publicly traded company headquartered in California that the ] has also hired for cyber security services.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-cybersecurity-202/2019/11/04/the-cybersecurity-202-gop-house-campaign-arm-uses-crowdstrike-despite-trump-conspiracy-theories/5dbf22d488e0fa10ffd20b34/ |title=The Cybersecurity 202: GOP House campaign arm uses CrowdStrike despite Trump conspiracy theories |newspaper=] |date=November 4, 2019 |access-date=November 4, 2019 |first=Joseph |last=Marks}}</ref> "The server" is actually 140 servers, decommissioned and located in the United States.<ref name="140-servers">{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-missing-dnc-server-is-neither-missing-nor-a-server|title=Trump's 'Missing DNC Server' Is Neither Missing Nor a Server|last=Poulsen|first=Kevin|date=July 16, 2018|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180717141805/https://www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-missing-dnc-server-is-neither-missing-nor-a-server|archive-date=July 17, 2018}}</ref> The theory additionally says FBI agents were not allowed to examine the server because such action would expose the DNC plot,<ref name=kevin/> although in fact—and as documented in the ]—]s and ] of the DNC servers were provided to the FBI by CrowdStrike, although the FBI never examined the servers directly.<ref name=140-servers/><ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.justice.gov/storage/report.pdf|title=Report On The Investigation Into Russian Interference In The 2016 Presidential Election|last=Mueller|first=Robert S. III|date=March 2019|page=40|quote=As part of its investigation, the FBI later received images of DNC servers and copies of relevant traffic logs.|author-link=Robert Mueller|access-date=September 29, 2019|via=the ]}}</ref> This conspiracy theory originated from a "GRU persona, ']', created to cast doubt on Russia's culpability in the DNC ".<ref name=kevin/><ref name="sullivan">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/25/us/politics/crowdstrike-ukraine.html|title=How CrowdStrike Became Part of Trump's Ukraine Call|last=Sullivan|first=Eileen|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 27, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190926002538/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/25/us/politics/crowdstrike-ukraine.html|archive-date=September 26, 2019|author-link=Eileen Sullivan|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| The overarching theme of the CrowdStrike conspiracy theory is that the DNC fabricated evidence to implicate Russia in the cyber attacks.<ref name="kevin">{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/crowdstrike-the-truth-about-trumps-insane-ukraine-server-conspiracy|title=The Truth About Trump's Insane Ukraine 'Server' Conspiracy|last=Poulsen|first=Kevin|date=September 25, 2019|newspaper=]|accessdate=September 27, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/u8Tzo|archive-date=October 11, 2019|authorlink=Kevin Poulsen}}</ref> CrowdStrike's co-founder, ], is a naturalized American citizen born in the Soviet Union.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/09/25/crowdstrike-trump-mentions-tech-company-call-ukraines-zelensky/2446889001/|title=What to know about CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity company mentioned in Trump's phone call with Zelensky|last=Reilly|first=Steve|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/TnrEC|archive-date=October 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/what-crowdstrike-us-company-trump-asked-ukrainian-president-volodymyr-look-1461427|title=What is CrowdStrike, the U.S. Company Trump Asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr to Look Into?|last=McDonald|first=Scott|date=September 25, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004032901/https://www.newsweek.com/what-crowdstrike-us-company-trump-asked-ukrainian-president-volodymyr-look-1461427|archive-date=October 4, 2019}}</ref> According to the hoax, Alperovitch is a Ukrainian who was ordered by the DNC to discredit Russia for the ], and he was personally motivated to get even with ]. Also, according to the theory, CrowdStrike is owned by a rich Ukrainian<ref name="auto"/> and the actual server involved in the cyber attack is in Ukraine. | |||
| CrowdStrike is actually a publicly traded company headquartered in California that the ] has also hired for cyber security services.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-cybersecurity-202/2019/11/04/the-cybersecurity-202-gop-house-campaign-arm-uses-crowdstrike-despite-trump-conspiracy-theories/5dbf22d488e0fa10ffd20b34/ |title=The Cybersecurity 202: GOP House campaign arm uses CrowdStrike despite Trump conspiracy theories |work=] |date=November 4, 2019 |accessdate=November 4, 2019 |first=Joseph |last=Marks}}</ref> "The server" is actually 140 servers, decommissioned and located in the United States.<ref name="140-servers">{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-missing-dnc-server-is-neither-missing-nor-a-server|title=Trump's 'Missing DNC Server' Is Neither Missing Nor a Server|last=Poulsen|first=Kevin|date=July 16, 2018|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/0m51D|archive-date=July 17, 2018}}</ref> The theory additionally says FBI agents were not allowed to examine the server because such action would expose the DNC plot,<ref name=kevin/> although in fact—and as documented in the ]—]s and ] of the DNC servers were provided to the FBI.<ref name=140-servers/><ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.justice.gov/storage/report.pdf|title=Report On The Investigation Into Russian Interference In The 2016 Presidential Election|last=Mueller|first=Robert S., III|date=March 2019|page=40|quote=As part of its investigation, the FBI later received images of DNC servers and copies of relevant traffic logs.|author-link=Robert Mueller|accessdate=September 29, 2019|via=the ]}}</ref> This conspiracy theory originated from a "GRU persona, ']', created to cast doubt on Russia's culpability in the DNC ."<ref name=kevin/><ref name="sullivan">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/25/us/politics/crowdstrike-ukraine.html|title=How CrowdStrike Became Part of Trump's Ukraine Call|last=Sullivan|first=Eileen|date=September 25, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 27, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/oWye9|archive-date=September 26, 2019|authorlink=Eileen Sullivan|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| === |
=== Actions of first whistleblower === | ||
| Various right-wing commentators speculated the whistleblower had help from others, perhaps constituting a coordinated conspiracy. Speculation centered around Adam Schiff, the press, ], ], a team of lawyers or a research firm, and the intelligence community in general.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mediaite.com/tv/fox-news-goes-all-in-on-new-theory-whistleblower-had-outside-help-crafting-his-complaint/|title=Fox News Goes All in on Theory Whistleblower Had Outside Help|last=Ecarma|first=Caleb|date=September 27, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013113831/https://www.mediaite.com/tv/fox-news-goes-all-in-on-new-theory-whistleblower-had-outside-help-crafting-his-complaint/|archive-date=October 13, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mediamatters.org/donald-trump/conservative-media-go-conspiracy-theories-whistleblower-report|title=Conservative media go for conspiracy theories on the whistleblower report|last=Kleefeld|first=Eric|date=September 26, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928171506/https://www.mediamatters.org/donald-trump/conservative-media-go-conspiracy-theories-whistleblower-report|archive-date=September 28, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mediamatters.org/five/foxs-geraldo-rivera-suggests-whistleblower-complaint-can-be-traced-group-media-matters|title=Fox's Geraldo Rivera suggests whistleblower complaint can be traced to 'a group like Media Matters'|date=September 27, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001025906/https://www.mediamatters.org/five/foxs-geraldo-rivera-suggests-whistleblower-complaint-can-be-traced-group-media-matters|archive-date=October 1, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/fox-news-runs-debunked-talking-point-about-requirements-filing-whistleblower-complaint|title=Fox News runs with debunked talking point about requirements for filing a whistleblower complaint|last=Hagle|first=Courtney|date=September 30, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930165153/https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/fox-news-runs-debunked-talking-point-about-requirements-filing-whistleblower-complaint|archive-date=September 30, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref> After the whistleblower had informed the CIA's general counsel of his concerns, he grew troubled by "how that initial avenue for airing his allegations through the CIA was unfolding", according to ''The New York Times''. He then contacted an aide for the House Intelligence Committee and provided a vague statement. The aide then followed standard procedure and advised the whistleblower to find a lawyer and file a complaint with the Intelligence Community inspector general (IC IG). Neither Rep. Schiff nor the other members of the Committee saw the complaint until the night before they released it publicly, and the Committee was not involved in writing the complaint.<ref name="earlyaccess">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/02/us/politics/adam-schiff-whistleblower.html|title=Schiff, House Intel Chairman, Got Early Account of Whistle-Blower's Accusations|last1=Barnes|first1=Julian E.|date=October 2, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 2, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191003021813/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/02/us/politics/adam-schiff-whistleblower.html|archive-date=October 3, 2019|last2=Schmidt|first2=Michael S.|last3=Rosenberg|first3=Matthew|author-link2=Michael S. Schmidt|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=olivia_gazis |first=Olivia |last=Gazis |number=1179490609171701760 |title=I am told by spokespeople for both @SenatorBurr and @MarkWarner that it would be ***standard practice*** for intel committee to tell a potential whistleblower to hire counsel and file a complaint with an agency IG or the IC IG. **Bipartisan. Both parties say this.** |date=October 2, 2019 |access-date=October 2, 2019}}</ref> Schiff and the Committee had no role in helping the whistleblower select an attorney. | |||
| According to ], a member of the whistleblower's ''pro bono'' legal team: "The whistleblower took the advice to find an attorney and did what most people do, they asked around to trusted friends as to who they should contact. Andrew 's name was provided and he was retained. Exactly how it happens every day."<ref>{{cite web |first=Zach |last=Cohen |author-mask=Cohen, Zack |url=https://twitter.com/ZcohenCNN/status/1179479559730860033 |date=October 2, 2019 |title=.@MarkSZaidEsq tells me: 'Andrew Bakaj was not connected to HPSCI nor was the whistleblower referred by HPSCI to him. The whistleblower took the advice to find an attorney and did what most people do, they asked around to trusted friends as to who they should contact.' 1/2 |access-date=October 2, 2019}}<br />{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/ZcohenCNN/status/1179479696398008326 |date=October 2, 2019 |title='Andrew's name was provided and he was retained. Exactly how it happens every day,' Zaid said. 2/2 |first=Zach |last=Cohen |author-mask=Cohen, Zack |access-date=October 2, 2019}}</ref> ] is the Lead Attorney representing the whistleblower. During a news conference on October 2, Trump claimed that ''The New York Times'' article proved Schiff had helped write the whistleblower complaint,<ref name="earlyaccess"/> prompting one of the reporters who wrote the story to reply on Twitter that their story said no such thing and that Schiff had not even known the whistleblower's identity.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=AllMattNYT |number=1179475923554459650 |last=Rosenberg |first=Matthew |date=October 2, 2019 |title=Despite what Trump claimed today, the @nytimes did NOT report that Adam Schiff helped write the whistleblower's complaint. In fact, Schiff did not even know the whistleblower's identity, officials told the NYT. |access-date=October 2, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| Various right-wing commentators speculated the whistleblower had help from others, perhaps constituting a coordinated conspiracy. Speculation centered around Adam Schiff, the press, ], ], a team of lawyers or a research firm, and the intelligence community in general.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaite.com/tv/fox-news-goes-all-in-on-new-theory-whistleblower-had-outside-help-crafting-his-complaint/|title=Fox News Goes All in on Theory Whistleblower Had Outside Help|last=Ecarma|first=Caleb|date=September 27, 2019|work=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/YZu1g|archive-date=October 13, 2019|accessdate=October 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediamatters.org/donald-trump/conservative-media-go-conspiracy-theories-whistleblower-report|title=Conservative media go for conspiracy theories on the whistleblower report|last=Kleefeld|first=Eric|date=September 26, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928171506/https://www.mediamatters.org/donald-trump/conservative-media-go-conspiracy-theories-whistleblower-report|archive-date=September 28, 2019|accessdate=October 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediamatters.org/five/foxs-geraldo-rivera-suggests-whistleblower-complaint-can-be-traced-group-media-matters|title=Fox's Geraldo Rivera suggests whistleblower complaint can be traced to 'a group like Media Matters'|date=September 27, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001025906/https://www.mediamatters.org/five/foxs-geraldo-rivera-suggests-whistleblower-complaint-can-be-traced-group-media-matters|archive-date=October 1, 2019|accessdate=October 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/fox-news-runs-debunked-talking-point-about-requirements-filing-whistleblower-complaint|title=Fox News runs with debunked talking point about requirements for filing a whistleblower complaint|last=Hagle|first=Courtney|date=September 30, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930165153/https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/fox-news-runs-debunked-talking-point-about-requirements-filing-whistleblower-complaint|archive-date=September 30, 2019|accessdate=October 1, 2019}}</ref> After the whistleblower had informed the CIA's general counsel of his concerns, he grew troubled by "how that initial avenue for airing his allegations through the CIA was unfolding", according to ''The New York Times''. He then contacted an aide for the House Intelligence Committee and provided a vague statement. The aide then followed standard procedure and advised the whistleblower to find a lawyer and file a complaint with the Intelligence Community Inspector General (ICIG). Neither Rep. Schiff nor the other members of the Committee saw the complaint until the night before they released it publicly, and the Committee was not involved in writing the complaint.<ref name="earlyaccess">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/02/us/politics/adam-schiff-whistleblower.html|title=Schiff, House Intel Chairman, Got Early Account of Whistle-Blower's Accusations|last1=Barnes|first1=Julian E.|date=October 2, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 2, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/IkOeF|archive-date=October 3, 2019|last2=Schmidt|first2=Michael S.|last3=Rosenberg|first3=Matthew|author-link2=Michael S. Schmidt|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=olivia_gazis |first=Olivia |last=Gazis |number=1179490609171701760 |title=I am told by spokespeople for both @SenatorBurr and @MarkWarner that it would be ***standard practice*** for intel committee to tell a potential whistleblower to hire counsel and file a complaint with an agency IG or the IC IG. **Bipartisan. Both parties say this.** |date=October 2, 2019 |accessdate=October 2, 2019}}</ref> Schiff and the Committee had no role in helping the whistleblower select an attorney. | |||
| According to ], a member of the whistleblower's ''pro bono'' legal team: "The whistleblower took the advice to find an attorney and did what most people do, they asked around to trusted friends as to who they should contact. Andrew 's name was provided and he was retained. Exactly how it happens every day."<ref>{{cite tweet |user=ZcohenCNN |number=1179479559730860033 |date=October 2, 2019 |title=.@MarkSZaidEsq tells me: "Andrew Bakaj was not connected to HPSCI nor was the whistleblower referred by HPSCI to him. The whistleblower took the advice to find an attorney and did what most people do, they asked around to trusted friends as to who they should contact." 1/2 |last=Cohen |first=Zachary |accessdate=October 2, 2019}}<br/>{{cite tweet|uzer=ZcohenCNN |number=1179479696398008326 |date=October 2, 2019 |title="Andrew's name was provided and he was retained. Exactly how it happens every day," Zaid said. 2/2 |last=Cohen |first=Zachary |user=ZcohenCNN |accessdate=October 2, 2019}}</ref> Andrew P. Bakaj is the Lead Attorney representing the whistleblower. During a news conference on October 2, Trump claimed that the ''New York Times'' article proved Schiff had helped write the whistleblower complaint,<ref name="earlyaccess"/> prompting one of the reporters who wrote the story to reply on Twitter that their story said no such thing and that Schiff had not even known the whistleblower's identity.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=AllMattNYT |number=1179475923554459650 |last=Rosenberg |first=Matthew |date=October 2, 2019 |title=Despite what Trump claimed today, the @nytimes did NOT report that Adam Schiff helped write the whistleblower's complaint. In fact, Schiff did not even know the whistleblower's identity, officials told the NYT. |accessdate=October 2, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| === Whistleblower rules and hearsay === | === Whistleblower rules and hearsay === | ||
| In late September, Trump tweeted a conspiracy theory that whistleblower rules were changed before the whistleblower complaint was submitted.<ref name="lybrand">{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/30/politics/donald-trump-inspector-general-whistleblower-complaint-conspiracy-fact-check/index.html|title=Fact check: Trump and other Republicans falsely claim whistleblower rules changed just before Ukraine complaint|last1=Lybrand|first1=Holmes|date=October 1, 2019|access-date=October 11, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005145427/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/30/politics/donald-trump-inspector-general-whistleblower-complaint-conspiracy-fact-check/index.html|archive-date=October 5, 2019|publisher=]|last2=Cohen|first2=Zachary}}</ref><ref name="greenberg">{{cite web|url=https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2019/oct/01/donald-trump/donald-trumps-false-claim-about-change-whistleblow/|title=Donald Trump's false claim about a change in whistleblower rules|last1=Greenberg|first1=Jon|date=October 1, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002023323/https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2019/oct/01/donald-trump/donald-trumps-false-claim-about-change-whistleblow/|archive-date=October 2, 2019|access-date=October 11, 2019}}</ref> Senator Lindsey Graham, and Trump's lawyers Jay Sekulow and Rudy Giuliani made similar claims.<ref name="gore">{{cite web|url=https://www.factcheck.org/2019/10/no-hearsay-rule-change-for-whistleblowers/|title=No Hearsay Rule Change for Whistleblowers|last1=Gore|first1=D'Angelo|date=October 1, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004171545/https://www.factcheck.org/2019/10/no-hearsay-rule-change-for-whistleblowers/|archive-date=October 4, 2019|access-date=October 11, 2019}}</ref><ref name="poulsen">{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/gop-shows-russian-trolls-how-its-done-with-trump-inspector-general-whistleblower-smear|title=GOP Shows Russian Trolls How It's Done With Whistleblower Smear|last=Poulsen|first=Kevin|date=September 30, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190930145823/https://www.thedailybeast.com/gop-shows-russian-trolls-how-its-done-with-trump-inspector-general-whistleblower-smear|archive-date=September 30, 2019}}</ref> Trump's claim was based on an article from '']'' which incorrectly stated that the IC IG "secretly eliminated a requirement that whistleblowers provide direct, first-hand knowledge of alleged wrongdoings", by revising their complaint form sometime between May 2018 and August 2019, removing a section from the old form containing the sentence: "If you think wrongdoing took place, but can provide nothing more than secondhand or unsubstantiated assertions, IC IG will not be able to process the complaint or information for submission as an ICWPA."<ref name=greenberg/><ref name=gore/> ''The Federalist'' article failed to mention that the old form had checkboxes where the whistleblower could indicate that their information was "direct" or from either "other employees" or other indirect sources.<ref name=poulsen/><ref name="recentlychanged">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/30/trumps-false-claim-rules-whistleblowers-were-recently-changed/|title=Trump's false claim that the rules for whistleblowers were recently changed|last=Kessler|first=Glenn|date=September 30, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191001085605/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/30/trumps-false-claim-rules-whistleblowers-were-recently-changed/|archive-date=October 1, 2019|author-link=Glenn Kessler (journalist)|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| The IC IG responded the whistleblower's complaint was submitted with the old form (before the forms changed), and that the whistleblower's complaint was based on both "direct knowledge of certain alleged conduct" and knowledge from other employees.<ref name="odni-statement">{{cite web|url=https://www.dni.gov/files/ICIG/Documents/News/ICIG%20News/2019/September%2030%20-%20Statement%20on%20Processing%20of%20Whistleblower%20Complaints/ICIG%20Statement%20on%20Processing%20of%20Whistleblower%20Complaints.pdf|title=Office of the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community's Statement on Processing of Whistleblower Complaints|date=September 30, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001020129/https://www.dni.gov/files/ICIG/Documents/News/ICIG%20News/2019/September%2030%20-%20Statement%20on%20Processing%20of%20Whistleblower%20Complaints/ICIG%20Statement%20on%20Processing%20of%20Whistleblower%20Complaints.pdf|archive-date=October 1, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref><ref name="cnn-cohen-sep30">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/30/politics/icig-statement-whistleblower-complaint/index.html|title=Intelligence community watchdog debunks whistleblower conspiracy pushed by Trump and other Republicans|last=Cohen|first=Zachary|date=September 30, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191001092024/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/30/politics/icig-statement-whistleblower-complaint/index.html|archive-date=October 1, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> The IC IG also said the old form had been under review, and that "in response to recent press inquiries regarding the instant whistleblower complaint", the form was changed because "certain language in those forms and, more specifically, the informational materials accompanying the forms, could be read—incorrectly—as suggesting that whistleblowers must possess first-hand information in order to file an urgent concern complaint".<ref name="odni-statement"/> The IC IG also said that by law a complainant is not required to have "first-hand information" themselves, and that their office "cannot add conditions to the filing of an urgent concern that do not exist in law".<ref name="odni-statement"/> | |||
