Let’s inoculate ourselves against the bullshit that is likely to come our way via Republican Senators, shall we? They are going to cede that there was a quid pro quo but it wasn’t illegal or impeachable. /1 washingtonpost.com/politics/growi…
First, let’s be clear. The condition that Trump was attaching to releasing the aid to Ukraine was a condition that did not benefit the United States. It benefitted Trump’s re-election. /2 
Both Senators Kennedy, Cramer and Johnson suggest that Trump’s reason for withholding aid to Ukraine was because he was truly concerned about corruption. /3
President Trump has been so concerned with corruption in Ukraine that prior to September 2019, he mentioned corruption in Ukraine in public speeches and tweets exactly 1 time and that was a retweet of a tweet from a NYT reporter. 1 time in 3 years. @SenJohnKennedy /4
President Trump has been so concerned about corruption in Ukraine that WH budget documents show he has tried to cut billions of dollars from programs to fight corruption abroad. @SenJohnKennedy @SenTedCruz washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2019…
Senators Cruz and Kennedy acknowledge that in order for the quid pro quo to be improper or illegal, one would have to prove corrupt intent. Lucky for them, someone did. Philip Zelikow lays out four circumstances that support corrupt intent. lawfareblog.com/self-dealing-u…
First, Trump circumvented normal government officials and channels. He sent his *personal* attorney to bargain with Ukraine. Ultimately though, Giuliani could not withhold aid from Ukraine. Again, Trump bypasses traditional channels and goes directly to Mulvaney at OMB.
Second, as Mr. Zelikow notes, at no time did Trump make any diplomatic effort either within the administration or the International Monetary Fund or the EU that theories about the 2016 election should be part of the larger Ukraine anti-corruption policy agenda.
Third, Trump and Giuliani’s efforts were counter-productive to anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine. One of the main targets of these efforts was Viktor Shokin who was working *with* Giuliani and provided him with an affidavit that Rudy was waving around on Fox.
Fourth, and here’s the kicker for the @SenJohnKennedy @SenTedCruz corrupt intent - On May 23rd, the Trump administration officially certified that Ukrainian anti-corruption efforts were satisfactory. The certification was never withdrawn.
Lastly, Senator Ron Johnson argues that Trump had other reasons for withholding aid; Europe should pay more, etc. The usual Trump rants.
I wonder if @SenRonJohnson realizes that both IMF and European already contribute more in aid to Ukraine than the US. lawfareblog.com/self-dealing-u…
Trump, Perry, Mulvaney and Sondland along with now supporting witnesses have either publicly admitted or testified to all the elements of the federal bribery statute. Mr. Zelikow puts the final nail in the coffin - corrupt intent. lawfareblog.com/self-dealing-u…
