“In his August 2019 discussion with Mr. Bolton, the president appeared focused on the theories Mr. Giuliani had shared with him, replying to Mr. Bolton’s question that he preferred sending no assistance to Ukraine until officials had turned over all materials they had about the Russian investigation that related Mr. Biden and supporters of Mrs. Clinton in Ukraine.” - NYT
So..this is the bombshell. I see at least two problems with this:
1. Trump *preferred* sending no aid until the Ukraine turned over materials. That is not the same as ordering it withheld.
2. This happened in August 2019, after the infamous phone call with Zhelensky. This conversation in no way implies that Trump was pressuring Zhelensky on the July 25th call. Trump may have “preferred” this arrangement all along, but it doesn’t mean that he acted on this preference to leverage Zhelensky; read the transcript.
Just as I would prefer to not pay my taxes on April 15th.
Trump *preferred* sending no aid until the Ukraine turned over materials. That is not the same as ordering it withheld.
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So Trump asks, “I’d like to withhold aid”. Advisors say, “you can’t”. Trump says “ok”. Or, have we gotten to the point where it’s illegal for Trump to ask his advisors for advice? That even asking a question is a crime?