| In late September, Trump tweeted a conspiracy theory that whistleblower rules were changed before the whistleblower complaint was submitted.<ref name="lybrand">{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/30/politics/donald-trump-inspector-general-whistleblower-complaint-conspiracy-fact-check/index.html|title=Fact check: Trump and other Republicans falsely claim whistleblower rules changed just before Ukraine complaint|last1=Lybrand|first1=Holmes|date=October 1, 2019|accessdate=October 11, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005145427/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/30/politics/donald-trump-inspector-general-whistleblower-complaint-conspiracy-fact-check/index.html|archive-date=October 5, 2019|publisher=CNN|last2=Cohen|first2=Zachary}}</ref><ref name="greenberg">{{cite web|url=https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2019/oct/01/donald-trump/donald-trumps-false-claim-about-change-whistleblow/|title=Donald Trump's false claim about a change in whistleblower rules|last1=Greenberg|first1=Jon|date=October 1, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002023323/https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2019/oct/01/donald-trump/donald-trumps-false-claim-about-change-whistleblow/|archive-date=October 2, 2019|accessdate=October 11, 2019}}</ref> Senator Lindsey Graham, and Trump's lawyers Jay Sekulow and Rudy Giuliani made similar claims.<ref name="gore">{{cite web|url=https://www.factcheck.org/2019/10/no-hearsay-rule-change-for-whistleblowers/|title=No Hearsay Rule Change for Whistleblowers|last1=Gore|first1=D'Angelo|date=October 1, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004171545/https://www.factcheck.org/2019/10/no-hearsay-rule-change-for-whistleblowers/|archive-date=October 4, 2019|accessdate=October 11, 2019}}</ref><ref name="poulsen">{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/gop-shows-russian-trolls-how-its-done-with-trump-inspector-general-whistleblower-smear|title=GOP Shows Russian Trolls How It's Done With Whistleblower Smear|last=Poulsen|first=Kevin|date=September 30, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/1evO3|archive-date=September 30, 2019}}</ref> Trump's claim was based on an article from '']'' which incorrectly stated that the IC IG "secretly eliminated a requirement that whistleblowers provide direct, first-hand knowledge of alleged wrongdoings", by revising their complaint form sometime between May 2018 and August 2019, removing a section from the old form containing the sentence: "If you think wrongdoing took place, but can provide nothing more than secondhand or unsubstantiated assertions, IC IG will not be able to process the complaint or information for submission as an ICWPA."<ref name=greenberg/><ref name=gore/> ''The Federalist'' article failed to mention that the old form had checkboxes where the whistleblower could indicate that their information was "direct" or from either "other employees" or other indirect sources.<ref name=poulsen/><ref name="recentlychanged">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/30/trumps-false-claim-rules-whistleblowers-were-recently-changed/|title=Trump's false claim that the rules for whistleblowers were recently changed|last=Kessler|first=Glenn|date=September 30, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/Fr8X1|archive-date=October 1, 2019|authorlink=Glenn Kessler (journalist)|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| The "rules" for whistleblowing arise from Intelligence Community Directive 120, last updated in 2016. The directive states that the requirement for a complaint is to be one which the whistleblower "reasonably believes evidences a violation of any law, rule or regulation".<ref name=greenberg/><ref name=recentlychanged/> The burden of obtaining and evaluating first-hand knowledge for credibility is placed on the IC IG, who has 14 days to conduct an investigation to do so.<ref name=lybrand/> In this case, the preliminary review done by the IC IG did find more information to support the allegations as credible.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.apnews.com/article/2305510b6e23498c9298ed597ddccbac|title=Trump's fiction about whistleblower complaint|last1=Seitz|first1=Amanda|date=October 1, 2019|access-date=October 11, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013113949/https://www.apnews.com/2305510b6e23498c9298ed597ddccbac|archive-date=October 13, 2019|work=]|last2=Yen|first2=Hope}}</ref> Tom Devine of the ], a non-profit watchdog organization, said only around 10% of all credible whistleblower complaints have firsthand information.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/whistleblowers-firsthand-knowledge/|title=Did U.S. Intelligence Eliminate a Requirement That Whistleblowers Provide Firsthand Knowledge?|last1=Palma|first1=Bethania|date=October 1, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013112831/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/whistleblowers-firsthand-knowledge/|archive-date=October 13, 2019|access-date=October 11, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| The IC IG responded the whistleblower's complaint was submitted with the old form (before the forms changed), and that the whistleblower's complaint was based on both "direct knowledge of certain alleged conduct" and knowledge from other employees.<ref name="odni-statement">{{cite web|url=https://www.dni.gov/files/ICIG/Documents/News/ICIG%20News/2019/September%2030%20-%20Statement%20on%20Processing%20of%20Whistleblower%20Complaints/ICIG%20Statement%20on%20Processing%20of%20Whistleblower%20Complaints.pdf|title=Office of the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community's Statement on Processing of Whistleblower Complaints|date=September 30, 2019|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001020129/https://www.dni.gov/files/ICIG/Documents/News/ICIG%20News/2019/September%2030%20-%20Statement%20on%20Processing%20of%20Whistleblower%20Complaints/ICIG%20Statement%20on%20Processing%20of%20Whistleblower%20Complaints.pdf|archive-date=October 1, 2019|accessdate=October 1, 2019}}</ref><ref name="cnn-cohen-sep30">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/30/politics/icig-statement-whistleblower-complaint/index.html|title=Intelligence community watchdog debunks whistleblower conspiracy pushed by Trump and other Republicans|last=Cohen|first=Zachary|date=September 30, 2019|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/bf82f|archive-date=October 1, 2019|publisher=CNN}}</ref> The IC IG also said the old form had been under review, and that "in response to recent press inquiries regarding the instant whistleblower complaint", the form was changed because "certain language in those forms and, more specifically, the informational materials accompanying the forms, could be read—incorrectly—as suggesting that whistleblowers must possess first-hand information in order to file an urgent concern complaint".<ref name="odni-statement"/> The IC IG also said that by law a complainant is not required to have "first-hand information" themselves, and that their office "cannot add conditions to the filing of an urgent concern that do not exist in law".<ref name="odni-statement"/> | |||
| Republican senator ], a prominent author and advocate of whistleblower laws, spoke out against the conspiracy theory, saying the whistleblower appeared to have acted in accordance with the law and deserved to be heard.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/10/01/ig-rebuts-trump-claim-rules-bent-ukraine-whistleblower-complaint/3829624002/|title=IG rebuts claims by Trump and his backers that rules were changed to allow whistleblower complaint|last1=King|first1=Ledyard|date=October 2, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 11, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013112729/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/10/01/ig-rebuts-trump-claim-rules-bent-ukraine-whistleblower-complaint/3829624002/|archive-date=October 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/chuck-grassley-defends-ukraine-whistleblower-breaking-gop-trump-n1060871|title=Chuck Grassley defends Ukraine whistleblower, breaking with GOP and Trump|last1=Gregorian|first1=Dareh|date=October 2, 2019|access-date=October 11, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191013112638/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/chuck-grassley-defends-ukraine-whistleblower-breaking-gop-trump-n1060871|archive-date=October 13, 2019|work=]}}</ref> | |||
| Republican Senator ], a prominent author and advocate of whistleblower laws, spoke out against the conspiracy theory, saying that the whistleblower appeared to have acted in accordance with the law and deserved to be heard.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/10/01/ig-rebuts-trump-claim-rules-bent-ukraine-whistleblower-complaint/3829624002/|title=IG rebuts claims by Trump and his backers that rules were changed to allow whistleblower complaint|last1=King|first1=Ledyard|date=October 2, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 11, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/xq5Rf|archive-date=October 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/chuck-grassley-defends-ukraine-whistleblower-breaking-gop-trump-n1060871|title=Chuck Grassley defends Ukraine whistleblower, breaking with GOP and Trump|last1=Gregorian|first1=Dareh|date=October 2, 2019|accessdate=October 11, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/NGtam|archive-date=October 13, 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| === George Soros === | === George Soros === | ||
| In late-September television appearances, Giuliani asserted without offering any evidence that ], a frequent ], was running an anti-Trump scheme in Ukraine while Biden was protecting Soros from prosecution there.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/09/25/giuliani-shut-up-moron-fox-news-ukraine/ |title='Shut up, moron': Rudy Giuliani lashes out at critics, defends his Ukraine involvement |last=Chiu |first=Allyson |newspaper=] |access-date=November 11, 2019 |date=September 25, 2019 }}</ref> Lawyers ] and ] appeared as guests on '']'' to promote the conspiracy theory that Soros funded the whistleblower. They cited the whistleblower's footnote references to the ], an organization that has received grants from Soros' ] among multiple other funding sources.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/hannity-guests-claim-george-soros-dirty-money-backed-ukraine-whistleblower-report-this-was-1461715|title=Hannity guests claim George Soros' 'dirty money' backed Ukraine whistleblower report: 'This was a set-up'|last=Brennan|first=David|date=September 27, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003000325/https://www.newsweek.com/hannity-guests-claim-george-soros-dirty-money-backed-ukraine-whistleblower-report-this-was-1461715|archive-date=October 3, 2019}}</ref> Soros was also invoked, again without evidence, by the media organization '']''.<ref name="timberg-harwell">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/09/28/amateur-pro-trump-sleuths-scramble-unmask-whistleblower-your-president-has-asked-your-help/|title=Amateur pro-Trump 'sleuths' scramble to unmask whistleblower: 'Your president has asked for your help'|last1=Timberg|first1=Craig|date=September 28, 2019|newspaper=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190928230401/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/09/28/amateur-pro-trump-sleuths-scramble-unmask-whistleblower-your-president-has-asked-your-help/|archive-date=September 28, 2019|last2=Harwell|first2=Drew|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| Discredited allegations against Soros were also part of a "packet of propaganda and disinformation" that had been circulating within the State Department since May 2019, until being revealed to Congress on October 2.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-state/democrats-say-trump-administration-used-misinformation-to-attack-u-s-diplomat-idUSKBN1WH1WA|title=Democrats say Trump administration used misinformation to attack U.S. diplomat|last1=Landay|first1=Jonathan|date=October 2, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003015356/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-state/democrats-say-trump-administration-used-misinformation-to-attack-u-s-diplomat-idUSKBN1WH1WA|archive-date=October 3, 2019|work=]|last2=Hosenball|first2=Mark}}</ref> | |||
| In late-September television appearances, Giuliani asserted without offering any evidence that ], a frequent ], was running an anti-Trump scheme in Ukraine while Biden was protecting Soros from prosecution there.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/09/25/giuliani-shut-up-moron-fox-news-ukraine/ |title='Shut up, moron': Rudy Giuliani lashes out at critics, defends his Ukraine involvement |last=Chiu |first=Allyson |work=] |access-date=November 11, 2019 |date=September 25, 2019 }}</ref> Lawyers ] and ] appeared as guests on '']'' to promote the conspiracy theory that Soros funded the whistleblower. They cited the whistleblower's footnote references to the ], an organization that has received grants from Soros' ] among multiple other funding sources.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/hannity-guests-claim-george-soros-dirty-money-backed-ukraine-whistleblower-report-this-was-1461715|title=Hannity guests claim George Soros' 'dirty money' backed Ukraine whistleblower report: 'This was a set-up'|last=Brennan|first=David|date=September 27, 2019|work=]|accessdate=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003000325/https://www.newsweek.com/hannity-guests-claim-george-soros-dirty-money-backed-ukraine-whistleblower-report-this-was-1461715|archive-date=October 3, 2019}}</ref> Soros was also invoked, again without evidence, by the media organization ].<ref name="timberg-harwell">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/09/28/amateur-pro-trump-sleuths-scramble-unmask-whistleblower-your-president-has-asked-your-help/|title=Amateur pro-Trump 'sleuths' scramble to unmask whistleblower: 'Your president has asked for your help'|last1=Timberg|first1=Craig|date=September 28, 2019|work=]|accessdate=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.is/kuAnh|archive-date=September 28, 2019|last2=Harwell|first2=Drew|url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
| === Biden–Ukraine conspiracy theory === | |||
| Discredited allegations against Soros were also part of a "packet of propaganda and disinformation" that had been circulating within the State Department since May 2019, until being revealed to Congress on October 2.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-state/democrats-say-trump-administration-used-misinformation-to-attack-u-s-diplomat-idUSKBN1WH1WA|title=Democrats say Trump administration used misinformation to attack U.S. diplomat|last1=Landay|first1=Jonathan|date=October 2, 2019|accessdate=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003015356/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-state/democrats-say-trump-administration-used-misinformation-to-attack-u-s-diplomat-idUSKBN1WH1WA|archive-date=October 3, 2019|agency=]|last2=Hosenball|first2=Mark}}</ref> | |||
| The ] is part of efforts by Donald Trump<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kessler |first1=Glenn |author1-link=Glenn Kessler (journalist) |title=A quick guide to Trump's false claims about Ukraine and the Bidens |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/27/quick-guide-trumps-false-claims-about-ukraine-bidens/ |access-date=August 18, 2021 |newspaper=] |date=September 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201020163558/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/27/quick-guide-trumps-false-claims-about-ukraine-bidens/ |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |quote=Trump has falsely claimed that Biden in 2015 pressured the Ukrainian government to fire Viktor Shokin, the top Ukrainian prosecutor, because he was investigating Ukraine’s largest private gas company, Burisma, which had added Biden’s son, Hunter, to its board in 2014. |url-status=live }}</ref> and his campaign in the Trump–Ukraine scandal, which led to Trump's first impeachment. These falsehoods were spread in an attempt to damage Joe Biden's reputation and chances during the ], and later in an effort to impeach him.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goldman |first1=Adam |author1-link=Adam Goldman |title=What We Know and Don't About Hunter Biden and a Laptop |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/22/us/politics/hunter-biden-laptop.html |access-date=October 23, 2020 |work=] |date=October 22, 2020 |archive-date=October 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023000934/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/22/us/politics/hunter-biden-laptop.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref> | |||
| == See also == | == See also == | ||
| {{Portal|United States|Ukraine}} | {{Portal|United States|Ukraine}} | ||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | |||
| == Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| {{Notelist}} | {{Notelist}} | ||
| == References == | == References == | ||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| <!-- REFERENCES REMOVED FROM LEDE... COULD GO IN SOMEWHERE ELSE | |||
| {{reflist|colwidth=30em}} | |||
| <!-- REFERENCES REMOVED FROM LEDE... COULD GO IN SOMEWHERE ELSE | |||
| <ref>Multiple sources: | <ref>Multiple sources: | ||
| * {{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-ukraine-call-former-national-security-officials-ukraine-call-unconscionable-abuse-of-power/|title=Over 300 former national security professionals call out Trump for "unconscionable abuse of power"|last1=Tillett|first1=Emily|date=September 27, 2018| |
* {{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-ukraine-call-former-national-security-officials-ukraine-call-unconscionable-abuse-of-power/|title=Over 300 former national security professionals call out Trump for "unconscionable abuse of power"|last1=Tillett|first1=Emily|date=September 27, 2018|access-date=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929052322/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-ukraine-call-former-national-security-officials-ukraine-call-unconscionable-abuse-of-power/|archive-date=September 29, 2019|publisher=]|quote="President Trump appears to have leveraged the authority and resources of the highest office in the land to invite additional foreign interference into our democratic processes. That would constitute an unconscionable abuse of power. It also would represent an effort to subordinate America's national interests—and those of our closest allies and partners—to the president's personal political interest," the bipartisan group wrote.}} | ||
| * {{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-legal/abuse-of-power-not-criminality-key-to-trump-impeachment-idUSKBN1WC10L|title=Abuse of power, not criminality, key to Trump impeachment|last1=Hals|first1=Tom|date=September 27, 2019| |
* {{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-legal/abuse-of-power-not-criminality-key-to-trump-impeachment-idUSKBN1WC10L|title=Abuse of power, not criminality, key to Trump impeachment|last1=Hals|first1=Tom|date=September 27, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001020052/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-legal/abuse-of-power-not-criminality-key-to-trump-impeachment-idUSKBN1WC10L|archive-date=October 1, 2019|agency=]|last2=Wolfe|first2=Jan|quote=Democratic lawmakers have a strong case for impeaching U.S. President Donald Trump if they can prove he abused his power when he asked Ukraine's president to "look into" an American political rival, several legal experts said.}} | ||
