The Trump administration has yet to release a single document subpoenaed by Congress during its impeachment inquiry of the President, but the administration was forced to hand over a second round of communications between two government offices that helped withhold $400 million in military aid to Ukraine
The documents, obtained Friday by the Center for Public Integrity via an order by a federal judge as part of a Freedom of Information Act request to the Department of Defense and Office of Management and Budget , were heavily redacted.
"The President has asked about this funding release," Mike Duffey, a DoD official, emailed DoD deputy comptroller Elaine McCusker on June 19, just one day after DoD first publicly announced the funding. Duffey included a link to a news article about the announcement, suggesting it was the source of the President's renewed interest."I have been tasked to follow-up with someone over there to get more details," Duffey continues.
The almost $400 million of military assistance was ultimately held up before Trump's infamous July 25 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the contents of which were used as key evidence in the investigation into whether Trump withheld aid in an attempt to pressure Zelensky into investigating former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.
"Please share with your [Office of General Counsel] and advise of any concerns today," Sandy asked McCusker just hours after the call. There is no McCusker response in the documents released, though it is clear that lawyers from both offices corresponded on the topic."I understand our respective OGC's connected this afternoon," Sandy wrote."I need to complete the apportionment this afternoon, so please let me know if you want to discuss before I transmit soon.
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