Published 13:15 IST, November 18th 2019
Donald Trump's aide curbed access to Ukraine call, fearing fallout
House Intelligence Committee released the testimony of Donald Trump's aide on Nov 16 who said he recommended to 'restrict access of package' and feared damage
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House Intelligence Committee released another testimony of United States senior official who said he recommended to 'restrict the access of package' fearing damage to the White House. Former Deputy Assistant, Timothy Morrison feared fallout of the Ukraine call after listening to the content of the conversation between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky which is also the center of official impeachment probe launched against Trump. The hearing of Morrison and Jennifer Williams, the Special Adviser to the Vice President for Europe and Russia which took place on October 31 and November 7 respectively were made public on November 16.
'Damaging' if leaked
Morrison had asked the National Security Council lawyers to review the call because he thought the contents could have been 'damaging' if leaked and therefore restricted access to the package. The former Deputy Assistant also said that he did not want many people who could know the contents of the call. The call between two country leaders which happened on July 25 took place while the White House was withstanding the military aide for the Ukrainian government. According to the Democrats, it was President Trump abusing his powers by asking a foreign government to launch an inquiry against former US Vice President Joe Biden's son, Hunter.
No Pressure on Ukraine
President Trump said on November 17 that everyone should keep in mind there was no pressure on the Ukraine government and it was also confirmed by President Zelensky as well as the Foreign Minister and got the money 'with no condition'. However, Democrats stiffen their stance about President Trump's 'betrayal to the constitution', Republicans believe that the entire impeachment probe is based on 'second-hand witnesses' as their 'star witnesses'.
Republicans & others must remember, the Ukrainian President and Foreign Minister both said that there was no pressure placed on them whatsoever. Also, they didn’t even know the money wasn’t paid, and got the money with no conditions. But why isn’t Germany, France (Europe) paying?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 17, 2019
Last week, the US President went on yet another aggressive Twitter spree where he retweeted the impeachment proceedings which favoured the Republican side of the inquiry in which Rep. Michael Conaway said, in the beginning, to move that 'we subpoena the whistleblower'. Trump has also repeatedly asked about the identity of the whistleblower which according to the White House is 'unfair' that only Schiff knows. Therefore, Democrats declare another hearing as a 'failure'.
12:19 IST, November 18th 2019