NEW: Sen. Portman, involved in disputed Ukraine narrative, unlike any juror in Trump impeachment trial
1. rejected “corruption” as legit reason to withhold aid
2. voted against admitting documents likely to dispute (Europe burden sharing) narrative
nbcnews.com/politics/trump…
1. rejected “corruption” as legit reason to withhold aid
2. voted against admitting documents likely to dispute (Europe burden sharing) narrative
nbcnews.com/politics/trump…
3. credited by POTUS with convincing him to release Ukraine aid on Sept. 11
4. chair of Senate Ukraine Caucus, former WH budget chief
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4. chair of Senate Ukraine Caucus, former WH budget chief
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5. Among last known to speak w Trump the night the aid was unfrozen.
Referring to that night: “The president was very clear with me. He only raised one issue and that issue only and that was about Europeans not doing enough. I don’t disagree with him on that,” Sept. 26 Fox News.
Referring to that night: “The president was very clear with me. He only raised one issue and that issue only and that was about Europeans not doing enough. I don’t disagree with him on that,” Sept. 26 Fox News.
IMPORTANTLY: “He (Trump) never linked the aid to corruption in general or certainly not an investigation in particular.”
Portman had also repeatedly praised Zelensky, including in a June, 2019 Senate floor speech.
Portman had also repeatedly praised Zelensky, including in a June, 2019 Senate floor speech.
David Holmes, Kiev embassy official, testified Trump was wrong & he communicated that to the WH at the end of AUGUST.
Since 2014, U.S. has provided a combined $3 billion while the Europeans have provided $12 billion. “That information showed a different story,” he testified.
Since 2014, U.S. has provided a combined $3 billion while the Europeans have provided $12 billion. “That information showed a different story,” he testified.
@NBCNews @NBCPolitics Senior Portman aide: Portman was doing what he could to get the funds released.
The aide acknowledged the claim that Europe has fallen short in its $$ obligations is incorrect and said Portman was referring to military aid, specifically, which the U.S. provides the bulk of.
The aide acknowledged the claim that Europe has fallen short in its $$ obligations is incorrect and said Portman was referring to military aid, specifically, which the U.S. provides the bulk of.
@NBCNews @NBCPolitics Portman's participation in the disputed narrative is increasingly relevant as he faces a vote on whether to call witnesses, including former nat. sec. adviser John Bolton, who could establish whether Trump was telling Portman the truth about his motives.
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