| * {{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-involved-pence-in-efforts-to-pressure-ukraines-leader-though-aides-say-vice-president-was-unaware-of-pursuit-of-dirt-on-bidens/2019/10/02/263aa9e2-e4a7-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|title=Trump involved Pence in efforts to pressure Ukraine's leader, though aides say vice president was unaware of pursuit of dirt on Bidens|last=Miller|first=Greg|date=October 2, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 2, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive. |
* {{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-involved-pence-in-efforts-to-pressure-ukraines-leader-though-aides-say-vice-president-was-unaware-of-pursuit-of-dirt-on-bidens/2019/10/02/263aa9e2-e4a7-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|title=Trump involved Pence in efforts to pressure Ukraine's leader, though aides say vice president was unaware of pursuit of dirt on Bidens|last=Miller|first=Greg|date=October 2, 2019|work=]|access-date=October 2, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191003002753/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-involved-pence-in-efforts-to-pressure-ukraines-leader-though-aides-say-vice-president-was-unaware-of-pursuit-of-dirt-on-bidens/2019/10/02/263aa9e2-e4a7-11e9-b403-f738899982d2_story.html|archive-date=October 3, 2019|last2=Jaffe|first2=Greg|quote=Trump's deployment of Pence is part of a broader pattern of using both executive authority and high-ranking officials in his administration to advance his personal or political interests—even in cases when those subordinates appear to not know that another agenda is in play.|last3=Parker|first3=Ashley|url-access=limited}} | ||
| * {{ |
* {{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-biden/biden-looks-to-ukraine-flap-to-jolt-his-2020-presidential-campaign-idUSKBN1WC01J|title=Biden looks to Ukraine flap to jolt his 2020 presidential campaign|last1=Gibson|first1=Ginger|date=September 27, 2019|access-date=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001113944/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-biden/biden-looks-to-ukraine-flap-to-jolt-his-2020-presidential-campaign-idUSKBN1WC01J|archive-date=October 1, 2019|agency=]|last2=Oliphant|first2=James|quote=A whistleblower report released on Thursday alleged that Trump not only abused his office in attempting to solicit Ukraine's interference in next year's election for his own political benefit, but that the White House also tried to "lock down" evidence about that conduct.|last3=Reid|first3=Tim}}</ref><ref>Reactions from historians and diplomats: | ||
| * {{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-biden/biden-looks-to-ukraine-flap-to-jolt-his-2020-presidential-campaign-idUSKBN1WC01J|title=Biden looks to Ukraine flap to jolt his 2020 presidential campaign|last1=Gibson|first1=Ginger|date=September 27, 2019|accessdate=October 3, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001113944/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-biden/biden-looks-to-ukraine-flap-to-jolt-his-2020-presidential-campaign-idUSKBN1WC01J|archive-date=October 1, 2019|agency=]|last2=Oliphant|first2=James|quote=A whistleblower report released on Thursday alleged that Trump not only abused his office in attempting to solicit Ukraine's interference in next year's election for his own political benefit, but that the White House also tried to "lock down" evidence about that conduct.|last3=Reid|first3=Tim}}</ref><ref>Reactions from historians and diplomats: | |||
| * {{Cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-behavior-with-ukraine-stupid-and-unprecedented-historian-2019-9|title=Trump's actions with Ukraine were 'profoundly stupid' and beyond anything any president has ever done, historians and veteran diplomats say|last=Haltiwanger|first=John|date=September 28, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013111851/https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-behavior-with-ukraine-stupid-and-unprecedented-historian-2019-9|archive-date=October 13, 2019}} | * {{Cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-behavior-with-ukraine-stupid-and-unprecedented-historian-2019-9|title=Trump's actions with Ukraine were 'profoundly stupid' and beyond anything any president has ever done, historians and veteran diplomats say|last=Haltiwanger|first=John|date=September 28, 2019|work=]|access-date=September 29, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013111851/https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-behavior-with-ukraine-stupid-and-unprecedented-historian-2019-9|archive-date=October 13, 2019}} | ||
| * {{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/02/opinions/trump-impeachment-unprecedented-cobbs-longley-osgood-suri/index.html|title=Historians on Trump: We've never seen anything like this|last=Cobbs|first=Elizabeth A.|date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008074848/https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/02/opinions/trump-impeachment-unprecedented-cobbs-longley-osgood-suri/index.html|archive-date=October 8, 2019|publisher=CNN|last2=Longley|first2=Kyle|last3=Osgood|first3=Kenneth|last4=Suri|first4=Jeremi|author-link=Elizabeth Cobbs}}</ref> | * {{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/02/opinions/trump-impeachment-unprecedented-cobbs-longley-osgood-suri/index.html|title=Historians on Trump: We've never seen anything like this|last=Cobbs|first=Elizabeth A.|date=October 4, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008074848/https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/02/opinions/trump-impeachment-unprecedented-cobbs-longley-osgood-suri/index.html|archive-date=October 8, 2019|publisher=]|last2=Longley|first2=Kyle|last3=Osgood|first3=Kenneth|last4=Suri|first4=Jeremi|author-link=Elizabeth Cobbs}}</ref> | ||
| --> | --> | ||
| == |
==External links== | ||
| {{commons category}} | {{commons category}} | ||
| * |
* {{cite web |url=https://intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/20190812_-_whistleblower_complaint_unclass.pdf |title=Declassified whistleblower complaint |orig-date=August 12, 2019 |date=September 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926123931/https://intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/20190812_-_whistleblower_complaint_unclass.pdf |archive-date=September 26, 2019 }} | ||
| * |
* {{cite web |url=https://intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/20190826_-_icig_letter_to_acting_dni_unclass.pdf |title=Declassified letter from Intelligence Community Inspector General to acting Director of National Intelligence, regarding the whistleblower complaint |date=August 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926124948/https://intelligence.house.gov/uploadedfiles/20190826_-_icig_letter_to_acting_dni_unclass.pdf |archive-date=September 26, 2019 }} | ||
| * |
* {{cite web |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Unclassified09.2019.pdf |title=Memorandum of the July 25, 2019, telephone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy |work=trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov |access-date=21 February 2023}} | ||
| * |
* {{cite web |website=foreignaffairs.house.gov |url=https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/_cache/files/a/4/a4a91fab-99cd-4eb9-9c6c-ec1c586494b9/621801458E982E9903839ABC7404A917.chairmen-letter-on-state-departmnent-texts-10-03-19.pdf |title=Text messages between Kurt Volker, Gordon Sondland, Bill Taylor and Andrey Yermak |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004025005/https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/_cache/files/a/4/a4a91fab-99cd-4eb9-9c6c-ec1c586494b9/621801458E982E9903839ABC7404A917.chairmen-letter-on-state-departmnent-texts-10-03-19.pdf |archive-date=October 4, 2019 }} | ||
| * |
* {{cite news |last1=Karanth |first1=Sanjana |title=Everyone You Need To Know In The Trump-Ukraine Investigation |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/everyone-you-need-to-know-trump-ukraine_n_5dafb612e4b0f34e3a7e6fdc |work=]|date=October 31, 2019 }} | ||
| * |
* {{cite news |last1=Lawler |first1=Dave |title=Trump-Ukraine timeline: The key players, dates and documents |url=https://www.axios.com/timeline-trump-ukraine-investigation-2e91c79c-d33e-45c4-b78f-6b34bf597e5d.html |work=]|date=October 8, 2019 }} | ||
| * |
* {{cite news |title=Trump-Ukraine impeachment scandal: timeline of key events |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/09/trump-ukraine-impeachment-scandal-timeline-key-events |work=] |date=October 9, 2019 |access-date=22 February 2023 }} | ||
| * {{cite news |last1=Brannen |first1=Kate |title=A Who's Who of Ukraine Witnesses |url=https://www.justsecurity.org/66972/a-whos-who-of-ukraine-witnesses/ |work=Just Security |date=November 13, 2019 }} | |||
| * {{cite news |last1=Brooks |first1=Julia |last2=Dawley |first2=William |title=Public Document Clearinghouse: Ukraine Impeachment Trial |url=https://www.justsecurity.org/67076/public-document-clearinghouse-ukraine-impeachment-inquiry/ |work=Just Security |date=February 15, 2020 }} | |||
| * {{cite web |url=https://themoscowproject.org/ukraine-resources/ |title=Resources on Ukraine Scandal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303230527/https://themoscowproject.org/ukraine-resources/ |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |work=The Moscow Project |publisher=] }} | |||
| * {{cite journal |last1=McKee |first1=Seth C. |last2=Evans |first2=Heather K. |last3=Clark |first3=Jennifer Hayes |title=The 'PERFECT' Call: Congressional Representation by Tweet in the Midst of the Ukraine Whistleblower Scandal |journal=American Politics Research |date=January 2022 |volume=50 |issue=1 |pages=30–44 | issn=1532-673X |doi=10.1177/1532673X211041922 |s2cid=239625167 }} | |||
| * {{cite journal |last1=Trautman |first1=Lawrence |title=Impeachment, Donald Trump and the attempted extortion of Ukraine |journal=Pace Law Review |date=July 9, 2020 |volume=40 |issue=2 |pages=141–225 | issn=2331-3528 |doi=10.58948/2331-3528.2019 |ssrn=3518082 |url=https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/plr/vol40/iss2/4/ |doi-access=free }} | |||
| * {{cite book |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-45504-0_6 |chapter=President Trump: The Conquest of Backfire Scandal Management? |title=Presidents and Political Scandal |year=2020 |last1=Barberio |first1=Richard P. |pages=97–124 |isbn=978-3-030-45503-3 |s2cid=226657894 }} | |||
| * {{cite journal |last1=Galgoczy |first1=Michael C. |last2=Phatak |first2=Atharva |last3=Vinson |first3=Danielle |last4=Mago |first4=Vijay K. |last5=Giabbanelli |first5=Philippe J. |title=(Re)shaping online narratives: when bots promote the message of President Trump during his first impeachment |journal=PeerJ Computer Science |date=April 15, 2022 |volume=8 |pages=e947 | issn=2376-5992 |doi=10.7717/peerj-cs.947 |pmid=35494820 |pmc=9044321 |s2cid=248209361 |doi-access=free }} | |||
| {{Donald Trump}} | |||
| {{First presidency of Donald Trump}} | |||
| {{Rudy Giuliani}} | |||
| {{Joe Biden}} | |||
| {{First impeachment and impeachment trial of Donald Trump}} | |||
| {{Ukraine–United States relations}} | |||
| {{Legal affairs of Donald Trump}} | |||
| {{Authority control}} | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Trump-Ukraine scandal}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Trump-Ukraine scandal}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 19:27, 31 December 2024
U.S. political scandal that began in 2019 | This article may be too long to read and navigate comfortably. When this tag was added, its readable prose size was 18,000 words. Consider splitting content into sub-articles, condensing it, or adding subheadings. Please discuss this issue on the article's talk page. (May 2024) |
| Trump–Ukraine scandal |
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.jpg) A request by U.S. President Donald Trump (right) to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left) to investigate Joe Biden and his son sparked the scandal. |
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The Trump–Ukraine scandal was a political scandal that arose primarily from the discovery of U.S. President Donald Trump's attempts to coerce Ukraine into investigating his political rival Joe Biden and thus potentially damage Biden's campaign for the 2020 Democratic Party presidential nomination. Trump enlisted surrogates in and outside his administration, including personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and Attorney General William Barr, to pressure Ukraine and other governments to cooperate in supporting and legitimizing the bogus Biden–Ukraine conspiracy theory and other conspiracy theories concerning US politics. Trump blocked payment of a congressionally-mandated $400 million military aid package, in an attempt to obtain quid pro quo cooperation from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Contacts were established between the White House and government of Ukraine, culminating in a call between Trump and Zelenskyy on July 25, 2019.
Trump released the aid after becoming aware of a whistleblower complaint, before the complaint was known by Congress or the public. The scandal reached public attention in mid-September 2019 due to a whistleblower complaint made in August. The complaint raised concerns about Trump using powers to solicit foreign electoral intervention in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. The White House corroborated allegations raised by the whistleblower. A transcript of the Trump–Zelenskyy call confirmed Trump requested investigations into Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, as well as a conspiracy theory involving a Democratic National Committee server, while urging Zelenskyy to work with Giuliani and Barr on this.
Former acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said one reason why Trump withheld aid to Ukraine was Ukrainian "corruption related to the DNC server", referring to a debunked theory that Ukrainians framed Russia for hacking into the DNC system. Trump has publicly urged Ukraine and China to investigate the Bidens. The Trump administration's top diplomat to Ukraine, Bill Taylor, testified he was told aid to Ukraine and a Trump–Zelenskyy White House meeting were conditional on Zelenskyy announcing investigations into the Bidens and alleged Ukrainian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections. U.S. ambassador to the EU Gordon Sondland testified he worked with Giuliani at Trump's "express direction" to arrange a quid pro quo with the Ukraine government.
On September 24, 2019, the House of Representatives began a formal impeachment inquiry into Trump. On October 31, 2019, the House of Representatives voted to approve guidelines for the next phase of impeachment. Trump was impeached on charges of abusing the power of his office and obstructing Congress, but was acquitted by the Senate.
On December 3, 2019, as part of the inquiry, the House Intelligence Committee published a report detailing that "President Trump, personally and acting through agents within and outside of the U.S. government, solicited the interference of a foreign government, Ukraine, to benefit his reelection. ...President Trump conditioned official acts on a public announcement by the new Ukrainian president...of politically-motivated investigations, including one into Joe Biden, one of Trump's domestic political opponents. In pressuring President Zelenskyy to carry out his demand, President Trump withheld a White House meeting desperately sought by the Ukrainian President, and critical U.S. military assistance to fight Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine." In January 2020, the Government Accountability Office, a non-partisan watchdog, concluded the White House broke federal law by withholding Congress-approved military aid to Ukraine.
Background
The scandal came to light when a whistleblower report revealed that President Trump had asked Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in July 2019 to investigate Joe Biden, Trump's political opponent in the 2020 presidential election, his son Hunter Biden, and company CrowdStrike, to discuss these matters with Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and Attorney General William Barr. The allegations were confirmed by a non-verbatim summary of the conversation released by the White House. Trump acknowledged he had told Zelenskyy "we don't want our people like Vice President Biden and his son to the corruption already in the Ukraine." According to the whistleblower, the call was part of a wider campaign by Trump, his administration, and Giuliani to pressure Ukraine into investigating the Bidens, which may have included Trump's cancelling a scheduled trip to Ukraine by Vice President Mike Pence, and Trump withholding $400 million in military aid from Ukraine.
Immediately after the Trump–Zelenskyy call ended, White House national security aides discussed their deep concerns, with at least one National Security Council (NSC) official alerting White House national security lawyers. A text message between a State Department envoy to Ukraine and a Ukrainian official showed the envoy understood from the White House that a Zelenskyy visit with Trump was contingent upon Ukraine's investigating a conspiracy theory about alleged Ukrainian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Records of the Trump–Zelenskyy call were moved from the system where presidential call transcripts are typically stored to a system reserved for the government's most sensitive secrets. The Trump administration had also similarly restricted access to records of Trump's conversations with the leaders of China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. It was subsequently revealed that this placement was made for political rather than for national security reasons.
The first whistleblower complaint was filed on August 12, 2019, reportedly by a CIA officer detailed to the White House. It was based both on "direct knowledge of certain alleged conduct" and on the accounts of more than "half a dozen U.S. officials". The complaint was eventually released to congressional intelligence committees on September 25, 2019, and a redacted version of the complaint was made public the next day. On October 6, 2019, attorney Mark Zaid announced the existence of a second official whistleblower, an intelligence official with firsthand knowledge who had spoken with the inspector general of the Intelligence Community but had not yet contacted the congressional committees involved in the investigation.
The whistleblower's complaint prompted a referral to the Department of Justice Criminal Division. On September 25, a Department of Justice spokeswoman, Kerri Kupec, announced that the division had "concluded the matter" and determined that the call did not constitute a campaign finance violation. On October 3, after Trump publicly called for China and Ukraine to investigate Joe and Hunter Biden, Federal Election Commission (FEC) chair Ellen Weintraub reiterated that "it is illegal for any person to solicit, accept, or receive anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election."
Trump has denied all wrongdoing. He confirmed that he had withheld aid from Ukraine, while offering contradicting reasons for doing so. Trump first claimed it was withheld because of corruption in Ukraine, but later said it was because other nations, including those in Europe, were not contributing enough aid to Ukraine. European Union institutions provided more than twice the amount of aid to Ukraine than did the United States during 2016-17, and Trump's budget proposal sought to cut billions of dollars from U.S. initiatives to fight corruption and encourage reform in Ukraine and elsewhere.
Trump has repeatedly attacked the whistleblower and sought information about the whistleblower. In October 2019, after mentioning that the U.S. has "tremendous power" in the trade war with China "if they don't do what we want", Trump publicly urged Ukraine and China to investigate the Bidens. As of October 2019, there has been no evidence produced of any alleged wrongdoing by the Bidens. Trump, his supporters, and right-wing media have spread multiple conspiracy theories regarding Ukraine, the Bidens, the whistleblower, and the foreign interference in the 2016 election. The scope of the scandal expanded on October 9, when arrests were made by the FBI of two of Giuliani's clients involved in political and business affairs in the U.S. and Ukraine, as well as news two days later that Giuliani himself was under federal investigation.
President Donald Trump
Before this scandal came to light, U.S. president Donald Trump indicated he would accept foreign intelligence on his political rivals. In June 2019, Trump was interviewed by George Stephanopoulos, who asked: "If foreigners, if Russia, if China, if someone else offers you information on an opponent, should they accept it or should they call the FBI?" Trump responded: "I think maybe you do both. I think you might want to listen. I don't. There's nothing wrong with listening. If somebody called from a country—Norway—we have information on your opponent. Oh. I think I'd want to hear it." After Trump said this, the chair of the Federal Election Commission, Ellen Weintraub, reminded Americans that according to federal law: "It is illegal for any person to solicit, accept, or receive anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election." Previously in July 2016, while Trump was still a candidate in the 2016 United States presidential election, he made a request: "Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing" from 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's email server.
