Else where, this same author writes:
Byron York (Washington Examiner) identifies five possible explanations for the temporary withholding of military aid to Ukraine that have been put forth by one party or another. The first three are:
(1) Trump’s general dislike of foreign aid,
(2) his concern that other countries aren’t doing enough,
(3) his general concern about corruption in Ukraine.
All are legitimate, perfectly non-corrupt reasons for withholding aid. However, Trump’s enemies insist they are not the real reasons or, at a minimum, that additional reasons were also in play.
The alleged additional reasons are:
(4) Trump’s desire to see Ukraine assist in an inquiry into matters relating to the investigation of Russia interference in the 2016 campaign and
(5) Trump’s desire to see Ukraine investigate the business dealings of Hunter Biden and actions by Joe Biden to further these interests.
That Trump had these desires seems evident from the unofficial transcript of his famous phone conversation with Ukraine’s president. Whether they were the reasons for the temporary withholding of aid is less clear.
Byron York agrees that motive (5) would be an improper reason for withholding aid. But he disputes that Motive 4 would be the case.
Trump’s desire to see Ukraine assist in the 2016 “investigation of the investigation” was entirely reasonable. . .In fact, some part of the U.S. government has been investigating the 2016 election since at least mid-2016.
There is still an investigation going on — Durham’s — and it would not be unusual for the government to want Ukraine to cooperate. After all, Robert Mueller’s special counsel investigation sought and received the cooperation of several foreign countries. Investigating 2016 is something that has been standard procedure for the last few years.
As to motive (5) — Trump’s desire to investigate the Bidens — Byron makes an important point: Mick Mulvaney unequivocally denied that it factored into the decision to withhold aid. The mainstream media, though, has suggested otherwise.
So, does the evidence so far establish that aid was conditioned on Ukraine investigating the Bidens?
If so, IS THIS IMPEACHABLE?
These are distinctions that have to be made.
Well I get it - it’s the motivation that counts.
If you’re funneling money to your son then it’s ok to leverage “foreign aid” but if you’re trying to get to the bottom of corruption then ...it’s corrupt to look for corruption.