There's one question that absolutely needs to be asked of the Ukraine scandal witnesses.
If the answer to that question is yes, it would transform a corrupt quid pro quo into an utterly insidious extortion scheme & a clear high crime.
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If the answer to that question is yes, it would transform a corrupt quid pro quo into an utterly insidious extortion scheme & a clear high crime.
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The question: Did Trump or any of his officials inform the Ukrainians about the Sept 30 date?
What's significant about Sept 30? That's the day the federal fiscal year ends. If there are appropriated funds that haven't been spent by that date, the funds then are permanently gone.
What's significant about Sept 30? That's the day the federal fiscal year ends. If there are appropriated funds that haven't been spent by that date, the funds then are permanently gone.
What does that mean for the Ukraine scandal?
People have framed the quid pro quo scheme as Trump withholding military aid until Ukraine agreed to investigate Biden.
Framing it this way minimizes what was at stake.
People have framed the quid pro quo scheme as Trump withholding military aid until Ukraine agreed to investigate Biden.
Framing it this way minimizes what was at stake.
In this framing, the underlying assumption is that Ukraine would eventually get the money, even if they have to agree to investigate Biden to get it.
Trump was just temporarily putting a hold on the aid.
Trump was just temporarily putting a hold on the aid.
But, let's bring the Sept 30 deadine into the picture.
If the Ukrainians knew about that date and it's significance, then Trump wasn't just withholding aid as leverage. It was Trump holding up the aid as ransom.
If the Ukrainians knew about that date and it's significance, then Trump wasn't just withholding aid as leverage. It was Trump holding up the aid as ransom.
The Ukrainians would have known they had everything to lose if they didn't agree to Trump's demands. All 391 million would be gone.
This turns a quid pro quo scheme that was corrupt already into something entirely insidious and truly reprehensible.
This turns a quid pro quo scheme that was corrupt already into something entirely insidious and truly reprehensible.
Basically, Trump was threatening to CANCEL the aid entirely if the Ukrainians didn't agree to investigate Biden by Sept 30th.
That threat turns a quid pro quo transaction into coercive extortion, and it no longer can be defended as an ordinary quid pro quo.
That threat turns a quid pro quo transaction into coercive extortion, and it no longer can be defended as an ordinary quid pro quo.
So, when the relevant witnesses are questioned, they need to be asked, did Trump or one his officials inform Ukraine about the Sept 30 date?
Or, were Trump and his officials aware that Ukraine knew about the date?
Or, were Trump and his officials aware that Ukraine knew about the date?
A yes answer to one or both questions would be absolutely devastating to Trump, and make it even harder for the GOP to defend him.
The House investigators must ask witnesses about the date and uncover the truth.
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The House investigators must ask witnesses about the date and uncover the truth.
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