It seems to me that this defense is undercut by the following:
If Trump sincerely felt he was justified in withholding the aid, there are legal means to do so. The law requires that Congress must be notified.
He went around those legal means.
If Trump sincerely felt he was justified in withholding the aid, there are legal means to do so. The law requires that Congress must be notified.
He went around those legal means.
So it seems to me that Congress anticipated this defense by calling Laura Cooper, who testified about the procedures Trump must follow if he feels aid should be withheld. @SethAbramson
The procedures were explained a few times during the hearings.
The procedures were explained a few times during the hearings.
@SethAbramson I'll add that these aren't criminal proceedings, so criminal standards (like appropriate level of mens rea, or criminal intent) shouldn't apply.
The only "punishment" is removal from office.
So it's more akin to a civil proceeding in which a person is removed from a job.
The only "punishment" is removal from office.
So it's more akin to a civil proceeding in which a person is removed from a job.
