Trump was briefed on Ukraine whistleblower
President was told in late August, weeks before military aid was released
WASHINGTON— U.S. President Donald Trump was briefed on the whistleblower complaint about his dealings with Ukraine before the White House released nearly $400 million (U.S.) in military aid to Kyiv, officials say, shedding new light on events that triggered the impeachment inquiry.
Trump was told about the complaint in late August in a briefing by a White House counsel and an attorney with the White House National Security Council, according to two officials not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.
The lawyers told Trump about the complaint, explaining that they were trying to determine whether they were legally required to give it to Congress, the officials said. The aid was released on Sept. 11 amid growing pressure from lawmakers.
The White House, which did not respond to a request for comment, has claimed there was no link between the military aid suspension and the president’s request for Ukraine to investigate his political rival Joe Biden and his family.
But it was his request to Ukraine’s president in a July phone call that prompted the government whistleblower’s complaint about a link. The assertion of such a link has since been corroborated by a parade of witnesses testifying before the House intelligence panel.
The August briefing with Trump was first reported by the New York Times.
The revelation comes just days before the House judiciary committee takes over the impeachment probe, scheduling a hearing for next Wednesday as it pushes closer to a possible vote on charges of “high crimes and misdemeanours.”
The judiciary panel scheduled the hearing as the intelligence committee on Tuesday released two last transcripts from its depositions, including one from a White House budget official who detailed concerns among colleagues as Trump ordered them, through intermediaries, to put a hold on military aid to Ukraine. The intelligence committee is wrapping up its investigative phase of the probe and preparing its report for the next. Committee chair Adam Schiff has said the report could be released soon after the House returns from its Thanksgiving break.
Trump and his lawyers have been invited to attend the hearing and make a request to question witnesses. The committee released a letter from committee chair Jerrold Nadler to the president, saying he hopes Trump will participate, “consistent with the rules of decorum and with the solemn nature of the work before us.” The White House said Wednesday no decision had been made on whether to send a representative. “But what is obvious to every American is that this letter comes at the end of an illegitimate sham partisan process,” press secretary Stephanie Grisham said.
Multiple government witnesses testified in impeachment hearings held by the intelligence panel this month that Trump directed his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani to take the lead on Ukraine policy and that Giuliani pushed an “irregular” diplomatic channel.
The Times, citing documents it had reviewed, reported Wednesday that while Giuliani waged a public campaign this year to unearth damaging information in Ukraine about Biden, he privately pursued hundreds of thousands of dollars in business from Ukrainian government officials.
Giuliani has repeatedly said he has no business in Ukraine and none of the deals were finalized. But his discussions with Ukrainian officials, including the country’s top prosecutor, who assisted him on the dirt-digging mission, proceeded far enough along that he signed at least one retainer agreement, on his company letterhead.
Trump is trying to distance himself from Giuliani. Asked by radio host Bill O’Reilly what Giuliani was doing on his behalf in Ukraine, Trump said, “I don’t even know.” Giuliani did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.