Ukraine and the Bidens
In 2014, the Obama administration was trying to provide diplomatic support to the post-2014 Ukrainian revolution Yatsenyuk government in Ukraine, and then-vice president Joe Biden was "at the forefront" of those efforts. Biden's son Hunter Biden joined the board of directors of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian energy company, on April 18, 2014. Hunter, then an attorney with Boies Schiller Flexner, was hired to help Burisma with corporate governance best practices, and a consulting firm in which Hunter is a partner was also retained by Burisma. In a December 2015 interview, Joe Biden said he had never discussed Hunter's work at Burisma. Joe Biden traveled to Ukrainian capital Kyiv on April 21, 2014, and urged the Ukrainian government "to reduce its dependence on Russia for supplies of natural gas". He discussed how the United States could help provide technical expertise for expanding domestic production of natural gas.
Since 2012, the Ukrainian prosecutor general had been investigating Burisma's owner, oligarch Mykola Zlochevsky, over allegations of money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption. In 2015, Viktor Shokin became the prosecutor general, inheriting the investigation. The Obama administration, other governments, and non-governmental organizations soon became concerned that Shokin was not adequately pursuing corruption in Ukraine, was protecting the political elite, and was regarded as "an obstacle to anti-corruption efforts". Among other issues, he was slow-walking the investigation into Zlochevsky and Burisma, to the extent that Obama administration officials were considering launching their own criminal investigation into the company for possible money laundering. Shokin has said he believes he was fired because of his Burisma investigation, where Hunter Biden was allegedly a subject. However, that investigation was dormant at the time Shokin was fired. In December 2015, then-vice president Biden visited Kyiv and informed the Ukrainian government that $1 billion in loan guarantees would be withheld unless anti-corruption reforms were implemented, including the removal of Shokin. Ukraine's parliament voted to dismiss Shokin in March 2016. The loan guarantees were finally approved on June 3, after additional reforms were made.
At the time, corruption in Ukraine was a matter of bipartisan concern in the U.S., with Republican Senators Rob Portman, Mark Kirk, and Ron Johnson co-signing a Senate Ukraine Caucus letter in February 2016 urging then-President Poroshenko to implement reforms, including "to press ahead with urgent reforms to the Prosecutor General's office". Biden was not alone in targeting Shokin for anti-corruption reasons; he was joined by other European and U.S. officials. Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt and the assistant secretary of state Victoria Nuland both said in 2015 that Shokin's office was failing to root out corruption. In March 2016, testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, former ambassador to Ukraine John E. Herbst stated, "By late fall of 2015, the EU and the United States joined the chorus of those seeking Mr. Shokin's removal" and that Joe Biden "spoke publicly about this before and during his December visit to Kyiv."
During the same hearing, Nuland stated, "we have pegged our next $1 billion loan guarantee, first and foremost, to having a rebooting of the reform coalition so that we know who we are working with, but secondarily, to ensuring that the prosecutor general's office gets cleaned up." Meanwhile, protests within Ukraine were calling for Shokin's removal, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also threatened to delay $40 billion of aid in light of corruption in Ukraine. Anders Åslund, a resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said that "Everyone in the Western community wanted Shokin sacked ... The whole G-7, the IMF, the EBRD , everybody was united that Shokin must go, and the spokesman for this was Joe Biden." The European Union eventually praised Shokin's dismissal due to a "lack of tangible results" of his office's investigations, and also because people in Shokin's office were themselves being investigated.
As of May 16, 2019, when the prosecutor general's office cleared Biden and his son of alleged corruption, there is no evidence that Biden acted to protect his son's involvement with Burisma, although Trump, Giuliani, and their allies have fueled speculation. Shokin's successor, Yuriy Lutsenko, initially took a hard line against Burisma, but within a year, Lutsenko announced that all legal proceedings and pending criminal allegations against Zlochevsky had been "fully closed". In a related 2014 investigation by the United Kingdom, British authorities froze U.K. bank accounts tied to Zlochevsky; however, the investigation was later closed due to a lack of evidence. Lutsenko said in May 2019 that there was no evidence of wrongdoing by the Bidens, but he was planning to provide information to Attorney General William Barr about Burisma board payments so American authorities could verify whether Hunter Biden had paid U.S. taxes.
In November 2019, Senator Rand Paul asserted that the whistleblower "is a material witness to the possible corruption of Hunter Biden and Joe Biden," adding, " might have traveled with Joe Biden to Ukraine for all we know," calling for investigators to subpoena the whistleblower. Asked for evidence to support his allegations, Paul replied, "we don't know unless we ask." Senator Lindsey Graham, the Senate Judiciary Committee chair, responded by saying "What basis does he have to say that? He needs to tell us ... You can't ask members , 'Do you want to subpoena this guy?' He might be this, he might be that."
Rudy Giuliani
Since at least May 2019, Giuliani has been pushing for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the newly elected president of Ukraine, to investigate Burisma, as well as to check if there were any irregularities in the Ukrainian investigation of Paul Manafort. On May 7, Zelenskyy and a group of his advisors had a three-hour meeting to discuss how to respond to Trump and Giuliani's pressure and how to avoid becoming involved in domestic American politics. Giuliani said the investigations he sought would be beneficial to President Trump, his client, and that his efforts had Trump's full support. Giuliani's efforts began as an attempt to provide cover for Trump to pardon Manafort, who had been convicted of eight felony counts in August 2018.
On May 10, Giuliani canceled a scheduled trip to Ukraine where he had intended to urge president-elect Zelenskyy to pursue inquiries into Hunter Biden, as well as whether Democrats colluded with Ukrainians to release information about Manafort. Giuliani claimed he has sworn statements from five Ukrainians stating they were brought into the Obama White House in January 2016 and told to "go dig up dirt on Trump and Manafort", although he has not produced evidence for the claim. Giuliani asserted he cancelled the trip because he had been "set up" by Ukrainians who objected to his efforts, and blamed Democrats for trying to "spin" the trip. Giuliani met with Ukrainian officials to press for an investigation in June 2019 and August 2019.
As early as May 2019, as State Department officials planned to meet with Zelenskyy, Trump told them to circumvent official channels for planning this meeting and instead to work with Giuliani. In July 2019, days before Trump made his phone call to Zelenskyy, Giuliani participated in a 40-minute phone call with U.S. diplomat Kurt Volker and Andriy Yermak, a senior adviser to Zelenskyy. On this call, Giuliani said that if Zelenskyy were to publicly announce an investigation into Biden, it would help Zelenskyy have "a much better relationship" with Trump.
Responding to a motion by the liberal watchdog group American Oversight, on October 23 a federal judge gave the State Department 30 days to release Ukraine-related records, including communications between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Rudy Giuliani. On November 22, the State Department released internal emails and documents that bolstered Gordon Sondland's congressional testimony that Pompeo participated in Giuliani's activities relating to Ukraine. The documents also showed the State Department had deliberately deceived Congress about the rationale for Yovanovitch's removal as ambassador.
During his call with Zelenskyy, Trump said, "I will ask to call you along with the attorney general. Rudy very much knows what's happening and he is a very capable guy. If you could speak to him that would be great." In November, Trump denied directing Giuliani to go to Ukraine, but days after his impeachment acquittal acknowledged that he had. Giuliani had asserted in September that "everything I did was to defend my client."
Naftogaz
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Since March 2019, while Giuliani was pressing the Ukrainian administration to investigate the Bidens, a group of businessmen and Republican donors used their ties to Trump and Giuliani to try to replace the leadership of Ukrainian state-owned oil and gas company Naftogaz. The group sought to have Naftogaz contracts granted to businesses owned by allies of Trump, but this effort hit a setback when Volodymyr Zelenskyy won the 2019 Ukrainian Presidential Election. During a state visit for President Zelenskyy's inauguration in May, former Secretary of Energy Rick Perry reportedly pressured President Zelenskyy to fire members of the Naftogaz supervisory board, but Perry denied this, stating in a press conference on October 7: "That was a totally dreamed-up story". On October 10, Perry was issued a subpoena by the House Intelligence Committee, the House Oversight Committee, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, partially concerning his interactions with Naftogaz.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Perry planned to have Amos Hochstein, a former Obama administration official, replaced as a member of the board at Naftogaz with someone aligned with Republican interests. Perry denied the reports.
Dmytry Firtash
Dmytry Firtash is a Ukrainian oligarch who is prominent in the natural gas sector. In 2017, the Justice Department characterized him as being an "upper echelon (associate) of Russian organized crime". Living in Vienna, Austria, for five years he has been fighting extradition to the U.S. on bribery and racketeering charges, and has been seeking to have the charges dropped. Firtash's attorneys obtained a September statement from Viktor Shokin, the former Ukrainian prosecutor general who was forced out under pressure from multiple countries and non-governmental organizations, as conveyed to Ukraine by Joe Biden. Shokin asserted in the statement that Biden actually had him fired because he refused to stop his investigation into Burisma. Giuliani, who asserts he has "nothing to do with" and has "never met or talked to" Firtash, has promoted the statement in television appearances as purported evidence of wrongdoing by the Bidens. Giuliani told CNN he met with a Firtash attorney for two hours in New York City at the time he was seeking information about the Bidens.
Firtash is represented by Trump and Giuliani associates Joseph diGenova and his wife Victoria Toensing, having hired them on Lev Parnas's recommendation. The New York Times reported in November that Giuliani had directed Parnas to approach Firtash with the recommendation, with the proposition that Firtash could help to provide compromising information on Biden, which Parnas's attorney described was "part of any potential resolution to extradition matter". Shokin's statement notes that it was prepared "at the request of lawyers acting for Dmitry Firtash". Bloomberg News reported on October 18 that during the summer of 2019 Firtash associates began attempting to dig up dirt on the Bidens in an effort to solicit Giuliani's assistance with Firtash's legal matters, as well as hiring diGenova and Toensing in July. Bloomberg News also reported that its sources told them Giuliani's high-profile publicity of the Shokin statement had greatly reduced the chances of the Justice Department dropping the charges against Firtash, as it would appear to be a political quid pro quo.
Later that day, The New York Times reported that weeks earlier, before his associates Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman were indicted, Giuliani met with officials with the criminal and fraud divisions of the Justice Department regarding what Giuliani characterized as a "very, very sensitive" foreign bribery case involving a client of his. Barr also attended the meeting. The Times did not name whom the case involved, but shortly after publication of the story Giuliani told a reporter it was not Firtash. Two days later, the Justice Department stated its officials would not have met with Giuliani had they known his associates were under investigation by the SDNY. diGenova has said he has known attorney general Bill Barr for thirty years, as they both worked in the Reagan Justice Department. The Washington Post reported on October 22 that after they began representing Firtash, Toensing and diGenova secured a rare face-to-face meeting with Barr to argue the Firtash charges should be dropped. Prior to that mid-August meeting, Barr had been briefed in detail on the initial whistleblower complaint within the CIA that had been forwarded to the Justice Department, as well as on Giuliani's activities in Ukraine. Barr declined to intervene in the Firtash case.
Firtash made his fortune brokering Ukrainian imports of natural gas from the Russian firm Gazprom. As vice president, Joe Biden had urged the Ukrainian government to eliminate middlemen such as Firtash from the country's natural gas industry, and to reduce the country's reliance on imports of Russian natural gas. Firtash denied involvement in collecting or financing damaging information on the Bidens.
Kashyap Patel
Kashyap Patel was a national security aide for the House Intelligence Committee, under Congressman Nunes (R, CA.) during the first years of the Trump administration. He was the key author of a controversial memo which was central to the Republican narrative that FBI and DOJ officials inappropriately obtained FISA warrants for several of Trump campaign staffers, including Carter Page. Weeks later, the memo was deemed biased, consisting of "cherry picked facts". After the leadership changeover in of the House of Representatives, Patel was hired as a staffer for President Trump's National Security Council. Within months it was suspected that he had assumed the role of an additional independent back channel for the President, which was seen as potentially detrimental to American policy in Ukraine. It was noticed that during NSC meetings Patel took few notes and was underqualified for his portfolio, the United Nations. Politico reports this position was actually created specifically for Patel. Red flags were raised when President Trump referred to Patel as "one of his top Ukraine policy specialists" and as such wished "to discuss related documents with him". Patel's actual assignment has been counter-terrorism issues, rather than Ukraine. He was thought to have operated independently of Giuliani's irregular, informal channel. Impeachment inquiry witnesses have been asked what they know about Patel. Fiona Hill told investigators that it seems "Patel was improperly becoming involved in Ukraine policy and was sending information to Mr. Trump." Sondland and Kent testified they did not come across Patel in the course of their work.
On December 3, 2019, the House Intelligence Committee's report included phone records, acquired via subpoenas to AT&T and/or Verizon Wireless, including a 25-minute phone call between Patel and Giuliani on May 10, 2019. The call occurred after Giuliani and Patel attempted to call each other for several hours, and less than an hour after a call between Giuliani and Kurt Volker. Five minutes after the 25-minute call between Giuliani and Patel, an unidentified "-1" phone number called Giuliani for over 17 minutes, after which Giuliani called his now-indicted associate Lev Parnas for approximately 12 minutes.
In a statement to CBS News on December 4, Patel denied being part of Giuliani's Ukraine back-channel, saying he was "never a back channel to President Trump on Ukraine matters, at all, ever", and that his call with Giuliani was "personal".
After Richard Grenell was named acting Director of National Intelligence in February 2020, Patel was added as a senior adviser on February 20.
Following the termination of Secretary Mark Esper in November 2020, Patel became the chief of staff for acting Defense Secretary Christopher C. Miller.
Campaign against Marie Yovanovitch
As early as April 2018, Rudy Giuliani and his associates Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman had apparently decided to assist President Trump's re-election efforts and they identified the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch as being a difficulty. Yovanovitch had spent her thirty-year career working as a diplomat and was announced as the nominee for U.S. ambassador to Ukraine on May 18, 2016, to replace Geoff Pyatt. Yovanovitch was respected within the national security community for her efforts to encourage Ukraine to tackle corruption, and during her tenure had sought to strengthen the Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau, which had been created to bolster efforts to fight corruption in Ukraine.
As U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Yovanovitch became the target of a conspiracy-driven smear campaign. Allegations against her were then made by Trump's personal attorney Giuliani, as well as conservative commentator John Solomon of The Hill and Ukraine's then-top prosecutor, Yuri Lutsenko, who accused her of being part of a conspiracy involving anti-corruption probes in Ukraine and efforts by the Trump administration to investigate ties between Ukrainian officials and the Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaign. Lutsenko, who has been accused by Ukrainian civil society organizations of corruption, claimed that Yovanovitch, an Obama administration appointee, had interfered in Ukraine politics, had given him a "do-not-prosecute" list and was interfering in his ability to combat corruption in Ukraine. The U.S. State Department said that Lutsenko's allegations against Yovanovitch were "an outright fabrication" and indicated that they were a "classic disinformation campaign." Lutsenko subsequently recanted his claims of a "do-not-prosecute" list.
In testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, George Kent, the deputy assistant secretary for the State Department's Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, described the narratives about Ukraine told by Solomon and right-wing Fox News personalities Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham as "entirely made up in full cloth". Their information was based on Solomon's interview(s) with a drunken Yuriy Lutsenko, the corrupt former Ukrainian prosecutor. Solomon's stories were nonetheless amplified by President Trump, his son Donald Trump Jr., Giuliani, Solomon, and conservative media outlets. Ukrainians who opposed Yovanovitch were also sources for Giuliani, who "was on a months-long search for political dirt in Ukraine to help President Trump." Giuliani confirmed in a November 2019 interview that he believed he "needed Yovanovitch out of the way" because she was going to make his investigations difficult.
On April 24, 2019, after complaints from Giuliani and other Trump allies that Yovanovitch was undermining and obstructing Trump's efforts to persuade Ukraine to investigate former vice president and 2020 presidential election candidate Joe Biden, Trump ordered Yovanovitch's recall. She returned to Washington, D.C., on April 25, with her recall becoming public knowledge on May 7, and her mission as ambassador being terminated on May 20, 2019. In a July 25, 2019, phone call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy (the contents of which became public on September 25, 2019), Trump pressured the Ukrainian government to investigate Biden and disparaged Yovanovitch to his foreign counterpart, calling her "bad news".
Documents to the House Intelligence Committee provided by Lev Parnas outlined text exchanges in which Lutsenko pushed for the ouster of Yovanovitch and in return offered to provide damaging information on Joe Biden. In Russian-language messages, Lutsenko told Parnas that Yovanovitch—referred to as "madam"—should be ousted before he would make helpful public statements; for example, in a March 22, 2019 WhatsApp message to Parnas, Lutsenko wrote, "It's just that if you don't make a decision about Madam—you are calling into question all my declarations. Including about B." It is thought that Lutsenko targeted Yovanovitch due to her anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine. One week before an April 1, 2019, conference on anti-corruption, Parnas exchanged encrypted WhatsApp text messages with Robert F. Hyde that indicated the ambassador was under surveillance and that her security was at risk. Hyde claimed he had merely forwarded messages received from a Belgium citizen named Anthony de Caluwe. After the House Intelligence Committee released the text messages, de Caluwe initially denied any involvement, but then reversed himself, saying that he had in fact sent the messages to Hyde but that the messages were a joke and "just a part of a ridiculous banter."
An audio tape from April 2018, recorded at a private dinner between Trump and top donors and made public by ABC News in January 2020, captures Trump demanding Yovanovitch's removal, saying: "Get rid of her! Get her out tomorrow. I don't care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. Okay? Do it." The recording appeared to corroborate Parnas's account that he had told Trump that night that Yovanovitch was working against him.
