Thread by @vmiracleCNN

THREAD🧵UKRAINE CALL
1/ Here is a breakdown of President Trump’s phone call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and why it sparked an #impeachmentInquiry.

2/ Background: In 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine (Russia took land from Ukraine). The UN reports, since 2014, 13,000 people have died in the conflict. NATO suspended cooperation with Russia, in response to the Ukraine crisis. bbc.in/2TwN2O2

3/ Fast forward to June 2019. The Department of Defense announced $250 Million in aid for Ukraine. The funds were being given to purchase sniper rifles, grenade launchers and other military equipment. Read the press release here. bit.ly/2lEQcR4

4/ One month later, in mid-July, President Trump reportedly told his Acting Chief of Staff to hold off on giving the money to Ukraine. He reportedly had concerns if the money should be spent. Read more here abcn.ws/2mi5paF

5/ On July 25th, the now controversial phone call was made between President of Ukraine and President Trump. This phone call prompted the #whistleblower complaint. Link takes you to transcript of the call (NOT a verbatim transcript). bit.ly/2nishas

6/ During the call, points of concern for Dems include President Trump asking Ukrainian President for a favor, Trump asking him to look into Biden’s son and asking the Ukrainian President to talk with AG Barr & his attorney Rudy Giuliani. Call analysis -> abcn.ws/2lEFFFz

7/ Dems say the call is evidence that President Trump was withholding $250 Million in aid to Ukraine, in exchange for information on his political opponent Biden. Trump says the call shows there was no quid pro quo (favor for a favor) and the #ImpeachmentInquiry is a hoax.

Note: Not going to get into the Hunter Biden controversy on this thread. Too much info to add. But here is a great article by Forbes on the issue. bit.ly/2nevaJd

If you want me to do a separate thread on this, comment below.

8/ In mid-August, the #whistleblower (unidentified member of intelligence community) filed a complaint about President Trump’s communications with the Ukrainian President. *Important to remember, per the @AP, the call is just one part of the whistleblower complaint.*

9/ Today, the House & Senate Intelligence committees got their FIRST LOOK at the complaint. Democrats and Republicans who have seen it, appear to be giving opinions right down party lines. Democrats say it’s damning, Republicans say it’s nothing.

10/ What's next? The House Intelligence Committee will have a PUBLIC hearing with the Acting Director of Intelligence. They will be asking him questions about the #WhistleblowerComplaint. Watch it LIVE on @ABC7 at 6am PST.

TL;DR The House is conducting an impeachment inquiry into whether President Trump broke the law by withholding aid from Ukraine in exchange for information about Biden. The White House released call transcript. House & Senate leaders saw the Whistleblower complaint today.

Was this #thread helpful? Or confusing? Let me know.

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