What’s ahead in Week 6 of inquiry
WASHINGTON – National Security Council officials, who could provide greater detail about how President Donald Trump withheld military aid for Ukraine while urging the investigation of his political rival, are scheduled for depositions in Week 6 of the House impeachment investigation.
Timothy Morrison, the NSC senior director for Europe and Russia, was mentioned repeatedly in earlier testimony of security and diplomatic officials about Trump withholding nearly $400 million that Congress had approved, under the condition that Ukraine announce an investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.
But it’s not clear whether Morrison or other administration witnesses will appear for the private depositions before the three key committees investigating Trump’s dealings with Ukraine: Foreign Affairs, Intelligence, and Oversight and Reform.
Former aides have testified and current administration officials have answered questions under subpoena. But the White House notified the House on Oct. 8 that the administration would no longer cooperate with the impeachment inquiry that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., declared Sept. 24.
While more witnesses could still be scheduled, here is a summary of what is ahead in the impeachment inquiry this week:
Tuesday: More from the NSC
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the National Security Council director for European affairs, is scheduled Tuesday.
Wednesday: A view from Defense
Kathryn Wheelbarger, the acting assistant secretary of Defense for international security affairs, is scheduled.
Thursday: Unraveling Ukraine policy
Morrison could provide more detail about what Bill Taylor, top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine, told the House inquiry last week.
Taylor said Morrison told him in an August phone call that the “president doesn’t want to provide any assistance at all,” referring to nearly $400 million in military aid that Congress appropriated for Ukraine.
“That was extremely troubling to me,” said Taylor, who had warned Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that he would resign if the U.S. didn’t strongly support Ukraine.
Taylor’s Aug. 22 conversation with Morrison was sandwiched between Trump’s July 25 call to Volodymyr Zelensky, when the president urged an investigation of the Bidens, and the White House release of a summary Sept. 25, when Taylor learned of its details.
Friday: Trump political rally
There are no planned depositions in the impeachment inquiry.
Trump’s campaign has scheduled a rally in Tupelo, Mississippi, to stump for Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, the Republican nominee for governor.