Yovanovitch's abrupt ouster shocked and outraged career State Department diplomats. Acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker, the chief diplomat for U.S. policy for Europe, testified that he had urged top State Department officials David Hale and T. Ulrich Brechbuhl, to issue a statement expressing strong support for Yovanovitch, but that top State Department leadership rejected this proposal. Former senior U.S. diplomats Philip H. Gordon and Daniel Fried, who served as assistant secretaries of state for European and Eurasian Affairs and as National Security Council staffers under presidents of both parties, praised Yovanovitch and condemned Trump's "egregious mistreatment of one of the country's most distinguished ambassadors," writing that this had demoralized the U.S. diplomatic corps and undermined U.S. foreign policy. The American Foreign Service Association and American Academy of Diplomacy, representing members of the U.S. diplomatic corps, expressed alarm at Trump's disparagement of Yovanovitch in his call with Zelenskyy. Michael McKinley, a career foreign service officer who served as ambassador to four countries and had been chief adviser to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, resigned in October 2019 in protest of Trump's attacks against Yovanovitch and "the State Department's unwillingness to protect career diplomats from politically motivated pressure." Yovanovitch's ouster became one of the issues explored in the House of Representatives impeachment inquiry against Trump; her recall was termed "a political hit job" by Democratic members of Congress. Trump subsequently said she was "no angel" and falsely claimed that Yovanovitch had refused to hang his portrait.
Communications with Ukrainian officials
On September 20, 2019, The Washington Post reported that Trump had in a July 25 phone conversation repeatedly pressed Ukrainian president Zelenskyy to investigate matters relating to Hunter Biden. The New York Times reported that Trump told Zelenskyy to speak to Giuliani, and according to The Wall Street Journal, he urged Zelenskyy "about eight times" to work with Giuliani and investigate Biden's son. On September 22, Trump acknowledged he had discussed Joe Biden during the call with Zelenskyy, and that he had said: "We don't want our people like Vice President Biden and his son creating [sic] to the corruption already in the Ukraine. [sic]" As of October 2019, there has been no evidence produced of any of the alleged wrongdoing by the Bidens.
The Wall Street Journal reported on September 30 that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also listened in on the call. Two days later, The Washington Post reported that Vice President Mike Pence's national security advisor Keith Kellogg had listened in on the call as well, and that "Pence should have had access to the transcript within hours." Others on the line included Tim Morrison, the National Security Council's senior director for Europe and Russia; Robert Blair, an aide to Mick Mulvaney; and Alexander Vindman, a Ukraine expert for the NSC.
Days before Trump's July 25 call with Zelenskyy, Giuliani spoke on the phone with Zelenskyy aide Andriy Yermak about a Biden investigation, as well as a prospective White House meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump that was sought by Ukrainian officials. According to Zelenskyy's advisor Serhiy Leshchenko, Trump was willing to have a phone conversation with Zelenskyy only on the precondition that they discuss the possibility of investigating the Biden family. Leshchenko later sought to backtrack his comments, saying he did not know if officials had viewed discussing Biden as a precondition for a meeting.
Text messages given to Congress by special envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker in October suggest that Zelenskyy's aide Yermak was told that Zelenskyy would be invited for a White House visit only if he promised to carry out the requested investigations. On July 25, just before Trump's phone call, Volker texted to Yermak: "heard from White House—assuming President Z convinces trump he will investigate / 'get to the bottom of what happened' in 2016, we will nail down date for visit to Washington."
On September 25, the administration released the White House's five-page, declassified memorandum of the July 25 phone call between Trump and Zelenskyy. In the call, Trump pressed for an investigation into the Bidens and CrowdStrike, saying: "I would like to have the attorney general call you or your people and I would like you to get to the bottom of it." Trump falsely told Zelenskyy "Biden went around bragging that he stopped the prosecution" of his son, Hunter; Biden did not stop any prosecution, did not brag about doing so, and there is no evidence his son was ever under investigation.
Trump also presented Giuliani as a key U.S. contact for Ukraine, although Giuliani holds no official U.S. government position. Trump said three times that he would ask both Attorney General Barr and Giuliani to call Zelenskyy, and added: "So whatever you can do with the attorney general would be great." In response, Zelenskyy said his candidate for Ukraine's chief prosecutor "will look into the situation, specifically to the company that you mentioned in this issue". After Zelenskyy said this, Trump offered to meet with Zelenskyy at the White House. On the same call with Zelenskyy, Trump espoused the conspiracy theory that Hillary Clinton's email server was in Ukraine; criticized the U.S.'s European allies (in particular Germany), and disparaged the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, a career U.S. diplomat whom the Trump administration had abruptly recalled two months earlier. Trump told Zelenskyy that Yovanovitch was "going to go through some things".
During the conversation, Zelenskyy mentioned that on his last visit to the U.S., he had stayed in Trump Tower. Ethics advocacy groups described this comment as an attempt to curry favor.
Shortly after the conversation, White House aides began asking one another whether they should alert other senior officials who had not participated. The first whistleblower described one White House official as being "visibly shaken by what had transpired". In a July 26 memo, the whistleblower reported, "The official stated that there was already a conversation underway with White House lawyers about how to handle the discussion because, in the official's view, the president had clearly committed a criminal act by urging a foreign power to investigate a U.S. person for the purposes of advancing his own re-election bid in 2020."
During the period prior to and immediately after the July 25 call, at least four national security officials warned National Security Council legal adviser John Eisenberg that the Trump administration was attempting to pressure Ukraine for political purposes.
Days after the Trump call, Giuliani met with Yermak in Madrid. Giuliani said on September 23 that the State Department had asked him to "go on a mission for them" to speak with Yermak. The State Department had said on August 22 that its Ukraine envoy Volker had connected the men, but that Giuliani was acting as a private citizen and Trump attorney, although he briefed the State Department after the trip. Giuliani said he told Yermak, "Your country owes it to us and to your country to find out what really happened." Yermak said he was not clear if Giuliani was representing Trump, but Giuliani said he was not, and the White House referred questions about Giuliani's role to the State Department, which did not respond. Appearing on television on September 19, Giuliani first denied he had asked Ukrainian officials to investigate Joe Biden, but moments later said, "Of course I did." Former prosecutor Yuri Lutsenko told the Los Angeles Times Giuliani had repeatedly demanded that the Ukrainians investigate the Biden family. "I told him I could not start an investigation just for the interests of an American official," Lutsenko informed the Times.
In August, Volker and American ambassador to the EU Gordon Sondland drafted a statement they wanted Zelenskyy to read publicly that would commit Ukraine to investigate Burisma and the conspiracy theory that Ukraine interfered with the 2016 election to benefit Hillary Clinton. However, Zelenskyy never made the statement. Volker also provided to congressional investigators a September text message exchange between Sondland, a major Trump donor and political appointee, and Bill Taylor, a career diplomat who was the senior official at the Ukrainian embassy after the recall of Ambassador Yovanovitch. In the messages, Taylor wrote: "I think it's crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign." Four hours later, after speaking with Trump, Sondland responded: "Bill, I believe you are incorrect about President Trump's intentions. The president has been crystal clear: no quid pro quos of any kind." He then suggested they continue discussing the matter by phone rather than text.
The Washington Post reported on October 12 that Sondland would tell congressional investigators the following week that he had relayed Trump's assertion of no quid pro quo, but he did not know if it was actually true. NBC News reported the night before Sondland's testimony that he told Ukrainian officials visiting the White House that a Trump–Zelenskyy meeting was conditioned on Ukraine opening an investigation, and discussed Burisma with them. The Wall Street Journal reported in November 2019 that prior to the Trump–Zelenskyy call, Sondland had kept several administration officials apprised via email of his efforts to persuade Ukraine to open investigations.
American embassy officials in Kyiv repeatedly expressed concerns about Giuliani's meetings, and during closed-door congressional testimony on October 4, Volker reportedly said he had warned Giuliani that Ukrainian political figures were giving him untrustworthy information about the Bidens. He also testified that Joe Biden was a "man of integrity", saying: "I have known former vice president Biden for 24 years, and the suggestion that he would be influenced in his duties as vice president by money for his son simply has no credibility to me. I know him as a man of integrity and dedication to our country."
Memorandum record of the July 25 phone call
The first whistleblower's report said that "senior White House officials had intervened to 'lock down' all records of the phone call", an act that indicated those officials "understood the gravity of what had transpired". They performed the "lock down" by placing the record of the call on a top-secret server intended for the most highly classified material, under the direction of John Eisenberg. It was later confirmed that on orders from National Security Council attorneys, the call with Ukraine was moved from TNet, the regular NSC computer system, to the top-secret codeword NICE system, reserved for closely guarded secrets. On September 27, it was reported that records of calls with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Russia had also been stored on NICE.
On September 27, the White House acknowledged that a record of the call between Trump and Zelenskyy was sealed in a highly classified system, as per the advice of National Security Council lawyers.
On the same day, it was reported that the records of Trump's Oval Office meeting with Russian officials in May 2017 had been unusually closely held, with distribution limited to a few officials. White House advisor Kellyanne Conway said the procedure for handling records of Trump's calls with world leaders had been tightened early in 2017 because of leaks to the press about his conversations with the president of Mexico and the prime minister of Australia.
It was subsequently revealed that this placement on the top-secret server was made for political rather than for national security reasons, which are the only valid reasons to use such a server, and that it happened after the White House's top Ukraine adviser, Alexander Vindman, told White House lawyer John Eisenberg that "what the president did was wrong". This conversation occurred immediately after Trump's phone call with Zelenskyy, and, according to people familiar with Vindman's account, it was Eisenberg who proposed this placement and restriction of access to the "Memorandum of Telephone Conversation" (i.e., the "rough transcript" of the phone call).
On October 2, Trump falsely asserted that the publicly released memorandum was "an exact word-for-word transcript of the conversation". Analysts noted that its use of ellipses to denote omitted material was uncommon for government transcripts, and that it was surprisingly brief for a thirty-minute conversation, even allowing for the time delays due to the use of an interpreter. During his October 29 testimony, European Affairs Lt. Col Alexander Vindman said the memorandum of the call released by the White House omitted crucial words and phrases, including Trump asserting that recordings exist of Joe Biden discussing Ukraine corruption, which Trump stated in the third set of ellipses in the released memorandum. Vindman said he tried but failed to restore the omitted text. A senior White House official had asserted when the Memorandum was released that the ellipses "do not indicate missing words or phrases", but rather "a trailing off of a voice or pause". The New York Times states that "There is no recording of the July 25 call by the American side."
Both attorney general Bill Barr and White House counsel Pat Cipollone had recommended Trump publicly release the memorandum, asserting it showed the president did nothing wrong. During ensuing days, Trump and his allies strongly encouraged the public to read the "transcript", even as the consensus view of legal analysts was that the memorandum implicated rather than exonerated the president. Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney advised Trump that releasing the memorandum had been a mistake, causing the president to become irked by the advice Barr had given him.
Withholding of Ukrainian military aid
Further information: United States foreign aid, Russian military intervention in Ukraine (2014–present), Cold War II, Proxy war, and Ukraine–United States relationsThe U.S. Congress had mandated increased military aid to Ukraine over the period of Trump's presidency. Congress appropriated $400 million in military aid to Ukraine for fiscal year 2019, to be used to spend on weapons and other equipment as well as programs to assist the Ukrainian military in combating threats from Putin's Russia and Russian-backed separatists of the self-proclaimed separatist entities in eastern Ukraine. The administration notified Congress in February 2019 and May 2019 that it intended to release this aid to Ukraine, with the Defense Department certifying that Ukraine had made sufficient progress in fighting corruption. Despite the notifications to Congress, in June 2019, the Trump administration placed military aid to Ukraine on hold. The date of the hold was originally reported as mid-July. The Washington Post reported on September 23 that at least a week before his July 25 call with Zelenskyy, Trump directed his acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney to withhold $400 million in military aid to Ukraine. This directive was conveyed by the Office of Management and Budget to the State Department and Pentagon, stating Trump had concerns about whether the money should be spent, with instructions to tell lawmakers the funds were being delayed due to an "interagency process". The New York Times reported that "high-level Ukrainian officials" were aware that the Trump administration had purposely frozen the military aid by the first week of August 2019, and they were told to contact Mick Mulvaney to resolve the matter.
During an October 17 press conference, White House acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said he "was involved with the process" of the freezing of military aid. Mulvaney gave his account of why Trump decided to hold back military aid to Ukraine. One, Trump felt the other European countries were not doing enough. Two, Trump felt Ukraine was a "corrupt place" which included having "corruption related to the DNC server" with regard to "what happened in 2016". As a result, reporter Jonathan Karl told Mulvaney "what you just described is a quid pro quo. It is: 'Funding will not flow unless the investigation into the Democratic server happens as well.'" Mulvaney replied to Karl: "We do that all the time with foreign policy ... Get over it. There's going to be political influence in foreign policy." Later in the press conference, Mulvaney quoted a third reason on why military aid was frozen—they had yet to cooperate with a U.S. Justice Department investigation into alleged Ukrainian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
After media reports of Mulvaney's comments circulated, Republicans joined Trump's aides and legal counsel in distancing themselves from his remarks. A senior official in the Justice Department stated: "If the White House was withholding aid from Ukraine with regard to any investigation by the Justice Department, that's news to us." Hours later on the same day where he had issued the press conference, Mulvaney criticized the media for their coverage of his comments and denied his earlier remarks, saying that there was "no quid pro quo" regarding the withholding of aid and requests to investigate the Democrats' behavior during the 2016 election.
In the July 25 call with Trump, Zelenskyy thanked Trump for the U.S.'s "great support in the area of defense", an apparent reference to military aid, and expressed an interest in acquiring more missiles. Trump replied, "I would like you to do us a favor though," suggesting an investigation into CrowdStrike, an American cybersecurity firm that investigated the cyberattacks against the Democratic National Committee in 2015 and 2016. CrowdStrike was one of three firms whose analysis assisted the U.S. intelligence community in determining that Russian intelligence was responsible for the DNC hack. Trump also asked Zelenskyy to investigate Joe Biden and his son. Ukraine relies on extensive American military aid to fight Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas, and the Trump administration's suspension of the congressionally-mandated aid was reportedly a shock to Ukrainian government officials who found out about it only "much later, and then through nonofficial channels". Trump's addition of the word "though" has been interpreted as a condition made by Trump that his decisions would be based on Ukraine's compliance with his requests.
On September 9, on hearing about the whistleblower complaint, three Democratic-controlled House committees—the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Oversight and Reform—announced they would investigate whether Trump and Giuliani attempted to coerce Ukraine into investigating the Bidens by withholding the military aid. On September 11, the Trump administration released the aid.
In a September 20 tweet, Giuliani appeared to confirm suspicion that there was a connection between the withholding of military assistance funds and the investigation he and Trump wanted Ukraine to undertake. He said: "The reality is that the President of the United States, whoever he is, has every right to tell the president of another country you better straighten out the corruption in your country if you want me to give you a lot of money. If you're so damn corrupt that you can't investigate allegations—our money is going to get squandered." Trump himself appeared to make a similar connection on September 23, telling reporters: "We want to make sure that country is honest. It's very important to talk about corruption. If you don't talk about corruption, why would you give money to a country that you think is corrupt?" Trump later denied pressuring Ukraine.
While the aid was restored in time to prevent any military setbacks, Trump's withholding of military aid took a heavy psychological toll on the Ukraine soldiers. Trump has offered inconsistent justifications for withholding the aid. He originally said that the aid was withheld due to "corruption" in the country and that the topic of conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy was about "the fact that we don't want our people, like vice-president Biden and his son, to the corruption already in the Ukraine". He later disputed his original statement and said the aid was initially held back due to a lack of similar contribution from other European nations.
Republican senator Ron Johnson told The Wall Street Journal in October that American ambassador Gordon Sondland told him in August that military aid to Ukraine was linked to the desire of Trump and his allies for the Ukrainian government to investigate matters related to the 2016 American elections. Sondland told a State department diplomat in September via text message that there was no quid pro quo. On October 12, however, The Washington Post reported that, according to a person familiar with Sondland's testimony, Sondland plans to testify to Congress that the content of that text message "was relayed to him directly by President Trump in a phone call" and that he did not know if the claim denying quid pro quo was actually true.
The Wall Street Journal reported on October 10 that career civil servants at the Office of Management and Budget were concerned about the legality of freezing the aid funds, and that the White House granted a political appointee, Michael Duffey, the authority to keep the aid on hold. Partially redacted OMB emails released to the Center for Public Integrity on December 20 showed that Duffey initiated action to freeze the Ukrainian aid about 90 minutes after the July 25 Trump–Zelenskyy call, writing to OMB and Pentagon officials, "given the sensitive nature of the request, I appreciate your keeping that information closely held to those who need to know to execute direction." Unredacted versions of the emails subsequently acquired by Just Security showed that the Pentagon repeatedly pushed back against the hold, citing legal concerns, but Duffey stated, "clear direction from POTUS to continue to hold". Just Security reported that the original redactions had been made by the Justice Department. Another series of heavily redacted emails released on January 21, 2020, showed that the OMB was laying the groundwork to freeze the Ukraine aid on the night of July 24, prior to the July 25 Trump–Zelenskyy call. An enclosed "Ukraine Prep Memo" was redacted in its entirety.
On January 16, 2020, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a non-partisan watchdog agency, concluded that the White House broke federal law by withholding of Congress-approved military aid to Ukraine. The agency concluded that the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 had been violated because Congress' legislated policy had been supplanted by President Trump's own policy. The agency also concluded that the withholding "was not a programmatic delay", in spite of the Trump administration's claim that it was so.
As the second week of the Trump impeachment trial was set to begin in January 2020, The New York Times reported that Bolton wrote in his forthcoming book that the president had told him in August 2019 that he wanted to continue freezing the Ukraine aid until officials there pursued investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens.
Withholding of White House visit
In a May 2019 letter congratulating Zelenskyy on his election, Trump raised the possibility of a White House visit. However, during the next few months as Giuliani and some State Department officials pressed Zelenskyy to investigate Burisma and the 2016 election, a White House visit became one of the inducements offered or withheld depending on Zelenskyy's cooperation.
