Defying a Pentagon directive not to testify and outlasting the SCIF stunt, Laura Cooper — the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia — testified for more than three hours yesterday. politico.com/news/2019/10/2…
From what I've heard, her testimony confirmed a lot of what other witnesses have told House investigators:
1. There was unanimous support from Trump's Cabinet and the interagency to supply Ukraine with security assistance. But the White House withheld it anyway.
1. There was unanimous support from Trump's Cabinet and the interagency to supply Ukraine with security assistance. But the White House withheld it anyway.
2. Providing security assistance to Ukraine is in the interests of the United States. Withholding it is not.
3. She was made aware of a quid pro quo between the security assistance and a commitment from Ukraine to investigate the Bidens.
According to a source familiar with her testimony, Cooper also said that DOD had made it clear to the White House that by withholding funds without congressional authorization, it was at risk of violating the law.