Bill Taylor, the United States' senior diplomatic official in Ukraine, testified in a congressional hearing that he learned in mid-July 2019 that a potential White House meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy "was conditioned on the investigations of Burisma and alleged Ukrainian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections".
Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union who became Trump's primary connection to Ukraine, testified that Trump had told him he was "skeptical that Ukraine was serious about reforms and anti-corruption" and directed him to speak to Giuliani about his concerns. Sondland began working with Giuliani and conveyed the message about investigations to the Ukrainians. In August, Sondland texted that the White House visit would be scheduled just as soon as Zelenskyy confirmed that he would issue a public statement about investigations into the Bidens and the 2016 election. In his November 20 testimony before the impeachment hearings, Sondland testified that the White House visit was conditioned on a public Ukrainian announcement of investigation into Burisma and the 2016 election, which he described as a quid pro quo.
In testimony before congressional committees, the National Security Council's head of European Affairs, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, testified that Sondland had told Ukrainian officials in his presence that they would have to launch investigations into the Bidens in order to get a meeting with Trump. He said Sondland indicated that "everything"—including the military aid and the White House visit—was on the table pending Zelenskyy's public announcement of such an investigation.
Whistleblower complaints
First whistleblower complaint
Submission of complaint and withholding from Congress
On August 12, 2019, an unnamed CIA officer filed a whistleblower complaint with Michael Atkinson, the inspector general of the Intelligence Community (ICIG), under the provisions of the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act (ICWPA). Atkinson looked into the complaint and interviewed several government officials whom the whistleblower identified as having information to substantiate his claims. On August 26, having found the complaint to be both "credible" and "of urgent concern" (as defined by the ICWPA), and noting the "subject matter expertise" of the whistleblower, Atkinson transmitted the complaint to Joseph Maguire, the acting director of national intelligence (DNI). Prior to the whistleblower filing the formal ICIG complaint, the individual notified the CIA of his/her concerns, which were then relayed to the White House and Justice Department. The New York Times reported in November that Trump was told of the whistleblower complaint in late August, before it was known by Congress and before the Ukraine aid was released.
Maguire withheld the complaint from congressional intelligence committees, citing the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel's rationale that the whistleblower complaint did not relate to an "intelligence activity within the responsibility and authority" of the acting DNI. Maguire also testified that the whistleblower "followed the law every step of the way". In an October 2019 letter, about 70 inspectors general from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency sharply criticized the Justice Department's decision to withhold the complaint from Congress, recommending the OLC memo be withdrawn or amended because it "effectively overruled the determination by the ICIG regarding an 'urgent concern' complaint" that the ICIG concluded was "credible and therefore needed to be transmitted to Congress".
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 Maguire's testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, September 26, 2019, C-SPAN |
Under ICWPA, the DNI "shall" within seven days of receipt forward the complaint to the Senate and House Intelligence Committees. Maguire did not do so, and the deadline passed on September 2. On September 9 Atkinson wrote to several lawmakers, telling them about the existence of the whistleblower report, which Maguire had not forwarded to Congress. On September 10, House Intelligence Committee (HPSCI) chairman Adam Schiff wrote to Maguire, asking why he had not provided it. According to Schiff, Maguire said he had been told to withhold it on direction from a "higher authority" because it involved an "issue of privileged communications". Schiff said he was also told "the complaint concerns conduct by someone outside of the Intelligence Community." The Trump administration withheld the complaint on the basis of the Justice Department's assertion that the complaint was not within the purview of the ICWPA. On September 13, Schiff subpoenaed Maguire to appear before the HPSCI, and Maguire agreed to testify on September 26. The Washington Post reported that Maguire threatened to resign if the White House sought to constrain his testimony, although Maguire later denied he had contemplated resigning.
On September 18, The Washington Post broke the story of the whistleblower report, saying the complaint concerned a "promise" Trump had made during communication with an unnamed foreign leader. White House records showed Trump had made communications or interactions with five foreign leaders during the five weeks before the whistleblower complaint was filed. During a previously scheduled closed-door hearing before the HPSCI on September 19, Atkinson told lawmakers the complaint referred to a series of events, and that he disagreed with the position that the complaint lay outside the scope of the ICWPA, but declined to provide details. On September 19, The Washington Post reported that the complaint related to Ukraine.
After the ICIG found that the call was a possible violation of federal campaign finance laws, which prohibits the solicitation of foreign contributions, the ICIG referred the matter to the FBI, and the DNI referred the matter to the U.S. Department of Justice for a possible criminal investigation of Trump's actions. Courtney Simmons Elwood, general counsel for the CIA, became aware of the whistleblower's complaint through a colleague and, on August 14, made what she considered a criminal referral of the matter during a conference call with the top national security lawyer at the White House and the chief of the Justice Department's National Security Division. A Justice Department official said the ICIG suspected the call could have broken federal law if Trump's request to the Ukrainian government to investigate a political opponent constituted the solicitation of campaign contribution from a foreign government. According to a Justice Department spokeswoman, the department's criminal division reviewed "the official record of the call" and determined there was no campaign finance violation. The Justice Department's determination to not launch an investigation took only weeks; the department did not conduct interviews or take steps beyond reviewing the call record. A senior Justice Department official told The Washington Post the Justice Department had determined Trump's conduct did not constitute the solicitation of a quantifiable "thing of value" subject to the campaign finance laws. The Justice Department's review looked into whether there was evidence of a campaign violation law, and did not look into possible violations of federal corruption statutes. Some legal experts said there seemed to be evidence warranting an investigation into both; for example, Richard L. Hasen, an election-law scholar, believes the provision of opposition research, e.g., valuable information about a political rival, could be considered a contribution in kind under campaign finance law.
Release and substance of the complaint
On September 24, 2019, the top Democrats of the House and Senate intelligence committees said an attorney for the whistleblower had contacted the committees about providing testimony. Members and staff of congressional intelligence committees were allowed to examine the whistleblower complaint on September 25. After the release of the whistleblower complaint to congressional committees, Republican senators Ben Sasse and Mitt Romney called the complaint contents "really troubling" and "troubling in the extreme", respectively. That same day, the complaint itself was declassified with "minimal redactions". The House Intelligence Committee released the declassified, redacted version of the complaint on September 26.
In the complaint, the whistleblower said Trump abused the powers of his office for personal gain and put national security in danger, and that White House officials engaged in a cover-up. The whistleblower wrote:
In the course of my official duties, I have received information from multiple U.S. government officials that the President of the United States is using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 U.S. election. This interference includes, among other things, pressuring a foreign country to investigate one of the President's main domestic political rivals.
In addition to the July 25 phone call between Trump and the Ukrainian president Zelenskyy, the whistleblower alleged that Giuliani, Trump's personal attorney, had engaged in a campaign to pressure Ukrainian authorities to pursue Joe Biden, including in an August 2 meeting in Madrid between Giuliani and Zelenskyy aide as "a direct followup" to the July 25 call and contact with a number of other officials in Zelenskyy's government. These officials included Zelenskyy's Chief of Staff, Andriy Bohdan, and the then-acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Ivan Bakanov. The whistleblower further alleged in the complaint that White House officials had tried to limit access to the record of Trump's telephone conversation with Zelenskyy, writing:
In the days following the phone call, I learned from multiple U.S. officials that senior White House officials had intervened to "lock down" all records of the phone call, especially the word-for-word transcript of the call that was produced—as is customary—by the White House Situation Room. This set of actions underscored to me that White House officials understood the gravity of what had transpired in the call.
Confirmation
By the end of October the bulk of the whistleblower complaint had been confirmed by other sources, including the memorandum record of the July 25 call which the White House released, testimony before congressional committees, and independent reporting. According to a New York Times editorial titled "Thanks, Whistle-Blower, Your Work Is Done", only one minor item reported in the whistleblower complaint has not yet been confirmed: that T. Ulrich Brechbuhl, the Counselor for the State Department, also listened to the call.
Identity
Trump has repeatedly called for the identity of the whistleblower to be revealed, as have some Republican congress members, particularly Senator Rand Paul, who blocked a Senate resolution reaffirming protection for whistleblowers, and has demanded that the media print the person's name. Around November 1, an alleged identity began to circulate on right-wing publications and social media. Major news outlets have refused to publish the rumored identity of the whistleblower, and Facebook and YouTube announced plans to delete all mentions of the name. Twitter is allowing posts containing the alleged whistleblower's name, and Donald Trump Jr. was criticized for publishing such posts on his account on November 6.
Publicly identifying the whistleblower's name may contravene provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978, the Intelligence Authorization Act, the ICWPA, the Whistleblower Protection Act, and a Presidential Policy Directive dated 2012. Senator Rand Paul and Trump Jr. both argued that naming the whistleblower is not a crime, and Robert S. Litt, former general counsel for the National Intelligence Office, said that members of Congress would be "absolutely immune" from prosecution under the Speech and Debate Clause, although they could be subject to congressional sanctions.
Due to threats against him, the whistleblower spent several months guarded by the CIA's Security Protective Service, living in hotels and traveling with armed officers in an unmarked vehicle. The CIA observed that "violent messages surged each time the analyst was targeted in tweets or public remarks by the president," according to a Washington Post report.
Second whistleblower complaint
A second whistleblower, also an intelligence official, came forward on October 5, 2019, with "first-hand knowledge of allegations" associated with the phone call between Trump and Zelenskyy, according to Mark Zaid, a lawyer on the team representing both whistleblowers. Zaid stated that the second whistleblower had been interviewed by the ICIG but had not at that time filed a written complaint. Nor, as of October 6, had the second whistleblower communicated with any committee in the House of Representatives.
As of October 6, it is not known whether this intelligence official is the same individual mentioned in a New York Times report from October 4 about an intelligence official who was then weighing the possibility of filing an ICIG complaint and testifying before Congress.
Impeachment inquiry proceedings
Main article: First impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (January 2022) |
Subsequent developments
Involvement of Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman
Main articles: Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman
Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman are associates of Rudy Giuliani who aided him in his politically-motivated investigation into Joe Biden. They had previously worked for Dmytry Firtash, a Ukrainian oligarch being indicted by the Justice Department and believed to be involved at high levels of Russian organized crime. Their attorney John Dowd, who previously represented Trump during the Mueller investigation, told Congress in October 2019 the men were assisting Giuliani in his work on behalf of Trump. Both are Soviet-born Florida real estate businessmen and naturalized American citizens.
The two were arrested on the evening of October 9, 2019, and charged with planning to direct funds from a foreign government "to U.S. politicians while trying to influence U.S.-Ukraine relations". They were arrested at Dulles International while trying to leave the U.S. en route to Vienna, Austria. Rudy Giuliani was also scheduled to fly to Vienna the following night. Their arrest, the first in the Trump–Ukraine scandal, was described as a "complex web of financial and political interactions linking diplomacy to alleged violations of campaign finance law". The head of the New York's FBI office described the investigation as "about corrupt behavior, deliberate lawbreaking". Parnas and Fruman both pleaded not guilty. Parnas's attorney said some evidence against his client could be subject to presidential executive privilege, as Giuliani had represented both Trump and Parnas.
The charges have also directly connected Parnas and Fruman to the campaign to oust the United States ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, from her post and have her recalled. This occurred over many months. In 2018, the operation included Parnas and Fruman donating funds and pledging later additional money to an unnamed Congressman, who was recruited for the "campaign to oust her". Some of the funds violated campaign limits. Parnas and Fruman were also charged with unlawful campaign contributions. Former congressional representative Pete Sessions (R-Texas) correlates with campaign finance filings, identifying him as the unnamed congressman. At the time, as the chairman of the influential House Rules Committee, he wrote a May 9, 2018, letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "saying that Ms. Yovanovitch should be fired for privately expressing 'disdain' for the current administration". Earlier that day, Parnas and his business partner David Correia visited Sessions in his Capitol Hill office. Correia was arrested by the FBI at JFK International on October 16 on charges of using foreign money for political influence to advance a marijuana scheme.
In 2018, Parnas and Fruman were sent by Giuliani to Ukraine to extract damaging information on Trump's U.S. political rivals. "Their mission was to find people and information that could be used to undermine the Special Counsel's investigation, and also to damage former vice president Joseph R. Biden." Both were also at the center of the pro-Trump forces' push to remove the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine because her loyalty to President Trump was deemed deficient "as he pursued his agenda there". Also, over the course of a year beginning in 2018, the two brought Giuliani to Ukrainians who were amenable to promoting "a largely unsubstantiated narrative about the Bidens". These willing Ukrainians included Yuriy Lutsenko, a former prosecutor general of Ukraine, who was essential to aiding Giuliani's efforts to produce damaging information. In an interview published in December 2019, Giuliani stated, "I believed that I needed Yovanovitch out of the way. She was going to make the investigations difficult for everybody."
Giuliani's relationship with Parnas and Fruman is the subject of a criminal investigation by the FBI's New York field office and SDNY prosecutors. His business activities in Ukraine and potential violation of lobbying laws are under federal investigation, by FBI counterintelligence. SDNY prosecutors have examined Giuliani's bank statements. They are also investigating his finances, as well as meetings with and work for a Ukrainian city mayor. SDNY investigators have been questioning witnesses about Giuliani since August 2019, gathering information about his relationship to Parnas and Fruman. Bloomberg News reported in November 2019 that the Giuliani investigation could include charges of bribing foreign officials or conspiracy.
Referring to Parnas and Fruman, on October 10 Trump said, "I don't know those gentlemen," although that day The Wall Street Journal reported Trump had dinner with the men in the White House in early May 2018. BuzzFeed News featured photos of Lev Parnas posing with President Trump and both Parnas and Fruman posing with other Republicans in Washington, DC. Trump was photographed with Parnas as early as April 2014.
On October 15, 2019, it was reported that a New York grand jury had subpoenaed former congressman Pete Sessions (R-Texas) for documents and other information about his intercommunications and cooperation with Giuliani, Parnas, and Fruman. The subpoena demonstrated that the investigation into Giuliani's relationship to Parnas and Fruman remained active, as prosecutors determine whether Giuliani engaged in any illegal behavior. Giuliani seems to be the focal point of the subpoena. Sought after documents pertain to Giuliani's business affairs in Ukraine and his connection to the ouster of the former U.S. ambassador. The unsealed indictment against Parnas says he sought the help of the congressman to dismiss the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine while sourcing the money to the congressman on behalf of "one or more Ukrainian government officials". Sessions followed up with a letter to the secretary of state requesting the ouster of the ambassador.
On November 4, 2019, Parnas's new attorney Joseph Bondy said his client would cooperate with congressional investigators in their Trump impeachment inquiry. Bondy later told The New York Times that shortly before Zelenskyy's May 20 inauguration, Parnas traveled to Kyiv to tell the incoming government that American military aid was contingent upon Ukraine's announcing an investigation of Joe Biden.
On January 14, 2020, the House Intelligence Committee released documents provided by Parnas, including text messages between Parnas and Robert Hyde, a Republican congressional candidate, in which Hyde described surveillance of Yovanovitch in Kyiv before she was recalled, including Hyde stating that she was under heavy security and "we have a person inside," adding, "they are willing to help if we/you would like a price" and "guess you can do anything in Ukraine with money." Two days later, Ukraine announced it was opening an investigation into the matter, while the State Department remained silent as the FBI visited Hyde's home and office. The documents also outlined text exchanges with then Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko in which he pushed for the ouster of Yovanovitch and offered information related to former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in return.
On January 15, 2020, Parnas stated in an interview that "President Trump knew exactly what was going on. He was aware of all my movements. I wouldn't do anything without the consent of Rudy Giuliani or the president" about the effort to push Ukraine to investigate the Bidens. The next day, Trump again asserted that he knew nothing about Parnas.
In an audio recording reportedly made by Fruman during a small dinner in April 2018, after Parnas and Fruman tell Trump that Yovanovitch was bad-mouthing him, Trump is apparently heard to say "Get rid of her! Get her out tomorrow. I don't care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. Okay? Do it."
Communications with other governments
Australia
On October 1, 2019, it was reported that the transcript of a Trump call with Australian prime minister Scott Morrison had been placed on the same top-secret server as the other transcripts. Trump was reported to have requested Morrison's aid in William Barr's investigation of the Mueller inquiry. Trump's request focused on the origins of the Mueller inquiry as a conversation between Australia's former foreign minister Alexander Downer and Trump campaign team member George Papadopoulos led to the investigation. The Australian government confirmed the call had taken place and that Morrison had articulated to the President that "the Australian Government has always been ready to assist and cooperate with efforts that help shed further light on the matters under investigation," but did not elaborate on what, if any, assistance had been offered. In a letter to William Barr dated May 28, Joe Hockey, Australia's ambassador to the U.S., pledged that the Australian government would "use its best endeavours" to support Barr's investigation. Hockey later rejected claims that Downer had been part of a conspiracy among intelligence agencies around the world to prevent Trump's election and undermine his eventual presidency.
The White House responded by dismissing the reports, claiming it was part of a routine request to grant Australian authorities access to Department of Justice resources to facilitate an investigation that had been open for several months. When questioned by a journalist, Morrison rejected Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese's accusation that he had jeopardized Australia's national security for the sake of a personal relationship with the president and instead insisted that cooperating with Barr's investigation was in the national interest. Morrison claimed that no specific request had been made of his government, but refused to go into detail as to what support had been provided, citing national security concerns.
Italy
On September 30, it was reported that Attorney General William Barr had travelled to Rome to enlist the support of Italian authorities in his investigation. Barr sought information related to a conspiracy theory that Joseph Mifsud was a Western intelligence operative who allegedly entrapped Trump campaign advisor George Papadopoulos in order to establish a false predicate for the FBI to open an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections. Contrary to the conspiracy theory, that investigation was actually initiated after the Australian government notified American authorities that its diplomat Alexander Downer had a chance encounter with Papadopoulos, who boasted about possible access to Hillary Clinton emails held by the Russian government. Mifsud was last known to be in Rome in 2017, but had since disappeared. The Washington Post reported on November 22, 2019, that the Justice Department inspector general had aggressively investigated the allegation that Mifsud had been directed to entrap Papadopoulos, but found it was without merit.
China
On October 3, Trump publicly called upon China to investigate Hunter Biden's business activities there while his father was vice president. In 2013, Biden, Devon Archer, and Chinese businessman Jonathan Li founded BHR Partners, a business focused on investing Chinese capital in companies based outside of China. In September, Trump falsely claimed Biden "walk out of China with $1.5 billion in a fund" and earned "millions" of dollars from the BHR deal.
Trump discussed the political prospects of Biden, as well as former candidate Elizabeth Warren, another political rival, during a June 18 phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The record of the call was stored on the same highly restricted computer system used for the Trump–Zelenskyy call record. According to two people familiar with the discussion, Trump told Xi on the same call that "he would remain quiet on Hong Kong protests as trade talks progressed." The day after Trump's call for China to investigate Hunter Biden, Senator Mitt Romney said: "it strains credulity to suggest that is anything other than politically motivated." The Chinese foreign ministry said that the Chinese government had "no intention of intervening in the domestic affairs of the United States".
Michael Pillsbury, a China scholar at the Hudson Institute and a Trump advisor on trade negotiations with China, was quoted by the Financial Times on October 10: "I got quite a bit of background on Hunter Biden from the Chinese." Pillsbury denied the quote on C-SPAN hours later, asserting: "I haven't spoken to the Financial Times for a month." The Financial Times released an email showing Pillsbury made the statement on October 9. Pillsbury later told The Washington Post, "most everything I learned was already public or well-known" and that the Chinese "really, really didn't want to talk about it".
Release of John Bolton's manuscript
On January 26, The New York Times reported that former national security advisor John Bolton had written in a draft of his forthcoming book, The Room Where It Happened, that the president told him in August 2019 that he wanted to continue freezing $391 million in aid to Ukraine until officials there pursued investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens. Trump denied Bolton's claim. The manuscript was released after the first week of the impeachment trial, prompting House impeachment managers to call for the Senate to call Bolton as a witness. Bolton also claimed to have discussed the suspension of aid with Attorney General William Barr, and that the two had shared concerns over Trump offering personal favours to the leaders of autocratic regimes around the world, including Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Turkey and Xi Jinping in China. The Times later reported that Bolton's manuscript described a May 2019 Oval Office meeting during which Trump directed Bolton to call Zelenskyy to ask him to meet with Giuliani about getting damaging information on the Bidens. Bolton reportedly wrote that Giuliani, Mulvaney and White House counsel Pat Cipollone—who, at the time of the report, was representing Trump in the impeachment trial—attended the meeting. Trump denied telling Bolton this, and Giuliani denied Mulvaney or Cipollone attended meetings related to Ukraine. Cipollone previously stated he never attended Ukraine-related meetings, and Mulvaney said he avoided Trump–Giuliani meetings so as to not jeopardize their attorney-client privilege.
Other federal investigations
In a January 2020 memo to all United States attorneys, department component heads and law enforcement agency heads, deputy attorney general Jeffrey Rosen stated there "currently are several distinct open investigations being handled by different U.S. attorney's offices and/or department components that in some way potentially relate to Ukraine." Rosen advised the addressees that Richard Donoghue, the U.S. attorney for Eastern District of New York (EDNY), had been assigned to coordinate these cases and "any and all new matters relating to Ukraine shall be directed exclusively to EDNY for investigation and proper handling." The memo stated that existing investigations would continue to be managed by the original investigators, but that any widening or expansion of those investigations required approval by Rosen and Donoghue. Federal prosecutors had indicated in December 2019 that it was likely new charges would be brought against Parnas, Fruman and two others, as the SDNY continued to investigate Giuliani into February and the Justice Department created an "intake process" to accept and scrutinize information from him about Joe Biden. That intake process was being managed by the Pittsburgh U.S. attorney's office, headed by Scott Brady.
The New York Times reported in May 2021 that federal investigators in Brooklyn began a criminal investigation late in the Trump administration into possible efforts by several current and former Ukrainian officials to spread unsubstantiated allegations about corruption by Joe Biden. Investigators were examining whether the Ukrainians used Giuliani as a channel for the allegations, though he was not a specific subject of the investigation, in contrast to a long-running investigation of Giuliani by the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan.
Reactions
Congress
On September 22, 2019, House speaker Nancy Pelosi said if the administration continued to withhold the whistleblower complaint from Congress, "they will be entering a grave new chapter of lawlessness which will take us into a whole new stage of investigation." House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff, stating he had previously been "very reluctant" to initiate impeachment proceedings against Trump, said, "we may very well have crossed the Rubicon here." The vast majority of Republicans did not comment on the matter, with notable exceptions of senators Lindsey Graham and Mitt Romney, both of whom suggested Trump should release information to resolve the situation.
On September 24, the Senate adopted by unanimous consent a sense of the Senate resolution calling for the whistleblower complaint to be immediately transmitted to the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Following the release of the memorandum of the conversation between Trump and Zelenskyy, Senator Romney called the memorandum "deeply troubling" and asked for more information to be made public. Pelosi said the memorandum "confirms that the President engaged in behavior that undermines the integrity of our elections, the dignity of the office he holds and our national security".
Some Republican senators dismissed the credibility of the whistleblower complaint as hearsay, but legal analysts subsequently found that assertions the whistleblower made in the complaint were verified by the memorandum record of Trump's telephone call.
On September 26, during a House hearing, Representative Adam Schiff gave a summary of the "essence" and the "character" of the Trump–Zelenskyy call. One part of Schiff's retelling was not represented in the non-verbatim memorandum of the call provided by the White House, when Schiff stated: "And I'm going to say this only seven times so you better listen good. I want you to make up dirt on my political opponent, understand. Lots of it. On this and on that." After Representative Mike Turner accused Schiff of "just making it up", Schiff responded that his summary "was meant to be at least part in parody" and acknowledged that "the president never said if you don't understand me, I'm going to say it seven more times." However, Schiff argued: "That's the message that the Ukraine president was receiving in not so many words."
Trump supporters on television, radio, and the Internet have pressured Republicans to continue supporting Trump. Republicans who have spoken out against Trump, expressed concern, or defended the whistleblower, such as senators Mitt Romney, Charles Grassley, Ben Sasse and Representative Adam Kinzinger, have come under criticism online by right-wing websites, with Romney becoming the target of baseless conspiracy theories and virally spread disinformation.
An October 21 political fact sheet release by Nancy Pelosi divided the scandal into three categories, according to the evidence, that "show Trump violated his oath of office": "The Shakedown", "The Pressure Campaign", and "The Cover-Up".
Despite President Trump and his allies insisting there had been no quid pro quo, mounting evidence from witness testimony indicated there had been, leading a growing number of Senate Republicans to accept there was a quid pro quo, while maintaining it was not illegal and did not justify impeachment. The Washington Post reported that House Republicans were considering portraying Giuliani, Sondland and Mulvaney as freelancers who had acted in their own self-interests without Trump's involvement.
President Trump and the White House
In his initial comments to reporters on September 20, Trump characterized the whistleblower as "partisan", but added, "I do not know the identity of the whistleblower" and called the story "just another political hack job". Trump also said: "Somebody ought to look into Joe Biden's statement because it was disgraceful where he talked about billions of dollars that he's not giving to a certain country unless a certain prosecutor is taken off the case. So somebody ought to look into that," suggesting the press was not reporting it. The press has reported on the Joe Biden matter for months but found no evidence of wrongdoing. On September 23, Trump asserted: "If a Republican ever did what Joe Biden did, if a Republican ever said what Joe Biden said, they'd be getting the electric chair right now." Before the White House released a rough transcript, Trump claimed that his call with Zelenskyy was "largely congratulatory" and "largely corruption". However, the White House's rough transcript showed only a short congratulatory comment and no mentions of corruption. On September 25, during a meeting with Ukrainian president Zelenskyy, Trump said: "I want to do whatever he can. Biden's son walks out of Ukraine with millions and millions of dollars. I think it's a horrible thing." Trump also denied explicitly tying U.S. military aid to Ukraine's corruption investigation involving Burisma Holdings. Within six hours of the impeachment inquiry being announced on September 24, Trump and his campaign team started a fundraising drive for an "Impeachment Defense Team". Forty-eight hours later, they had raised in excess of $13 million and signed up 50,000 new donors.
On September 27, Trump characterized the person who provided the whistleblower with information on the call as "close to a spy", adding: "you know what we used to do in the old days when we were smart? Right? With spies and treason, right? We used to handle them a little differently than we do now." On September 29, Trump requested to meet the whistleblower, saying that he and the American people "deserved" to meet them. He later said the White House was trying to learn the identity of the whistleblower. He also demanded that Adam Schiff be arrested and questioned "at the highest level" for fraud and treason. A letter from the whistleblower's lawyers, addressed to the director of national intelligence, said that the whistleblower was afraid for their safety. On November 7 the whistleblower's lawyer sent a letter to the White House warning Trump to "cease and desist" calling for the public disclosure of the whistleblower's identity and "engaging in rhetoric and activity that places and their family in physical danger". The lawyer said the president would be legally and morally liable if anyone were to be "physically harmed as a result of his, or his surrogates', behavior".
On October 1, Trump claimed that any attempt to remove him from office would result in a "Civil War-like fracture". He also called for Schiff to be arrested for treason, and later claimed that Nancy Pelosi was "every bit as guilty as Liddle' [sic] Adam Schiff for High Crimes and Misdemeanours, and even Treason" before calling for both Schiff and Pelosi to be impeached themselves as they had "evilly 'Colluded'".
On October 3, after stating that the U.S. has "tremendous power" and "many options" in the trade war with China "if they don't do what we want", Trump was asked by a reporter on what he hoped Zelenskyy would do after his phone call. Trump responded by publicly urging both Ukraine and China to investigate the Bidens. Later in the day, Vice President Mike Pence voiced his support of Trump's comments, saying: "I think the American people have a right to know if the vice president of the United States or his family profited from his position." Pence said the activities of the Biden family were "worth looking into". Trump later claimed that when he called upon China to investigate the Bidens, his only interest was in thwarting corruption. Mitt Romney was critical of this, saying: "When the only American citizen President Trump singles out for China's investigation is his political opponent in the midst of the Democratic nomination process, it strains credulity to suggest that this is anything other than politically motivated."
On October 4, Trump told congressional Republican leaders the only reason he had called Zelenskyy was at the urging of Energy Secretary Rick Perry, saying Perry wanted him to discuss a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant and that Trump had not even wanted to make the call. However, there is no mention of LNG in the publicly released summary of the conversation, and text messages exchanged among aides who were setting up the phone call made no mention of Perry, instead suggesting that Giuliani was the primary mover. Perry had been the administration's official representative at Zelenskyy's inauguration in May. During that trip; he pressured Zelenskyy to fire board members of Naftogaz, the national oil and gas company of Ukraine, and informed government and industry officials that the Trump administration wanted the entirety of Naftogaz's supervisory board replaced. Perry denied pressing for change at Naftogaz in a press conference on October 7, describing that as "a totally dreamed up story". On October 10, however, Perry was issued a subpoena by the House Intelligence Committee, the House Oversight Committee, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, partially concerning his interactions with Naftogaz.
Trump's 2020 reelection campaign developed a campaign ad that repeated unsubstantiated claims about Biden, asserting that "when President Trump asks Ukraine to investigate corruption, the Democrats want to impeach him and their media lapdogs fall in line." CNN refused to broadcast the ads because Trump's claims had already been debunked and for disparaging its journalists.
Ukraine
On September 20, Roman Truba, head of the Ukraine State Bureau of Investigations, told The Daily Beast that his agency had not investigated the Biden–Burisma connection and there were no signs of illegality there. Anton Herashchenko, a senior advisor to the Ukraine interior minister, told The Daily Beast that Ukraine will open such an investigation if there is an official request, along with details of why an investigation is needed and what to look for. Trump's requests have come through unofficial representatives such as Giuliani.
However, according to interviews and documents obtained by The New York Times, senior Ukrainian officials were aware that military aid was being withheld by the first week in August, and after initially having difficulty ascertaining what was holding up the aid, by September Trump's envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker was in negotiations with Zelenskyy's senior aide Andriy Yermak over the wording of the proposed public statement. Volker pressed for wording explicitly confirming investigations into Joe Biden's alleged pressure campaign for the removal of the Ukrainian prosecutor who was allegedly investigating Burisma, and into accusations that Ukraine had been involved in interference with the 2016 U.S. presidential election in favor of Hillary Clinton, while Yermak attempted to negotiate less explicit language.
George Kent, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, testified to the congressional impeachment inquiry that "Zelenskyy needed to go to a microphone and basically there needed to be three words in the message": investigations, Biden, 2016 (or synonymously, Hillary Clinton). Diplomat Bill Taylor testified that Trump insisted that the public declaration be made on CNN, and Times reporting found that Zelenskyy's staff finally capitulated to this demand, and arranged for him to appear on Fareed Zakaria's CNN program on September 13 to make the statement. The appearance was canceled after the Ukraine aid was released on September 11.
Ukrainian foreign minister Vadym Prystaiko told a Ukrainian news outlet on September 21: "I know what the conversation was about and I think there was no pressure. This conversation was long, friendly, and it touched on many questions, sometimes requiring serious answers." Prystaiko was also quoted as saying: "I want to say that we are an independent state, we have our secrets." On September 22, Senator Chris Murphy said Zelenskyy told him he had no intention to get involved with an American election.
In an interview released on September 24, Ukrainian diplomat and politician Valentyn Nalyvaichenko told The Daily Beast that Ukrainian authorities would be reopening corruption investigations into multiple individuals and organizations including, potentially, Burisma, Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, TV host Larry King, and former prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko. King was suspected of receiving slush fund payments recorded in the "black ledger" that also named Manafort. Nalyvaichenko accused Lutsenko of having been in communication with associates of Trump "for vindictive purposes".
During the joint press conference on September 25 with Trump for reporters gathered at the United Nations General Assembly, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters: "We had I think good phone call. It was normal. We spoke about many things. So, I think, and you read it, that nobody pushed me." The next day, Zelenskyy said President Trump had not pressured anyone nor made any promises, and that the prosecutor general Ruslan Riaboshapka would investigate all domestic cases without prejudice. On September 30, Zelenskyy made it clear that he was not going to interfere with the intra-American party confrontation. Subsequently, at an all-day press conference on October 10, Zelenskyy said he only learned about the blockage of the military aid after the July 25 phone call. "We didn't speak about this. There was no blackmail."
European Union
During the conversation, Zelenskyy and Trump criticized German chancellor Angela Merkel and European Union for a lack of support toward Ukraine. Elmar Brok, special adviser on Ukraine for President Jean-Claude Juncker, refuted the criticism, pointing to the economic boost provided by the European Union through a free trade agreement. In addition, he claimed the U.S. has not signed a similar agreement with Ukraine. The conversation prompted Europeans to calculate the amount of aid given to Ukraine since 2014, and by approximate estimates, the EU and European financial institutions have provided assistance to more than $16 billion in grants and loans.
In the overall ranking in 2016–2017, the European Union is the leader in terms of aid, the U.S. the second, and Germany is the third. However, Ukrainian media analyzed the data and found that from 2014, Germany provided aid of €1.4 billion: €500 million is a loan that will be repaid, €200 million is a share of Germany from European Union assistance, and the rest is really full-fledged assistance. Germany has stated that its attitude towards Ukraine has not changed.
Russia
Former Ukrainian prime minister Mykola Azarov expressed support for an investigation into Hunter Biden. Azarov fled to Russia in 2014 following the Euromaidan protests and is currently in exile in Moscow. He has called for a pro-Russian 'regime change' in Ukraine, is wanted for prosecution in Ukraine for abuse of power and embezzlement, has set up a government in exile, and is widely seen as a pro-Russian puppet.
President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, "You have to admit, the publication of a full transcript of a conversation—be it by phone or face-to-face—is uncommon in interstate diplomatic practice. At least, uncommon until now." Speaking at an energy conference in Moscow, Putin said: "I didn't see during the telephone conversation that Trump demanded some compromising information from Zelenskyy at all costs, and threatened that he would not provide assistance to Ukraine."
Former U.S. officials
More than 300 former U.S. foreign policy and national security officials who had served under both Democratic and Republican administrations signed an open letter on September 27, supporting a congressional impeachment inquiry into Trump's conduct relating to Ukraine. The officials, who formerly served in the U.S. Intelligence Community, National Security Council, and departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security, wrote that Trump's actions raised "a profound national security concern" and that "President Trump appears to have leveraged the authority and resources of the highest office in the land to invite additional foreign interference into our democratic processes. If we fail to speak up—and act—now our foreign policy and national security will officially be on offer to those who can most effectively fulfill the President's personal prerogatives."
The American Foreign Service Association and American Academy of Diplomacy, representing members of the U.S. diplomatic corps, expressed alarm at Trump's disparagement of the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine in his call with Zelenskyy.
Ten former White House chiefs of staff, who served under both Republican and Democratic presidents described it as unprecedented for an incumbent president to "personally apply pressure to foreign powers to damage political opponents". When the ten were interviewed, "none recalled any circumstance under which the White House had solicited or accepted political help from other countries, and all said they would have considered the very idea out of bounds."
In an op-ed in The Washington Post, 17 former members of the Watergate scandal special prosecutor force wrote that "there exists compelling prima facie evidence that President Trump has committed impeachable offenses," specifically serious and persistent abuses of power, and the Congress "should not allow any refusal by the president to cooperate in its process to frustrate the performance of its constitutional duties."
American editorials and commentary
The Washington Post and New York Times editorial boards supported the impeachment inquiry against Trump arising from the scandal. The Post editorial board criticized the administration and its allies for defying congressional subpoenas and stonewalling the investigation, and called upon congressional Republicans to "have the moral courage" to recognize the Trump administration's Ukraine pressure campaign as corrupt and a quid pro quo. Another Washington Post editorial criticized the Trump administration for attacking William B. Taylor Jr., the acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, and other career civil servants who have testified before Congress, writing that it was "vile" to attack "honest and courageous public servants" in an attempt to discredit them. Some newspaper editorial boards called upon Trump to resign from office over the Ukraine scandal, including the editorial board of Hearst Connecticut Media, which owns eight daily newspapers in Connecticut. A St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial urged congressional Republicans to call for Trump's resignation.
Pro-Trump media outlets and commentators, such as Jeanine Pirro, Mark Levin, and Rush Limbaugh, responded by defending Trump and promoting an alternative narrative of the Ukraine affair that omitted significant facts. Echoing Trump's own rhetoric, the president's defenders in the media often attacked the whistleblower, and characterized the investigation as not only a political attack against Trump, but also "a culture war" against his supporters. Fox News anchor Chris Wallace characterized the spin by Trump allies in the aftermath of the whistleblower complaint becoming public as "astonishing" and "deeply misleading".
Public opinion
See also: First impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump § Public opinionIn the days after the scandal arose, multiple polls showed a surge in support for an impeachment inquiry, or impeachment itself.
Resignations
The American special envoy to Ukraine, Kurt Volker, resigned one day after the complaint was released. The whistleblower complaint alleges Volker "sought to 'contain the damage' from Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani's outreach to Ukraine's government about the Biden family". On October 10, Michael McKinley, a senior advisor to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, resigned over disappointment in Pompeo's lack of public support for those named in the scandal.
Internet communities
After the whistleblower complaint was publicized, users on pro-Trump Internet forums tried to identify its author. These attempts at "doxing" were marked by disorganized speculation, racism and misogyny. In October 2019, pro-Trump writer Paul Sperry published on the web what he asserted was the identity of the whistleblower. During ensuing days, Trump and his allies asserted major news outlets were covering for the whistleblower because they had declined to repeat the whistleblower's alleged identity in their reporting. However, the generally pro-Trump Fox News—including close Trump confidant Sean Hannity—also declined to repeat the alleged identity, on instructions from Fox News management.
Trump supporters paid for Facebook advertisements to spread the purported name of the whistleblower. These ads were viewed by potentially "hundreds of thousands of users" before Facebook removed them.
Aftermath
Impeachment and senate trial
Further information: First impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump, First impeachment of Donald Trump, and First impeachment trial of Donald TrumpPresident Trump was impeached by Congress on charges of abuse of power and obstructing Congress. The articles of impeachment were referred to the Senate, which held a trial over twenty days from January 16 to February 5, 2020. Trump was acquitted on both charges by the Republican-controlled Senate, with the vote split along party lines. Maine senator Susan Collins, who emerged as a key figure during the impeachment trial owing to her perceived willingness to break with her party, defended the acquittal as she believed Trump had learned from the trial and would not attempt to solicit foreign interference in future.
Resignations and firings of witnesses
Marie Yovanovitch and Bill Taylor resigned from their positions in the State Department. Jennifer Williams left her position to take up a new post. Alexander Vindman was dismissed from his position in the White House following Trump's acquittal by the Senate. Vindman's twin brother Yevgeny—who was not involved in the case—was also dismissed. Both Vindman brothers were reported to have been physically escorted from the White House. Gordon Sondland was also recalled from his position as ambassador. The White House claimed that the dismissals were necessary, but Trump was criticized for seeking revenge against those who had testified against him. Trump was also reported to have labelled Williams and Alexander Vindman as "Never Trumpers". Trump suggested that the Pentagon should seek disciplinary action against Vindman, but the Army declined to investigate. John Rood, the top Pentagon policy advisor who, on July 25, 2019, warned Defense Secretary Mark Esper against withholding military aid to Ukraine, was forced to resign on February 19, 2020. In May 2019 he had certified to Congress that Ukraine was eligible for the aid.
Subsequently, during a panel discussion held on February 11, 2020, at the Atlantic Council, the president's national security advisor, Robert C. O'Brien said that it was his decision to transfer both Vindman brothers back to the Army for re-assignment and denied that the move was ordered by Trump in retaliation for Vindman's testimony. "I can absolutely tell you that they were not retaliated against", O'Brien told the panel. O'Brien also disputed the move as being characterized as "fired" since both brothers remain on active duty. O'Brien noted that their transfer was part of a larger NSA staff reduction. It was later reported that the firings and dismissals were part of a wider purge of the Trump administration that targeted people who were perceived as not being loyal enough to Trump and his agenda, including intelligence officials who might be part of Trump's claims of a "deep state" conspiracy against him.
Michael Atkinson was fired from his position as Inspector General of the Intelligence Community in April 2020. The White House issued a statement that Trump had lost confidence in Atkinson's ability to perform his duties. The decision to fire Atkinson was criticized because his role as Inspector General was supposed to be independent and because Trump chose to fire him during the coronavirus pandemic, which led to claims that Trump had tried to use the pandemic to distract from Atkinson's firing.
Giuliani's activities in Ukraine
As the impeachment hearings and trial unfolded, Rudy Giuliani returned to Ukraine to conduct his own investigation into Joe and Hunter Biden. This was widely criticized as a further attempt to undermine Biden's election campaign, for promoting widely debunked conspiracy theories about the Bidens, for Giuliani being a likely target for misinformation spread by Russian intelligence services, and because Giuliani is himself under investigation by American authorities. Giuliani went on to claim that he had found evidence that Barack Obama and Joe Biden had previously contacted Ukrainian officials looking to open an investigation into Paul Manafort, the chair of Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, who had lobbied to American lawmakers on behalf of former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych.
In February 2020, Attorney General William Barr announced that the Justice Department would receive any information gathered by Giuliani. Barr had previously announced that all investigations into foreign donations and interference into the 2020 presidential elections would require his personal approval.
During the impeachment process, Trump denied having sent Giuliani to Ukraine, but in an interview that aired on February 13, 2020, he reversed his prior denials and openly admitted sending Giuliani to Ukraine, praising him as a "crime fighter" and "the best prosecutor."
Place in the Russia investigation counter-narrative
Main article: Russia investigation origins counter-narrativeIn February 2020, United States attorney John Durham was appointed to lead an investigation into the origins of the Mueller inquiry. It was reported that the investigation was focusing on former CIA director and Trump critic John Brennan and whether he had mishandled evidence during the early stages of the inquiry into Russian meddling in the 2016 elections. Mick Mulvaney linked Durham's investigation to the Ukraine scandal, stating that Durham had sought help from Ukraine and interviewed Ukrainian citizens. The Durham inquiry has been described as an "inquiry into its own Russia investigation" and "investigating the investigators" of the Russian interference.
Impact on Ukraine-Russia relations
Alexander Vindman, the former Director for European Affairs who supported the whistleblower's testimony, claimed Trump's intervention weakened Ukrainian efforts to counteract Russian aggression in a number of ways in an interview with VICE News, saying "It's because of Trump's corruption that we have a less capable, less prepared Ukraine".
Conspiracy theories
See also: Conspiracy theories related to the Trump–Ukraine scandalTrump and his allies had since 2017 promoted a conspiracy theory that Ukraine, rather than Russia, had interfered with the 2016 election, which American intelligence believes has been promoted by Russia in order to frame Ukraine. Some speculate Maria Zakharova at Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was the source of this campaign. The conspiracy theory included allegations that Democrats, CrowdStrike and the FBI had conspired to frame Russia in the 2016 hacking of a Democratic National Committee server. Trump has repeatedly insisted without evidence that an unnamed Ukrainian oligarch was behind the conspiracy to frame Russia and that Ukraine is in possession of the DNC server.
Shortly before Trump took office, top American intelligence officials briefed him on their evidence—including from their hacking of Russian intelligence networks and information provided by a high-level Kremlin mole—that Russia was behind the hacking and other election interference, on the personal orders and orchestration of Vladimir Putin. In December 2019, the Trump-appointed FBI director Christopher Wray stated, "we have no information that indicates that Ukraine interfered with the 2016 presidential election," adding, "there's all kinds of people saying all kinds of things out there. I think it's important for the American people to be thoughtful consumers of information and to think about the sources of it and to think about the support and predication for what they hear."
CrowdStrike
During the July 25, 2019, phone call between Trump and Zelenskyy, Trump referred to a far-right conspiracy theory pushed by internet trolls, right-wing blogs, right-wing news websites and Russian state media. This conspiracy theory concerns CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity and internet security firm that first investigated the 2015–2016 hacking of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) network and determined that Russian military intelligence (GRU) was behind these cyber attacks.
Tom Bossert, Trump's former homeland security advisor, said in an interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos that Trump was repeatedly warned by his staff that the CrowdStrike conspiracy theory was "completely debunked". Bossert blamed Giuliani for Trump's fixation upon the conspiracy theory.
The overarching theme of the CrowdStrike conspiracy theory is that the DNC fabricated evidence to implicate Russia in the cyber attacks. CrowdStrike's co-founder, Dmitri Alperovitch, is a naturalized American citizen born in the Soviet Union. According to the hoax, Alperovitch is a Ukrainian who was ordered by the DNC to discredit Russia for the election interference, and he was personally motivated to get even with Vladimir Putin. Also, according to the theory, CrowdStrike is owned by a rich Ukrainian, and the actual server involved in the cyber attack is in Ukraine.
CrowdStrike is actually a publicly traded company headquartered in California that the National Republican Congressional Committee has also hired for cyber security services. "The server" is actually 140 servers, decommissioned and located in the United States. The theory additionally says FBI agents were not allowed to examine the server because such action would expose the DNC plot, although in fact—and as documented in the Mueller Report—system images and traffic logs of the DNC servers were provided to the FBI by CrowdStrike, although the FBI never examined the servers directly. This conspiracy theory originated from a "GRU persona, 'Guccifer 2.0', created to cast doubt on Russia's culpability in the DNC ".
Actions of first whistleblower
Various right-wing commentators speculated the whistleblower had help from others, perhaps constituting a coordinated conspiracy. Speculation centered around Adam Schiff, the press, Fusion GPS, Media Matters, a team of lawyers or a research firm, and the intelligence community in general. After the whistleblower had informed the CIA's general counsel of his concerns, he grew troubled by "how that initial avenue for airing his allegations through the CIA was unfolding", according to The New York Times. He then contacted an aide for the House Intelligence Committee and provided a vague statement. The aide then followed standard procedure and advised the whistleblower to find a lawyer and file a complaint with the Intelligence Community inspector general (IC IG). Neither Rep. Schiff nor the other members of the Committee saw the complaint until the night before they released it publicly, and the Committee was not involved in writing the complaint. Schiff and the Committee had no role in helping the whistleblower select an attorney.
According to Mark S. Zaid, a member of the whistleblower's pro bono legal team: "The whistleblower took the advice to find an attorney and did what most people do, they asked around to trusted friends as to who they should contact. Andrew 's name was provided and he was retained. Exactly how it happens every day." Andrew P. Bakaj is the Lead Attorney representing the whistleblower. During a news conference on October 2, Trump claimed that The New York Times article proved Schiff had helped write the whistleblower complaint, prompting one of the reporters who wrote the story to reply on Twitter that their story said no such thing and that Schiff had not even known the whistleblower's identity.
Whistleblower rules and hearsay
In late September, Trump tweeted a conspiracy theory that whistleblower rules were changed before the whistleblower complaint was submitted. Senator Lindsey Graham, and Trump's lawyers Jay Sekulow and Rudy Giuliani made similar claims. Trump's claim was based on an article from The Federalist which incorrectly stated that the IC IG "secretly eliminated a requirement that whistleblowers provide direct, first-hand knowledge of alleged wrongdoings", by revising their complaint form sometime between May 2018 and August 2019, removing a section from the old form containing the sentence: "If you think wrongdoing took place, but can provide nothing more than secondhand or unsubstantiated assertions, IC IG will not be able to process the complaint or information for submission as an ICWPA." The Federalist article failed to mention that the old form had checkboxes where the whistleblower could indicate that their information was "direct" or from either "other employees" or other indirect sources.
The IC IG responded the whistleblower's complaint was submitted with the old form (before the forms changed), and that the whistleblower's complaint was based on both "direct knowledge of certain alleged conduct" and knowledge from other employees. The IC IG also said the old form had been under review, and that "in response to recent press inquiries regarding the instant whistleblower complaint", the form was changed because "certain language in those forms and, more specifically, the informational materials accompanying the forms, could be read—incorrectly—as suggesting that whistleblowers must possess first-hand information in order to file an urgent concern complaint". The IC IG also said that by law a complainant is not required to have "first-hand information" themselves, and that their office "cannot add conditions to the filing of an urgent concern that do not exist in law".
The "rules" for whistleblowing arise from Intelligence Community Directive 120, last updated in 2016. The directive states that the requirement for a complaint is to be one which the whistleblower "reasonably believes evidences a violation of any law, rule or regulation". The burden of obtaining and evaluating first-hand knowledge for credibility is placed on the IC IG, who has 14 days to conduct an investigation to do so. In this case, the preliminary review done by the IC IG did find more information to support the allegations as credible. Tom Devine of the Government Accountability Project, a non-profit watchdog organization, said only around 10% of all credible whistleblower complaints have firsthand information.
Republican senator Chuck Grassley, a prominent author and advocate of whistleblower laws, spoke out against the conspiracy theory, saying the whistleblower appeared to have acted in accordance with the law and deserved to be heard.
George Soros
In late-September television appearances, Giuliani asserted without offering any evidence that George Soros, a frequent subject of conservative conspiracy theories, was running an anti-Trump scheme in Ukraine while Biden was protecting Soros from prosecution there. Lawyers Joseph diGenova and Victoria Toensing appeared as guests on The Sean Hannity Show to promote the conspiracy theory that Soros funded the whistleblower. They cited the whistleblower's footnote references to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, an organization that has received grants from Soros' Open Society Foundations among multiple other funding sources. Soros was also invoked, again without evidence, by the media organization Breitbart News.
Discredited allegations against Soros were also part of a "packet of propaganda and disinformation" that had been circulating within the State Department since May 2019, until being revealed to Congress on October 2.
Biden–Ukraine conspiracy theory
The Biden–Ukraine conspiracy theory is part of efforts by Donald Trump and his campaign in the Trump–Ukraine scandal, which led to Trump's first impeachment. These falsehoods were spread in an attempt to damage Joe Biden's reputation and chances during the 2020 presidential campaign, and later in an effort to impeach him.
See also
- Biden–Ukraine conspiracy theory
- Corruption in the United States
- Foreign interference in the 2020 United States elections
- List of federal political scandals in the United States
- List of impeachments of heads of state
- List of "-gate" scandals
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Notes
- The document, titled a "Memorandum of Telephone Conversation" includes a notation stating that it was "not a verbatim transcript" and was prepared based on "notes and recollections of Situation Room duty officers" and National Security Council staff. Senior administration officials said voice recognition software was also used in preparing the memorandum. Some sources describe the document as a "rough transcript".
- §II, p. 3
- On September 3, 2019, the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) issued a classified memorandum, written by the office's head, Steven A. Engel, stating that the acting DNI did not need to give the complaint to Congress because, in his view, the complaint was not related to "an intelligence activity" under the acting DNI's authority. Engel's letter said the whistleblower's complaint should instead be referred to the Justice Department. A declassified version of the OLC's memo was released on September 24, 2019.
- Michael Atkinson, the ICIG who found the whistleblower complaint credible and urgent, was appointed during the Trump administration.
- The chiefs of staff were from the Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama administrations.
- Including Richard Ben-Veniste, Paul R. Michel, and others.
- Utah senator Mitt Romney was the only senator to break with his party, voting in favour of removing Trump from office on the charge of abusing the power of his office.
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It's not only a conspiracy theory. It is completely debunked. I don't want to be glib about this matter but last year, retired former Senator Judd Gregg wrote in The Hill magazine Five Ways or Three Ways to Impeach Oneself and the third way was to hire Rudy Giuliani.
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As part of its investigation, the FBI later received images of DNC servers and copies of relevant traffic logs.
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External links
- "Declassified whistleblower complaint" (PDF). September 26, 2019 . Archived from the original (PDF) on September 26, 2019.
- "Declassified letter from Intelligence Community Inspector General to acting Director of National Intelligence, regarding the whistleblower complaint" (PDF). August 26, 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 26, 2019.
- "Memorandum of the July 25, 2019, telephone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy" (PDF). trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
- "Text messages between Kurt Volker, Gordon Sondland, Bill Taylor and Andrey Yermak" (PDF). foreignaffairs.house.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 4, 2019.
- Karanth, Sanjana (October 31, 2019). "Everyone You Need To Know In The Trump-Ukraine Investigation". HuffPost.
- Lawler, Dave (October 8, 2019). "Trump-Ukraine timeline: The key players, dates and documents". Axios.
- "Trump-Ukraine impeachment scandal: timeline of key events". The Guardian. October 9, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- Brannen, Kate (November 13, 2019). "A Who's Who of Ukraine Witnesses". Just Security.
- Brooks, Julia; Dawley, William (February 15, 2020). "Public Document Clearinghouse: Ukraine Impeachment Trial". Just Security.
- "Resources on Ukraine Scandal". The Moscow Project. Center for American Progress Action Fund. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021.
- McKee, Seth C.; Evans, Heather K.; Clark, Jennifer Hayes (January 2022). "The 'PERFECT' Call: Congressional Representation by Tweet in the Midst of the Ukraine Whistleblower Scandal". American Politics Research. 50 (1): 30–44. doi:10.1177/1532673X211041922. ISSN 1532-673X. S2CID 239625167.
- Trautman, Lawrence (July 9, 2020). "Impeachment, Donald Trump and the attempted extortion of Ukraine". Pace Law Review. 40 (2): 141–225. doi:10.58948/2331-3528.2019. ISSN 2331-3528. SSRN 3518082.
- Barberio, Richard P. (2020). "President Trump: The Conquest of Backfire Scandal Management?". Presidents and Political Scandal. pp. 97–124. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-45504-0_6. ISBN 978-3-030-45503-3. S2CID 226657894.
- Galgoczy, Michael C.; Phatak, Atharva; Vinson, Danielle; Mago, Vijay K.; Giabbanelli, Philippe J. (April 15, 2022). "(Re)shaping online narratives: when bots promote the message of President Trump during his first impeachment". PeerJ Computer Science. 8: e947. doi:10.7717/peerj-cs.947. ISSN 2376-5992. PMC 9044321. PMID 35494820. S2CID 248209361.
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